Duck in honey caramel with apples

2 servings

30 minutes

Duck in honey caramel with apples is an exquisite dish of Chinese cuisine, impressing with the combination of sweet and savory flavors. The origins of the recipe delve deep into traditional Chinese gastronomy, where caramelizing meat with fruits was a way to highlight its juiciness and rich flavor. Tender duck fillet infused with the aroma of honey glaze and citrus acquires a crispy caramelized crust. Apples add a refreshing tartness, while thyme and cocoa provide subtle spicy notes. This dish is perfect for festive dinners or romantic evenings, creating a harmony of flavors and textures. Serving it with mint makes it visually appealing and adds a light freshness.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 972.1
• Proteins: 32.6g
• Fats: 66.3g
• Carbohydrates: 67.6g

Ingredients

• Duck fillet: 2 pc
• Oranges: 2 pc
• Garlic: 1 clove
• Apple: 2 pc
• Chili pepper: 1 pc
• Fresh mint: 1 g
• Thyme: 1 g
• Cocoa: 5 g
• Flower honey: 60 g
• Soy sauce: 40 ml
• Butter: 20 g
• Sunflower oil: 50 ml
• Salt: to taste
• Ground black pepper: to taste

Cooking steps

1. Thoroughly wash the duck, make small incisions in the skin at 0.5 cm intervals, and rub with salt, pepper, and vegetable oil.

   Required ingredients:

   • Duck fillet: 2 pieces
   • Salt:  to taste
   • Ground black pepper:  to taste
   • Sunflower oil: 50 ml

2. Heat the pan and fry the duck on high heat for 1.5 minutes on each side; preheat the oven and bake the duck at 180 degrees for 20 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Duck fillet: 2 pieces

3. Clean and cut the apples into large wedges, slice 2 thin pieces of chili pepper and chop it finely.

   Required ingredients:

   • Apple: 2 pieces
   • Chili pepper: 1 piece

4. Place the apples in a pan, add butter, 1/3 honey, chili pepper, cocoa, thyme leaves, mix and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until the apples soften, stirring continuously.

   Required ingredients:

   • Apple: 2 pieces
   • Butter: 20 g
   • Flower honey: 60 g
   • Chili pepper: 1 piece
   • Cocoa: 5 g
   • Thyme: 1 g

5. Squeeze the juice from the oranges into another saucepan, add crushed garlic and evaporate 50% of the liquid over high heat; add the remaining honey and soy sauce, mix and cook on high heat until it becomes a thick syrup for 4 minutes; remove the garlic.

   Required ingredients:

   • Oranges: 2 pieces
   • Garlic: 1 clove
   • Flower honey: 60 g
   • Soy sauce: 40 ml

6. Remove the duck from the oven, brush with 1/3 syrup, and bake at 250 degrees on the top rack for 30 seconds; repeat this operation 2 more times.

   Required ingredients:

   • Duck fillet: 2 pieces
   • Flower honey: 60 g

7. Place the apples and duck, drizzle with the remaining sauce from the baking tray, garnish with mint, and serve.

   Required ingredients:

   • Apple: 2 pieces
   • Duck fillet: 2 pieces
   • Fresh mint: 1 g