Roasted Duckling
Half roasted duckling, bread dumpling, red cabbage, duck gravy.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Mader's Restaurant
Roasted duck, often served with accompaniments like dumplings and red cabbage, has been a celebratory dish in Central Europe for centuries. Its roots are in traditional farming practices and the availability of seasonal ingredients. Cooking styles have evolved with regional influences and family traditions.
Roasted duck is often a centerpiece of festive meals, especially during holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving (though the German equivalent is often celebrated around Martinstag). It symbolizes abundance and is shared among family and friends.
Festive Occasions
Serving roasted duck often marks special occasions and holidays, reflecting a celebratory atmosphere and a desire to share a special meal with loved ones.
Regional Variations
The exact preparation of the red cabbage, dumplings, and gravy can vary significantly between regions and even families, showcasing diverse culinary traditions.
Family Traditions
Recipes for this dish are often passed down through generations, with each family adding their own unique twist and personal touches.
This dish presents a balance of rich, savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
The duckling offers rich, fatty, and savory flavors with a crispy skin. The red cabbage provides a sweet and sour counterpoint, often seasoned with vinegar, apples, and spices like cloves. Bread dumplings add a hearty, starchy element to soak up the flavorful duck gravy, which is intensely savory and rich.
Duck Skin Crispness
To ensure crispy duck skin, dry the duck thoroughly before roasting and score the skin lightly in a diamond pattern. Prick the skin during cooking to release excess fat.
Red Cabbage Preparation
Marinating the red cabbage overnight with vinegar and spices helps to tenderize it and intensify its flavor.
Gravy Richness
Use the duck drippings to create a rich and flavorful gravy. Reduce the drippings, deglaze the pan with wine or broth, and thicken with a roux or cornstarch slurry.
Bread Dumpling Texture
For light and fluffy bread dumplings, use stale bread and don't overwork the dough. Incorporate herbs and spices for added flavor.
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