A pork joint coated in crunchy crackling is always welcome at the table, but when it’s Delia Smith’s perfect roast pork, it’s the guest of honour. Use our roasting calculator to work out the exact times and temperatures for your roast. Each serving provides 355 kcal, 59g protein, 3g carbohydrates (of which 1.5g sugars), 11g fat (of which 4g saturates), 0.5g fibre and 0.9g salt. 2.25kg/5lb loin of pork, bottom bone removed, top bone left in 1 small onion , peeled 1 tbsp plain flour 275ml/10fl oz dry cider 275ml/10fl oz vegetable stock (or potato water) sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Preheat the oven to 240C/220C Fan/Gas 9. Preheat the oven to 240C/220C Fan/Gas 9. While the oven is preheating, score the skin of the pork. It will probably be scored already, but it's always best to add a few more lines. To do this you can use the point of a very sharp paring knife, or Stanley knife, or you can now even buy a special scalpel from a good quality kitchen shop! What you need to do is score the skin all over into thin strips, bringing the blade of the knife about halfway through the fat beneath the skin. While the oven is preheating, score the skin of the pork. It will probably be scored already, but it's always best to add a few more lines. To do this you can use the point of a very sharp paring knife, or Stanley knife, or you can now even buy a special scalpel from a good quality kitchen shop! What you need to do is score the skin all over into thin strips, bringing the blade of the knife about halfway through the fat beneath the skin. Now place the pork in a roasting tin, skin-side up, halve the onion and wedge the two pieces in slightly underneath the meat. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the skin, pressing it in as much as you can. Now place the pork in a roasting tin, skin-side up, halve the onion and wedge the two pieces in slightly underneath the meat. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the skin, pressing it in as much as you can. Place the pork on a high shelf in the oven and roast for 25 minutes. Turn the heat down to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5, and calculate the total cooking time, allowing 35 minutes to the pound, then deduct the initial 25 minutes cooking time. In this case it would be a further 2½ hours. Place the pork on a high shelf in the oven and roast for 25 minutes. Turn the heat down to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5, and calculate the total cooking time, allowing 35 minutes to the pound, then deduct the initial 25 minutes cooking time. In this case it would be a further 2½ hours. There's no need to baste pork as there is enough fat to keep the meat moist. The way to tell if the meat is cooked is to insert a skewer in the thickest part and the juices that run out should be absolutely clear without any trace of pinkness. When the pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and give it at least 30 minutes resting time before carving. There's no need to baste pork as there is enough fat to keep the meat moist. The way to tell if the meat is cooked is to insert a skewer in the thickest part and the juices that run out should be absolutely clear without any trace of pinkness. When the pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and give it at least 30 minutes resting time before carving. While that is happening, tilt the roasting tin and spoon all the fat off, leaving only the meat juices. The onion will probably be black and charred, which gives the gravy a lovely rich colour. Leave the onion in, then place the roasting tin on the hob over a low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and quickly work it into the juices using a wooden spoon. While that is happening, tilt the roasting tin and spoon all the fat off, leaving only the meat juices. The onion will probably be black and charred, which gives the gravy a lovely rich colour. Leave the onion in, then place the roasting tin on the hob over a low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and quickly work it into the juices using a wooden spoon. Now turn the heat up to medium and gradually add the cider and the stock, this time using a balloon whisk until it comes up to simmering point and you have a smooth rich gravy. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then discard the onion and pour the gravy into a warmed serving jug. Serve the pork carved in slices, giving everyone some crackling. Now turn the heat up to medium and gradually add the cider and the stock, this time using a balloon whisk until it comes up to simmering point and you have a smooth rich gravy. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then discard the onion and pour the gravy into a warmed serving jug. Serve the pork carved in slices, giving everyone some crackling. For this recipe you will need a solid roasting tin suitable for cooking on the hob. It should be approximately 30x25cm/12x10in. You'll probably need to visit a butcher to find a large bone-in loin joint as supermarkets tend to sell smaller joints with the bone removed. If you can't get hold of a bone-in joint, use a rolled loin joint with rind weighing about 1.75–2kg/4lb–4lb 8oz. Related recipes Herb butter roast chicken with miso onion gravy. By Seema Pankhania Herb butter roast chicken with miso onion gravy

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