Duck à l'Orange

Ingredients for Duck à l'Orange

• 1 Pekin (Long Island) duck (about 2.5kg)

• 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped

• 3 sprigs thyme

• 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped

• 1 medium carrot, peeled, halved lengthwise, then crosswise

• 5 whole black peppercorns

• 3 navel oranges

• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

• 60ml Port

How to make Duck à l'Orange

Set giblets from duck aside; reserve liver for another use. Trim skin from both openings of the cavity; set aside for rendering. Cut both leg-thigh pieces off duck. Cut wings from breasts. Carve breasts from carcass for 2 boneless breasts. Trim off wing tips and flats; set aside. Cut carcass into quarters. Cover and chill leg, breast, and wing pieces.

Heat reserved duck skin in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until about 2 tablespoons fat is rendered; discard skin. Add giblets, wing tips and flats, carcass pieces, onion, and thyme sprigs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Add celery, carrot, peppercorns, and 1450ml water. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to medium; simmer duck stock for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, cut all peel and white pith from 1 orange; set peel aside. Working over a medium bowl, cut between membranes to release segments into bowl; set aside. Add orange peel to simmering stock. Juice remaining 2 oranges and set juice aside.

Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl (you should have about 475ml ). Transfer orange peel to a work surface; discard remaining solids in sieve. Slice peel into thin strips (remove white pith for a more refined look, if desired); set aside. DO AHEAD: Stock can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill stock and peel separately.

Prick duck pieces all over with a sharp knife. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer in a large heavy skillet (use 2 if needed), skin side down, and cook over medium heat, occasionally pouring off fat from skillet into a heatproof bowl, until skin is deep golden brown, 18-20 minutes. (Cover and chill fat; save for cooking potatoes or stir-fried rice.)

Turn over duck pieces. Cook breasts, skin side up, until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into thickest part of breast registers 52°C for medium-rare, about 2 minutes. Transfer breasts to a large rimmed baking sheet. Continue cooking legs and wings until well browned on both sides and juices run clear when thigh is pierced with a fork, 10-15 minutes longer. Transfer to sheet with breasts. Pour off fat from skillet, leaving browned bits behind.

Preheat oven to 232°C. Return skillet with browned bits to medium-high heat. Pour in Port and cook, scraping pan with a wooden spoon (the browned bits will add extra flavour to the sauce), until reduced and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Add reserved orange juice and duck stock; boil, stirring occasionally, until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 20 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.

Place rimmed baking sheet with duck pieces in oven. Bake until duck is just heated through, 5-8 minutes.

Pour warm sauce onto a deep platter. Scatter orange segments and strips of peel over. Top with duck pieces.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.