How to make Meat-Free Peking ‘Duck’ from Jackfruit

***RECIPE***

Jackfruit. What is it you may ask? I know I did when I first saw it on a restaurant menu. 

Jackfruit is a fruit. One of the largest fruits – up to 80lbs in weight - grown on a tree – a Jackfruit tree. Jackfruit is naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, also low in calories and an excellent source of fibre. It is also the best vegan ingredient that I have ever seen for making meat-free alternative dishes to burgers, 'pulled-pork' and even more surprisingly Peking Duck!

But more than that, it’s also a healthy and sustainable vegan meat replacement. Or as I like to think, a healthy and sustainable meat replacement for anyone – not just vegans and vegetarians.

So here is my recipe to make Meat Free Peking ‘Duck’ from Jackfruit.

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a good source of protein, potassium, calcium, and iron. Traditionally as a starchy unripe fruit, it is cooked in curries, while sweet, ripe jackfruit complements sticky rice and ice cream. But now it is growing in other uses too. It can become vegan ‘pulled-pork’ and vegan ‘Peking duck’.

Being a fruit, jackfruit isn’t high in protein but is considered a meat alternative for the meaty texture that it provides, which comes from its density and heartiness.

I’d discovered the delights of Jackfruit at The Bohemian Restaurant on Pink Lane in Newcastle. We’d tried the Shredded Peking Jackfruit with Hoisin Sauce, pancakes, cucumber and spring onion and couldn’t believe how good it was. My hubby who had previously been a big fan of crispy duck was very impressed. I’ve never tried crispy duck but the jackfruit version was delicious. So delicious that I decided to try and make it at home.

In some parts of the world, Jackfruit is an everyday food, especially in south and south-east Asia. However here is the UK it is much less well-known. I was only able to buy tins of Jackfruit in a specialist vegan store in Newcastle, not a mainstream supermarket.

Much like any starchy food, the secret to cooking jackfruit is all about adding flavour. So here are the ingredients you will need to make my Jackfruit Recipe for Peking Duck, and step by step instructions which are easy to follow.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin of Jackfruit (in brine, not syrup)
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1cm chunk of root ginger
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp honey (but can be left out if making it vegan)
• 1tbsp peanut butter
• 100ml hot water

Serve with:

• Pancakes
• Hoisin dipping sauce
• Plum dipping sauce
• 2 spring onions 
• ¼ cucumber 

Method:

1. Heat the over to 200 degrees or Gas mark 6

2. Drain, rinse and dry the Jackfruit, coat in the Chinese 5 spice and flour.

3. Place on greased foil on a baking tray and bake for 30 mins

4. Take two forks and shred the jackfruit then bake for a further 5 mins

5. Gently fry the garlic, ginger, chilli in a pan then add the cooked Jackfruit.

6. Mix the peanut butter, soy, vinegar and honey then add to the pan.

7. Stir well so that all of the Jackfruit is covered before adding just enough water to cover the jackfruit (approx. 100ml)

7. Stir until the sauce becomes sticky.

9. Slice the spring onions and cucumber into matchsticks and serve with pancakes and dipping sauces of your choice. Place the jackfruit, cucumber and spring onion on a pancake, drizzle with your favourite dipping sauce, roll and eat.

A Delightful Lunch of Peking Duck andy Mushroom Quesadillas

We enjoyed a lovely lunch of Peking Duck accompanied by Mushroom Quesadillas with homemade guacamole.

Jackfruit is an amazing discovery for us. I now want to try it in more dishes to see if it’s as good as Peking Duck!

What discoveries have you made with new foods?

Deb x