Sam Choy's Award-Winning Roast Duck
In "Sam Choy's Island Flavors" (Hyperion, $27.95), the popular Hawaiian chef writes: "Roasting duck the traditional Chinese way is a lot of work, but I've found an easy way to do it that I think tastes just as good. It's like a shining star on our menu." The intense heat of the initial half-hour of roasting, combined with the salt-based dry marinade, releases much of the duck's fat. It may be prudent to open a window, or use an exhaust fan to emit any smoke.
1 5-pound duck (defrosted, if frozen)
1/2 cup soy sauce
FOR THE 'DRY' MARINADE
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds, crushed
Rinse duck; remove and discard wing tips, fatty neck flap, and any pieces of fat from cavity.
Place duck in a large dish and pour soy sauce over the bird. Roll duck in the soy to coat; let sit 10 to 20 minutes, turn the duck in the soy every 3 minutes or so.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
Combine all dry marinade ingredients in a cup. Rub duck inside and out with this mix.
Place duck on a rack in a large roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes; pour off, or with a baster, remove, fat once or twice. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and cook for 1 hour, or until meat thermometer registers 170 to 175 degrees. (No need to baste during roasting.)
Serve with white rice and a green vegetable.
Serves 4.
(It's ALWAYS prudent to open a window when the duck is around.

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