how to make beijing duck

1. Trim the legs and wings of your duck back to the first joint. Remove any fat from the cavity and check for any remaining feather stubs. Slide your fingers under the skin and loosen all over

2.String your duck onto whatever hanging device you prefer and then bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add 150g white venegar then take off the boil and plunge the duck in for 10 seconds. Hang the duck back up and allow it to cool for a minute or two. Repeat this process five times

3.Grind 5g each of salt, star anise, orange peel, ginger, cinnamon, szechuan pepper and a couple of cloves and use to powder the cavity of the duck

4.Either hang the duck in the blast from a fan or leave it uncovered overnight on a rack in the fridge. This will dry the skin

5. This is maltose, the secret ingredient available from Chinese groceries. It's about a quarter as sweet as sugar syrup but has the consistency and adhering power of epoxy glue and caramelises beautifully .Melt 200g of maltose in a pan with a little boiling water and stir in 50g each of rice vinegar and dark soy sauce Photograph: Tim Hayward/Guardian

6. Paint a layer of the glaze onto the duck's skin and allow to dry in the air from the fan. Repeat the process until you've built up a substantial, toffee-like coating 

 7. Put some boiling water in the bottom of the roasting tin and place the duck in a 200C oven, immediately turning the temperature down to 160C. Avoid the temptation to peek for at least the first 10 minutes 

8. After an hour and a half the duck should be perfect. Allow to cool for a little to settle the juices and let the glaze harder. If you want to shred your duck meat, restaurant style, allow it to cool completely, refrigerate overnight and then reheat in a slow oven before shredding with forks 

BY MENGBING QIU