Tony Chachere Long Island Duck Recipes

DUCK WITH CHERRIES AND RED WINE VINEGAR

Steps:

• Trim excess fat from duck breasts, leaving a 1/4-inch layer covering the breast. (Save fat trimmings to render and use for another purpose.) With a sharp knife, lightly score fat cover diagonally in two directions, taking care not to cut too deeply and expose meat. Turn breasts over and remove the thin tenderloins from underside. Trim away any veiny or ragged bits. (Save meaty trimmings for making stock.) Season generously on both sides with salt.
• Pulverize the peppercorns, allspice berries, cloves, bay leaves and fennel seed in a mortar or electric spice mill. Sprinkle spice mixture over duck breasts; massage seasoning into meat on both sides. For more-intense flavor, do this several hours ahead or overnight and refrigerate (recommended). Bring duck to room temperature before cooking.
• Make the sauce: Put turbinado sugar and red wine vinegar in a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, until syrupy. Add red wine and chicken broth and simmer briskly until sauce coats spoon, about 5 minutes. Stir in ginger, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside. You should have about 1 cup sauce. (Sauce may be made a day or two in advance, if desired.)
• Place a wide cast-iron pan over medium high heat. When pan is hot, place duck breasts side by side, skin side down. Let sizzle gently for about 7 minutes, until skin is crisp and golden, turning down heat as necessary to keep from getting too dark. Turn breasts over and cook 5 to 7 minutes more. (Alternatively, finish cooking breasts in a 400-degree oven.) Check temperature frequently with an instant-read thermometer; internal temperature should be a bit less than 125 degrees. Remove breasts and let rest on a warm platter for 8 to 10 minutes.
• To finish sauce, put butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add cherries and granulated sugar and cook for a minute or two, stirring, until cherries are heated through and beginning to get juicy. Add kirsch and cook 1 minute more, then add previously prepared sauce and bring to a simmer.
• Thinly slice duck breasts at an angle and arrange slices on a platter. Spoon some of the sauce and cherries over meat and pass remaining sauce at table.

ROAST LONG ISLAND DUCK WITH CABERNET-CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash the duck in cold water and discard any loose fat or skin. (Save the fat for another use).
• Place the duck in a roasting pan.
• Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and pour the water over the duck, making sure entire bird is covered.
• Drain completely.
• Place the duck on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Generously sprinkle all sides of the duck with salt.
• Refrigerate, uncovered, for 24 hours.
• Move oven rack to lower third of the oven and preheat to 450°F.
• Rinse the duck well with cold water to remove the salt.
• With a small, sharp implement, carefully prick the fatty sections of the duck's skin (take care to pierce only the fatty layer, not the flesh underneath).
• Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and pour over the duck, covering completely.
• Drain completely.
• Wipe out your roasting pan and spray with cooking spray.
• Set the duck on a rack in prepared roasting pan, breast side up, and cook 30 minutes.
• Reduce the temperature to 375F and roast until a leg moves easily in its socket and the juices from the cavity run almost clear, about an hour or until an instant-read thermometer registers 180F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
• Let the duck rest, loosely covered with foil, at least 15 minutes before carving.
• While the duck is resting, make the sauce: combine the first three ingredients in a small pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes; set to the side.
• Combine the next six ingredients together in another small pan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Cook until the mixture turns syrupy and begins to caramelize, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Add the orange juice and jam or jelly, and cook until the mixture bubbles.
• Strain the contents of the small pan into the wine and cherry mixture, discarding any solids.
• Add the orange zest and return sauce to a simmer over low heat.
• Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small jar and shake until smooth.
• Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce and cook, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Slice duck and serve with sauce.