I get asked quite often why I like to cook. The first reason I give is normally because I like to eat. I am Thai and food is a big factor in our culture. We greet each other with hello followed by 'have you eaten? When guests turn up at your house it's safe to assume that they will expect to be fed.

The second reason is that as I grew up in the Northeastern part of Thailand, the poorest region, food was always hard to come by. We weren't hungry as there was always rice, but it was difficult finding something to go with rice. Now I do have ingredients to go with rice, I want to cook!

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

Five Spice Duck with Mash and Blackberry Sauce.



Five Spice Duck with Mash and Blackberry Sauce.

Blackberries are everywhere at the moment and this is one of the ways to utilise free food. The crispy skinned duck is deliciously rich and does need a sweet and sour accompaniment, provided here by blackberry sauce spiked with aromatic Asian flavouring. Unintentionally fusion and seems to have worked perfectly. 

   For the Duck.
2 duck breasts, seasoned with
-salt and pepper,
-1tsp five spice powder.
Place the duck, skin side down, in a large, cold frying pan, without oil, place the pan on medium-high.
Cook for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side.
Place in 210c fan forced for around 7 minutes.
Leave to rest and slice thinly.

   For the sauce.
In a large saucepan, with a tablespoon of olive oil, fry
-2 sliced onions,
-1 star anise,
-1 stick cinnamon,
-salt/pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions have caramelised, add
-250g blackberries (reserve a few for decoration),
-200ml chicken stock,
-1tbsp balsamic vinegar,
-1tbsp Shaoxing rice wine,
-1tsp caster sugar.
Simmer on low heat for around 15-20 minutes until the fruits have broken down, add
-reserved berries.
Stir well to combine.
Serve with the duck.

Note: the leftover pickled vegetables provided freshness and acidity, worked beautifully with the blackberry sauce.

No comments:

Post a Comment