Roasted Duck With Kumquat Sauce

Buster's friend's Note:

I adore roasted duck... and kumquats. This was in the Tribune's Food & Drink Weekly Guide. Am stashing for when the economy warrants me springing for a duck... & kumquats.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 4 ½ lbs duck , washed and dried
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons pepper
• 2 stalks celery , diced
• 1 onion , diced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise
• 2 tablespoons olive oil , divided
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup sherry wine vinegar
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 10 kumquats , sliced crosswise into 1/8 -inch thick slices

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare the duck: Poke the skin all over the duck with a fork. Season the duck all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper, rubbing the seasoning over the skin.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the celery, onion, cinnamon sticks, star anise and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stuff the mixture into the cavity of the duck and tie the legs together with the tail to prevent the stuffing from falling out.
4. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon oil. Brown the duck, turning every few minutes to color each side evenly and well, about 20 minutes total.
5. Place the duck and any juices in a baking pan and roast, basting every 15 minutes, until the juices run clear when you prick the thigh, about 2 hours.
6. Remove the duck and set aside to rest 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
7. While the duck is in the final hour of roasting, make the kumquat sauce. Place the honey in a 2-quart heavy-bottom saucepan over high heat. Bring the honey to a boil and cook just until it begins to darken and caramelize. Immediately remove the pan from heat and add the vinegar and orange juice, stirring to combine.
8. Cook over medium heat until the liquid is reduced by three-fourths, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the butter and kumquat slices and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to marry. Remove from heat and serve with the duck.