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Duck Confit with Fried Potatoes, Mushrooms and Mesclun

Note: --Duck Confit should have a very crispy skin on the outside and the underlying meat should be very moist and tasty--


Service for 4

ABOUT DUCK CONFIT AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF DUCK FAT

Duck confit is one of my favorite dishes to cook. It can be made several days ahead and stays well in the refrigerator immersed in duck fat for weeks, although it will be long gone by then. The only difficult part of the dish is accumulating the duck fat which is rather expensive now to purchase. For that reason I tend to buy a whole duck, render my own duck fat use the carcass for duck stock leaving the breast for a magret dish and legs for confit. Considering what a whole duck costs and what the final products are: ducks are a great value in cooking. Furthermore, what many cooks are unaware of is the health benefits to duck fat. I must admit I was unaware of this in my early cooking days. But, many trips to France, and spending time researching the field I am now aware that duck fat has some very interesting properties.

Duck fat contains 35.7% saturates, 50.5% monounsaturates (high in linoleic acid) and 13.7% polyunsaturated fats.(which contains Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential oils). This compares to olive oil which is: 75% monounsaturated fat (mostly oleic acid) 13% saturated fat and 10% Omega-6 linoleic acid and 2% Omega-3 linoleic acid. The main difference between chicken, turkey and duck is that duck contains more linoleic acid, which chicken and turkey contain a higher amount of polyunsaturated fats --- Read more about Health Benefits of Duck Fat

Preparation of Duck

For each 4 legs:

One of two days ahead marinate the duck.6 tablespoons of kosher salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper, 3 smashed and diced garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon crushed juniper berries, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme.

Note: This is my standard marinade, but you can either add or delete several items. Some marinates work nice using ginger and star anise instead of juniper berries. What's most important is salt which will draw out moisture from the legs. Just make sure to rinse and dry the legs off before cooking or the dish will be too salty.

I usually cook the duck for 3 hours and 225F and then 2 hours at about 200F. If you are preparing this dish for guests you can do the 3 hours a few days before, then on the same day just leave the pot in the oven for two hours at 200F. You have to monitor this dish after 3 hours to be careful that the duck does not release from the bone. It won't be a problem with taste but will be more difficult in presentation and for crisping the skin.

Crisping the Skin

Heat one or two tablespoons of fat in a non-stick frying pan. Add the duck legs skin side down and cook on a medium flame till the skin crisps. It may be necessary to hold the legs down to allow for an even sear. Other methods include putting the leg under the broiler in the oven skin side down -- use whatever method works best for you. It may take a few times to get a method you feel comfortable with to crisp the skin, so be patient with this step.

Notes in crisping: Make sure the leg has been left at room temperature before beginning the process.

Preparing the Potatoes and Mushrooms:

Sauté the potatoes and mushrooms in separate pans using duck fat until some browning begins to occur. Be careful not to go past this point since duck fat can easily burn vegetables.

ASSEMBLY

Place some mesclun on a warmed plate. Add the sauteed potatoes and mushrooms. Top with a duck confit. Drizzle some reduced duck stock if available.



SIMILAR RECIPES FOR DUCK

DUCK RILLETTES WITH SEARED SCALLOP, POLENTA AND SPINACH


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