This week, my sister and cousin Kim have been here in Beijing visiting, which means it didn’t take long before we were on our obligatory pilgrimage to a local Peking Duck joint for what is arguably Beijing’s most well-known dish.
Accompanying the crispy bird was an assortment of other very filling dishes, which led to the acquisition of some leftover duck. Which led to this–one of the most amazing Peking Duck grilled cheese sandwich.
It’s fusion food at its finest. The duck for this Peking Duck grilled cheese recipe can be bought already prepared from an Asian grocer or made easily at home by searing a skin-on duck breast (see our Easy Peking Duck recipe for full instructions).
For some of our other favorites in grilled cheese, check our our Ratatoullie Grilled Cheese or our our family favorite, Morning Glory grilled cheese breakfast sandwich.
Peking Duck Grilled Cheese: Recipe Instructions
Take each slice of Asian milk bread (or other high quality soft white bread) and spread ½ tablespoon butter on each.
Make the green onion hoisin spread by combining the mayonnaise, green onion, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and five spice powder in a small bowl.
Spread the mixture on the other side of each slice of bread. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place one of the bread slices in the pan, butter side down.
Top it with the rest of the ingredients in the following order: the cheese, the duck, the cucumber, and the cantaloupe.
Top the Peking Duck grilled cheese sandwich with the remaining slice of bread, butter side up. Grill in the skillet until the bottom is lightly browned, and the cheese begins to melt.
Carefully flip the sandwich over, and gently press with your spatula. Grill the other side until the bread is golden and the cheese is gooey.
Slice your Peking Duck grilled cheese sandwich in half and prepare to revel in its greatness.
Peking Duck Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick Asian milk bread or other high quality soft white bread
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
- 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
- a pinch of five spice powder
- 4 slices Gruyère or cheddar
- 6 ounces cooked duck with crispy skin (sliced)
- 4 thin cucumber slices
- 4 thin, crisp cantaloupe slices
Instructions
- Take each slice of bread and spread ½ tablespoon butter on each. Make the green onion hoisin spread by combining the mayonnaise, green onion, cilantro, hoisin, and five spice powder in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on the other side of each slice of bread. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place one of the bread slices in the pan, butter side down.
- Top it with the rest of the ingredients in the following order: the cheese, the duck, the cucumber, and the cantaloupe. Top the sandwiches with the remaining slice of bread, butter side up. Grill in the skillet until the bottom is lightly browned, and the cheese begins to melt. Carefully flip the sandwich over, and gently press with your spatula. Grill the other side until the bread is golden and the cheese is gooey.