Citrus-Glazed Duck Delight

Certainly! Here’s a detailed recipe for Citrus-Glazed Duck Delight:

Citrus-Glazed Duck Delight

Ingredients:

• For the Duck:

  • 1 whole duck (about 4-5 pounds)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 orange, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 4-6 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 4 cloves of garlic, smashed
  • 1 small onion, quartered

• For the Citrus Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Optional Garnishes:

  • Fresh herbs (such as parsley or thyme)
  • Orange and lemon slices

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Duck:

   • Remove any giblets from inside the duck and pat the duck dry with paper towels.
   • Prick the skin of the duck all over with a sharp knife or fork, being careful not to puncture the meat. This helps the fat render out during cooking.
   • Season the duck generously inside and out with salt and pepper.
   • Stuff the cavity of the duck with the quartered orange, lemon, thyme sprigs, smashed garlic, and quartered onion.

3. Roast the Duck:

   • Place the duck breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
   • Roast the duck in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
   • Baste the duck with the rendered fat once or twice during cooking.

4. Prepare the Citrus Glaze:

   • While the duck is roasting, prepare the glaze by combining orange juice, lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, grated ginger, Dijon mustard, orange zest, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) in a small saucepan.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.

5. Glaze the Duck:

   • About 30 minutes before the duck is done cooking, brush the citrus glaze all over the duck. Reserve some glaze for additional basting and serving.
   • Continue roasting the duck for the remaining 30 minutes, basting once more with the glaze halfway through.

6. Rest the Duck:

   • Once the duck is cooked and the skin is beautifully caramelized, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before carving.

7. Serve:

   • Transfer the duck to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs and slices of orange and lemon if desired.
   • Serve with the remaining citrus glaze on the side for drizzling.

Notes:

• For a more intense flavor, you can marinate the duck with some of the citrus glaze in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight before roasting.
• The rendered duck fat can be saved and used for roasting potatoes or vegetables for an extra burst of flavor.

Enjoy your delicious and aromatic Citrus-Glazed Duck Delight!