Directions

Make the fig ketchup: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay figs onto a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet. Lay the tomatoes onto a separate parchment lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast them both in the oven until they begin to color, about 15 minutes for figs about 20 minutes for tomatoes.

In a medium sauce pot, toast the coriander and cumin over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the roasted figs and tomatoes, scrapping up as much of the juice and crusty parts as possible, palm sugar, vinegar, pomegranate molasses, cayenne pepper, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Raise the heat to high and cook until the mixture reaches a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until it’s thick and jam-like, about 30 minutes. Let cool.

Discard the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Use a blender or food processor to thoroughly puree the mixture, adding a splash of extra vinegar to achieve the proper consistency if necessary. Taste and adjust acidity with more vinegar to taste. Refrigerate for several hours before using.

Make the duck patties: Remove the skin from the duck breasts, then roughly chop them. Place the duck breasts and 1 of the skins (also chopped) in the bowl of a food processor and pulse 6 or 8 times until well combined and the texture resembles slightly wet, coarsely ground beef.

Transfer the duck mixture to a large bowl. Roughly chop about half of the cilantro. Add 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, scallions, the chopped cilantro, five-spice powder, sriracha sauce, salt and pepper to the bowl. Next, handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. You be the judge if you think you need more breadcrumbs, add too many and the burgers will get rubbery, but the meat should hold together when pinched (but just barely). Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the pandesal rolls.

Grill and assemble the sliders: Prepare a medium-hot fire for both direct and indirect cooking in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the direct heat area of the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, just until done, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Watch for flare ups. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the pandesal rolls, cut side down, on the indirect edges of the rack to toast lightly.

To assemble the burgers, place some shredded Napa cabbage, cilantro leaves onto the roll bottoms, place a duck slider on top. Spoon on some of the fig ketchup to taste. Add the roll tops and serve.

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degree F. bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of kosher salt and the chicken wings. Cook for 5 minutes. Drain the wings and pat dry with a paper towel. Using a mortar and pestle work the minced garlic into a paste. A pinch of coarse salt will aid in this process. Mix in 2 tablespoons Thai chili paste and the Chinese five-spice powder until well incorporated. Scrape this mixture into a very large bowl. Add the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce, sesame oil, and Thai bird chile slices. Whisk well. Add the wings, stirring to get them well coated. Let the wings sit in the marinade about 1 hour, stirring them once or twice. Arrange the wings in a single layer on two foil-lined baking sheets. Drizzle the wings with some of the marinade and put them into the preheated oven. Immediately turn the heat down to 375 degrees F. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the wings over and drizzle on more marinade. Rotate the pans and bake another 15 minutes. While the wings cook pour the marinade into a small sauce pan set over medium-high heat. Bring the liquid to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and keep warm until serving. Once the wings have cooked pour them and all their pan juices onto 1 large serving platter. Drizzle the hot marinade over the top and garnish with green onions and cilantro. Serve hot with plenty of napkins.