Tender meat, golden and crispy skin, and the delicate aroma of baked apples come together in a balanced combination, pairing the rich taste of duck with the slightly sweet notes of the fruit.
The recipe is simple to prepare, but requires sufficient cooking time to ensure that the duck is thoroughly cooked and tender. The apples placed inside the duck absorb the flavors of the spices and meat, adding extra aroma and taste to the finished dish.
Ingredients for 4-6 servings:
1 whole duck, approximately 2-2.5 kg
4-5 apples
3-4 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon honey
100 ml water
1 tablespoon oil
Preparation:
Clean the duck thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. If necessary, remove excess fat, then season the duck both inside and out with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika.
Wash the apples, remove the cores, and cut them into quarters or large pieces. Lightly crush the garlic cloves. Place the apples and garlic inside the duck.
Place the duck in a roasting pan and add approximately 100 ml of water. Lightly brush the duck with oil, then cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Preheat the oven to 180°C and roast the duck, covered, for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. After this time, remove the aluminum foil.
Mix the honey with a small amount of the cooking juices from the pan and brush the mixture over the duck. Return the pan to the oven and continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy and the meat is thoroughly cooked.
During the final stage of cooking, baste the duck several times with the juices from the pan to help keep the meat tender and create a flavorful, golden crust.
Once cooked, allow the duck to rest for approximately 10-15 minutes before carving and serving. It can be served with the baked apples, roasted potatoes, oven-roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Preparation time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking time: approximately 2-2 hours and 15 minutes
Cooking temperature: 180°C
Servings: 4-6
International editions: