Peking duck is a famous Chinese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a roasted duck that is traditionally served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce. The dish originated in Beijing (formerly known as Peking), China, during the Ming Dynasty, and was originally served exclusively to the imperial court.
The preparation of Peking duck is intricate and takes several days, starting with selecting the right breed of duck. The ducks are raised specifically for this dish, and the best ones are about 100 days old and weigh around six pounds. The ducks are then force-fed for the last couple of weeks of their lives to fatten them up, resulting in a juicy and flavorful meat.
Before cooking, the duck is cleaned, dressed, and coated with a mixture of sugar, soy sauce, and five-spice powder. It is then hung up and left to dry for a few hours, which helps to render the fat and create a crispy skin when it is roasted.
The duck is then roasted in a special oven called a hung oven, which cooks the duck evenly and gives it a unique flavor. Traditionally, the duck is roasted over fruitwood, such as apple or cherry, which adds to the flavor.
When the duck is cooked, it is carved into thin slices and served with thin pancakes, sliced scallions, and hoisin sauce. To eat, you place a slice of duck on a pancake, add scallions and hoisin sauce, and then roll it up like a burrito.
Peking duck is not only delicious but also has some health benefits. Duck meat is high in protein, iron, and zinc, and it is lower in fat than other types of poultry. The dish can be a bit high in sodium, however, due to the use of soy sauce and other seasonings.
In conclusion, Peking duck is a traditional Chinese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries and is still popular today. The preparation is intricate, but the result is a succulent and flavorful meat with crispy skin that is well worth the effort. So if you have the opportunity to try Peking duck, take it – your taste buds will thank you!