roasting a whole duck

I am going to attempt to prepare a whole duck and I am scared. I have read about scoring the skin, and the method I like best is a 4 hr roast at 300 degrees. any advice?

stilltrying
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6 Comments

bigpan December 10, 2012
Whatever recipe you choose, save the fat !
Strain into a jar and save in the fridge to use later. Use on fries, mix into mashed potato, etc.
Duck fat is expensive, so worth saving.
 
Greenstuff December 10, 2012
One compromise between cutting it up and leaving it whole is spatch-cocking, cutting the backbone out and flattening it open. That's a really good option, one I've used a lot. It cooks more evenly. You can cut it up, but then really, the breast pieces and the legs should be treated differently, and that's maybe more of a lesson than you need when you've never tasted duck. Breath slow, and know that you're in for a treat. (And yes, if it seems rubbery, cook it longer.)
 
stilltrying December 10, 2012
I thought about cutting it up, but decided to roast it whole. So if it's tough after 4 hrs, I should leave it in the oven a while longer? I've never even had duck, so I don't know what I am shooting for, texture wise
 
Greenstuff December 10, 2012
The slow approach is best, either starting with a high temp and turning it down, or first roasting low and slow, then giving it a boost at the end, if needed, to brown and crisp it up. I'd guess that most of us who cook duck often treat the breasts and legs separately. But sometimes you want the presentation of a whole duck. Don't be scared! The most important thing to know is that if it's tough, you just have to continue that low-temp roasting.
 
Monita December 10, 2012
You might like to read this "Roast Duck 101" from Martha Stewart. It's a higher temperature approach but has helpful tips on how to do it well.
http://www.marthastewart.com/907162/roast-duck-101
 
Kristen M. December 10, 2012
Merrill's technique for slow-roasting duck is fantastic: http://www.food52.com/recipes/9115_slow_roast_duck
 
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