🔒 You've used all 3 free recipes this month

Subscribe for just £12/year for unlimited access Subscribe Now →

Free recipes reset on 1st of next month

2026-04: View 24/3 free this month LOCKED

Home > Ambiente Tapas Beverley > PORK BELLY > Recipe

🔒

You've reached your limit

You've viewed all 3 free recipes this month.

Why not go Premium for just £12/year?

Unlimited recipe access
Restaurant secrets & chef notes
Ad-free experience
AI photo enhancement
Exclusive badges & perks

That's less than 3p per day!

Subscribe Now - £12/year

Free recipes reset on 1st of next month

Photo by @Jasmine

British - Main Course

Ultimate Crispy Pork Belly with Spiced Apple Compote

Name: Ultimate Crispy Pork Belly with Spiced Apple Compote
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: Pork belly, 800g, skin scored; Sea salt, 1 tbsp; Onion, 1 large, finely chopped; Carrots, 2 medium, diced; Garlic, 2 cloves, minced; Apples, 3 large, peeled and cubed; Brown sugar, 50g; Apple cider vinegar, 50ml; Cinnamon stick, 1; Star anise, 1; Chicken stock, 200ml; Black pepper, 1 tsp; Coriander seeds, 1 tsp, crushed; Paprika, 1 tsp; Olive oil, 2 tbsp; Butter, 25g; White wine, 100ml; Fresh coriander, handful, chopped; Lemon zest, from 1 lemon

This luxurious dish features perfectly crispy pork belly paired with a fragrant apple compote. The pork is expertly seasoned and slow-cooked to achieve a tender interior and crackling exterior. The apple compote, infused with cinnamon and star anise, provides a sweet and spicy contrast. Each bite promises a burst of flavor and texture, reminiscent of a fine dining experience.

⏱

Prep Time

25 min

🍳

Cook Time

55 min

👥

Servings

📊

Difficulty

Expert

⏰ Cooking Timeline

Start 85 minutes total

15m

Mise en Place

10m

Prepare Pork Belly

55m

Roast the Pork

Rest the Pork

20m

Make Apple Compote

Final Assembly

🛒 Ingredients

Main Protein/Base

Pork belly, 800g, skin scored
Sea salt, 1 tbsp

Vegetables & Aromatics

Onion, 1 large, finely chopped
Carrots, 2 medium, diced
Garlic, 2 cloves, minced

Sauce/Marinade

Apples, 3 large, peeled and cubed
Brown sugar, 50g
Apple cider vinegar, 50ml
Cinnamon stick, 1
Star anise, 1
Chicken stock, 200ml

Spices & Seasonings

Black pepper, 1 tsp
Coriander seeds, 1 tsp, crushed
Paprika, 1 tsp

For Cooking

Olive oil, 2 tbsp
Butter, 25g
White wine, 100ml

Garnish & Finishing

Fresh coriander, handful, chopped
Lemon zest, from 1 lemon

Adjust servings:

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Mise en Place

15 min

Score the pork belly skin with a sharp knife. Finely chop the onion and dice the carrots. Mince the garlic and set aside with other prepped ingredients. Organize them by cooking time.

💡 Tip: Use a ruler to evenly score the pork skin.

Prepare Pork Belly

10 min

Preheat the oven to 220°C. Rub the pork belly skin with salt and olive oil, making sure to get into the scores. Place the pork on a wire rack in a roasting tin.

💡 Tip: Dry the skin thoroughly before applying salt and oil.

Roast the Pork

55 min

Roast the pork for 30 minutes at 220°C to crisp the skin, then reduce the temperature to 160°C and roast for another 25 minutes until tender.

💡 Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature.

Rest the Pork

5 min

Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist.

💡 Tip: Cover loosely with foil to retain heat.

Make Apple Compote

20 min

In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté onions, carrots, and garlic until softened. Add apples, brown sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, star anise, and chicken stock. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.

💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Final Assembly

5 min

Slice the pork belly into serving portions. Spoon apple compote onto plates and top with pork. Garnish with fresh coriander and lemon zest.

💡 Tip: Use a hot knife for clean pork slices.

💡 Pro Tips

✓ Ensure pork skin is dry before roasting.
✓ Use fresh spices for maximum flavor.
✓ Let the pork rest to retain juiciness.
✓ Simmer compote slowly for natural sweetness.
✓ Crush coriander seeds for a fragrant touch.
✓ Present with care for a restaurant-quality finish.

📊 Nutrition Facts (per serving)

450

Calories

32g

Protein

45g

Carbs

18g

Fat

Saturated Fat

Fiber

Sugar

720mg

Sodium

🪄 Equipment Needed

Essential: Sharp knife (for scoring and slicing) Recommended: Meat thermometer (ensures perfect doneness) Optional upgrade: Cast iron skillet (for even browning)

🔄 Variations to Try

Use pears instead of apples for the compote.

Add a touch of chili for a spicy kick.

Incorporate rosemary into the apple compote.

Try a balsamic reduction instead of lemon zest.

🍽 Pairs Well With

🍷 Wine

Chardonnay - its acidity complements the pork.

🍺 Beer

Pale Ale - balances the sweetness of the apples.

🥤 Non-Alcoholic

Apple cider - enhances the compote flavors.

🍽 Side Dishes

Roasted root vegetables

🎯 Restaurant Secrets PREMIUM

Insider techniques that make restaurant versions taste better:

★ Start with a high oven temperature for crispy skin.
★ Use high-quality pork for the best texture.
★ Let the pork rest for juicy tenderness.
★ Finish with fresh lemon zest for brightness.
★ Crush spices to release their full aroma.

🛠 Troubleshooting Guide PREMIUM

Common problems and how to fix them:

⚠ Sauce too thin

✓ Simmer longer to reduce.

⚠ Protein overcooked

✓ Check internal temp earlier.

⚠ Lacking flavour

✓ Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

⚠ Texture wrong

✓ Ensure proper roasting time.

⚠ Doesn't look like photo

✓ Careful plating and garnish.

📅 Make-Ahead Plan PREMIUM

Plan your cooking in advance:

📆 2 Days Before

• Score and salt pork skin.

📅 Day Before

• Prepare apple compote without cooking.

🌅 Morning Of

• Complete mise en place.

⏰ Last Minute

• Roast pork and finish compote.

🎓 Skills You'll Learn PREMIUM

✓ Roasting: Achieve crispy skin. ✓ Simmering: Develop deep flavors. ✓ Plating: Present dishes beautifully.

🍽 Plating Guide PREMIUM

Plate it like the photo:

1 Step 1: Spoon a base layer of apple compote.
2 Step 2: Place pork slices on top.
3 Step 3: Drizzle with pan juices.
4 Step 4: Garnish with coriander and lemon zest.
5 Step 5: Wipe plate edges for a clean finish.

📈 Scaling Guide PREMIUM

2 servings: Reduce pork to 400g, adjust ingredients by half.

4 servings: Base recipe

6 servings: Increase pork to 1.2kg, adjust roasting time slightly.

8 servings: Double ingredients, use larger roasting tin.

🔄 Substitution Guide PREMIUM

💰 Budget Swaps

• Substitute pork belly with pork shoulder.

✨ Premium Upgrades

• Use heritage breed pork for extra flavor.

🌱 Dietary Alternatives

• For gluten-free, use gluten-free stock.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Notes PREMIUM

"This dish is a celebration of textures and flavors. The crispy pork skin and sweet apple compote create a harmony that delights the senses. Inspired by traditional British flavors, this recipe elevates the classic pork belly to a fine dining experience."

This recipe was inspired by a plate submission on Plate Pic

View Original Plate Explore More Plates