Crackling pork belly with crimson grape and plum sauce

Preparation Time 25 minutes

Cooking Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1.5 - 1.8kg __pork belly, rind on

Oil

Sea salt

Sauce

1 cup plum sauce

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar glaze

1/4 cup caster sugar

1/4 cup pomegranate juice

3/4 cup crimson grapes, halved

To serve

Steamed potatoes

Steamed asparagus spears

Steamed baby brussel sprouts

Steamed baby peas

Cooking Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 220°C.
2. Using a Stanley knife or scalpel, finely score the pork belly rind.  Pat the surface of the rind dry with paper towel and rub with oil and flakes of sea salt.  Allow to sit for 20 minutes.
3. Place the pork belly into a shallow baking dish.
4. Roast the pork belly in the pre-heated oven at 220°C for 30 minutes.  This will begin the crackling process.  Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C and continue to roast for a further 1 ½ hours.  Remove the belly from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
5. To prepare the sauce, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and stir over a medium heat.  Simmer until liquid has reduced by half and is glossy.
6. Cut the pork belly into serving sized portions.  Serve hot with steamed vegetables and crimson grape and plum sauce.

Notes: sauce may be prepared well ahead of time and kept in an air tight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.