Food Editor Michelle Southan shows you how using this recipe for Roast pork with fennel.
Step 1
First, preheat the oven to 230°C, then combine the salt and fennel in a small bowl.
Step 2
For truly top-notch crackling, your pork needs a generous coverage of fat. Most pork roasts come with the fat already scored. If not, use a small sharp knife to score. This helps to render the fat and ensures the crackling will crisp up nicely.
Step 3
Next, your perfect crackling demands the perfect combination of oil, salt and high heat. Tie your pork at regular intervals. This contains any stuffing you may want to add and also helps hold the shape of the pork.
Step 4
Place the pork, rind-side up, in a roasting pan. Drizzle the oil over the pork, then rub the salt mixture into the cuts. Rub a little oil and salt into the scored rind and place in the oven. Roast for 45 minutes or until the rind crackles.
Step 5
When the crackling’s finished, it’s time to start the slow cooking. Reduce the heat to 200°C, remove the roast from the oven, and add your apples. Roast for a further 1 hour 10 minutes or until the pork is just cooked through and the apples are tender.
Step 6
Place your pork on a platter to serve. Like any meat, it will benefit from resting so cover it with foil for at least10 minutes, then it’s perfect to serve for Christmas lunch.
