Slow Roast Pork Belly with Plum and Port Chutney Recipe

An autumn dish you'll want to try again and again, this pork recipe is the perfect main to try for your next dinner party.

HOW TO MAKE SLOW ROAST PORK BELLY WITH PLUM AND PORT CHUTNEY

Ingredients

• 1.2kg to 1.3kg (2lb 11oz to 3lb) piece English, free-range belly pork, bones in and scored
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
• 12 sage leaves, roughly chopped

for the chutney:

• large knob butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 large ripe plums, halved, stone removed and quartered
• 1 eating apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 200ml (7fl oz) port or robust red wine
• 3tbsp soft brown sugar
• 3tbsp red wine vinegar

Method

1. Heat the oven to 130 C, 110 C fan, 250 F, gas ½. Place the pork skin side down on a board and cut long incisions, around 1cm (½in) deep, between the bones. Push in the garlic and sage. Put 2 sheets of foil into a roasting tin and lay the pork on top, skin side up. Scrunch the foil around the edges of the pork - this prevents the edges going hard. Dry the skin, then sprinkle over a little salt and place in the oven for 5 hours.
2. Meanwhile, make the chutney - you can heat it up again just before serving. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, cook the onion on a low heat until soft then add the plums and apple. Stir well, season then add the port and bring to the boil. Let it bubble for a few minutes, then add the sugar and vinegar. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes until cooked through. Set aside until later.
3. To finish off the pork, pour off the juices from the roasting tin and turn the oven up to 220 C, 200 C fan, 425 F, gas 7. Return the meat to the oven and roast until the skin crackles - about 20 minutes. Serve with the chutney, steamed curly kale and spuds.