Thai poached pork belly with coriander salad

Braising pork belly really brings out the flavour of this cheap and tender cut. Here, it’s fried just before serving for a pleasing, crisp finish.

Ingredients

For the pork belly

1kg/2lb 4oz boneless pork belly, skin scored
2 long red chillies, split lengthways
2 sticks lemongrass, lightly bruised
½ head of garlic, sliced horizontally
4 coriander sprigs, preferably with root attached
4 slices fresh ginger
2 lime leaves, lightly bruised
oil, for frying
knob of butter

For the pickled vegetables

1 white turnip, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
110ml/4fl oz white wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

For the chilli jam

150g/5½oz caster sugar
2 red chillies, roughly chopped
3 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
8 lime leaves
2 lemongrass stems, tough outer leaves removed, finely chopped
4 sprigs coriander (preferably with root attached), roughly chopped
25g/1oz roughly chopped fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 small shallots, roughly chopped
4 tbsp Thai fish sauce
40ml/1½fl oz sesame oil
50ml/2fl oz dark soy sauce
2 tbsp clear honey
3 limes, juice and zest
110g/4oz crème fraîche

To serve

150g/5oz watercress leaves
3 tbsp coriander leaves
2 tbsp mint leaves

Preparation method

For the pork belly, place the pork belly, chillies, lemongrass, garlic, coriander, ginger and lime leaves into a large saucepan. Top with water, so the pork is covered, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for two hours.
For the pickled vegetables, place the turnip and cucumber in a heatproof bowl. Put 110ml/4fl oz water in a pan with the white wine vinegar, sugar and salt, and heat until the salt and sugar have dissolved. Pour over the turnip and cucumber and set aside to pickle for two hours, then drain off the pickling liquid.
For the pork belly, when poached, remove from the heat and place between two heavy baking trays and place in the fridge for at least two hours to cool and set.
For the chilli jam, heat the sugar in a heavy-based saucepan over a low to medium heat until it melts and forms a golden-brown caramel. Do not stir and keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.
Blend all of the remaining chilli jam ingredients, except the crème fraîche, in a food processor to a smooth purée.
Once the sugar has caramelised, pour in the puréed chilli jam mixture and stir well. Bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until sticky and jam-like. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
For the pork belly, remove the pork from the fridge and cut into 1cm/½in thick slices. Heat a frying pan until hot, add a splash of oil and a knob of butter, and fry the pork slices on each side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden-brown and crisp.
Add a couple of spoons of the chilli jam to the pan and continue to fry, basting as you go until coated and slightly sticky.
To serve, lay three slices of the pork belly on to the plate, dress with the pickled vegetables, watercress, coriander and mint leaves and finish with a few dots of chilli jam.