Asian Duck Confit with Hoisin and Five-Spice Guacamole
- Level: Advanced
- Yield: 8 servings
- Total: 1 day 4 hr 45 min
- Active: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
4 cups light brown sugar
3 cups coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 ounce fresh oregano
1 ounce fresh thyme
8 cloves garlic
Juice of 4 limes
3 bay leaves
1 thumb-size knob fresh ginger
Ground black pepper, to taste
8 duck legs
8 to 10 pounds duck fat
1 tablespoon hoisin
Five-Spice Guacamole, recipe follows
Five-Spice Guacamole:
2 Hass avocados
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1/2 medium onion, diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
Directions
- Mix together the sugar, salt, cilantro, olive oil, onion, vinegar, fish sauce, sriracha, oregano, thyme, garlic, lime juice, bay leaves, ginger, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the duck legs and let marinate, 1 hour.
- Line the bottom of a tall pan with a layer of duck fat. Place the duck legs on top, then cover with another layer of duck fat. Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Melt the remaining duck fat in a large ovenproof pot. Wipe the marinade off the duck legs and place them in the warm fat. Transfer the pot to the oven. Roast until meat is falling off the bone, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Pull duck legs from fat.
- Reheat the duck in a pan over medium heat until brown and crispy on both
- sides. Garnish with a drizzle of hoisin and serve with a side of Five-Spice Guacamole.
Five-Spice Guacamole:
- Slice the avocados in half, working the knife carefully around the pit. Twist the two halves in opposite directions, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a large bowl. Add the lime juice and toss to coat, then drain off and reserve any unincorporated juice. Add the five-spice powder, salt and sesame seeds. Using a potato masher, mash the avocados to desired consistency. Fold in the onions, jalapeno, cilantro and garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour, then serve.