Home cooking attempt — Peking Duck from scratch

I spent an afternoon making Peking Duck from scratch following a traditional recipe. Getting fermented black bean right was the main challenge — it's not as straightforward as it looks. The deeply savoury and sweet result was rewarding once I got it right.

Chinese cuisine encompasses eight major regional schools with distinct ingredients and techniques. I served it with Shaoxing rice wine as the recipe suggested and the pairing made sense. It took longer than I expected but the outcome was genuinely satisfying. Making Peking Duck yourself gives you a new appreciation for what goes into it at a restaurant.