Dry-Roast Pork Belly with Creamed Polenta & Roast Butternut

This comforting dish combines tender, crisp-skinned pork belly with a rich, creamy polenta and sweet roasted butternut squash. A balance of textures and flavours, perfect for a hearty yet elegant main course.

INGREDIENTS

     +    
For the Pork Belly

1 pork belly (whole or cut into large pieces), skin scored

4 garlic cloves, bashed

Few sprigs of rosemary

Few sprigs of thyme

½ tsp crushed black pepper

4 tbsp coarse sea salt or Maldon

Olive oil, for rubbing

     +    
For the Creamed Polenta

200g polenta (gluten-free; also used for cakes)

600ml chicken or vegetable stock

½ tbsp chopped rosemary

1 tbsp lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon

20g sour cream

50g grated Parmesan

20g butter

50ml olive oil

Salt & pepper, to taste

     +    
For the Roast Butternut

1 whole butternut squash, halved lengthwise

50ml olive oil

Pinch of Maldon salt

Freshly milled black pepper

Drizzle of honey (optional, for extra caramelisation)

Method

     +    
Pork Belly

Mix garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper, and coarse salt. Rub all over the pork belly and leave to marinate for 12–24 hours.

Remove the salt mix and wipe clean with kitchen paper.

Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with a little more coarse salt.

Place on a wire rack over a tray and slow roast at 140°C for 3.5 hours, until tender.

Increase oven temperature to 220°C for the final 10 minutes to crisp the skin.

Rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

     +    
Creamed Polenta

In a saucepan, bring the stock and rosemary to a gentle simmer.

Slowly whisk in the polenta until smooth and thickened.

Stir in butter and olive oil, then season to taste.

Add Parmesan, lemon juice, and zest, then fold in the sour cream.

Cover with a sheet of greaseproof paper until ready to serve, to prevent a skin forming.

     +    
Roast Butternut

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Place butternut halves on a tray, drizzle with olive oil and honey, and season with salt and pepper.

Roast for 50–60 minutes until golden and tender.

     +    
To Serve

Slice the pork belly into strips.

Spoon a serving of creamy polenta onto the plate.

Add chunks of roasted butternut alongside.

Arrange the pork belly on top and finish with a drizzle of the butternut roasting juices or a touch of olive oil.

Dry-Roast Pork Belly with Creamed Polenta & Roast Butternut

This comforting dish combines tender, crisp-skinned pork belly with a rich, creamy polenta and sweet roasted butternut squash. A balance of textures and flavours, perfect for a hearty yet elegant main course.

INGREDIENTS

   +  &nbsp
For the Pork Belly

1 pork belly (whole or cut into large pieces), skin scored

4 garlic cloves, bashed

Few sprigs of rosemary

Few sprigs of thyme

½ tsp crushed black pepper

4 tbsp coarse sea salt or Maldon

Olive oil, for rubbing

   +   
For the Creamed Polenta

200g polenta (gluten-free; also used for cakes)

600ml chicken or vegetable stock

½ tbsp chopped rosemary

1 tbsp lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon

20g sour cream

50g grated Parmesan

20g butter

50ml olive oil

Salt & pepper, to taste

   +   
For the Roast Butternut

1 whole butternut squash, halved lengthwise

50ml olive oil

Pinch of Maldon salt

Freshly milled black pepper

Drizzle of honey (optional, for extra caramelisation)

Method

   +   
Pork Belly

Mix garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper, and coarse salt. Rub all over the pork belly and leave to marinate for 12–24 hours.

Remove the salt mix and wipe clean with kitchen paper.

Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with a little more coarse salt.

Place on a wire rack over a tray and slow roast at 140°C for 3.5 hours, until tender.

Increase oven temperature to 220°C for the final 10 minutes to crisp the skin.

Rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

   +   
Creamed Polenta

In a saucepan, bring the stock and rosemary to a gentle simmer.

Slowly whisk in the polenta until smooth and thickened.

Stir in butter and olive oil, then season to taste.

Add Parmesan, lemon juice, and zest, then fold in the sour cream.

Cover with a sheet of greaseproof paper until ready to serve, to prevent a skin forming.

   +   
Roast Butternut

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Place butternut halves on a tray, drizzle with olive oil and honey, and season with salt and pepper.

Roast for 50–60 minutes until golden and tender.

   +   
To Serve

Slice the pork belly into strips.

Spoon a serving of creamy polenta onto the plate.

Add chunks of roasted butternut alongside.

Arrange the pork belly on top and finish with a drizzle of the butternut roasting juices or a touch of olive oil.

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