Peking Duck

Peking Duck is a famous duck dish from Beijing that has been prepared since the imperial era. The meat is characterized by its thin, crisp skin, with authentic versions of the dish serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners by the cook. Ducks bred specially for the dish are slaughtered after 65 days and seasoned before being roasted in a closed or hung oven. The dish is often eaten with scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce with pancakes rolled around the fillings. Sometimes pickled radish is also inside, and other sauces can be used. The dish is one of China's national dishes.

History

The dish, known as Peking Roast Duck, has a history of over 600 years. In the Yuan Dynasty (1206–1368), it was listed among the imperial dishes in the Complete Recipes for Dishes and Beverages manual in 1330. By the Qing Dynasty, it gained popularity among the upper classes and the imperial court.

Preparation

The preparation of Peking Duck involves a lengthy process of preparation and cooking. The ducks used are of a specific breed, the White Beijing duck, and they are raised in a free-range environment for the first 45 days of their lives. After this, they are force-fed for 15–20 days, resulting in a duck of substantial size and fat content. The ducks are killed at around 65 days of age, when they weigh 5–7 kg.

Serving

Peking Duck is traditionally carved in front of the diners and served in three stages. First, the skin is served dipped in sugar and garlic sauce. The meat is then served with steamed pancakes (春餅), spring onions and sweet bean sauce. Several vegetables can be used in the accompaniments, depending on preference and seasonality, including cucumber sticks and spring onions. The remaining fat, meat and bones may be made into a broth, served as is, or used to sauté vegetables.

In popular culture

Peking Duck has been referenced in various aspects of popular culture, including movies, television shows, and songs. It is often used as a symbol of Chinese cuisine and culture.

See also

• List of duck dishes
• Chinese cuisine
• Beijing cuisine