ROAST FIVE-SPICE DUCK WITH HONEYED-MANGO CHUTNEY SAUCE

Roast Five-Spice Duck with Honeyed-Mango Chutney Sauce image

Provided by Duy Pham

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 quarts water
2 cups salt
2 cups (packed) brown sugar
1 onion, quartered
1 orange, quartered
12 whole star anise*
10 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup sliced fresh ginger
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons Chinese five-spice powder*
6 cups cold water
2 6-pound whole ducks
Honeyed-Mango Chutney Sauce

Steps:

Bring first 10 ingredients to boil in large pot; boil 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 6 cups cold water. Cool completely. Add ducks to brine, immersing entirely. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to 18 hours.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Place rack in roasting pan. Remove ducks from brine and drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. Place ducks on rack in pan. Roast ducks 45 minutes. Remove excess fat from pan with baster. Continue roasting until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175°F, about 1 hour longer. Let rest 30 minutes.
Cut each duck in half and transfer each half to plate. Spoon Honeyed-Mango Chutney Sauce alongside and serve.
*Available at Asian markets and specialty foods stores, and in the spice section of some supermarkets.