Balinese Duck Confit With Root Vegetable Mash And Warm Exotic Fruit Salsa Recipes

DUCK CONFIT SLIDERS

Steps:

• Add the duck fat to a heavy pot and allow it to melt over low heat. Mix the salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin and paprika in a small mixing bowl. Pat the duck legs with paper towels and sprinkle all sides generously with the spice mix. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Remove and place the legs skin-side up in the duck fat, making sure they're completely submerged. Add the peppercorns and coriander seeds. Using an instant-read thermometer, bring the duck fat to a lazy simmer, 165 to 175 degrees F. Gently confit the legs in the simmering fat until the duck is fork tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Remove and cool.
• Meanwhile, add the reserved duck trimmings to a pan and cook to render the fat over low heat. Place onto a paper-towel-lined plate and reserve until serving.
• Using a sharp knife, remove the skin from the legs. Using two forks, shred the confit following the grain of the protein. Mix with 1/4 cup of the confit fat.
• Set a flat top griddle over high heat. Sear the skin on both sides to make a crunchy, cracklin'-style texture, about 7 minutes total. Finely julienne and set aside. Add the confit to the griddle in batches and crisp until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To assemble, spread Cranberry Jam onto the tops and bottoms of each bun. Build sliders with 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) of confit, then a layer of crispy skin. Top with 2 tablespoons Fennel and Celery Root Slaw. Replace the top bun. Serve immediately with Butternut Squash Chips.
• In a medium saucepot, bring the oil to medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onions, season with some salt and pepper and brown for 5 to 7 minutes. Deglaze with the cranberry juice and stir to scrape up any browned bits. Add the cranberries and red wine vinegar. Simmer to completely soften the cranberries and until the jam is thickened and glossy, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon juice to taste. Season again with salt and pepper as desired.
• Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm. Can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
• In a large mixing bowl, briskly whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, dugar, mustard and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Toss the celery root, carrots, apples, fennel and 2 tablespoons of the reserved fennel fronds into the dressing to coat evenly.
• Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to fully integrate.
• Remove and toss again. Serve garnished with a few more fennel fronds.
• In a small mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne. Set aside.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the tubular top portion away from the globe-shaped bottoms of both squash. Using the knife or a mandoline, shave the tops into chips. Submerge the chips in a deep container with ice water for 10 minutes (this removes any extra starch and makes the chips crispy). Strain the chips and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, using an instant-read thermometer, bring 3 inches of duck fat to 325 degrees F in a heavy gauge Dutch oven over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the chips until they are golden and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a fine mesh strainer to a paper-towel-lined dish. Season immediately with a sprinkle of spice mix. Repeat until all chips are fried. Transfer to a large bowl and serve.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CARIBBEAN ROOT MEDLEY MASH, SOFRITO RUM REDUCTION AND CREOLE FRUIT SALSA

Steps:

• For the creole fruit salsa: Combine the pineapple, mango, papaya, red onion, lime juice or pineapple vinegar, cayenne pepper or Tajín, orange zest, mint leaves and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Toss until well combined and set aside for serving.
• For the Caribbean root medley mash: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place the garlic on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. Roast until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Pop the roasted garlic out of the peel and discard the peel. Leave the oven on for your chicken breasts!
• Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin, taro, sweet potatoes and vegetable broth in a stockpot. Season with salt, cover with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the vegetables.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chopped red onions and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or large bowl. Add the root vegetables, butter, cream, cilantro, paprika and roasted garlic to the onions. Process or mash with a potato masher to your desired consistency but still thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set the mash aside.
• For the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally and open each one like a book. Sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon of the sazón and 1 tablespoon of the dried oregano. Spread 1 tablespoon of the sofrito on each breast. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place 1/2 cup of the mash in the center of each butterflied breast and tie with kitchen twine to enclose the stuffing.
• Heat the avocado oil in a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Once your skillet is very hot, add the stuffed chicken breasts and cook until seared, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170 degrees F, about 20 minutes. (If you don't have an ovenproof skillet, bake the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.) Remove the twine, slice each chicken breast into 3 rounds and set aside.
• For the sofrito rum reduction: While the chicken is in the oven, heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and garlic paste and cook, stirring quickly, for 30 seconds, then add the sofrito. Stir to combine. Add the honey and oregano sprigs and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by one-fourth, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the rum and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until reduced to your desired consistency. Remove and discard the oregano sprigs.
• For serving: Place the chicken on a plate and add some of the reduction and 1/2 cup of the salsa on the side. Garnish with lime zest and edible flowers, if using.

SAVORY MASHED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place all the vegetables and garlic in a large pot and fill with cool water to cover; season with a teaspoon of salt. Bring to boil over medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender.
• While the vegetables are cooking, combine the heavy cream, butter, and herbs in a pot and heat over low flame to melt the butter and infuse the herb flavor into the cream ¿ do not allow to boil. Shut off the heat, cover, and let steep until needed. When ready to use, remove the herb stems and the bay leaves.
• Drain vegetables and put them into a large mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher. Stir in the warm cream mixture and mix until the liquid is absorbed and the vegetables are smooth; season with salt and pepper. Put the mashed root vegetables in a serving bowl, garnish with chopped chives and drizzle with a healthy dose of olive oil.

ROOT VEGETABLE MASH

Steps:

• Boil vegetables in a medium pot until tender. Drain liquid, and mash with cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• For the Gravy: In a medium sauce pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute mushrooms until soft. Add the wine and demi-glace and reduce until the gravy coats the back of a spoon.

ASIAN DUCK CONFIT WITH CITRUS PEA SPROUT SALAD

Steps:

• Duck Confit:
• Duck Confit: In a large bowl, mix everything together but the duck and fat. In a tall pan, line the bottom with a layer of the mixture. Place duck legs on top, then cover with another layer. Place in refrigerator overnight (24 hours). In a tall casserole or rondo, melt the duck fat. Set oven at 300 degrees. Wipe off all the mixture and place in fat. Watch carefully, you never want the fat to boil. Cook in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, or until meat is falling off the bone. Pull from fat and serve immediately or when stored overnight, pan sear at medium heat until brown and crispy on both sides.
• Citrus Pea Sprout Salad:
• For the Citrus Pea Sprout Salad: In a small bowl, combine the juices and whisk in the oils. Season and add the herbs. Check for flavor and toss with the sprouts.
• Plating: Place a small mound of the salad on a plate and top with two duck legs.