h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Duck has a tendency to be fatty, so here's a tip I once heard that works to solve this problem.

Before you marinade a duck (or before you put it into the oven, if you're doing roast duck), pour at least a kettleful of boiling water over it, particularly the breast and legs. This helps to break down the fatty layer in these areas, which can improve the overall flavour.

I've tried this on roast duck, and it does work!

or loosen the skin and pour the marinade between the skin and the meat. Take the skin off and skim the fat from the juice before serving. This will reduce the fat content considerably and you can keep the bits to add flavout topotatoes or toast.
I'd love to try this recipe but, although my home in England is less than a mile from the biggest duck farm in the world, it is well-nigh impossible to buy one in any of the surrounding villages.

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Hmm - I see they're not using the Stickwaver's photos.
Eleven million quid upgrade!!! Some of them ought to fall off the back of a lorry?? I've got a recipe for Peking Duck somewhere. Has Christina had that?

No duck in Ballsbridge either...I did look last time.

IMHO the whole point of duck is that it tends to be fatty. Similarily goose. This ubiquituous dry tasteless chicken (unless done in my secret Balti recipe) is no good at all!

Yes, you need the fat while it's cooking, but you don't need to eat it,especially if you're trying to stick to the right side of the glucose revolution.

The whole point of the boiling water is that it helps to start the fat breaking down. This means that the fat gently bastes the bird, and any excess ends up at the bottom of the roasting tin, not on your plate.

As I say, I've done roast duck this way (Richard loves it) and it tasted delicious. I agree, though, that it's very hard to get hold of duck these days. My local Tesco (a large one) hasn't had any for ages!

Do you roast duck upside-down as well?
I know it is done with a chicken so as to get all the fat soaking into the flesh.
Mmm...I'm really tempted to go off and see if I can get one for Sunday, and try this.