Nigel Slater's Crisp Pork Belly, Sweet Peach Salsa

Updated April 05, 2019

Crisp Pork Belly, Sweet Peach Salsa. [Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin]

Nigel Slater's Crisp Pork Belly, Sweet Peach Salsa from Ripe is a fabulous surprise of a recipe. The warm, vaguely Asian spice blend rubbed into the belly may not seem an obvious complement to a Southwestern-style peach salsa, but a quick glance through the ingredients reveals commonalities: cilantro, lime, and chile all play their parts in both cuisines, and peaches themselves are one of America's favorite imports from China. Not to mention that once the peach salsa is piled on top of thinly sliced, quiveringly rich belly, it's hard to imagine doubting Slater's genius.

Why I picked this recipe: Crisp pork cracklings plus rich belly meat and bright peach salsa equals a guaranteed win in my book.

What worked: Everything about the belly—from the spicy marinade to the crisp skin—was spectacular. I could eat it for days.

What didn't: The three tablespoons of oil called for in the salsa seemed excessive served next to such a rich cut of pork. A slight drizzle would be plenty.

Suggested Tweaks: Any sweet-tart fruit would work well in the salsa: mango and pineapple would be particularly complementary. And if just the thought of a 400 degree oven makes you sweat, this salsa would work fine alongside a grilled chop or two.

Recipe Details

Nigel Slater's Crisp Pork Belly, Sweet Peach Salsa

Active 25 mins

Total 12 hrs

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

2 to 3 pounds pork belly, boned, skin intact and finely scored

For the Rub:

3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon peanut oil
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried chile flakes
1 slightly heaping teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

For the Peach Salsa:

2 green onions
1 small red chile
3 peaches
8 cherry tomatoes
1 small bunch cilantro
Juice of 2 limes
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Put the pork in a china or glass dish. Peel and crush the garlic to a paste, stirring in the soy, oil, salt, chile flakes, and five-spice powder. Spread this paste over the skin and underside of the pork and leave it to marinate for a good four hours, if not overnight.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the pork in a roasting pan, then cook, skin-side up, for about twenty minutes. Lower the heat to 400°F (200°C) and continue cooking for a further forty to fifty minutes, until the skin is dark and crisp. Leave to rest for ten minutes before carving.
Make the salsa. Trim and finely chop the green onions. Finely chop the chile. Peel, pit, and finely chop the peaches and tomatoes and chop the cilantro. Toss gently, then dress with the lime juice and olive oil. Serve the pork with the salsa.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
814	Calories
60g	Fat
18g	Carbs
52g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	814
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 60g	77%
Saturated Fat 19g	93%
Cholesterol 179mg	60%
Sodium 1808mg	79%
Total Carbohydrate 18g	6%
Dietary Fiber 3g	11%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 52g
Vitamin C 38mg	188%
Calcium 134mg	10%
Iron 3mg	17%
Potassium 957mg	20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.