Rich, aromatic flavours of Five-Spice Duck paired with a tangy, sweet-and-sour sauce. This recipe offers a delightful combination of crispy duck, fruity pineapple, and savoury egg-fried rice – a perfect fusion of textures and tastes.
less than 30 mins
30 mins to 1 hour
Serves 4
Pregnancy-friendly

From Saturday Kitchen
This dish is a balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, offering essential nutrients while being flavour-packed. It has a Nutri-Score of A, indicating its healthiness, especially with the inclusion of fresh ingredients like pineapple and lean duck.
Ingredients
- ½ duck
- 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp runny honey
- 2 spring onions, sliced, to serve
For the sweet and sour sauce
- 100ml tomato ketchup
- 60g light brown sugar
- 50ml cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp chilli sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp finely grated ginger
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 150ml pineapple juice
- ½ fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into wedges
For the egg-fried rice
- 2 free-range eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 440g cooked long grain white rice
- 100g tin sweetcorn
- 100g caramelised onion
- 100g brown shrimp
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6.
- Place the duck in a high-sided roasting tin. In a small bowl, mix the five-spice powder, soy sauce, and honey, then smother this mixture over the duck. Roast for 50 minutes, then remove and allow the duck to rest.
- To prepare the sweet and sour sauce, combine all ingredients except the pineapple in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and taste, adjusting the acidity and sweetness with vinegar and pineapple juice as needed. Keep warm.
- In a griddle pan, cook the pineapple wedges until charred on all sides, then chop into bite-sized chunks.
- For the egg-fried rice, whisk the eggs with the soy sauce and sesame oil. Heat a wok or pan, pour in the egg mixture, and cook until set. Break up the eggs into small pieces and set aside.
- In the same pan, heat the vegetable oil and cook the sweetcorn, caramelised onion, and brown shrimp until hot. Add the rice and cooked eggs, stirring to combine.
- To serve, pour the sweet and sour sauce over the duck, sprinkle with sliced spring onions, and serve alongside the charred pineapple and egg-fried rice.
Suggested Wine Pairing
Majestic:
La Vieille Ferme White – A light and crisp white wine with hints of citrus and green apple, complementing the sweet and sour sauce while balancing the richness of the duck.
Tesco:
Tesco Finest Sauvignon Blanc – A vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with citrus zest and refreshing acidity that pairs wonderfully with the complex flavours of five-spice duck and the tangy pineapple sauce.
Sainsbury’s:
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Chardonnay – This well-rounded Chardonnay has a creamy texture and subtle oak, which adds depth to the dish, especially with the caramelised flavours in the egg-fried rice.
What can you serve with this?
- Steamed greens – A fresh, crisp side to balance the rich, savoury flavours of the duck.
- Sesame prawn toast – A perfect starter that mirrors the sweet and savoury profile of the main dish.
- Chinese-style dumplings – Complement the flavours with tender, stuffed dumplings served in a light broth.
Nutri-score Health Check
This dish earns a Nutri-Score of A, indicating it’s a healthy option with good nutritional balance. It provides a solid source of protein from the duck, healthy fats from the sesame oil, and fibre from the pineapple and vegetables.
Positive Factors
- Duck – A lean source of protein rich in iron.
- Vegetable oil – Contains healthy fats, especially in the egg-fried rice.
- Pineapple – Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre.
- Eggs – A great source of high-quality protein and nutrients.
Negative Factors
- Brown sugar – While it adds sweetness, it increases the sugar content of the dish.
- Soy sauce – High in sodium, so use it in moderation.
The Nutri-Score has been automatically calculated from the ingredients in the recipe and is only a guide. While this dish is nutritious, balancing the sugar and sodium with additional vegetables will enhance its health benefits.