Clean the duck and pat it dry thoroughly, inside and out. Prick the skin all over with a fork or needle. For extra crispy skin, you can pour boiling water over the duck. Then, let it air-dry on a rack in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, for the skin to dry completely.
Peking Duck (Simplified Home Recipe)
- Total time - 3-4 hours
- Preparation - 30 minutes
- Cooking time - 2-3 hours
- Servings: 4
- Country: China
Preparing Peking duck at home might seem like a challenge, but with this simplified recipe, anyone can do it. The key to success is thoroughly drying the duck and using the right glaze, which gives the skin a golden color and crispiness. Serve it the traditional way to fully enjoy all the flavors.
Ingredients
For the Duck
- 1 piece whole duck (approx. 2 kg)
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 tablespoons rice wine or dry sherry
For Serving
- thin Chinese pancakes
- hoisin sauce
- spring onions, cut into thin strips
- cucumber, cut into thin strips
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the duck
Step 2: Prepare the glaze and roasting
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, five-spice powder, and rice wine. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the duck on a rack over a baking pan. Generously brush it with the glaze.
Step 3: Roast the duck
Roast for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting it with the remaining glaze every 30 minutes. For the last 30 minutes, you can increase the temperature to 200°C to get the skin extra crispy.
Step 4: Carve and serve
Remove the duck from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Carefully slice the crispy skin and meat. Arrange them on a serving platter along with the hoisin sauce, pancakes, and the prepared spring onion and cucumber.
Step 5: Enjoy
Take a pancake, spread a little hoisin sauce on it, add a piece of duck and vegetables, roll it up, and enjoy the meal. It's a unique culinary experience that lets you taste a piece of China.