It’s Food Friday, when we normally prepare a meal with our perpetual houseguests, Charles and Camilla, but they are out of town this week, so it is just the two of us. Which is always cozy, especially when it seems to get dark so early, and we are turning the lights on by 5:15. Candles with dinner should make our Roasted Duck Legs even more of a cool weather treat.
It’s hunting season in Kent County, although I believe there is no duck hunting until next week. Charles will be glad to be back for that, I’m sure. We are using store-bought duck legs, but I imagine wild duck would be an even better idea. This sounds so exotic, but it is easy, and we can read by the fire while the duck takes care of itself.
We considered a couple of different approaches, and in the end decided to roast the duck on a bed of potatoes, so we would have a crispy side dish, redolent with duck fat. You can omit the potatoes and opt for a more traditional bed of cabbage or greens. We were just looking forward to a one-dish meal, and warm roasted potatoes answer a cool weather yen.
This is one of Nigella Lawson’s recipes, so you know it is sinfully delicious.
Roasted Duck Legs and Potatoes
2 duck legs
2 baking potatoes or 1 pound other large white-skinned potatoes
Few sprigs of fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 400° F.
On the stove, heat a small roasting pan and sear the duck legs, skin-side down over medium heat until the skin turns golden and gives out some oil.
Turn the legs over, and take the pan off the heat while you cut the potatoes into 1-inch slices across, then cut each slice into 4. Arrange these potato pieces around the duck legs, and sprinkle some fresh thyme over the duck and potatoes, and season with salt and pepper, before putting into the preheated oven.
Cook for two hours, occasionally turning the potatoes, to get them nice and crispy.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/roasted-duck-legs-and-potatoes-recipe/index.html
https://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_duck_confit/
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/warm-duck-and-cabbage-salad
We had a tasty, modestly-price California Syrah, and didn’t miss Camilla’s clattering and constant need for more Champagne in the least! We were going to poach some pears for dessert, but in the end just opted for some slices of room temp pears over some rich vanilla ice cream.
“The perils of duck hunting are great – especially for the duck.” Walter Cronkite
We’d love to read about your Thanksgiving rituals here at Spy Headquarters. Drop us a line and tell us who peels the potatoes, who strings the beans, who buys the Bendicks Bitter Mints and who washes up. It will be nice to share.
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