Burgundy Duck Food

BURGUNDY DUCK

Steps:

• Put the ducks in a large pot, cover them with water, and season the water with salt.
• Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.
• Drain, remove the ducks , and pat them dry.
• Return the pot to the stove, add the butter, and melt over med-high heat.
• Add the ducks and cook, turning occasionally, for 15 minutes or until brown on all sides.
• Transfer them to a plate and set aside to cool.
• Remove the skin and discard the bones, and shred the meat.
• Add the flour to the pot and cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, wine shallots, and bay leaves.
• Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper.
• Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the mixture is slightly thick and beginning to bubble.
• Return the duck meat to the pot and cover.
• Decrease heat to low and cook for 1 hour.
• discard the bay leaves.
• Serve warm heaped on Melba toast.

DUCK, DUCK, DELICIOUS BURGERS

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire for both direct and indirect cooking in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. If using charcoal, the coals should be placed so that they are under half of the rack, creating 2 zones: 1 hot and 1 mildly hot. If using a gas grill, follow manufacturer's instructions to create zones for both direct and indirect grilling. When the grill is hot, clean it with a wire brush. It does not need to be oiled at this time.
• To make the honey plum sauce, combine the plums, honey, garlic, ginger, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, and dried pepper flakes in a fireproof saucepan and place on the grill over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then place the saucepan to the side of the grill with indirect heat and simmer, covered, for 15 to 30 minutes, until the plums are completely cooked. Place the mixture in the bowl of a food processor or blender and puree until well combined. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Add more of any specific ingredient you feel necessary (e.g., honey, hoisin sauce).
• To make the patties, remove the skin from the duck breasts. Place the duck breasts and 1 of the skins in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well combined. Transfer the duck mixture to a large bowl. Add scallions, cilantro, five-spice powder, salt and pepper to the bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the onion rolls.
• Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, just until done, about 3 minutes on each side. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the onion rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.
• To assemble the burgers, place a generous amount of the honey plum sauce on the cut side of the onion rolls. On the onion roll bottoms, place a patty and an equal amount of napa cabbage. Add the onion roll tops and serve.

DUCK WITH BURGUNDY CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine marinade ingredients. Add duck breasts, cover and refrigerate for six to eight hours. Turn duck two to three times while marinating.
• Remove duck breasts and pour marinade through strainer into sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and reduce liquid to about 1/2 cup.
• Pat breasts dry with paper towels. Season with salt, cracked black pepper and garlic. Heat oil in skillet and place breast skin-side down in hot oil. Cook for four to six minutes or until skin is browned and just a bit crispy. Flip over and cook other side about four to five minutes or until medium-rare. Transfer to cutting board and let stand for a few minutes to firm up before slicing.
• Sauce Preparation:.
• Add cranberries and honey to marinade and cook for about 10 minutes more or until cranberries soften. Remove from heat and whisk in chilled butter pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Slice duck diagonally, spoon sauce over and serve.