Crispy Aromatic Duck

Instructions

1. Prepare the duck
   Rinse the duck inside and out under cold water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Using a fork, prick the skin all over (this helps the fat render and the skin crisp). In a small bowl, mix the five-spice powder with 1 tablespoon of salt and rub this mixture all over the duck, inside and out.
2. Marinate the duck
   In a bowl, combine the honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, crushed garlic, sliced ginger, and star anise. Place the duck in a large plastic bag or deep dish and pour the marinade over it, ensuring it's well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, turning occasionally.
3. Prepare for roasting
   Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F. Remove the duck from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and place it on a rack in a roasting tin. Pour about 2cm of water into the bottom of the roasting tin (this prevents the fat from smoking). Place the duck breast-side up on the rack.
4. Initial roasting
   Roast the duck for 1 hour 30 minutes, basting every 30 minutes with the reserved marinade. Then increase the oven temperature to 220°C/425°F and roast for a further 30-40 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Allow the duck to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
5. Shred the duck
   Using two forks or your fingers (when cool enough to handle), shred the duck meat and crispy skin into strips. Discard the bones or save them for making stock later.
6. Warm the pancakes
   Steam the Chinese pancakes according to package instructions, usually for about 2-3 minutes until they're warm and pliable. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and heat in the oven for 5-6 minutes at 160°C/320°F, or microwave them covered with a damp paper towel for 30 seconds.
7. Serve
   Arrange the shredded duck, julienned cucumber, spring onions, and extra hoisin sauce in separate serving dishes. To eat, spread a small amount of hoisin sauce on a pancake, add some duck, cucumber, and spring onion, then roll up the pancake and enjoy.