Christmas 2023: Are you tired of your usual mains? Why not try duck with a twist

Duck is a versatile and delicious option for Christmas dinner.

As BRICS Nations, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to Christmas cuisine. Nearly all countries have unique and special duck-based recipe which can make your holiday feast even more special. Here are five Christmas duck recipes inspired by each BRICS country:

Brazilian Roasted Duck with Orange Glaze:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck
• 2 oranges, juiced and zested
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix orange juice, orange zest, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create a glaze.
3. Score the duck skin, rub with salt, and brush with the orange glaze.
4. Roast in the oven until the skin is crispy and the duck is cooked through, basting with the glaze periodically.

Russian Duck Borscht:

Ingredients:

• 1 duck, cut into pieces
• 2 beets, grated
• 1 cabbage, shredded
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• Sour cream for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine duck, beets, cabbage, potatoes, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.
2. Add enough water to cover the ingredients and simmer until the duck is tender.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Indian Tandoori Duck:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons tandoori spice blend
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt, tandoori spice blend, ginger-garlic paste, and garam masala to create a marinade.
2. Rub the duck with the marinade, ensuring it gets into the scored skin.
3. Marinate for a few hours or overnight.
4. Roast in a tandoor or oven until the duck is cooked through.
5. Serve with lemon wedges.

Chinese Five-Spice Crispy Duck:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck
• 2 tablespoons Chinese five-spice powder
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub the duck with Chinese five-spice powder and roast until the skin is crispy.
3. Mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and honey to create a glaze.
4. Brush the glaze onto the duck in the last 15 minutes of cooking.

South African Peri-Peri Christmas Duck:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck
• 4 tablespoons peri-peri sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix peri-peri sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
3. Rub the duck with the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
4. Roast in the oven until the duck is golden brown and cooked through.

These recipes offer a blend of flavors and cooking techniques from each BRICS country, creating a diverse and festive Christmas dinner. Adjustments can be made based on personal preferences and ingredient availability. Enjoy your international feast!