Pomegranate-braised pork belly
By Cassie Best
Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
Christmassy spices and tender pork combined with the tart flavours of pomegranate and lemon make this a fabulously warming winter main course
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Prep:5 mins
Cook:2 hrs 10 mins
- Serves 4
- Easy
Nutrition per serving
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kcal 610
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fat 41g
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saturates 14g
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carbs 25g
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sugars 25g
-
fibre 1g
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protein 36g
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salt 0.3g
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or sunflower oil
- 400ml pomegranate juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 1 lemon, juiced and zest peeled into strips
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 8 pork belly slices (about 750g)
- 50g pomegranate seeds
- green vegetables or a fresh grain salad, to serve (optional)
Method
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Heat the oil in a wide, shallow ovenproof dish (or use a roasting tin that can go on the hob). Mix the pomegranate juice, cinnamon, allspice, lemon juice, honey and red wine vinegar together in a large bowl. Brown the pork for 2-3 mins each side, then add all the other ingredients, season and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid, or wrap the dish in foil, then transfer to the oven for 1 hr.
Uncover the dish, remove the pork and set aside. Skim off the fat and place the dish on the hob. Reduce the sauce to a sticky glaze before returning the pork to the dish and basting. Increase the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and return the dish to the oven. Continue cooking for another 45-50 mins until the pork is really tender. Scatter with the pomegranate seeds and serve with green veg or a fresh grain salad, if you like.
