How to Make Authentic Peking Duck at Home – A Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents: 

I. Introduction 

II. Ingredients 

III. Preparation 

IV. Cooking Instructions 

V. Serving Suggestions 

VI. Conclusion

Introduction: 

Peking duck is a famous Chinese dish that originated in Beijing during the Imperial era. This delicious and crispy duck is typically served with pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce. While this dish may seem intimidating to make at home, it is actually quite simple with a little preparation and patience. In this article, we’ll show you how to make authentic Peking duck at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck, about 5-6 pounds
• 2 tablespoons maltose (or honey)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 orange, quartered
• 1 bunch scallions, cut into 3-inch pieces
• Hoisin sauce, for serving
• Mandarin pancakes (available at Asian markets)

Preparation:

• Remove any giblets or excess fat from the duck.
• Rinse the duck inside and out with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, mix together the maltose (or honey), rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), soy sauce, five-spice powder, and salt to make the marinade.
• Rub the marinade all over the duck, making sure to get it into the cavity and under the skin.
• Stuff the cavity of the duck with the orange quarters and scallions.
• Truss the duck by tying the legs together with kitchen twine.
• Place the duck on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and let it air dry in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Fill a large wok or pot with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil.
3. Place the duck on a rack set over the boiling water, breast-side up.
4. Cover the wok or pot and steam the duck for 45 minutes.
5. Remove the duck from the wok and let it cool slightly.
6. Preheat the broiler to high.
7. Place the duck on a baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
8. Let the duck rest for 10 minutes before carving it into thin slices.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve the Peking duck with Mandarin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.
• To assemble, spread a little hoisin sauce on each pancake, top with a few slices of duck, and add a few pieces of scallion.
• Roll up the pancake and enjoy!

Conclusion: 

Making authentic Peking duck at home may seem daunting, but with this step-by-step guide, you can impress your guests with a delicious and flavorful dish. Customize the recipe by adding your favorite spices or herbs to the marinade, or by experimenting with different sauces and toppings. Share your Peking duck creation on social media using the hashtag #PekingDuckRecipe and enjoy every mouth-watering bite!