• 12/18 Suckling Pig Day -5

    From Dave Drum@1:3634/12 to All on Fri Dec 16 16:04:00 2022
    MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

    Title: Filipino-Style Suckling Pig
    Categories: Pork, Vegetables
    Yield: 11 servings

    8 kg Suckling pig
    10 cl Crushed garlic
    1 tb (ea) coarse salt & cracked
    - pepper
    750 mL Soy sauce
    750 mL Olive oil

    MMMMM----------------VEGETABLES TO FILL CAVITY-----------------------
    Carrots; peeled
    Apples; cored
    Garlic cloves
    Springs of parsley
    Lemongrass

    EQUIPMENT: heavy wire and a pair of pliers (to stitch
    the belly of the pig). This is usually provided with the
    spit. A shovel, for moving the hot coals around

    NOTES: Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using
    fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20°C.
    We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon
    equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250
    ml.

    All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are
    lightly packed.

    All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless
    specified.

    METHOD: First, light the barbecue coals. The coals are
    not ready until white (no flame should be present when
    cooking). This will take an hour or two.

    With a sharp knife, remove the tail and ears of the pig.
    Turn the pig over and remove the kidneys and any loose
    fat.

    Rub the surface of the pig with crushed garlic, ensuring
    it is well massaged in. This will add flavour as well as
    moisten the skin. Once thoroughly massaged, place the
    remaining pieces of garlic inside the cavity of the pig.

    Apply a liberal amount of coarse salt to the skin and
    massage well. The salt is crucial to dry the skin and
    create a perfect crackling. Add salt and pepper
    liberally to the cavity.

    Apply a liberal amount of pepper to the skin.

    To ensure an even roast, fill the cavity with the
    rough chopped onions, carrots, apples, garlic and
    parsley. Once the cavity is filled, stitch the belly
    closed with heavy wire, ensuring a tight seal.

    Massage the soy sauce into the skin. This will help
    create a golden-brown colour.

    To mount the pig on the spit, place it flat on a large
    bench or table, belly down. Instructions will be
    provided on how to use the spit attachments (each varies
    slightly). Ensure you have them all in place as you
    slide the main axle along the length of the pig. The
    axle is inserted from the rear of the pig. It is vital
    that the pig does not slide around on the axle - check
    it prior to loading onto the spit.

    An 8 kg pig will require approximately an hour and a
    half to two hours of roasting time.

    With a shovel, move the bulk of the coals to the edges,
    underneath the legs and shoulders, with only a small
    amount of coals under the mid-section. The legs and
    shoulders are the thickest areas and require the most
    heat.

    As the pig cooks, ensure the colour remains even. If any
    patches are lighter in colour, move more coals under
    this area. If an area is darkening too quickly, move
    coals away.

    Occasionally, apply olive oil with a basting brush to
    improve the crackling.

    In the late stages of roasting, the vegetables in the
    cavity of the pig will soften and release their juices.
    It’s a good idea to wipe the juices away to maintain an
    even finish on the skin.

    When the knuckles of the pig begin to be exposed, the
    pig will be close to ready. To test, stop the rotisserie
    and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest portion
    of the leg of the pig. A reading over 70ºC/160ºF will
    indicate the pig is ready. Alternatively, insert a small
    knife for 30 seconds and remove to test whether the tip
    of the knife is hot.

    It’s important to move the pig to the place you wish to
    serve it, prior to removing the spit-mounting from it,
    as the connective tissues will have cooked and the pig
    may fall apart if it’s moved after the apparatus is
    removed. Turn the rotisserie off and use tea towels or
    oven mitts to handle the spit-mounting. You will need
    two people to move the roasted pig.

    Once the pig is in its final position, carefully remove
    the spit-mounting, carve and serve.

    Serves: 10 - 12

    RECIPE FROM: https://www.sbs.com.au

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