Peking Dust Recipes

PEKING DUCK BREAST

Steps:

• Combine 2 tablespoons of the Shaoxing wine with the soy sauce, salt and 1/8 teaspoon five-spice powder in a medium bowl. Add the duck breasts and massage the marinade into them. Place the breasts, side by side, on a plate and refrigerate, uncovered, for 12 to 36 hours; the skin will dry out and look leathery.
• Mix together the remaining 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, pinch five-spice powder and the hoisin sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed ovenproof pan over medium-low heat.
• Remove the duck from the refrigerator and score the skin in a cross-hatch pattern. Place the duck in the pan, skin-side down, and gently render fat; the skin will turn a rich golden brown as it cooks. When the duck stops emitting fat, after 8 to 10 minutes, flip the breasts skin-side is up and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the breasts reach an internal temperature of 135 degrees F for medium; they should be pink and firm in the center.
• Immediately remove the duck to a plate or carving board. Using a pastry brush, paint a thin layer of the hoisin mixture onto the skin. Let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
• To serve, slice the breasts at an angle, about 1/4-inch thick, and fan out on a plate. Top with sliced scallions.

PEKING DUST

Steps:

• Make a slit on the flat side of each chestnut.
• Place in boiling water and simmer for 40-45 minutes.
• Drain them and allow them to cool.
• Shell them making sure to get all of the 'meat' and you need to remove ALL of the skin.
• Grind them into a fine powder.
• Stir in salt and sugar.
• Whip your cream to your desired thickness and fold in your caster sugar and vanilla, if using this.
• To Serve:
• Either form the chestnut mixture into one large mound or form smaller mounds in individual serving bowls. Top with the whipped cream mixture.

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:

• 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.