Duck meat is eaten worldwide, but it is prevalent in China. It’s high in protein and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. There’s some debate about whether the duck is red or white meat. Myoglobin levels in red meat are higher than in white meat. Myoglobin is a protein found in mammalian muscle tissue that binds to oxygen. It turns red when it binds to oxygen, which gives meat its red colour. Meats like beef and lamb are classified as red meats because of their higher myoglobin content. On the other hand, chicken contains less myoglobin and is classified as white meat.
Duck meat is classified as white by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Poultry includes two-legged animals such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks classified as white meat. Red meat is defined as meat from animals with four legs, such as cows, pigs, and lambs. Even though duck meat is classified in the same category as chicken and turkey, it has more myoglobin and darker colour.
Duck Meat Nutrition Facts
What is Duck Meat?
Duck or duckling is the meat of several species of birds in the Anatidae family, which can be found in both fresh and saltwater, and is used in cooking and gastronomy. Duck can be found in a variety of cuisines all over the world. It’s a high-fat, high-protein, iron-rich meat. Duckling is a term that refers to a young animal, but it could also refer to a menu item. In many cultures, the mallard is a domesticated freshwater duck widely used as a livestock bird.
Another necessary livestock breed, especially in North America, is the Pekin duck. The breast of a mallard or Muscovy (or Barbary) duck that has been force-fed to produce foie gras is referred to as magret. Peking duck, a popular dish made from the Pekin duck, is one of Chinese cuisine’s most popular duck dishes. Duck meat is commonly served with scallions, cucumbers, and hoisin sauce wrapped in a small flour-and-water spring pancake or Gua bao, a soft, risen bun.
3 Duck Breeds Used for Meat
- Pekin: Pekin duck is the most commonly available in the United States, and it is also known as the Long Island duck. It is mild-flavored, meaty, and an excellent all-around choice. The breasts of Pekin ducks take well to pan roasting, while their legs are better suited to braising and oven roasting.
- Muscovy: Native to South America but widely domesticated in the US, the Muscovy duck—also known as the Barbarie or Barbary duck—is thinner skinned and more intensely flavored than the Pekin. Its breasts are also larger. The meat of a Muscovy duck is deep red, with a gamier taste than Pekin duck. It takes well to roasting and stewing and is also frequently used for making soups and stock.
- Moulard: A cross between a Muscovy and a Pekin, the Moulard is a large duck with a stout constitution, making it the preferred duck for foie gras. It is also commonly used in duck confit.
How to Make Duck?
It’s not necessary to be fussy when roasting a whole duck. You can have a juicy bird with crisp skin in just a few hours of roasting and minimal effort—the best of both textures. With the plum applesauce, this duck is delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 (5- to 6-lb) Long Island duck (also known as Pekin)
- 2 cups boiling-hot water
- One tablespoon of kosher salt
- One teaspoon of black pepper
Steps to follow
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.
Step 2
If necessary, cut the wing tips off with poultry shears or a sharp knife. Remove any excess fat from the duck’s body cavity and neck, then thoroughly rinse it inside and out. Using a sharp fork, prick the skin all over. Fold the neck skin under the body, then place the duck on a rack in a 13- by 9- by 3-inch roasting pan, breast side up, and pour boiling water over it (to tighten skin). Cool the duck, then pour any remaining liquid from the cavity into the pan. Dry the duck inside and out, reserving the water in the pan, and season it with kosher salt and pepper.
Step 3
Roast the duck for 45 minutes, breast side up, before removing it from the oven. Turn the duck over with two wooden spoons and roast for another 45 minutes. Turn the duck over (breast side up) and tilt it in the pan to drain any liquid from the cavity. Continue to roast the duck for another 45 minutes or until the skin is brown and crisp (total roasting time: 214 hours). Tilt the duck to allow any remaining liquid from the cavity to drain into the pan. Allow 15 minutes for the duck to rest on a cutting board before carving. Remove the liquid from the roasting pan and discard it.
What are the Ways to Make Duck?
Remember that duck breast is the best medium-rare: Rare duck tends to be chewy, while duck prepared well-done can take on a livery taste.
- Pan-Seared: Air-drying duck breast for three days in the refrigerator removes moisture from the skin so that it can crisp more readily during cooking. Before pan-roasting, temper the duck, letting it come to room temperature, and pierce the skin, which will allow the fat to render faster. The faster the duck fat renders, the crispier the skin gets, and the easier it is to control the cooking temperature. The crispy duck meat can be served in an umami-packed salad or served with a sweet glaze for a holiday meal-worthy main course.
- In anything from red wine to an aromatic stock, braised duck legs will infuse the meat with even more flavour and fall-off-the-bone texture. Throw it in the fridge to cool, and crisp it up in the oven once the skin has set.
- Confit: One of the more well-known techniques involving the naturally fatty duck is confit, which requires cooking and preserving its fat.
- Roasting duck in a 425ºF oven couldn’t be easier: season the whole duck as you would a chicken and carefully flip halfway through for about 2 hours total. (Dousing it with boiling water before seasoning will help tighten the skin.)
- Grilled: Boneless, skin-on duck breast can be grilled just like a steak; the fat layer will penetrate the meat similarly.
5 Classic Duck Dishes
Here are the five classic duck dishes:
- Peking Duck: A Chinese classic featuring crisp, lacquered skin and tender meat served with pancakes, hoisin sauce, and garnishes like sliced scallions.
- Duck Confit: A French preparation involves curing, then marinating, and poaching the meat in its fat, usually with aromatic herbs and spices.
- Duck à l’Orange: Nothing cuts through the rich, fatty flavors of roasted duck like a warm, brightly acidic orange sauce.
- Foie Gras: The liver of force-fed ducks, pan-seared and served with contrasting accompaniments like a tart jam or incorporated into pastry preparations, like a puff pastry or choux shell.
- Thai Duck Stir-Fry: Minced wild duck is wok-fried with spices and chilies and tossed with herbs and fish sauce for a crispy, spicy duck salad.
How to Cook With Duck Egg?
Duck eggs can be used in the same way as chicken eggs. Ducks’ yolks are typically larger and darker, and they taste richer, though the differences in flavor are negotiable. Duck eggs have more protein in their whites than chicken eggs to us,e them in baked goods. Many Asian cuisines preserve duck eggs with salt before serving them in rice dishes or baked goods.
Conclusion
Duck has a thicker skin, more fat, and a more robust, meaty flavor than chicken. Duck has become a popular dish among Americans over time. In fact, between 1995 and 2005, consumption increased by more than 35%, demonstrating its widespread appeal. Duck is a good source of selenium and zinc, which help with cellular metabolism. Duck has a strong flavor that is more akin to red meat than chicken. It’s also fattier, and when cooked properly, it has a delectable flavor that’s tender, moist, and fatty—the ideal protein combination for meat-eaters.
The skin of a duck is much thicker and fattier than that of a turkey or chicken. The secret to a delectable taste is to crisp the skin while cooking it. However, if the duck is not adequately prepared, the fat will result in a rubbery texture. Duck is also versatile; the leftover fat can be used to cook other meats and vegetables, making it a true culinary delight.
