This is my first time braising a whole duck. Usually I cut it into pieces before braising it and it has a really strong 5 spice powder soy sauce taste. It’s just the way my grandmother and mother used to do it. I suppose my family are a fan of 5 spice powder.
However, Piglet had commented that the gravy covers up the taste of the duck so I am trying a milder flavoured braising liquid this time around.
Braised Duck (Lor Ark) Recipe
Ingredients
1 whole duck (2kg)
1 tbs oil
1 tbs sugar
Aromatics: 1 thumb sized ginger, 5 cloves of garlic
Spices: 1 star anise, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 dried chilli
2 tbs dark soy sauce
2 tbs light soy sauce
1 tsp of 5 spice powder
8 hard boiled chicken eggs
Water
Salt to taste
Method
1.Blanch duck with hot water and marinate it with 5 spice powder. Store in fridge overnight.
2. Brown ginger and garlic in oil then add in spices. Put aside.
3. Heat sugar until caramelizes.
4. Add in spices, ginger, garlic, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce and water
5. Add in duck. Ensure the duck is submerged in the braising liquid halfway.
6. Turn it every 15 minutes for 1 hour 40 minutes. Add salt to taste
7. Add in hard boiled chicken egg after 1 hour.
8. Remove duck after 1 hour 40 minutes. Reduce braising liquid by increasing heat and leaving lid uncovered.
9. Cut it into pieces to serve.
