BBQ Porchetta

BBQ Porchetta is one of the best Special occasion meals you can cook, I love the sweet aniseed flavour of fennel and the soft melt in the mouth texture of well cooked pork belly

One Pork Belly

Fennel Seeds

4-5 cloves Garlic sliced fine

Salt and Pepper

Chopped flat leaf Parsley (if you like green)

Fresh Rosemary (optional)

The day before, lay the belly out skin side down and sprinkle with the salt and pepper, then the garlic and fennel seeds (I like fennel so I use a lot), if you are not big on the aniseed flavour, go easy on the fennel, but my bet is, you’ll like the sweetness it brings, and the next time you’ll increase the fennel.

Leave it to rest and infuse the flavours overnight in the fridge.

The next day, take the belly out of the fridge and allow to come to room temperature.

I do this on a towel to make sure the skin stays dry.

Now is when you add the Parsley and a sprinkle of rosemary if you want.

Roll the belly up and tie with butchers string, then carefully thread into the spit bar and secure in place with the spit forks.

Get the fire lit and the BBQ up to temperature, you need a

medium to hot heat 200 degrees C (400 degrees F). Fit the spit to the rotisserie motor. Start the motor and check the direction of the rotation. Place a drip pan with a little water in it under the Porchetta and close the BBQ lid.

Check on the Porchetta every hour, it will take 3-4 hours tocook.

If you are using charcoal the BBq temperature will gradually decrease, for Gas, turn the BBQ down after the first hour.

I let it run for two hours before lighting the rear burner to get the crackle going, by this time the meat should be starting so soften as the connective tissue starts to break down. Lighting the rear burner gives a boost of heat and direct radiation on the skin to ensure great crackle.

Once the Porchetta has cooked to where you want it, remove the spit bar from the BBQ, undo the clamps on the forks and remove the bar from the roast. Allow the pork to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

You will be surprised how easy it is to get a spectacular result, try this once and you’ll be doing it for every celebration from then on!