My recent quest for Sydney’s best bánh mì, a dedication that saw me queue for up to two hours (1000% committed to this obsession), confirmed one thing: I love all the toppings, but the pork roast with cracklings is the absolute best. Honestly, who doesn’t want crispy pork cracklings?
So, when planning the perfect dish for my next family gathering, Easter dinner and lunch, I immediately thought of this irresistible Crispy Pork Crackling. It’s just too good to pass up.
Thinking about this crispy pork with cracklings gave me an idea and a way to make it the star of the show.
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How my idea for a recipe for crispy hasselback pork stuffed with cheese was born
Naturally, bánh mì was my first inspiration, but I quickly changed my mind. What touch can I add to ensure an “OMG” reaction at the table and highlight the crispy pork cracklings? That’s when the Hasselback idea came! The stripes on the pig provide the ideal structure for a hasselback design. Why didn’t I think of this brilliant idea sooner?
First, I started by deciding which toppings would work best for the hasselback grooves on the pork. I wanted a smooth cheese with something sweet (apple and pork, a match made in heaven, which works so well) and an herb for an earthy balance.
I came up with several options including triple cream brie, mozzarella and gouda. Then I thought about the sweetness of caramelized onion jam, cranberry sauce, quince paste or mango chutney, followed by herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary, all of which pair perfectly with pork.
Although many combinations worked, testing revealed the best result! The brie, while delicious, mixed in with the cracklings and didn’t look as impressive as it looked. However, the mozzarella and gouda were similar and both worked great. Of these two, I chose mozzarella. Next, I chose quince paste for its lovely pop of color and the perfect pairing with thyme.
My secret to this crispy hasselback pork recipe
The secret to this dish is to get the perfect crackle first. It starts the day before by drying the pork rind. You can do this up to three days in advance, which really makes a significant difference in getting an even crackle.
Above all, a high initial oven temperature is necessary to achieve the best crackle. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the roasting pan every 15 minutes for even results. The oven temperature is then reduced to slowly cook the pork, ensuring the interior remains juicy and does not dry out.
Finally, for the hasselback part, once it’s out of the oven (and remember it will be extremely hot), use a fork to keep the meat stable. This allows you to safely cut slits in the scored crust to add the toppings. A quick return to the oven to just melt the cheese, and it’s ready to serve.
Note that to prepare the pork you will need to refrigerate it for 24 hours.
💡Tip: Even the score
Always check your Coles boneless pork leg for scratches before drying. If the scratches are not deep or even in some areas, use a small, sharp knife to even out the cuts.
Why You’ll Love Leftovers From This Crispy Pork Recipe
I was in heaven thanks to the leftover pork and cracklings from the tests. Every day for lunch, I bought fresh rolls and filled them with slices of roast pork (and crackers of course!), mayonnaise, fresh chili, green shallot, cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon. It was so good!
Key Ingredients for My Mind-blowing, Cheesy-Stuffed, Crispy Hasselback Pork Recipe
- Coles Boneless Pork Leg: this star is perfect for slicing. A boneless thigh is ideal for super crispy crackles and hasselback style slices, while the inside remains juicy.
- Olive oil: This ensures your pork rinds will be crispy and the salt will stick for the ultimate crackling.
- Sea salt flakes: salt helps add flavor and remove any moisture from the skin for great crackling.
- Baby potatoes: these require no peeling and are easy to prepare by simply cutting them in half and adding them to the roasting pan to create a complete meal in one pan.
- Small carrots: these Add extra color, a touch of sweetness and desirable caramelization to your exceptional roast dinner.
- Mozzarella: placed in the hasselback cups, it melts adding creaminess. It also provides a sweet, milky contrast to the salty crackles.
- Quince paste: This adds a sweet and slightly tangy fruitiness balancing salt and fat.
- Thyme: earthy and aromatic, fresh thyme infuses into the meat cutting through the richness.
If you like bánh mì, you will want to try Marion Grasby’s bánh mì recipe. Or use this recipe to create Elisa Pietrantonio’s easy pork banh mi tacos.
Recipe, images, videos and notes from Food Director Michelle Southan.
