Ingredients
- 2 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 small bunch thyme, leaves only
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ -2kg/3lb 5oz-4lb 8oz piece boneless pork belly, skin scored
- 2 lemons
R259.90 / 2.5kgAdd to cart
Method
- Toast 2 tbsp fennel seeds and 1 tsp black peppercorns in a dry frying pan for a couple of mins. Pound them together in a pestle and mortar with some flaked sea salt, the leaves from 1 small bunch of thyme and 3 garlic cloves to make a paste.
- Mix with 2 tbsp olive oil and rub all over the flesh of a 1½ – 2kg piece of boneless pork belly. Cover and chill, leaving to marinate for a few hours or overnight.
- When ready to cook, rub the skin of the joint with plenty of salt and 1 tbsp more olive oil. Sit on a wire rack in a roasting tin and roast at 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6 for 30 mins.
- After this time, squeeze 2 lemons over the skin and turn the heat down to 180°C/ 160°C fan/gas 4. Roast for a further 2 hrs.
- Finally, turn the heat back up to 220°C/ 200°C fan/gas 7 and give it a final blast for another 30 mins or so, to finish the crackling.
- Allow to rest somewhere warm for 20 mins. Carve up into chunks or slices and serve with the braised cabbage and bay-infused potatoes.
