Ingredients
- 500g duck breast (boneless, skin on)
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 115g Thai red curry paste
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 2 tsp fresh ginger
- 1 cup chicken stock/broth
- 400ml coconut milk
- 6-8 makrut lime leaves
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 120g green beans (trimmed and cut in half)
- 1 cup lightly packed cup Thai basil leaves
- 8-12 lychees
- 2 cups of cooked jasmine rice
- Thai basil leaves (for garnish)
- Coriander (for garnish)
- Large red chilli (for garnish, optional)
- Lime wedges (optional)
Method
- CRISPY GOLDEN DUCK BREAST:Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan-forced).Score – Sprinkle half the salt and pepper on the flesh of the duck. Turn. Use a sharp knife to make 5 or 6 diagonal scores on the skin of the breast. Don't pierce the flesh and don't cut all the way to the edge of the skin (Note 8). Pat the skin dry with paper towels, sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.Cold pan, no oil – Don't turn the stove on yet. Use an oven-proof pan (any type). Place the duck skin side down in the cold pan, no oil required. Place another pan on top to lightly weigh the duck down (keeps skin flat).Cook 10 minutes – Turn the stove onto medium low. Cook for 10 minutes or until the skin is golden and crispy. Fat will melt out of the duck skin and it will cook in its own fat. (Note 8)Reserve duck fat – Pour off 2 to 3 tablespoons of the duck fat into the pan you will use to make the curry sauce.Oven 8 minutes – Once the skin is crispy, turn and cook the flesh side for 1 minute. Then transfer the pan to the oven for 8 minutes or until the internal temperature is 60°C/140°F (medium, Note 9)Rest – Transfer to a rack or plate and rest for 5 minutes until ready to assemble the curry.
- THAI RED CURRY SAUCE:Sauté curry paste – Heat the duck fat (from step 6 above) on medium heat in a deep skillet. Cook the curry paste, garlic and ginger for 4 to 5 minutes. It will dry out and darken in colour, and substantially improves the flavour (especially store bought, but even homemade).Sauce – Add chicken stock, stir, then simmer rapidly to reduce by half (2 -3 minutes). Stir in coconut milk, hand-crushed kaffir lime leaves, sugar and fish sauce. Simmer gently on medium for 2 minutes.Add ins – Add the beans, simmer for 3 minutes until just cooked. Add the lychees or pineapple, simmer 1 minute. Taste and add a tad extra fish sauce if it needs salt.
- ASSEMBLE:Spoon some sauce in to cover the base of a large deep platter or wide bowl.Slice duck breast, just shy of 5mm / 0.2" thick. Place on the sauce, fanning it out slightly to expose the pink flesh.Remaining sauce – Spoon the remaining sauce, lychees etc around the duck, avoiding the duck skin.Garnish with Thai basil leaves, coriander, chilli and lime wedges.Serve – Take to the table with flourish and serve with jasmine rice!
Product used in recipe
- SQUID BRAND - SQUID BRAND PREMIUM FISH SAUCE 300ML
