Jerk-Spiced Porchetta with Jerk Gravy
Porchetta is perfect for an alternative Christmas feast or for a delicious meal throughout the festive season. Spiced-up with our Caribbean Creations Jerk paste it’s a flavour-packed delight. This is an easy rolled pork belly porchetta but feel free to go the whole hog (pun intended) and roll up a pork loin in the centre – just adjust the cooking times accordingly. Serve as a roast with all the trimmings and Ainsley Rice & Peas or sliced in soft rolls with a hot sauce/chutney and/or slaw.
Method
Mix 3/4 of the jerk paste with the thyme leaves, garlic and orange zest. Place the pork belly skin-side down on a clean surface, score the flesh with a sharp knife and then rub the paste into the meat. Roll the meat up tightly and then tie with butcher’s string at 3cm intervals. Wipe off any excess marinade and pat the skin dry. Chill to marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Bringing up to room temperature before cooking.
Preheat the oven to 180/160Cfan.
Pat the meat dry and place on a rack in a roasting tray, seam side down. Rub the skin of the pork with olive oil and then evenly and generously rub flaky salt into the skin. Roast for 2 ½ hours. Turn up the heat to 240C/220Cfan and cook for another 20-30 minutes or until the crackling is crisp and golden (keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn).
Remove from the oven and take the meat (and rack) from the tray and allow the pork to rest. Meanwhile, skim off any excess fat from the juices in the tray. Place the tray over a low heat and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavour from the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle over the flour and cook, stirring until well blended. Gradually add the stock or wine, stirring well. Stir in the remaining jerk paste to taste. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil, stirring until thickened to your desired consistency. Season to taste.
Use a serrated knife to cut your pork belly into thick slices. Enjoy with all the trimmings and the jerk gravy or serve in soft rolls with the gravy for dipping.
Ingredients
- 2kg skin-on boneless pork belly, butterflied
- flaky sea salt
- 1 x sachet Ainsley Ultimate Jamaican Jerk Paste
- 4 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked
- 3 cloves of garlic
- zest of 1 orange
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 450ml hot chicken or vegetable stock