Peking Duck

My family usually sticks to roasted turkey during the holidays, but this year we’ve decided to expand our menu to include roasted duck. Peking duck is a traditional Chinese dish that includes serving the crispy duck in a pancake that’s loaded with thinly sliced scallions and hoisin sauce (a sweet and pungent sauce made from garlic, soybeans, red chili and vinegar). Preparing the duck in and of itself can be a bit time consuming, so we use already prepared hoisin sauce and very thin, partially cooked tortillas for the pancakes. Spice up your holiday menu by including this Peking duck dish along with all of your traditional favorites.

Shopping List

• 1 5 lb. duck
• 1 large white onion, sliced
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• Salt
• 1 package of thin, partially cooked tortillas (Guerrero brand)
• 2 bunches scallions, thinly sliced
• Hoisin sauce (Sun Luck brand)

Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350º.

Remove the duck from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly under water.

Pat the duck dry and place it in a foil-lined roasting pan.

Insert the sliced onion and garlic cloves into the duck.

Rub the exterior of the duck with the butter and salt it thoroughly. Fold the foil over the duck to cover it.

Place the roasting pan in the oven and cook the duck for 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and uncover the duck.

Increase the oven heat to 400º.

Return the exposed duck to the oven and allow it to cook until a golden brown color develops and the skin is crispy to the touch (the cooking time will vary according to the type of oven & oven rack placement).

Remove the crispy duck from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Heat a tortilla in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until it is fully cooked (about 2 minutes).

Spread a dollop of the hoisin sauce on the warmed tortilla, then add the scallions and crispy duck. Fold in the edges and serve.

Helpful Hint: The duck does not yield as much meat as you may anticipate, so I would suggest one duck per two or three people.