Chinese-style Duck Egg Rolls

The flavor profile in these is reminiscent of some of my favorite foods from China, although I am told by a close friend who lived for a time in China, Dr. Jane Liedtke,  the Egg Roll is as American as it gets. More traditionally, Peking duck is wrapped in a “bing”, or wrapper with Hoisin sauce, scallion, etc. for a delicious part of the duck dinner. These egg rolls stand in for us home cooks in America.

Supposedly, making the wrappers is as easy as making pasta. Also, you can purchase perfectly good ones to produce these. The filling is open to inspiration, I like a bit of star anise in mine.

 

FILLING INGREDIENTS  |  Makes a dozen

Shredded cabbage and carrot, to equal 2 cups

Mung bean sprouts, minced celery and green onion to equal 2 cups

2 cups cooked, shredded duck meat, chopped fine

1 large beaten egg, cooked and chopped

Season with a bit of garlic, star anise, salt , pepper, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil & Asian chili sauce to taste. 

Dust with cornstarch, 1 tb or a bit more if it seems wet . Mix all together and let rest.

 

BUILD THE ROLLS

Make a slurry of cornstarch and water for sealing the sides of rolls

Each egg roll gets 3 tb of meat, egg and vegetable mixture.

Roll tightly, sealing the sides with the cornstarch mixture. Set aside.

 

PREPARE TO FRY EGG ROLLS

You will need a heavy fry pan, with high sides …or a wok. You will also need some sesame or avocado oil, your egg roll wrappers and plenty of paper towels.

We’re shallow frying these, so we don’t need really deep oil, just about 3 inches in the pan.

Preheat oil and add a few rolls at a time, do not crowd. Flip once to get a golden brown all over.

Drain and sprinkle with flaky salt.

 

We enjoy these right out of the oil with a Hoisin or Duck Sauce and very hot mustard!