Recipes

Duck à l’Orange

1 Mins read
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Introduction

Discover the rich and vibrant flavors of a classic French dish reimagined with a modern twist. Duck à l’Orange offers an unparalleled gastronomic experience, fusing delicate duck meat with the tangy zest of fresh oranges.

Tips for this recipe

For the best results, use a high-quality Pekin (Long Island) duck. The natural richness and fat content are essential to achieving the perfect texture. Additionally, incorporating freshly squeezed orange juice will significantly enhance the dish’s bright citrus notes.

Why you will love this recipe

Duck à l’Orange captivates with its harmonious blend of sweet and savory, creating an irresistible feast for the senses. Its elegance and depth make it a crowd-pleaser while offering you a chance to indulge in a classic culinary masterpiece.

Ingredients

  • 1 Pekin (Long Island) duck (about 5 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled, halved lengthwise, then crosswise
  • 5 whole black peppercorns
  • 3 navel oranges
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup Port wine

Advised equipment

To ensure culinary success, consider these essential tools:

  • Duck Press
  • High-Speed Blender
  • Digital Food Scale
  • Non-Stick Fry Pan
  • Mandoline Slicer
  • Juicer (Fresh Orange Juice)
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Strainer
  • Sauce Pot with a Lid
  • Rubber Spatula

History of the recipe

The origins of Duck à l’Orange trace back to French cuisine, where it was a symbol of opulence and celebration. This dish has evolved over centuries but remains a testament to France’s rich culinary heritage. The combination of succulent duck with the tangy orange sauce became popularized in 18th-century France before spreading its influence globally.

Fun facts about this recipe

Did you know that Duck à l’Orange gained prominence after being served at King Louis XIV’s table? This dish represents the luxurious and lavish dining experiences of historical royalty. Today, it stands as a beloved classic in culinary circles worldwide.

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Duck à l'Orange

Duck à l'Orange

amanda

Equipment

  • - Duck Press: Perfect for tenderizing and preparing duck meat before cooking.

  • - High-Speed Blender: Essential for making the orange sauce smooth and consistent.

  • - Digital Food Scale: Ensures precise measurements of ingredients, important in recipes like Duck A L'Orange.

  • - Non-Stick Fry Pan: Ideal for sautéing vegetables without sticking.

  • - Mandoline Slicer: Useful for evenly slicing citrus fruits and onions.

  • - Juicer (Fresh Orange Juice): To easily extract fresh orange juice, a key ingredient in the sauce.

  • - Meat Thermometer: Critical for ensuring duck is cooked to safe temperatures.

  • - Strainer: Useful for straining out any seeds or pulp from the sauce.

  • - Sauce Pot with a Lid: For simmering the sauce at the right temperature and consistency.

  • - Rubber Spatula: Ideal for folding ingredients together smoothly, particularly in making sauces.

Ingredients

  • 1 Pekin (Long Island) duck (about 5 1/2 pounds)

  • 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped

  • 3 sprigs thyme

  • 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped

  • 1 medium carrot, peeled, halved lengthwise, then crosswise

  • 5 whole black peppercorns

  • 3 navel oranges

  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

  • 1/4 cup Port

Instructions

1

Instruction 1

Set giblets from duck aside; reserve liver for another use. Trim skin from both openings of the cavity; set aside for rendering. Cut both leg-thigh pieces off duck. Cut wings from breasts. Carve breasts from carcass for 2 boneless breasts. Trim off wing tips and flats; set aside. Cut carcass into quarters. Cover and chill leg, breast, and wing pieces.
2

Instruction 2

Heat reserved duck skin in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until about 2 tablespoons fat is rendered; discard skin. Add giblets, wing tips and flats, carcass pieces, onion, and thyme sprigs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Add celery, carrot, peppercorns, and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to medium; simmer duck stock for 1 hour.
3

Instruction 3

Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, cut all peel and white pith from 1 orange; set peel aside. Working over a medium bowl, cut between membranes to release segments into bowl; set aside. Add orange peel to simmering stock. Juice remaining 2 oranges and set juice aside.
4

Instruction 4

Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl (you should have about 2 cups). Transfer orange peel to a work surface; discard remaining solids in sieve. Slice peel into thin strips (remove white pith for a more refined look, if desired); set aside. DO AHEAD: Stock can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill stock and peel separately.
5

Instruction 5

Prick duck pieces all over with a sharp knife. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer in a large heavy skillet (use 2 if needed), skin side down, and cook over medium heat, occasionally pouring off fat from skillet into a heatproof bowl, until skin is deep golden brown, 18-20 minutes. (Cover and chill fat; save for cooking potatoes or stir-fried rice.)
6

Instruction 6

Turn over duck pieces. Cook breasts, skin side up, until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into thickest part of breast registers 125°F for medium-rare, about 2 minutes. Transfer breasts to a large rimmed baking sheet. Continue cooking legs and wings until well browned on both sides and juices run clear when thigh is pierced with a fork, 10-15 minutes longer. Transfer to sheet with breasts. Pour off fat from skillet, leaving browned bits behind.
7

Instruction 7

Preheat oven to 450°F. Return skillet with browned bits to medium-high heat. Pour in Port and cook, scraping pan with a wooden spoon (the browned bits will add extra flavor to the sauce), until reduced and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Add reserved orange juice and duck stock; boil, stirring occasionally, until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 20 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
8

Instruction 8

Place rimmed baking sheet with duck pieces in oven. Bake until duck is just heated through, 5-8 minutes.
9

Instruction 9

Pour warm sauce onto a deep platter. Scatter orange segments and strips of peel over. Top with duck pieces.
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