Nourishing Health Food: Omija Duck Baeksook
Omija Duck Baeksook
A delicacy that warms you up when the cold wind blows, Omija Duck Baeksook! It’s excellent for preventing colds and restoring energy, and the medicinal properties of omija also help relieve hangovers. Enjoy it with the rich flavor of duck. It’s surprisingly easy, so why not try it for your family’s health this winter!
Main Ingredients- 1 Duck (cleaned)
- 4-5 sprigs of fresh omija tree branches
- 2-3 Shiitake mushrooms (optional)
- 1 handful of whole garlic cloves
- 5 Dried jujubes
Dipping Sauce- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Fill a pot halfway with water and begin by boiling the omija tree branches to extract a deep broth. Initially, use just enough water to cover the branches and simmer for about 30 minutes to develop a concentrated flavor. Then, add more water. This process allows the unique aroma and benefits of omija to infuse into the water.
Step 2
While the broth is simmering, take this time to thoroughly clean the duck. Slit the duck’s belly in half and meticulously remove any visible fat or residual innards. Many markets offer pre-cleaned ducks, but cleaning it yourself at home ensures extra peace of mind.
Step 3
This is the step for preparing any accompanying vegetables. Traditionally, ingredients like astragalus root, Acanthopanax root, jujubes, and garlic are added. Today, I’ve prepared fresh shiitake mushrooms. (If you don’t have any vegetables prepared, it’s perfectly fine to skip this.)
Step 4
Gently place the cleaned duck into the well-infused omija broth. Now, let it simmer for about 1 hour until tender. You can either keep the omija branches in the pot throughout the cooking process or remove them after extracting the broth. As you patiently simmer it, a delicious Omija Duck Baeksook will be ready. Isn’t it quite simple?
Step 5
If you happen to have wild shiitake mushrooms stored in your freezer, now is the time to add them! This will enhance the overall flavor. (It’s okay to omit them if you don’t have any.) Adding whole garlic cloves also helps to eliminate any gamey odor from the duck and deepens the broth’s taste.
Step 6
Let’s make a special dipping sauce to accompany the baeksook! In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, and sugar according to the specified measurements. You can dip the duck into this sauce according to your preference. My husband, for example, prefers to dip it simply in salt to enjoy the duck’s natural flavor.
