Comfort food… when I hear that word the first food that comes to mind is Roast Duck. Roast duck has such a special place for me and always triggers my senses, like that food critic in the Pixar movie, Ratatouille. I literally get transported to another time.
The first time I tried the dish is a moment I will never forget. My twin and I were super young, and we found our older brother eating at the table. His food smelled so good. We both thought it was “new chicken”. I will never forget my reaction when he stated what it was. “DUCK!! What that is gross!” But let me tell you, I ate it and I was hooked! The dish from that point on, has been a part of my life, as far back as I can remember.
My dad would bring us roast duck from the same carry out from damn near elementary school until high school! I remember it got to a point when the carry out use to call us if we did not call in our order by a certain time.
The first major thing I was excited to cook, as a chef, was traditional roast duck. I have made the dish numerous times over the years, but the time that stands out to the most to me, was when I tried to recreate the flavor profiles of the carry out we grew up with. I had my scallions, ginger, and made sexy little brown sauce. It was instant love on a plate!
I sometimes revisit the carry out to eat and think back on those great childhood memories, but it is one of my favorite things to cook now that I have perfected my recipe. I decided last Thanksgiving to do Duck instead of Turkey, and it made me feel like a kid again. A tradition I plan to continue!
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