Oven-Fried Crispy Lechon Kawali

Step 1

Make vertical slits (don’t cut through!) around the edges of the skin of the pork belly (see video). It’s important that the pork can be laid flat on the wire rack and that the skin is side up throughout the broiling process.

Step 2

Place pork belly, water, salt, and whole black pepper in a large pot. Bring the liquid to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium and gently boil the pork for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hour or pressure cook (see note for 20mins until fork-tender.

Step 3

Remove pork from the pot and place in a wire rack with a baking sheet under. Let it cool. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 250c /482f for 20 mins.

Step 4

Rub salt on the sides and bottom of the meat. The amount depends on how salty you want the pork to be. And then finally, sprinkle salt evenly on the skin (see video).

Step 5

Place pork in the oven, lower rack. Lower the heat to 200c /400f then bake with the fan on (BROIL) until the skin starts puffing and brown all over. This could take 30mins or more depending on the size of the pork and the oven. Rotate with a tong every now and then to evenly brown all sides.

Step 6

Cut pork into slices and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.