INGREDIENTS

Sweet Fish Sauce Ingredients
  • ¾ cup palm sugar, coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ large shallot, coarsely chopped
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, bulb portion only, coarsely chopped
  • 1 kaffir lime leaf
  • ½-inch piece galangal, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
Duck and Watermelon Salad
  • Canola oil, for frying
  • ½ cup raw cashew nuts
  • Kosher salt
  • 6 confit duck legs
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 6 cups 1-inch-cube seedless watermelon
  • ½ cup Thai basil or sweet basil leaves
  • ½ cup mint leaves
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced shallot

GUIDE / INSTRUCTIONS

For the Watermelon & Duck Confit Salad
  • FOR THE SAUCE: In a medium saucepan, combine the palm sugar and water, place over medium heat, and heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is melted – about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat. Stir in the shallot, lemongrass, lime leaf and galangal and let sit at room temperature to cool and to infuse the flavors for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight.
  • Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl. Discard the solids. Add 1 tablespoon each of the fish sauce and tamarind, mixing well. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce and tamarind if needed. Set the sauce aside at room temperature.
  • FOR THE SALAD: Pour 4 inches of canola oil into a large, deep saucepan and heat to 325°F on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a small plate with paper towels for draining the cashews and line a larger plate for draining the duck. Add the cashews to the hot oil and fry until crisp, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with salt while hot.
  • Increase the temperature of the oil to 350°F. Add 2 duck legs to the hot oil and fry, turning to brown on all sides, until crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer to the towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining duck legs in two batches.
  • When the duck legs are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin from each leg in as large a piece as possible. Cut the skin into strips and set aside. Bone the legs and shred the meat into a bowl. Season to taste with the hoisin sauce.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the watermelon, basil, mint, and cilantro. Add the duck meat, duck skin, cashews, and shallot. Toss with enough of the sweet fish sauce to coat lightly. You may not need all of the sauce.
  • TO SERVE: Divide the salad among individual serving plates or martini glasses.

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Oceania Cruises, a culinary and destination-focused cruise line, offers small, luxurious ships with gourmet cuisine and destination-rich itineraries, calling on over 600 ports in more than 100 countries across seven continents. They operate a fleet of small, luxurious ships that can accommodate up to 1,250 guests. Oceania sailings include accommodations, shore excursions, port shuttles, activities, food and most beverages, specialty dining and entertainment.Oceania Cruises attracts affluent retirees and discerning travelers looking for a refined, no-frills experience, as well as solo travelers, couples, and empty nesters.

Key Features of Oceania Cruises includes: 1. Small Ship Luxury – Oceania’s ships are smaller than larger cruise lines, providing a more intimate and personalized experience. 2. Gourmet Cuisine – They are renowned for their culinary program, with restaurants offering diverse and high-quality dining options. 3. Comprehensive Itineraries – Oceania’s itineraries cover a wide range of destinations, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. 4. Destination-Rich Experiences – They offer immersive tours and insider experiences that explore the cultural and culinary traditions of the destinations. 5. High Staff-to-Guest Ratio – Oceania boasts a lower crew-to-passenger ratio than many other mid-size cruise ships, ensuring personalized service. 6. Personalized Comfort – They aim to create a sense of comfort and personalized service for all guests. 7. Suite and Stateroom Options – Oceania offers a variety of accommodation options, including Owner’s and Vista Suites, Oceania Suites, and Penthouse Suites, with varying levels of luxury and amenities. 8. Included Amenities – Oceania Cruises includes a variety of amenities in their base fare, such as specialty restaurants, in-suite dining, and some beverage packages.

This Watermelon & Duck Confit Salad is tasty.

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