Perfect Roast Pork Belly

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  2kg boneless pork belly, skin scored

• 1 onion, cut into chunks

• 1 carrot, cut into chunks

• 1 celery stick, cut into four pieces

• 4 sprigs flatleaf parsley

• 2 sprigs thyme

• 3 star anise

• 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half

• 110g butter

• 2 tbsp honey

• 110ml red wine

• 250ml beef stock

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

  
  

  For the apple sauce

  25g/1oz butter

  1 large Bramley or 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, roughly chopped

  For the apple sauce, heat the butter and Bramley apples in a lidded saucepan over a gentle heat. Cover and cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the apples have collapsed and are soft and fluffy. Stir the mixture to form a smooth purée.

  
  

  Preparation method

  For the pork belly, place the pork belly, onion, carrot, celery, parsley, thyme, star anise and cinnamon sticks into a large saucepan. Cover with cold water until the pork is just covered.

  
  

  1. Bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for two hours.

  2. Remove the pork belly from the mixture and place between two heavy baking trays. Chill in the fridge for at least two hours.

  3. Preheat the oven to 225C/450F/Gas 8.

  4. Remove the pork from the fridge and cut into four squares.

  5. Heat an ovenproof frying pan until hot, add half of the butter and the pork belly pieces, skin-side down. Fry for 2-3 minutes.

  6. Carefully turn the pork belly pieces over and pour over the honey. Roast the pork belly in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the pork skin is crisp.

     
     

     Meanwhile, bring the red wine and beef stock to the boil in a saucepan and cook until the volume of the liquid has reduced by half. Whisk in the remaining butter and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.