The really nice looking duck breasts were calling out to me at Nijiya and I just couldn't resist buying them. This lead to something of a problem. The Missus doesn't believe that duck should ever be made without five spice....ever. In fact, until we got married, the Missus actually thought that duck naturally tasted that way! He-he-he.....five spice. While driving home I got the idea of doing the standard pan fry technique that I've used many times. I'd season the duck with salt, pepper, and a decent amount of the anise heavy, somewhat potent five spice we have from Qingdao. I decided to go with a glaze that is somewhat similar to what I make for Char Siu Lamb Chops and Chicken. The problem being, that was more of a marinade and glaze using sugar. I didn't want the texture of sugar, but wanted that strong Hoisin flavor. So I substituted mirin for the sugar, placed it over heat to burn off the alcohol flavor and added Kecap Manis, Honey, Hoisin, grated garlic, soy sauce, five spice, and ginger juice, reducing the glaze by about a fourth.
I cooked off the duck in the usual manner to render off the excess fat and crisp up the skin. At the end, I brushed on the glaze. Of course I spooned extra sauce on it....you can't have too much of it!
I served it with Purple Cabbage Slaw with Sesame Dressing and a namul like blanched watercress with a dressing made from rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, ground chili, soy sauce and water.
The Missus was taking a nap while I put this together.......
I did make an adjustment for the Missus' duck. The meat was pretty lean and much of the fat had rendered off....thus, it had a texture close to that of, say, venison. When I put together Her plate, I made thinner cuts on more of a bias. The Missus really doubted that I could make duck breast into something She'd enjoy.....but one whiff and one bite changed Her mind. And so things ended with the ultimate back-handed compliment; "it's much better than I thought you could do!" heh.....
I'm thinking that we'll be eating a bit more duck breast round these parts......
As darkness settles in on our street.......
And all the Christmas lights come on in the neighborhood........
We wanted to wish you a......
Very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Kirk! ho ho ho...
Posted by: Dennis | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 10:14 PM
Merry Xmas to the entire mmmyoso crew!
Posted by: Jason | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 10:48 PM
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone at mmm-yoso!!!
Posted by: Yummieyummy | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 11:28 PM
Merry Christmas to you and your wife. Hope she realized how lucky she is to have a hubby like you with that duck!
Posted by: Hangzhou Hero | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 02:26 AM
that is an awesome meal! Merry Christmas Kirk!
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 05:22 AM
Merry Christmas, Kirk!
Posted by: Mike | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 09:15 AM
Merry Christmas to everybody here!
Posted by: Soo Hom | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 09:56 AM
Merry Christmas to everyone!!
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 10:08 AM
Mele Kalikimaka Kirk! :) The duck looks amazing...I grew up with the five spice taste of duck, so completely understand where the Missus is coming from!
Posted by: Kathy | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 02:55 PM
Merry Christmas everyone!
Posted by: Cathy | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 07:58 PM
That duck looks like a delicious Christmas dinner! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Lynnea | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 09:18 PM
Is that basmati rice? also if you brought your dog to Nijiya I saw you, recognized the dog. I got some nice sake there but my pork belly for the poet su tun po's pork came from thuan phat market.
Posted by: grey | Monday, 26 December 2011 at 03:50 AM
Hey everybody! I hope Christmas was a great time!
Grey - That's just jasmine rice. Sorry, that wasn't me at Nijiya....there are limits as to where I'dtake Da' Boyz. ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 26 December 2011 at 07:50 AM
Kirk,
Maligayang Pasko to you and your wife! :)
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 26 December 2011 at 08:11 PM
Happy Holidays CC!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 26 December 2011 at 08:35 PM
Looks like you two had a wonderful Christmas eve dinner! The duck looks fantastic!
Posted by: Carol | Monday, 26 December 2011 at 09:24 PM
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Subliminal message; way to a woman’s' heart is thru her stomach ;-)
Posted by: nhbilly | Tuesday, 27 December 2011 at 08:05 AM
Hi Carol - Well....I guess it did turn out better than the Missus thought! ;o)
It sure is Bill!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 27 December 2011 at 06:16 PM