Peking Duck Frugal Gourmet Recipes

PEKING DUCK (FRUGAL GOURMET)

Steps:

• Remove giblets from inside the duck. Remove the excess fat that hangs about the tail.
• Rub 1 T salt into tho skin and let the duck dry for 1 hour.
• Saute' the orange peel, the 2 chopped green onions, and garlic in the peanut oil for a moment.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon hoisin and the soy sauce. Simmer for a moment, and add the chicken broth. Allow mixture to cool.
• Wipe the duck dry with paper towels.
• Using poultry lacing needles, firmly lace up the neck and tie it closed with twine.
• Begin lacing up the rear end leaving enough space to fill the cavity with sauce.
• After pouring sauce into cavity, finish lacing up the bird, making sure the sauce does not leak out either end! This is very important, it needs to be airtight for the next fun step.
• Now, using the basketball needle and a tire pump, insert the needle into the neck of the bird, just under the skin and on the body side of the string used for the upper neck. Place a 2nd piece of string around the neck just above the point of the needle insertion so that you can tie the neck tightly after pumping the bird like a balloon. Now, slowly and carefully pump up the bird until the skin separates from the meat, remove the needle and quickly tie off the bird (two people for this step really helps).
• The success of the dish depends on the bird being air tight.
• In a large kettle bring 6 quarts water to boil. Add the honey. Make a sling out of one piece of fabric and use it to lower the duck onto the honey water. Roll it gently for a few moments. Don't lose the duck!
• Now remove the duck from the water, and bring the wings around to the back of the bird, and slip a long piece of fabric under the wings.
• Hang the duck so that it swings freely from the sling, in a cool place (we put it in the shower) and aim a fan at it for 3 - 4 hours.
• Play games (Chinese Checkers, Mah Jong, etc) with the family.
• Remove the bird from its roost, and place it gently in a greased roasting rack. Roast for 30 minutes at 425 degrees F.
• Turn the oven to 350 degrees F until you have roasted the duck for a TOTAL TIME of 18 minutes per pound. (Include the first 30 minutes in your time).
• Place a pan of water under the duck to catch the drippings (without smoke - hence the water).
• Remove from oven and allow to rest for a moment.
• Drain the juice and serve in separate bowl.
• The skin is the highlight of the recipe, but the entire duck is amazing!

PEKING DUCK

Steps:

• Rinse the duck inside and out, and pat dry. Cut off tail and discard. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, white pepper and cloves. Sprinkle one teaspoon of the mixture into the cavity of the duck. Stir one tablespoon of the soy sauce into the remaining spice mixture and rub evenly over the entire outside of the bird. Cut one of the green onions in half and tuck inside the cavity. Cover and refrigerate the bird for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
• Place duck breast side up on a rack in a big enough wok or pot and steam for an hour adding a little more water, if necessary, as it evaporates. Lift duck with two large spoons, and drain juices and green onion.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place duck breast side up in a roasting pan and prick skin all over using a fork.
• Roast for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. While the duck is roasting, mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and honey. After 30 minutes, brush the honey mixture onto the duck and return it to the oven. Turn the heat up to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Roast for 5 minutes, or until the skin is richly browned. Do not allow the skin to char.
• Prepare the duck sauce by mixing the plum jam with the sugar, vinegar and chutney in a small serving bowl. Chop remaining green onions and place them into a separate bowl. Place whole duck onto a serving platter and garnish with orange slices and fresh parsley. Use plum sauce and onions for dipping.

PEKING DUCK

Steps:

• For the duck: Prick the duck all over with a small knife or fork. Carefully pour hot water over the duck to rinse. Discard the hot water. Place the duck on a rack in a roasting pan and dry all over by patting it with paper towels. Sprinkle the duck with salt and pepper and leave it in the roasting pan until ready to cook.
• In a small bowl, mix together the honey, 6 tablespoons water, five-spice, soy sauce and brown sugar. Brush the duck all over, inside and out. Let dry for about 10 minutes and then brush again. Repeat this process until you have used all but 4 to 5 tablespoons of the glaze (reserve this glaze). Ideally, let the glaze marinate on the duck overnight, leaving it uncovered in the fridge.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the duck in the oven and cook for 45 minutes. Flip the duck over, baste with the reserved glaze and cook until the skin is crisp and golden brown, another 45 minutes. Make sure you check halfway through that it is not getting too dark. If it is getting too dark before half the cook time is up, turn your heat down and lower the rack in the oven. When the duck is cooked, remove from the oven and let rest while you make your sauce.
• For the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and set aside. Next, heat a pan or wok over medium heat and add the hoisin, sugar, sesame oil and soy sauce. When the sauce starts to bubble slightly, add the cornstarch mixture and stir well to thicken. Set aside and let cool. Carve and slice some duck. Place a teaspoon of the sauce in the center of each pancake, add a couple slices of duck, garnish with the scallions and cucumbers and serve immediately.

PEKING DUCK

Steps:

• Soak the whole duck in the large pot of boiling water. Remove it as soon as the skin changes color.
• Sprinkle the inside of the duck with sugar, salt, and five-spice powder. Rub the skin of the duck with molasses. Truss the duck with string and hang in an airing place for 2 hours, or put the duck in the refrigerator overnight without any cover. This will dry the skin of the duck so that it will be crispy.
• Preheat rotisserie oven to 375 degrees and bake for 45 minutes or until the skin is reddish brown. Before serving, pour hot oil over the skin to increase the crispiness. Carve the skin and meat from the duck, and serve.