Preparation – A Key to Perfect Peking Duck
The recipe for Peking duck is quite labor-intensive and consists of many processes. For this recipe, a special kind of duck with a special diet is raised. An interesting stage of cooking is when air is pumped into the duck to separate the skin from the meat and fat. Then the duck is hung to dry in the open air, covered with a special syrup to make the skin especially crispy.
The duck is then cooked in one of two common traditional ways – in a closed oven or a hanging oven. The finished duck is also served quite unusually for us. The whole duck should be cut into 120 thin slices and served with thinly sliced cucumbers and green onions, light small pancakes, sauces, hoisin, or beans, which perfectly complement the dish.
You can also check out our other Main Dishes Recipes.
Homemade Peking Duck
Ingredients
- 1 pc duck approximately 5 lbs
- 2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 pc cinnamon sticks
- 5 pcs star anise
- 7 oz salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 5 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 qtrs. frying oil
- 3 qtrs. water
Instructions
Preparing the Marinade:
- Carefully separate the duck’s skin from the meat, especially on the breast side.
- Boil 2.8 quarts of water to 180℉. Dissolve 6.3 ounces of salt in it.
- Place the duck in a large bowl and pour in the salted water.
- Add 2 tablespoons coriander seeds, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 5 star anise to the water.
- Leave the duck to infuse in this brine for 10-12 hours at room temperature, ensuring the liquid covers the duck entirely. Turn it over occasionally if necessary.
Preparing the duck for frying:
- After marinating, dry the duck thoroughly inside and out with a paper towel to remove all moisture.
- Heat frying oil in a large pan until it reaches about 350℉.
- Carefully dip the duck into the hot oil, holding it by the neck with a heat-resistant tool or towel.
- Fry the duck for about 15 minutes, turning it to ensure even browning until it’s lightly golden.
- Once done, place the fried duck on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Roast the duck:
- Brush the duck with 2 tablespoons of honey.
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ in convection mode (top and bottom heat).
- Place the duck in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, take the duck out of the oven.
- Brush the duck with 4-5 tablespoons of soy sauce using a brush.
- Switch the oven to the grill mode.
- Return the duck to the oven and cook for another 30 minutes, allowing it to become crispy and flavorful.
Serve:
- Once the duck is done, remove it from the oven.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin pieces.
- Serve the crispy Peking duck slices with thin cucumber slices, green onions, small pancakes, and your choice of sauces like hoisin or bean sauce.
