Pork scratchings recipe, Make It Yourself

We are one of very few nations in the world that eats snacks with hair on them!!

If you happen to be cooking a pork belly joint and wont need the skin then remove and freeze it till you are ready to make this fab snack.

If not then the only other option is to visit you local butchers and get some good quality pork skins. the crunchy pork scratchings need to be in an airtight container so you may want to double up on the recceip!(i just added only half of everything extra and this was fine for me)

Pull out you meat chopping board and cut away all excess fat from the pork skin, leaving an even layer attached to the skins, about 3 mm thick. rub or massage the sknis with sea salt, place on a baking tray and chill for 24-48 hours.(this is to draw out excess moisture)

Dab off the beads of moisture with kitchen roll and cut the skins in to neat strips, about 1 cm wide to 10cm long. heat the oil in a deep fryer or a heavy based frying pan(i use a normal saucepan this works fine too) untill it reaches about 120 oc. (just use a bit of cut away pork and drop in to the pan if it starts to sizzle instantly you know its at a good temperature, make sure the pan is 1/4- 1/2 full)

Fry the skin stribs in baches for 8-9 minutes untill they are cooked through and firm, remove and drain.(i normally get a bowl and fill it with kitchen roll and then give it a little shake so the roll obsorbs the oil).

Increase the heat of the oil to about 195 oc and refry the pork skins for a further 2-3 minutes.(when doing this be shure to stand back a lower them in to the pans slowley and it could spit oil and could burn. "ALWAYS REMEMBER SAFTY FIRST)".

When they look brown and golden and crisp, (the skins may curl and bubble as they fry). remove and drain again (the bowl and kitchen roll method is the easiest way). the skins will continue to crisp up as they cool.

When completly cooled, store in an air tight container and serve when need

Ok now the best bit is done sit back grab a dip like bbq, tomato relish or what ever you fancy and snack away!!

Hope you like them!!

Dont forget to check out this amusing pork scratchings video...