Chinese Duck Breast Food

CHINESE 5-SPICE DUCK WITH NOODLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/170C Fan/Gas 4.
• With a sharp knife, score a cross-hatch pattern into the duck fat. Rub the five-spice into the fat and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a heavy-based ovenproof frying pan. Place the duck breasts skin-side down and season the other side with five-spice, salt and pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes or until most of the fat has run out into the pan and the skin is golden-brown. Turn the duck over and cook for 1 minute. Then cook in the oven for 3-5 minutes then allow to rest.
• Warm the honey and soy sauce together in a small pan. Bring to for 1 minute. Allow to cool.
• Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the noodles for 3-4 minutes or according to packet instructions. Drain and toss with half the spring onions, the lime juice and some sesame oil. Place between 2 bowls.
• Slice the duck into strips and place on top of noodles. Drizzle over the sauce and top with the remaining spring onions, sesame oil and sesame seeds.

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.

CHINESE JERK SPICE DUCK BREAST WITH CAULIFLOWER PUREE

Steps:

• For the cranberry compote: Whisk together the sugar, rice vinegar and rum in a bowl, then pour into a saucepan. Add the cranberries and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until reduced and syrupy and the cranberries are plump, 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• For the cauliflower puree: Bring the cream to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the cauliflower and bring to a medium simmer. Cook until the cream is reduced by a third and the cauliflower is fork tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer the cauliflower and half of the reduced cream to a food processor and process until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you want a thinner puree, add more cream.
• For the fried Brussels sprouts: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer. Add the Brussels sprouts and fry until light golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain well and toss with salt and pepper to taste.
• For the duck breasts: Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Whisk together the five-spice powder, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, thyme and 2 tablespoons each salt and pepper.
• Liberally coat the duck breasts on both sides with the spice mixture. Grill skin-side down until crispy and the fat is rendered, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the breasts and continue cooking to an internal temperature of 140 to 150 degrees F, about another 3 minutes. Let rest for 5 to 7 minutes before slicing into 1/2-inch medallions.
• To serve: Arrange some slices of duck breast atop a smear of cauliflower puree. Top with compote and scatter fried Brussels sprouts around the plate.

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.

SOY ROAST DUCK WITH HOISIN GRAVY

Steps:

• Prick the duck's skin really well with a fork (this helps release the fat from the skin as it roasts). Mix the soy, 5-spice and honey in a large bowl, add the duck and coat well. Cover and place in the fridge until ready to roast.
• For the gravy, tip the stock into a pan, add the hoisin sauce and ginger and boil for a few minutes to make a smooth gravy. Add the sesame oil and set aside.
• To serve, preheat the oven to fan 180C/conventional 200C/gas 6. Pour 1 litre of water in the base of a roasting tin and place a rack over the top - this stops fat from the duck dripping on to the tin, then burning and filling the kitchen with smoke. Lift duck from marinade and arrange on rack, skin side up. Reserve remaining marinade for the rice dish. Roast for 20 minutes for medium and 30 minutes for well done. Slice each breast in half. Spoon some rice on to each plate; top with halved duck breasts. Add any meat juices from the duck to the hoisin gravy and pour a spoonful or two over the duck. Serve the remaining rice and gravy separately.

CHINESE ROAST DUCK

Steps:

• The day before, soak 4 wooden skewers in water for 20 mins. Wash the ducks inside and out with cold water, drain and pat dry with kitchen paper. Mix together the sugar, star anise, ginger, spring onions and a few good pinches of salt, then use this to fill the cavities. Close the cavities with wooden skewers and set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix the maltose and 2 tbsp of the vinegar. Add the remaining vinegar to a jug of boiling water and pour over the ducks. (The boiling water opens up the pores, while the vinegar helps to strip some of the waxiness from the skin, so it will be more receptive to the maltose, which adds sweetness and a lacquered caramel colour.) Smear the maltose mixture over the ducks, then place them in a large plastic container and put in the fridge overnight, uncovered.
• To cook, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. (Fan ovens are particularly effective for roasting duck.) Put a little water in the bottom of a large roasting tin, place the ducks on a rack over the top and cover with foil. Roast for about 45 mins. Take off the foil and roast for another 45 mins - the duck must be well done, there is no such thing as a rare Chinese roast duck! Take the duck out of the oven and let it rest for a good 20 mins before carving.
• The day before, soak 4 wooden skewers in water for 20 mins. Wash the ducks inside and out with cold water, drain and pat dry with kitchen paper. Mix together the sugar, star anise, ginger, spring onions and a few good pinches of salt, then use this to fill the cavities. Close the cavities with wooden skewers and set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix the maltose and 2 tbsp of the vinegar. Add the remaining vinegar to a jug of boiling water and pour over the ducks. (The boiling water opens up the pores, while the vinegar helps to strip some of the waxiness from the skin, so it will be more receptive to the maltose, which adds sweetness and a lacquered caramel colour.) Smear the maltose mixture over the ducks, then place them in a large plastic container and put in the fridge overnight, uncovered.
• To cook, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. (Fan ovens are particularly effective for roasting duck.) Put a little water in the bottom of a large roasting tin, place the ducks on a rack over the top and cover with foil. Roast for about 45 mins. Take off the foil and roast for another 45 mins - the duck must be well done, there is no such thing as a rare Chinese roast duck! Take the duck out of the oven and let it rest for a good 20 mins before carving.

DUCK BREAST WITH ASIAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Prep time does not include marinating time.
• Method for the duck.
• Combine all marinade ingredients and add duck, marinate several hours or overnight.
• Remove duck from marinade and prick skin all over, reserve marinade for later use.
• Heat fry pan add duck skin side down and cook until browned and crisp (a lot of fat will escape from duck, drain fat from pan several times while cooking skin) remove duck and place on wire rack breast side down and cook in preheated oven 190°C for 25 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes after cooking.
• While duck is cooking make the sauce. Add reserved marinade, extra honey and hoisin to a saucepan bring to boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Mix cornflour with a little water add to pan and stir until mixture thickens.
• Serve duck with either rice timbales or vegetables and noodles.
• To serve with rice timbales.
• Boil some water in a pan, add rice and boil until tender.
• Melt butter in a fry pan, add chopped mushrooms and pepper and cook until soft. Add chopped herbs and rice and stir until heated.
• Butter the inside of two moulds and press rice mixture into them, leave them for 5 minutes before turning out. You can also make these ahead of time and just reheat in the microwave before serving.
• OR.
• To serve with vegetable and noodles.
• Cook noodles in a pan of boiling water until tender, drain and set aside.
• Heat oil in a fry pan or wok add garlic and ginger stir fry for about 1 minute. Add carrots and cook for another minute, add sauces and water and cook for a couple of minutes more. Add snow peas and cook until vegetables are just tender.
• Add noodles and stir until heated through.
• For a photo visit http://the-best-recipes.blogspot.com/.

CHINESE-STYLE DUCK CONFIT

Steps:

• Combine the peppercorns and salt in a heavy skillet and toast over moderate heat, stirring, until the salt turns off-white, about 5 minutes.
• Adjust the heat so the peppercorns do not burn, but expect them to smoke.
• Let the mixture cool slightly, then run through a spice grinder or food processor until you get a very fine powder.
• Sieve to get rid of any husks from the peppercorns.
• Set aside.
• Sprinkle about 1/3 (about 1 tbl.) of the pepper-salt generously over the duck legs, massaging it well into the skin.
• Save the rest of the pepper-salt for another use.
• Put the legs in a zip-lock bag or a glass container covered tightly with plastic wrap and let marinate in the fridge overnight.
• Let come to room temperature before cooking.
• Heat a large heavy casserole over moderate heat until hot enough to evaporate a bead of water on contact.
• Add 2 tbl.
• of the duck fat and swirl to glaze the bottom of the pan.
• Add the duck legs in a single layer and brown on both sides.
• Adjust the heat so the skin browns without scorching and drizzle in a bit more fat if needed.
• Remove the pot from the heat and carefully drain off any burned fat.
• Return the pot and seared duck legs to moderate heat.
• Add the duck fat and the confit seasonings.
• Nudge the legs from the bottom while the mixture comes to a gentle simmer, then adjust the heat so that the fat does not boil.
• Simmer uncovered until the duck is very tender at it's thickest part and almost falling off the bone, about 40 minutes.
• Use tongs to carefully transfer the legs to a shallow container.
• Let the fat cool until tepid, about 30 minutes, then carefully strain over the duck legs.
• Discard the solids.
• Arrange the legs so they are completely submerged in the fat, and place, uncovered, in the refrigerator.
• Once the fat congeals, cover the container tightly.
• In this state, the confit can be stored for 1 day to 2 weeks before using.
• To serve, warm the container over low heat or in a slow oven until the fat turns liquid, then remove the legs.
• Strip the legs of skin, then pull the meat from the bone in shreds.
• Discard the skin, bones and any cartilage.
• The meat is best when just taken from the bone, but you can store it in the refrigerator in shreds, just warm to room temperature before using.
• You may have to adjust the seasonings with more pepper-salt.
• The seasoned duck fat can be frozen indefinitely.
• Strain through several layers of dry cheesecloth to trap excess pepper-salt, then seal and freeze for your next batch of confit.
• On the second go-round you won't need to season the duck fat, but you will need to add 2 cups of fresh duck fat to the pot in order to cover the same amount of legs.