Roast Crispy Pork Belly(脆皮烧肉)

Who doesn't like crackling skin Siu Bak.....

Many people are intimidated of roasting siu bak at home because they think that it is difficult.Roasting siu bak is very easy if you take your first step out and try it yourself.
There are many recipes online which calls for fermented beancurd and some sauces which i think is much too complicating. All you need is salt, pepper and 5 spice powder, that's it!

Preparation of the pork belly is the crucial part of roasting siu bak. The pork belly needs to be dried out so that the skin will be crackling crispy. Prior to roasting, the entire skin surface needs to be pricked with a  pricking tool specially for the job. You can also use a bunch of skewer sticks if the pricking tool is not available.

Home cooked siu bak definitely taste better as it's juicer and more fresh.

Recipe (Prep 24 hours, Cooking time 1 hour 15 mins)
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 450g -500g pork belly (whole slab)

Seasonings(combined):

• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp 5 spice powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Steps:

1) Rinse pork belly and pat dry.

2) Spread the combined seasoning on the underside and side of the pork belly. Do not spread on the skin area.

3) Transfer the pork belly into the fridge,  uncover and let it rest in fridge for 24 hours (this is to dry out the meat).

4) Prior to roasting, prick the entire skin with the pricking tool or a bunch of skewer sticks.This is a crucial part if your siu bak will turn out to have cracking skin or not.

5) in a preheated over of temperature 220 degrees, place the pork belly skin side up on a grill rack and make sure to have a baking tray underneath, to collect the dripping oil. Pour some water into the baking tray, so as to keep the pork belly juicy and not dry.

6) Roast for about 30 mins and take out the pork belly and continue to prick the pork belly skin.

7) Reduce oven temperature to 200 degress and roast the pork belly for another 45 minutes.

8) During these 45 mins, the skin should be all crackling up.

9) Once roasted till crispy and done, take out the pork belly and let it rest for about 20 mins(this is to allow the juices within the meat to settle back into the meat)

10) Chop siu bak into your preferred thickness and serve!