Japanese fried duck karaage on sushi rice
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 2 x free-range duck legs, skin on, bone in
- 1 tbsp fresh root ginger, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4–6tbsp low sodium light soy sauce
- 4–6tbsp Japanese Sake
- 2tbsp caster sugar
For the sushi rice
- 300²µ/10½´Ç³ú sushi rice
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp caster sugar
For the duck flour coating
- 100²µ/3½´Ç³ú potato flour
- 50²µ/1¾´Ç³ú cornflour
- 50²µ/1¾´Ç³ú plain flour
- vegetable oil, for frying
For the garnish
- shiso leaves
- lime wedges
- black sesame seeds
- shichimi pepper flakes (togarashi shichimi)
- micro shisho leaves
- micro red amaranth
Method
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6
To make the marinade, mix together the ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sake in a bowl.
Score both sides of the duck in a criss-cross pattern, being careful not to cut through the meat. Add the duck to the marinade, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Drain any excess liquid from the duck, reserving the marinade.
Heat at least 1cm/½ in of vegetable oil in a wok placed over a high heat. Fry the duck skin-side down for 5 minutes or until the skin is crisp.
Place the duck flesh-side down into a roasting tin and finish in the oven for 30–35 minutes, or until well done, increasing the heat up to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7 for the last 10 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Wash the sushi rice well until the water runs clear. Fill a saucepan with 500ml/18fl oz water and bring to the boil. Place a bamboo steamer over the pan and add the rice. Put the on, turn the heat down to low and allow the rice steam cook for 15 minutes.
Mix together the mirin, rice wine vinegar and sugar. Fluff up the rice with a fork, pour the dressing over and stir well.
Just before serving, coat the duck in the flour mix and shake off any excess. Coat in the flour once again.
Preheat a deep-fat fryer to 180C. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.) Deep-fry the duck for 2 minutes or until golden brown.Drain the duck on a plate lined with a kitchen paper.
To serve, line the plate with shiso leaves. Add a mound of steamed sushi rice. Place the duck legs on top and garnish with the black sesame seeds, shichimi pepper flakes and micro coriander leaves and lime wedges on the side.
