17 Tantalising Pork Belly Recipes That Are Sure To Be A Hit At Reunion Dinner
If you haven't experimented with pork belly yet, click through these gorgeous pork belly recipes and prepare to be converted.
Pork belly is one of the world's most indulgent cuts of meat. Its beautiful richness is a real treat, and now as a bonus, it is apparently healthy too! That's because according to a BBC report in January 2018, researchers who analysed more than 1,000 raw foods found that lard is among the top 10 foods which provide the best balance of a person's daily nutritional requirements.
Pork fat was ranked 8th in a list of 100 foods, with a nutritional score of 74 – the higher the number, the more likely it will meet your daily nutritional needs. It is listed as containing "a good source of B vitamins and minerals" as well as being "more unsaturated and healthier than lamb or beef fat".
In addition, pork fat contains oleic acid with 60 per cent monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated oleic acid has been found to be good for the heart, arteries and skin, and also helps to regulate hormones. As a comparison, butter contains 45 per cent monounsaturated fat.
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But as with many things, moderation is key. Excessive consumption of fat can lead to obesity, according to a Singapore-based nutritionist interviewed by the Chinese daily.
"As long as it's pure and unprocessed, it can be beneficial for the body," said the nutritionist. But she recommends not consuming more than six spoonfuls a day, and stresses the importance of a balanced diet: "For example, meat is a better source of vitamin B than fat, and essential omega-3 fatty acids are obtained from other foods."
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Pork belly is made especially tender when slow-cooked for hours in a sweet and sticky sauce, and goes brilliantly with many different marinades and spices, whether you're opting for an Asian-inspired plum sauce or a simple salt and pepper seasoning.
If you haven't experimented with pork belly yet, click through these gorgeous Asian pork belly recipes and prepare to be converted:
Crispy on the outside, perfectly succulent and tender on the inside, this rosemary and salt-encrusted roast pork with an apple cider twist will make the most mouth-watering centrepiece at your reunion dinner this year.
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Here's something a bit more Asian-inspired that you can whip up in just two hours. Square pillars of glossy pork simmered in a deliciously fragrant broth of onion, ginger, garlic and cooking oil - mm!
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Follow Michelin-star chef Malcolm Lee's incredible yet easy-to-follow chap chye (mixed vegetable stew with pork belly and glass noodles) recipe.
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This beautiful dish, which will make for a gorgeous starter to your feast, features a mixture of minced pork belly and prawns.
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Excite your tastebuds with this unique pork belly recipe using pickled grapes and crushed kumara. Pat dry the pork belly with a paper towel and leave uncovered in the fridge one day before cooking to help with the cooking process.
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This delicious Japanese savoury pancake is absolutely delicious topped with sticky soy pork belly. Try it yourself tonight – the family will thank you!
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For a hearty main course for dinner, try cooking this traditional Chinese style pork belly dish for the whole family. To make slicing easier during preparation, turn the pork skin side down onto the chopping board.
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This quick recipe will help you whip up a delicious pork belly main course in an hour – tender roast pork belly is delicious cooked in Asian spices and served with a reduction of the cooking sauces.
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Succulent pork belly paired with the sharpness of steamed ginger rice makes for a tasty lunch main course or a satisfying dinner meal.
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A fresh and bold Asian broth with crispy pork belly will help re-energise you after a long day at work – its flavours and aroma are so comforting!
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The savoury taste of Chinese five-spice goes surprisingly well with the sweetness of caramel. Coupled with succulent pork belly, this dish makes an excellent main course for gatherings.
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Plum sauce adds a different depth of flavour to pork belly which you can't achieve using just regular gravy. The added aromatics and spices complement the juicy meat to perfection.
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Balance out your diet with this yummy and nutritious pork belly salad. If you have the time, leaving the poached pork uncovered in the fridge overnight will help dry out the skin for a crispier result.
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Combine the taste of succulent pork belly with zesty pineapple for an explosion of flavour! The whole family will be wanting more after the first bite.
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Add a sweet touch to the standard pork belly roast with caramelised apples which are a healthier alternative to sugar. This candied treat will definitely be a hit with the kids.
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Have time to spare this weekend? Try making this hearty italian roasted pork belly for the whole family to enjoy! Get your butcher to score the pork skin for you to speed up the process.
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Like any recipe (this one is from A Simple Table by Michele Cranston) for pork belly, this is incredibly rich, so it's been teamed with a green papaya salad that is fresh-flavoured with a little chilli bite.
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Text: Asiaone, The Australian Women's Weekly/BauerSyndication.com.au / Photos: BauerSyndication.com.au