Duck Ham Taleggio And Mushroom Panini Recipes

DUCK HAM

Steps:

• Using a pestle and mortar, roughly crush the thyme, peppercorns, cloves, garlic and bay. Tip into a bowl with the salt and sugar, and mix everything together thoroughly. Lightly score the skin on the breast in a criss-cross pattern.
• Scatter about a third of the salt mixture into a container that will hold the duck breast snugly. Lay the duck, flesh-side down, on the salt and cover with the remaining mixture. Cover tightly with cling film or a lid and leave in the fridge for 3 days.
• Remove the duck from the mixture, rinse under cold water, then dry well with kitchen paper. The ham is now ready to thinly slice and serve on its own or in a salad. Wrapped in cling film, it will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.

MUSHROOM PAPPARDELLE WITH TALEGGIO CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain; reserve 3/4 cup cooking water.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over high heat. Brown half the mushrooms, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes; transfer to a plate. Repeat with 2 tablespoons butter and remaining mushrooms; transfer to plate. Add shallots to skillet; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and wine; cook until wine is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add reserved cooking water; bring to a boil. Swirl in remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Season with 1 teaspoon salt.
• Toss pasta with mushrooms, cheese, and parsley until pasta is coated and cheese starts melting. Season with salt and pepper.

PAN-ROASTED DUCK WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Rinse dried mushrooms to remove sand or dirt and place in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and let steep for 30 minutes.
• Lay duck breasts skin-side down on a cutting board. With your fingers, remove the thin tenderloins from the underside of each breast and reserve for sauce. With a sharp knife, trim away any gristle. Turn breasts skin-side up and trim excess fat from the edges. Score the skins in a diamond pattern. Season generously with salt and pepper, transfer to a plate and leave at cool room temperature for 1 hour.
• Put olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the reserved tenderloins and brown well on both sides. Add butter and flour to pan, and cook, stirring, until mixture is lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add soaked mushrooms and soaking liquid, and stir well as sauce begins to thicken. Add wine, thyme and bay leaf, turn heat to low, and simmer gently until gravylike, but not too thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard tenderloins, thyme and bay leaf. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning. Keep warm. (Sauce may be prepared several hours or up to 2 days in advance.)
• Set a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When pan is hot, add duck breasts to skillet skin-side down and let sizzle. Lower heat to medium and cook for about 7 or 8 minutes, making sure skin doesn't brown too quickly. (This will render fat and crisp the skin.) Turn breasts over and cook 3 minutes more for rare (thermometer should read 120 degrees), or 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare (thermometer should read 125 degrees). Transfer to a warm platter and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons rendered fat from the pan, and raise heat to medium-high. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, letting them brown nicely. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and stir in garlic and parsley.
• Slice duck 1/4-inch thick, crosswise at a slight angle, and serve immediately. Each serving should have 4 to 5 slices of duck, a large spoonful of mushrooms and a bit of sauce.

GREENS AND MUSHROOM PANINI

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water in the pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens. Bring the water back to a boil, and boil for two to three minutes, depending on the sturdiness of the greens. Transfer to the ice water to cool for a few minutes, and then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely.
• Preheat a panini grill. Brush both sides of the mushroom slices with olive oil, and grill for one to two minutes. Season if desired. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir in the greens. Toss to coat with oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Sprinkle half the cheese over two of the bread slices, and top the cheese with a few mushroom slices. Next, pile half the greens on top, and press them down with the back of a spoon. Top the greens with the remaining cheese, and cover with the remaining bread. Brush the outside of the sandwich with a little olive oil. Place in the panini maker, and grill for three to five minutes until the cheese has melted and the bread is toasty.

SAUTEED MUSHROOM, PROSCIUTTO, AND TALEGGIO PANINI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add shallot, and cook until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high; add mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, golden brown, and most of the juices have evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add thyme or oregano, and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Slice bread in half horizontally. Layer each of the bottom halves with mushroom mixture, prosciutto, and cheese. Cover with remaining top bread halves.
• Brush outer sides of bread with oil, spreading it to the edges. Place two sandwiches in skillet or on griddle, and weight with a sandwich press or the bottom of another skillet. Cook until golden brown on first side, 3 to 4 minutes; turn, and continue cooking until other side is golden and the cheese has completely melted, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet, and keep warm in the oven while making remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.

DUCK-HAM-TALEGGIO-AND-MUSHROOM PANINI

Steps:

• Slice caps off stalks of mushrooms. Discard the stalks. Sauté the caps in oil and season with salt and pepper. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool. Adjust seasonings and dress to taste with oil and vinegar.
• Slice rolls. If the bread is too doughy, scoop out center.
• Lay about 8 slices of duck on bread. Cover with 2 tablespoons of mushrooms. Add 2 slices of cheese. Top with bread. Repeat for 4 sandwiches.
• If you own a panini press, use it. If not, use two sauté pans. Heat both pans and place sandwich in one and gently place other pan on top of the sandwich. Grill for 3 minutes and remove. Season to taste with olive oil, salt and pepper. Serve.