Roasted Duck with Spiced Orange Glaze

A holiday showstopper of a dish! The rich flavors of this duck with a sweet and aromatic glaze pair perfectly with the complex notes of our Original Blend Red Spiced Wine. A glaze made from orange juice, cinnamon, and star anise mirror the spices in the wine and add a natural sweetness that complements our spiced wine's subtle fruitiness. The spices in both the glaze and the wine also create a harmonious and festive experience.

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COOKING TIME: 1 hour and 40 minutes - 2 hours

Initial Roasting: About 1 hour for the initial roasting of the duck.

Additional Roasting with Glaze: An additional 30 to 40 minutes after applying the spiced orange glaze, with periodic glazing.

PAIRED WINES: Original Blend Red Spiced Wine

SERVINGS: 4-6 people

INGREDIENTS

For the Duck:

• 1 whole duck (about 5 to 6 pounds)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary), optional

For the Spiced Orange Glaze:

• 1 cup orange juice (preferably fresh)

• 1/4 cup honey

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 star anise pods

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

• Zest of one orange

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2.     Prepare the Duck: Remove any giblets from the duck and trim off excess fat. Rinse the duck inside and out, and pat it dry with paper towels. Season the duck liberally with salt and pepper, both inside and out. If desired, stuff the cavity with fresh herbs.

3.     Roast the Duck: Place the duck breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour.

4.     Make the Spiced Orange Glaze: While the duck is roasting, combine the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, cinnamon stick, star anise, ginger, orange zest, and garlic in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and reduce the mixture by half, which should take about 15-20 minutes. It should be thickened slightly.

5.     Glaze the Duck: After the duck has roasted for 1 hour, remove it from the oven and pour off any excess fat. Brush the duck generously with the spiced orange glaze. Return the duck to the oven and roast for an additional 30-40 minutes, glazing every 10 minutes, until the duck is beautifully browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.

6.     Rest and Serve: Let the duck rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with the remaining spiced orange glaze on the side.