There is something about the sunshine that brings with it the urge to get out…
Pulled Duck with Barbecue Sauce
Pulled duck with barbecue sauce is a delicious and easy meal to make. Why not make for Sunday lunch instead of spending hours in the kitchen?
It is always nice to spend time with the family on a Sunday. The week always seems to be spent rushing about, getting everyone ready for work and school, trying to keep on top of the housework, walking the dog and being generally busy. Saturdays are usually spent shopping and cleaning.
After all that effort it is good to relax. Sunday is normally a chance for the family to get together at the dining table and to chat.A roast dinner always takes a while to prepare; timing everything to be ready at the same time an art learning over the years.
I used to follow a recipe book and try and get it right but now I can pretty much judge how long everything will take. On a Sunday we usually have a traditional roast dinner, chicken or beef. Occasionally we try something new like honey and orange roast duck or slow roasted Spanish style lamb which makes a nice change. This weekend I decided to try pulled duck with barbecue sauce.
I have to admit I do not cook duck often. I am not sure why, it is tasty and easy to cook. It is also healthy containing less calories and fat than chicken. Since I was sent a hamper from Gressingham Duck a while ago I have been trying some different recipes.
Whilst pulled duck is not a traditional Sunday dinner it was something I could leave to cook in the oven while I got on with things. This was ideal as I wanted to shampoo the carpets as the dog had managed to trail in rather a lot of mud. The paths have developed mud puddles which he has an instinct for jumping in. Trying to catch a wet dog in a towel before he runs into the house and rolls around on the floor to dry himself is not easy.
As well as cleaning the carpets the dog also needed a bath. He looks very pathetic when you bath him, as if to say why me? Now he is much cleaner and less smelly.
The pulled duck was really easy to make, I just put together a dry rub which I applied to the outside of the duck. The duck was then placed in a roasting tin and covered with apple juice. It was then left to cook slowly until it could be pulled apart with a couple of forks.
The apple juice was then used to make the barbecue sauce. I served the duck with red cabbage cooked with malt vinegar and brown sugar to add a sweet and sour flavour.
I also added a goats’ cheese and spring onion stuffed mushroom to the plate and some roasted potatoes for the boys. The barbecue sauce was poured over the duck. If you prefer you could serve the pulled duck in buns with salad and coleslaw for a tasty midweek meal.
The meal was really tasty and while it was cooking I managed to get a lot done. I did not have to worry about getting my timing to perfection, it just cooked in the oven and the dishes I served with it took little supervision. It was a lovely meal for a leisurely Sunday lunch.
Pulled Duck with Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Pulled Duck with Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 duck legs
- 400 ml/14fl oz apple juice
- For the rub
- 2 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp dried chilli flakes
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp caraway seeds
- 1 inch grated ginger root
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- For the barbecue sauce
- 200 ml/7fl oz passata
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 30 ml/1fl oz white wine
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F/200C/Gas 6
- Mix together the ingredients for the rub and squash to make a powder
- Rub the mixture over the duck legs
- Place the duck in a roasting tin and add the apple juice
- Cook for 20 minutes then baste with the juice.
- Turn the oven down to 325F/170C/Gas 3
- Cook for another hour to an hour and a half until the meat is soft and can be pulled from the bones.
- Leave the duck in the tin to rest and pour the juice into a pan, skimming off the fat.
- Add the barbecue sauce ingredients and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for fifteen minutes until thickened.
- Pull the duck into shreds using two forks and serve with the sauce.
Kerry says
That looks gorgeous. I always shy away from cooking duck, i dont know why, but maybe i should give it a go!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
You should, I always thought it would be hard to cook, but its not
Galina V says
Ah, naughty little Eddie with his muddy paws! He looks so innocent. I like duck, and your recipe sounds delicious.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I know, he gets so muddy at this time of year.
Ciara (My Fussy Eater) says
yum! this sounds so delicious! I love duck so this is right up my street!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I should eat it more often, it is lovely
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Duck was always a treat for us when we ate meat, and it was always pulled duck 🙂
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It is lovely, definitely going on my I will make this again list
Suze The Luxury Columnist says
I recently tried pulled duck and it was a revelation, much more tender than a duck fillet. Great recipe, Ali
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It is lovely, a great treat. Thank you
Honest mum says
Not cooked duck in forever! Love yours. Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays