Foodie Indian

Ingredients:

• 1 whole Peking duck (around 5-6 pounds)
• 6 cups of water
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1/4 cup of dark soy sauce
• 1/4 cup of Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
• 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon of five-spice powder
• 2 teaspoons of white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
• 6 green onions (scallions), cut into halves
• 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 1 tablespoon of maltose or corn syrup (optional, for extra shine on the skin)
• Pancakes or steamed buns, cucumber sticks, and hoisin sauce for serving

Instructions:

1. Clean the duck thoroughly, removing any excess fat and giblets from the cavity. Pat it dry with paper towels.
2. In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the green onions and ginger. Carefully lower the duck into the pot, breast-side down. This process helps tighten the skin and remove any impurities. Blanch the duck for about 5 minutes, then remove it and pat it dry again.
3. In a small bowl, mix the honey, dark soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, white vinegar, cornstarch, and sesame oil to create the marinade.
4. Brush the marinade all over the duck, both inside and out. Hang the duck in a cool, dry place for about 4-6 hours to air-dry it. You can use a fan to speed up the drying process.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
6. If using maltose or corn syrup, warm it up a bit and brush it over the duck skin to give it extra shine.
7. Roast the duck in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on its size, until the skin turns golden-brown and crispy. Occasionally, brush the duck with any leftover marinade during the roasting process.
8. Once done, remove the duck from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
9. To serve, traditionally Peking Duck is presented with thin pancakes or steamed buns. Spread some hoisin sauce on the pancake or bun, add slices of duck, and some cucumber sticks. Roll it up and enjoy!

Peking Duck is best enjoyed with friends and family, and it’s a fun and flavorful dish to prepare for special occasions or gatherings. Enjoy!