Peking duck

Make Peking duck at home

Ingredients

• 1 whole duck (about 5 lb)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 12 thin Mandarin pancakes
• 6 scallions, cut into thin strips
• 1 cucumber, cut in sticks
• Hoisin or sweet bean sauce

How it's made

1. Pat the duck very dry inside and out. Pour boiling water over the skin, then dry again.
2. Mix honey, vinegar and 2 tablespoons hot water and brush all over the skin.
3. Rub the cavity with salt and five-spice. Let the duck dry uncovered in the refrigerator on a rack for 24 hours.
4. Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C) and roast breast side up on a rack over a pan for 1 hour.
5. Raise the oven to 425 F (220 C) and roast 20 minutes until the skin is deep mahogany and crisp.
6. Rest 15 minutes, slice the skin and meat, and serve with warmed pancakes, scallions, cucumber and sauce.