EASTER DUCK RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the cinnamon and allspice together with 1 tbsp flaky sea salt. Lightly score the skin of the duck all over and rub with the spice mix. Put the duck on a rack, sit in a roomy roasting tin and roast for 25 mins. Remove the duck from the oven and reduce the temperature to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Continue to cook for 1 hr 30 mins, basting every 30 mins. Turn the oven back up to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, brush the duck all over with the marmalade and return to the oven for 20 mins until the skin is beautifully glazed – if it’s still too lightly coloured, leave it in a little longer. Rest for 15-20 mins before serving.
• While the duck is roasting, make the dressing. Heat the rapeseed oil in a small frying pan and fry the shallots until soft. Add the spices and fry for 1 min, pour in the olive oil and vanilla seeds and pods, gently warm to infuse for 20 mins, then add the raisins, vinegar and lime juice. Season and set aside to cool.
• While the duck is resting, toss the quartered lettuces in the dressing. To serve, shred the meat from the bones and serve topped with lime zest alongside the salad.

Steps:

• Rinse duck and pat dry. Remove neck and giblets and save for another purpose. Remove excess fat from cavity and tail area and trim off a bit of flappy neck skin. Prick duck skin all over with tip of sharp paring knife, making sure not to penetrate meat.
• Mix together salt and 5-spice powder. Season interior of duck with 1 tablespoon salt mixture; use remainder to generously season exterior (you may have a little left over). Combine orange zest with grated ginger and garlic, then smear mixture inside cavity. Place orange wedges in cavity. Tie legs together. Secure neck flap with wooden skewer or toothpicks. Place duck on rack in roasting pan breast-side-up and refrigerate overnight, uncovered.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, bring duck to room temperature and make the glaze: Bring orange juice, honey, sugar and soy sauce to a simmer. Add sliced ginger and star anise, then reduce mixture until you have a medium-thick syrup, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Roast duck for 2 hours, carefully pouring off fat and turning duck over every 30 minutes. Paint with glaze and roast another 30 minutes (2 1/2 hours in all). Tent with foil if glaze begins to get too dark. Duck is done when temperature at thickest part of leg reads 165 degrees. Paint duck once more, keep warm and let rest 20 minutes. Use poultry shears to cut into quarters (remove backbone first) or carve in the traditional way, removing legs from carcass and slicing breast. Serve with mashed butternut squash if desired.