Shanghai soy duck
Ingredients
2.25 kg (5 lb) duck
2 teaspoons salt
4 spring onions (scallions), each tied in a knot
4 × 1 cm (½ inch) slices ginger, smashed with the flat side of a cleaver
6 star anise
3 cinnamon or cassia sticks
1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
100 ml (⅓ cup) Shaoxing rice wine
200 ml (¾ cup) light soy sauce
100 ml (⅓ cup) dark soy sauce
100 g (3 oz) rock sugar
Method
Step 1
Rinse the duck, drain, and remove any fat from the cavity opening and around the neck. Cut off and discard the parson's nose. Blanch the duck in a pan of boiling water for 2–3 minutes, then refresh in cold water, pat dry and rub the salt inside the cavity.
Step 2
Place the duck, breast side up, in a clay pot or casserole, and add the spring onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns, rice wine, soy sauces, rock sugar and enough water to cover. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 40–45 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the duck to cool in the liquid for 2–3 hours, transferring the clay pot to the fridge once it is cool enough. Leave in the fridge until completely cold (you can keep the duck in the liquid overnight and serve it the next day).
Step 3
To serve, remove the duck from the liquid and drain well. Using a cleaver, cut the duck through the bones into bite-size pieces.
Step 4
Traditionally this dish is served at room temperature, but if you would like to serve it hot, put the clay pot with the duck and the liquid back on the stove and bring it to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the duck is completely heated through.
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