serves
6-8
prep
20 minutes
cook
1:45 hour
difficulty
Ace
serves
6-8
people
preparation
20
minutes
cooking
1:45
hour
difficulty
Ace
level
This is one of the signature dishes at Billy Kwong. I remember a table of four once ordered four ducks because they’d heard so much about it – they wanted a duck each and that was that! If blood plums aren’t in season, use blood oranges or regular oranges to add that lovely sourness.
Ingredients
- 1 x 1.5 kg (3 lb) duck
- 2 tbsp
- ¼ cup plain (all-purpose) flour
- vegetable oil for deep-frying
Blood plum sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 250 g (8 oz) ripe blood plums (about 4), cut in half
- ⅔ cup fish sauce
- 6 whole star anise
- 2 cinnamon quills
- ⅓ cup lime juice
Serve as part of a banquet for 6-8 people.
You will need to begin this recipe 1 day ahead.
Marinating time: overnight
Instructions
- Rinse duck under cold water. Trim away excess fat from inside and outside the cavity, but keep neck, parson’s nose and winglets intact. Pat dry and rub the skin all over with Sichuan pepper and salt. Cover duck and place in refrigerator overnight to marinate.
- Transfer duck to a large steamer basket. Place basket over a pan of boiling water and steam, covered with a tight-fitting lid, for about 1 ½ hours, or until the duck is cooked through (to test, insert a small knife between leg and breast – the juices should run clear). Using tongs, gently remove duck from steamer and place on a tray, breast-side up, to drain. Allow to cool slightly, then transfer to refrigerator to cool further.
- Meanwhile, make the plum sauce. Combine water and sugar in a small pan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until slightly reduced. Add plums, fish sauce and spices, and simmer for a further minute. Stir through lime juice and remove pan from stove. Keep the sauce warm while you fry the duck.
- Place cooled duck breast-side up on a chopping board and, using a large knife or cleaver, cut duck in half lengthways through breastbone and backbone. Carefully ease meat away from carcass, leaving thighs, legs and wings intact. Lightly toss duck halves in flour to coat, shaking off any excess.
- Heat vegetable oil in a hot wok until the surface seems to shimmer slightly. Deep-fry duck halves, one at a time, for about 3 minutes, or until well browned and crispy. Using tongs, carefully remove duck from oil and drain well on kitchen paper, then leave to rest in a warm place for 5 minutes.
- Finally, with a large knife or cleaver, slice the duck, arrange on a platter and spoon over the hot plum sauce.
premieres on Wednesday 21 November at 8.30pm. The series airs Wednesdays at 8.30pm on SBS Food (Channel 33). After they air, episodes will stream at .
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
This is one of the signature dishes at Billy Kwong. I remember a table of four once ordered four ducks because they’d heard so much about it – they wanted a duck each and that was that! If blood plums aren’t in season, use blood oranges or regular oranges to add that lovely sourness.