Glazed, roasted duck breast, glistening with pomegranate glaze, atop a mound of wilted, garlicky Pak Choi. Shimmering clusters of ruby pomegranate seeds dot the dish, alongside Star Anise pods, their unique shape enhancing the visual appeal.

Star Anise-Soy Duck with Pomegranate Glaze

Name: Star Anise-Soy Duck with Pomegranate Glaze
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 (about 200g each) duck breasts; 1 cup pomegranate juice; 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 3 Star Anise pods; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 heads of Pak Choi; 2 garlic cloves finely chopped; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; to taste salt; to taste black pepper

Exotic, sweet, and aromatic Chinese-inspired duck dish.

Category Main Course

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Chinese

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Low-Carb

Daily recipe · November 17, 2024

A little about this dish

This exotic fusion recipe brings the vibrance of Chinese cuisine and the crunch of pomegranates together in an enticing dance of flavors. Star Anise and Soy glazed Duck, balanced by the intense sweetness of pomegranates, emits a heady aroma and a captivating display of flavors.

Ingredients (for 2)

Duck breasts — 2 (about 200g each)
Pomegranate juice — 1 cup
Pomegranate seeds — 1/2 cup
Soy sauce — 1/4 cup
Star anise pods — 3
Honey — 2 tablespoons
Heads of pak choi — 2
Garlic cloves — 2 — finely chopped
Vegetable oil — 1 tablespoon
Salt — to taste
Black pepper — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🦆🧂🔪

Season your duck breasts with salt and pepper and score the skin.
Step 2 — 🍯🥘⏲️

Simmer pomegranate juice with the Star Anise, and honey in a pan over medium heat until reduced by half.
Step 3 — 🦆🍳⏲️

Heat a non-stick sauté pan on medium. Lay the breasts skin-side down. Slowly cook for 15-20 minutes until the fat is rendered.
Step 4 — 🍲🔥🔄

Pour off excess fat then turn up the heat. Flip over the breasts and add the soy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 5 — 🦆🍯⏲️

Off the heat, add the glaze onto the duck. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step 6 — 🔥🥬🧄

While the duck is resting, sauté the Pak Choi and garlic in a pan with vegetable oil. Season with salt.
Step 7 — 🔪🦆🍽️

Slice the duck, serve atop Pak Choi. Drizzle remaining glaze, topped with pomegranate seeds.

A final fox tip

Since our Star Anise-Soy Duck yields ample rendered fat, consider reserving it for future use! It imparts a delicious duck flavor to dishes. You can use any leafy green in place of Pak Choi if unavailable, such as spinach or bok choy. Kids can assist with plating and decorating with pomegranate seeds.