Duck Civet Food

DUCK CIVET

Steps:

• Remove legs from ducks and cut each leg in half. Using poultry shears, remove backbone and neck. Chop backbones and necks into 2 to 3 pieces each; set aside. Split each pair of breasts down the center and then cut each breast in half crosswise. Remove and discard as much fat as possible from all duck pieces.
• Season meat and bones with salt and white pepper; transfer to a deep pot such as a small stockpot or Dutch oven with a lid. Add onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and orange zest. Place peppercorns, thyme, bay leaves, and juniper berries in a piece of cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine to enclose; add to pot. Add wine and orange juice; cover and transfer to refrigerator. Let marinate overnight, turning duck pieces in marinade once or twice.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with a rack fitted in the center of the oven.
• Remove duck meat and bones from marinade and dry well using paper towels; set aside. Place marinade over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to a low simmer.
• Meanwhile, in a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add duck meat and bones to skillet in an even layer (working in batches if necessary); brown on all sides (you may need to add more butter and oil if working in batches). Return all duck pieces to skillet (if working in batches) and add flour. Cook, stirring, until flour is browned. Stir in tomato paste and add simmering marinade; bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper.
• Using a sheet of parchment paper, cut out a round that is 2 to 3 inches larger than the diameter of your skillet or Dutch oven. Snip the extra inches of the parchment circle at 2-inch intervals to make a fringe. Place parchment paper circle over ingredients, pressing gently and allowing the fringe to press against the sides of the skillet. Cover with lid and transfer to oven. Cook for 2 hours, skimming and discarding any fat that rises to the surface and gently stirring ingredients every 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place bacon in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Remove civet from oven; remove cheesecloth packet and discard. Season civet with salt and pepper. Garnish with cooked bacon and chives or parsley before serving.

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.