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Duck breast

PostPosted: 04 Sep 2012, 10:56
by stretchie_
We tried some this weekend along with beef skirt and a small pork shoulder.

Rubbed it in Chinese 5 spice and nothing else, I can't remember how long it took or what temp I took it off at (had to google the temp for duck) but it was nice and we will definitely be doing it again.

So get down to your supermarket / butchers and get some. VERY nice

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 04 Sep 2012, 13:07
by Jonty
Hi, did you leave the skin/fat on or off? Thanks

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 04 Sep 2012, 14:21
by London Irish
Jonty wrote:Hi, did you leave the skin/fat on or off? Thanks


Let's hope so!!!

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 04 Sep 2012, 14:40
by Pecker
How long did you cook it for?

There are two very different ways to cook duck.

It can be cooked rare and pink, which is traditional for breasts. Or it can be cooked well done and brown, which is more traditional for an English roast, or Chinese style.

If you're cooking half a duck with 5 spices to shred (a bit like pulled pork) and put in pancakes, I'd always do it very slowly.

If you're cooking the breats on their own, in a French style, I prefer them rare., but make sure you rest them first, otherwise you just get a plate full of 'blood' when you cut it open.

Breasts with 5 spices? Dunno what I'd do with that. Was yours pink or cooked through?

Steve W

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 04 Sep 2012, 18:36
by Tiny
I would give a quick smoke and then sear it thermonuclear with very high probabilities of fat fires, recall aan incident trying to blow out some duck legs that were proper on fire owing to excessive marination of the chef in strongbow, very cross wife indeed........

So in answer I would have done them french crispy skinned styley and put in wraps with an asian slaw with sweet chilli........drool........

Cheers
Tiny

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 05 Sep 2012, 05:27
by keith157
I haven't done any yet, but looking at doing some fairly soon then cook extra, smoked duck breast is a firm favourite in a salad, or bap, or picked at or....well you get the drift :D

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 05 Sep 2012, 07:05
by Jonty
I've smoke quite a few wild duck breasts, but they are pretty much fat free, as is most game. Thinly sliced smoked duck & pigeon breasts with redcurrant jelly is a fantastic starter.

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 05 Sep 2012, 09:10
by Pecker
Wild duck is a completely different beast to domesticated duck.

The difference is greater than that between wild boar and pork.

Steve W

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 05 Sep 2012, 09:12
by aris
Has anyone done a low-and-slow of a whole duck in a smoker? I would have thought that it would come out fairly nice - all the fat rendered out, and a nice crispy skin - almost like the Chinese duck.

Re: Duck breast

PostPosted: 05 Sep 2012, 09:45
by stretchie_
The fat was left on, and they went on fat side down first. I THINK it was about an hour maybe less but I was busy faffing in the garage so just kept coming out to check temps.

I really can't remember the temp I took the duck off at either sorry, but when it was done we just sliced the breasts into maybe about 10mm slices, it wasn't pink in the middle but it was still juicy, it was a nice contrast between dry on the outside with the 5 spice and juicy in the middle.

We are definitely doing it again, and good idea, it would be great in a salad, or in a bap, or on a plate, on on my fork.........

:mrgreen: