Meaty and juicy – these sweet and somewhat crispy pork belly slices are sinfully delicious!

 

What we need: (for 8 people)

 

1.6 kg. pork belly slices

 

3 tbsps. brown sugar

 

3 tbsps. corn syrup 

 

3 tbsps. tomato paste

 

1 onion 

 

3 cloves garlic, crushed

 

1 tbsp. (dry) oregano

 

1 tbsp. cumin

 

1 tsp chilli (chili flakes)

 

1 tsp cinnamon

 

1 tsp mixture of spices (allspice)

 

1 tsp salt

 

Method:

 

Preheat your oven to 150 ° C.  We want the temperature low so that the meat remains juicy and absorbs the full flavors of the marinade. 

 

Arrange the pork belly slices in a deep dish. In a blender, puree the onion and garlic, and then mix all your ingredients in a large bowl: sugar, corn syrup, tomato paste, onion and garlic, oregano, cumin, chilli, salt

and cinnamon. Once properly combined, pour the mixture over your meat.

 

Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and let it simmer slowly in the oven for three whole hours! 

 

Next, remove the lid or foil, turn the slices of pork and spoon the marinade in the pan over the meat. Let the uncovered meat cook for another 40 – 45 minutes. Then turn the pork belly slices over again and cook for a further 15 minutes. 

 

The pork needs to cook at a low temperature for approximately 4 hours in total. 

 

Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool to cool a little.  Then cover the dish and place in the refrigerator for 1 day, maximum.

 

When it's almost time to serve the meat, remove from the refrigerator and allow it to return to room temperature.  Then place it in the oven on a low heat so that the marinade can melt.

 

Once melted, using a brush, baste the marinade over the slices of pork belly and cook for a further few minutes, turning the meat at least once, so that it becomes caramelized and beautifully crispy!

 

Tip: Once your meat has cooked on a low heat for 4 hours, finish it up on the barbecue until you are left with a crispy outside and a super tender and sweet inside!