Recipe: Peking duck

Recipes

13.08.2024

Peking duck is an iconic Chinese dish that enjoys great popularity not only in China but also around the world. Traditionally served on special occasions and during celebrations such as the Olympic Games, it is a unique symbol of Chinese hospitality and culinary excellence. Today, we will show you how to prepare this delicacy at home.

Ingredients

1 whole duck (about 2.5 to 3 kg)
2 tablespoons of Chinese five-spice powder
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of Chinese rice wine or sherry
1 teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of sesame oil
6-8 slices of fresh ginger
4 spring onions, cut into pieces

For Serving

24-30 thin Chinese pancakes
1 cucumber, cut into thin strips
1 bunch of spring onions, cut into thin strips
Hoisin sauce or Chinese sweet sauce

Instructions

Preparing the Duck:
- Preheat the oven to 220 °C (430 °F).
- Rinse the duck thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat with a sharp knife.
- In a small bowl, mix the Chinese five-spice powder, soy sauce, honey, rice wine, salt, and sesame oil.
- Rub the mixture thoroughly on the outside and inside of the duck.
Roasting the Duck:
- Stuff the duck cavity with ginger slices and spring onion pieces.
- Place the duck on a rack over a baking tray and put it in the preheated oven.
- Roast at 220 °C (430 °F) for about 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180 °C (350 °F) and roast for an additional 70-90 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Baste the duck periodically with the juices collected in the baking tray.
Serving Preparation:
- After roasting, let the duck rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
- Carve the duck into thin slices.
- Warm the pancakes according to the package instructions.
- Spread hoisin sauce on each pancake, add a slice of duck, a few strips of cucumber and spring onion, roll up, and serve.

Tips for the Perfect Serving

Crispy Skin: To achieve extra crispy skin, place the duck uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours before roasting. The cold air will help dry out the skin.
Faster Roasting: You can pre-boil the duck in boiling water for about 10 minutes to reduce the oven roasting time.

Conclusion

Peking Duck is a culinary experience worth making. With this recipe, you can enjoy the authentic taste of China in your own kitchen. We hope you and your loved ones will enjoy it during Olympic celebrations or any other special occasion.