Crispy Pork Belly Bites
Crispy, succulent and irresistibly flavourful, this Crispy Pork Belly Bites recipe is perfect for sharing or serving as a show-stopping main. A generous slab of pork belly is scored, rubbed with salt and olive oil, then slow-roasted to achieve crackling-crisp skin and tender, juicy meat. Paired with a sticky tamarind and chilli jam, and garnished with shredded green onions, each bite delivers bold sweet, savoury and spicy notes. With about 30 minutes prep and 1 hour 20 minutes cook time, it’s an easy yet impressive dish which is ideal for gatherings, weeknight dinners or any feast-worthy occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 x 2 kg piece boneless Otway Pork belly (see Notes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt flakes
- Shredded green onions (shallots), to serve
- Sweet chilli sauce, to serve (optional)
Sticky Tamarind & Chilli Jam
- 2 teaspoons peanut oil
- 1 tablespoon finely shredded ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 long red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons tamarind puree
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
Method
Preheat the oven to 240°C/220°C fan forced. Using a sharp knife, score pork rind at 1 cm intervals. Rub with oil and sea salt.
Place a rack in a large roasting pan. Pour 3 cups of water into the roasting pan. Place pork skin side-up on the rack. Roast pork for 40-45 minutes or until the skin is golden and crackled.
Reduce heat to 170°C/150°C fan-forced and roast for a further 40 minutes or until the pork is very tender.
Meanwhile, to make the sticky tamarind jam, heat oil in a small saucepan over high heat. Add ginger, garlic and chilli and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add ¼ cup of water, sugar, tamarind puree and fish sauce. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes or until the jam is thick and sticky. Remove from heat and set aside.
Remove pork from oven. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes. Slice pork into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the pieces of pork on a platter in a single layer. Serve with sticky tamarind jam or sweet chilli sauce and shredded spring onions.
Notes
For the best crackling, place the pork belly skin side-up onto a tray lined with baking paper and refrigerate overnight to dry out the rind.
Remove the pork belly from the fridge 1 hour before scoring the skin.
FAQs
How do I get really crispy crackling on pork belly?
Dry the rind by leaving the pork uncovered, skin side up, in the fridge overnight. Score it, rub in oil and plenty of salt, and start in a very hot oven. Pat away any moisture before it goes in.
What can I use instead of tamarind puree?
Mix fresh lime juice with a little extra brown sugar for a similar sweet-sour balance. The flavour won’t be identical, but it still pairs well with the rich pork.
Is the tamarind and chilli jam spicy?
It’s mildly spicy, because the chilli is deseeded. For more heat, leave some seeds in. For a milder jam suited to kids, use half the chilli or leave it out.
What should I serve with crispy pork belly bites at Christmas?
Serve them as a canapé on their own, or alongside a fresh Asian-style slaw, a herb salad or lettuce cups. They also make a great addition to a Christmas grazing platter or seafood spread.
Recipe courtesy of Australian Pork Limited.
