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What Should You Eat With Duck Meat? A Guide to the Perfect Pairings and Dishes.

Duck meat is a versatile ingredient that can be transformed into delectable dishes. However, there are certain foods that don't pair well with duck. So, what are these culinary no-gos?

Administrator

23 July, 2024

Duck meat is an excellent source of nutrition, containing a wealth of nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. Today, duck meat is used in a variety of delicious dishes; however, not all foods pair well with duck.

According to polyclinic doctor Bui Dac Sang (working at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), duck meat in Oriental medicine has a cold nature, a sweet and slightly salty taste, and is used to nourish the yin and spleen. It can be consumed by patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, etc.

Let’s explore the foods that should and should not be eaten with duck.

1What Shouldn’t Be Eaten with Duck?

According to nutrition experts, you should include duck meat in your family’s menu once a week to provide the body with essential nutrients. Specifically, 100g of duck meat contains at least about 25g of protein, a higher amount than that found in other foods such as beef, pork, chicken, and fish.

Although duck meat is versatile and packed with nutrients beneficial to the human body, not all foods pair well with it. To be precise, some foods have opposing characteristics.

Duck meat is incompatible with certain fruits, soft-shell turtle meat, chicken eggs, and walnuts due to their hot nature.

As pointed out by polyclinic doctor Bui Dac Sang (working at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), duck meat in Oriental medicine has a cold nature, a sweet and slightly salty taste, and is used to nourish the yin and spleen. Therefore, it should not be consumed with foods of opposing characteristics, namely, foods with a hot nature or tonic foods that do not share the same properties as duck meat.

Duck meat is incompatible with the following foods: certain fruits with a hot nature (longan, lychee, peach, and plum), soft-shell turtle meat, and snake meat.

2Top 5 Foods to Eat and Not to Eat with Duck

Duck meat is versatile and can be prepared in numerous ways. Some foods pair exceptionally well with duck, while others should be avoided.

Top 5 Foods to Eat with Duck

Porridge

Duck meat can be combined with porridge to create a delicious and nutritious dish.

Porridge is a dish made from rice, so it contains abundant starch, and when combined with duck meat, it transforms into a tasty and nutritious duck porridge. Consuming this dish regularly boosts protein intake and promotes the elimination of excess substances from the body.

Honeysuckle Flower

Honeysuckle flower can be combined with duck meat to create a dish beneficial to human health.

Duck meat has a cold nature and helps treat heat toxins. Honeysuckle flower, on the other hand, eliminates acne and detoxifies the body. Combining these two ingredients creates a nutritious dish that promotes healthy skin and overall well-being.

Chinese Cabbage

Chinese cabbage, when combined with duck meat, helps promote cholesterol metabolism in the blood.

Chinese cabbage is rich in dietary fiber and vitamins, which aid digestion, while duck meat is an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids and protein. Together, these two foods enhance cholesterol metabolism in the blood and promote overall health.

Taro

Taro, when combined with duck meat, creates a dish beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Taro contains 63.25% starch, which helps the body metabolize and convert it into energy, maintaining daily activities. When paired with duck meat, taro helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Pickled Cucumber

Pickled cucumber, when combined with duck meat, creates a delicious and nutritious dish.

Pickled cucumber is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients beneficial to the human body, including amino acids and vitamin C. Additionally, it contains lactic acid bacteria, which, when consumed with duck meat, helps reduce greasiness and provides various health benefits.

Top 5 Foods Not to Eat with Duck

Fruits with a Hot Nature

Fruits with a hot nature, such as plum, mango, jackfruit, and durian, should not be consumed with duck meat.

Duck meat has a cold nature and helps cool the body, while fruits like plum, mango, jackfruit, and durian have a hot nature. Therefore, consuming these foods together can cause indigestion and a bloated stomach.

Chicken Eggs

Chicken eggs should not be consumed with duck meat.

According to Oriental medicine, chicken eggs have a cold nature, and duck meat shares this characteristic. Therefore, consuming chicken eggs and duck meat together can harm the body’s vital energy, affecting health and respiratory function.

Soft-Shell Turtle Meat

Soft-shell turtle meat should not be consumed with duck meat.

Duck meat and soft-shell turtle meat contain incompatible substances. Although both are highly nutritious, consuming them together can reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to edema and diarrhea.

Snake Meat

Snake meat should not be consumed with duck meat.

Snakes and soft-shell turtles belong to the same family, so their meat shares similar nutritional properties. In medicine, both snake and duck meat have cooling effects and are highly nourishing. However, consuming them together can lead to an excess of certain substances, causing a yin-yang imbalance and resulting in edema and diarrhea.

Garlic

Garlic, when combined with duck meat, can cause bloating and flatulence.

Garlic is commonly used in cooking to enhance the flavor and aroma of dishes. However, when it comes to duck meat, garlic should be avoided due to its hot nature, which contrasts with the cold nature of duck meat. This combination can disrupt the digestive system, leading to bloating and flatulence.

The above article provides insights into the foods that should and should not be consumed with duck meat. We hope this information helps you take better care of your health and that of your loved ones.

Source: VnExpress

Frequently asked questions

To enhance the flavor of duck meat, it is recommended to pair it with fruits such as oranges, cherries, and apples, which complement the rich, gamey taste of the duck. Spices like cinnamon, star anise, and five-spice powder also enhance the flavor profile.

Side dishes that pair well with duck meat include roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips. Potatoes, either mashed or roasted, are also a good option. For a more unique side, try a fruit-based sauce or chutney, such as orange sauce or cherry chutney, to further enhance the flavor of the duck.

When it comes to wine pairings, duck dishes go well with a variety of options. For a classic combination, choose a Pinot Noir, which has enough acidity to cut through the richness of the duck. Other red wine options include a fruity Zinfandel or a spicy Shiraz. If you prefer white wine, consider a crisp and dry Riesling or a full-bodied Chardonnay.

For dessert, consider something that will balance the richness of the duck. Options include a fruity sorbet or granita, especially if you want to continue the fruit theme. Alternatively, a chocolate dessert with a high cocoa content can work well, as the bitterness of the cocoa will contrast nicely with the duck’s flavor.

Some popular duck dishes from around the world include Peking Duck from China, which is served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce. Confit de Canard, a French dish where the duck is slow-cooked in its own fat, is also well-known. For something different, try the Thai dish of Crispy Duck with Red Curry, which combines spicy red curry with the richness of duck meat.