Lachie Strachan’s recipe for Christmas Porchetta

Christmas Porchetta

I’ve noticed this Italian inspired pork dish popping up more and more the last couple of years.

Why porchetta should be at the top of your menu this Christmas…

1. It’s delicious
2. It looks awesome
3. It’s forgiving as you pretty much can’t overcook porchetta.
4. It’s inexpensive
5. Leftover porchetta sandwiches are truly amazing!

My favourite BBQ to cook this in would have to be the trusty Weber kettle!

Ingredients:

• Whole boneless, rind on pork belly, about 5 – 7 kilograms
• Pork rub of choice – Mine would be the Lanes Sweet Heat & Garlic Combo rub available at Heat & Grill stores & online!
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• 4 pieces of loin bacon
• 2 green apples julienned
• 3 tablespoons of crushed fennel seed
• ¾ cup dried cranberries

Instructions:

1. Dry the rind of your pork belly in a fridge uncovered overnight. I use salt on the skin to assist in drawing out the moisture
2. Trim your pork belly top an even shape with squared corners.
3. Using a blade, score your pork belly every 5 millimeters . Make sure you score your pork belly in the direction you roll it, so the scoring is around the roll.
4. Flip over the pork & apply your pork rub of choice, then place the 4 pieces of loin bacon down.
5. Add julienned green apple, fennel & dried cranberries.
6. Roll the belly, making sure the overlap is at the bottom of the roll. Truss with butchers twine, apply more salt & sit uncovered in the fridge, taking it out 30 minutes prior to cooking. Give the skin a very light coat of olive oil and a re-salt prior to putting in the BBQ.
7. Cook on indirect heat, I go as hot as I can for the first 25 minutes, then back it off to a medium heat around 180 degrees celsius to cook through till the internal reaches 75 degrees celsius & remember always use a meat thermometer! My favourite is the Weber I grill that alerts my phone when it’s done!

There you go guys, my porchetta step by step guide. It’s very simple yet extremely rewarding, give it a go this Christmas!