Hunan-style Roasted Duck

Ingredients

In this adaptation of the Croatian dish "Pečeni puh" to Hunan cuisine, we infuse the roasted duck with the bold and spicy flavors characteristic of Hunan cuisine. The original dish is transformed by marinating the duck in a blend of Hunan spices, including chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, to create a fiery and aromatic flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Pečeni puh, so you can check it out.

• 1 whole duck (about 2 kg / 4.4 lbs) 1 whole duck (about 2 kg / 4.4 lbs)
• 4 dried red chili peppers, deseeded and finely chopped 4 dried red chili peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons ginger, grated 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns, crushed
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 2g, 1g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the chopped chili peppers, minced garlic, grated ginger, crushed Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, salt, five-spice powder, and vegetable oil.
3. 3.
   Pat the duck dry with paper towels and rub the marinade mixture all over the duck, ensuring it is evenly coated.
4. 4.
   Place the duck on a roasting rack in a baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown, and the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
5. 5.
   Remove the duck from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
6. 6.
   Serve the Hunan-style Roasted Duck hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and accompanied by steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried Red Chili Peppers — Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice tolerance. For a milder version, reduce the number of chili peppers or remove the seeds.
• Sichuan Peppercorns — Sichuan peppercorns provide a unique numbing sensation. If you prefer less numbing heat, reduce the amount of peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve crispy skin, pat the duck dry before applying the marinade.
• Baste the duck with the marinade every 30 minutes while roasting to enhance the flavor.
• For an extra kick of heat, add a few whole dried chili peppers to the roasting dish.

Serving advice

Serve the Hunan-style Roasted Duck as the centerpiece of a festive meal. Accompany it with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful juices. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Hunan-style Roasted Duck on a platter, showcasing its crispy golden skin. Garnish with sprigs of fresh cilantro and serve with a side of steamed rice or noodles.