Duck Legs with Sweet and Sour Pineapple Recipe

Duck legs with sweet and sour pineapple is an impressive dish that takes sweet and sour Chinese flavours that we are all familiar with, but really elevates them into something special. This stylish and flavourful meal is perfect for dinner parties. We served our duck legs with sweet and pour pineapple with black rice cooked in coconut cream, which looks beautiful on the plate as well as adding a rich and nutty flavour.

HOW TO MAKE DUCK LEGS WITH SWEET AND SOUR PINEAPPLE

Ingredients

• 200ml soy sauce
• 250ml chicken stock
• 150g soft brown sugar
• 2 star anise
• 4 duck legs
• 200g black rice
• 3tbsp coconut cream

For the pineapple caramel:

• 120g palm sugar
• 2 red chillies, sliced into thin strips
• juice of 2 limes
• 1tbsp Thai fish sauce
• 1 pineapple, peeled and sliced

Method

1. Put the soy, stock, sugar and star anise into a large sauté pan, big enough to fit the duck. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved then put the duck in; it needs to be submerged in the liquid, so pop on a slightly smaller pan lid to weight it down. Simmer for 40 mins. Remove from the stock to cool, then place uncovered in the fridge for at least 4 hrs or overnight.
2. Heat the oven to 200C. Put the duck into a shallow tin and roast for about 20 mins or until the skin has browned and is crispy. Meanwhile, prepare the rice and caramel. You can do this the day before then just reheat to serve. Put the rice in a pan with 500ml cold water. Bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, until tender and most of the water has evaporated – about 25 mins. Drain then stir in the coconut cream.
3. Put the palm sugar into a small pan and add 100ml cold water. Gently heat until the sugar has dissolved, then bubble for 10 mins until it begins to caramelise. Add the chillies, lime juice, fish sauce and pineapple slices. Serve the duck over rice with the pineapple and sauce spooned over.