Duck meat is a versatile ingredient, just like chicken, pork, or beef. With duck, you can create a variety of mouth-watering dishes such as braised duck with sour fruit, duck cooked with galangal, duck congee, or even roast duck. Here’s a simple recipe to make roast duck using an air fryer.
1. Ingredients for Roast Duck
– 1 duck weighing approximately 2.5 kg
– ½ orange
– 3 lemongrass stalks
– 3 shallots
– 1 bulb of garlic
– 1 lemon
– Spices: ½ teaspoon of ground pepper, vinegar, cooking wine, fish sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, honey, and chili sauce
2. How to Make Roast Duck
Step 1: Prepare the Duck
– Clean the duck thoroughly after purchasing it. Rub lemon, salt, or a mixture of vinegar and cooking wine to eliminate any unpleasant odors.
– Squeeze the orange juice into a clean bowl and set it aside.
– Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic.
– Remove the tough outer layers of the lemongrass and rinse it. Finely chop the lemongrass along with the shallots and garlic.
Step 2: Marinate the Duck
– In a large bowl, combine the chopped shallots, garlic, and lemongrass. Gradually add honey, oyster sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, fish sauce, and orange juice.
– Mix the ingredients thoroughly and rub the mixture all over the duck. Then, wrap the duck with plastic wrap and marinate it in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Step 3: Roast the Duck
– For the best results and even cooking, it is recommended to roast the duck three times before serving.
First roast: Place the duck in the air fryer and cook at 130°C for about 35 minutes until the meat is tender. Adjust the cooking time according to the weight and size of the duck.
Second roast: Remove the duck from the air fryer and brush the remaining marinade on the surface. Return the duck to the air fryer and roast at 180°C for 25 minutes.
Third roast: For a crispier and more golden skin, roast the duck for an additional 5 to 7 minutes at 200°C. Then, remove it from the air fryer, cut it into pieces, and serve.
The roast duck will emanate a delightful aroma and feature a tempting golden-brown exterior. Depending on your preference, you can cut the duck into bite-sized pieces or separate the meat from the bones. The meat will be tender and flavorful, complemented by the crispy golden skin. This dish can be served with herbs, chili garlic sauce, and rice vermicelli.
3. Notes for Making Roast Duck
– Opt for ducks that are not too old or too young. The best ducks for roasting have firm meat and are not too lean or fatty. Male ducks tend to be more flavorful, meatier, and firmer than female ducks.
– To save time, you can marinate the duck overnight.
