Stuffed Pork Belly Rhodope Style
A rich and flavorful dish featuring tender pork belly stuffed with a savory mixture of seasoned ground pork, herbs, and sometimes cheese, then slow-roasted to crispy perfection. This recipe draws inspiration from the Rhodope Mountains region, known for its hearty cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Pork belly(skin-on, boneless)
- 300 g Ground pork
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 50 g Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 20 g Fresh mint(chopped (optional, for a Rhodopean touch))
- 100 g Sirene (Bulgarian white brine cheese)(crumbled (optional))
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Coarse sea salt(for crackling)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pork belly: If the skin is not already scored, score it in a diamond pattern about 1 cm deep. This helps with crackling. Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels.
💡 Tip: Scoring the skin deeply is crucial for achieving crispy crackling. - 2
Make the stuffing: In a bowl, combine the ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped mint (if using), crumbled sirene (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
💡 Tip: Ensure the stuffing is well-seasoned, as it will be the primary flavor inside the pork. - 3
Stuff the pork belly: Spread the stuffing mixture evenly over the flesh side of the pork belly, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the pork belly tightly, starting from one of the longer sides, to enclose the stuffing.
💡 Tip: Roll tightly to prevent the stuffing from escaping during cooking. - 4
Secure the roll: Tie the rolled pork belly securely with kitchen twine at intervals of about 2-3 cm to maintain its shape during roasting.
💡 Tip: Use sturdy kitchen twine and tie knots firmly. - 5
Prepare for roasting: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Place the rolled pork belly on a wire rack set inside a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and rub the skin generously with coarse sea salt.
💡 Tip: The coarse salt helps to draw out moisture from the skin, leading to crispier crackling. - 6
Slow roast: Roast for 2.5 hours at 160°C (320°F).
- 7
Crisp the crackling: Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (430°F) and roast for another 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
💡 Tip: If the crackling isn't crisping evenly, you can carefully turn up the heat or use the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely. - 8
Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the pork belly from the oven and let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender result.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an authentic Rhodopean flavor, consider adding a small amount of dried savory (chubritsa) to the stuffing.
- ✓If you don't have sirene, feta cheese can be a substitute, though it might be saltier.
- ✓Ensure the pork belly is at room temperature before roasting for even cooking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add finely chopped mushrooms to the stuffing for extra texture and flavor.
- Include a tablespoon of paprika in the stuffing for a hint of color and warmth.