MAKE AHEAD
For the slaw, you can
slice the bok choy and chiles
one day ahead and
refrigerate them in separate
containers. Preparing
the slaw up to eight hours
in advance is actually
recommended, since its
flavors marry with
time. You can also make and
refrigerate the whiskey-
sour mixture the morning
of the party.
SERVE
Thinly slice the duck
just before serving. Mu shu
pancakes steam quickly;
warm eight at a time so they
will stay pliable. Keep
dessert casual and carefree:
Slice up a few tropical
fruits—we like mangoes,
papayas, and kiwifruits—
and arrange them on
a platter or tray.
From top: The six-
ingredient slaw makes
a light side for the rich
duck. A pitcher of drinks
means the host doesn’t
have to be the bartender,
too; orange marma-
lade and lime juice flavor
these whiskey sours.
“PEKING” DUCK
Active Time: 30 min.
Total Time: 50 min.
Serves: 8
2 boneless duck-magret
breasts (about 2 pounds;
available at dartagnan
.com), room temperature,
halved and patted dry
Coarse salt
Cabbage leaves or a
parchment round with
several small perfor-
ations, for steaming
16 mu shu pancakes (available
in the freezer section of
Asian groceries) or 8-inch
flour tortillas
4 Persian or mini cucumbers,
cut on the bias into ¼-inch
slices, for serving
Baby Bok Choy Slaw (see
recipe, opposite), for serving
Thinly sliced chile peppers,
hoisin and plum sauces,
and very thinly sliced scal-
lions, for serving
- Score skin side of each
duck-breast half in a ½-inch
crosshatch pattern (see
how-to, opposite). Season
generously with salt.
2. Arrange breast halves in a
single layer, skin-side down, in
a large skillet. Place over medium-
high and cook until skin is crisp
and golden brown, 8 to 10
minutes. Flip, reduce heat to
medium-low, and continue
cooking until a thermometer in-
serted in thickest part registers
135° for medium-rare, 5 to 7
minutes.Transfer to a carving
board; let rest 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, set a steamer
basket (preferably bamboo)
lined with cabbage leaves or
parchment in a wok or skillet
containing 1 inch of simmering
water. Place pancakes in bas-
ket, cover, and steam until warm
and pliable, 3 to 4 minutes. - Thinly slice duck on the
bias, against the grain. Serve,
with steamed pancakes, cu-
cumbers, slaw, chiles, sauces,
and scallions.
Get Cooking
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Entertaining
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FOOD & GATHERINGS