Confit Of Garlic Food

CONFIT OF DUCK

Steps:

• The day before you want to make the dish, scatter half the salt, half the garlic and half of the herbs over the base of a small shallow dish. Lay the duck legs, skin-side up, on top, then scatter over the remaining salt, garlic and herbs. Cover the duck and refrigerate overnight. This can be done up to 2 days ahead.
• Pour the wine into a saucepan that will snugly fit the duck legs in a single layer. Brush the salt off the duck legs and place them, skin-side down, in the wine. Cover the pan with a lid and place over a medium heat. As soon as the wine starts to bubble, turn the heat down to the lowest setting and cook for 2 hours, checking occasionally that the liquid is just barely simmering. (If you own a heat diffuser, it would be good to use it here.) After 2 hours, the duck legs should be submerged in their own fat and the meat should feel incredibly tender when prodded. Leave to cool.
• The duck legs are now cooked and can be eaten immediately - or you can follow the next step if you like them crisp. If you are preparing ahead, pack the duck legs tightly into a plastic container or jar and pour over the fat, but not the liquid at the bottom of the pan. Cover and leave in the fridge for up to a month, or freeze for up to 3 months. The liquid you are left with makes a tasty gravy, which can be chilled or frozen until needed.
• To reheat and crisp up the duck legs, heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Remove the legs from the fat and place them, skin-side down, in an ovenproof frying pan. Roast for 30-40 mins, turning halfway through, until brown and crisp. Serve with the reheated gravy, a crisp salad and some crisp golden ptoatoes.

GARLIC CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat oil in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic; cook over very low heat until soft, about 1 hour (do not brown). DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 month ahead. Keep chilled and completely covered in oil. Always use clean spoon to remove garlic.

CONFIT OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Separate and peel garlic into cloves. In a small saucepan add garlic cloves and remaining ingredients, cook over low heat for one hour.
• Remove from heat and let cool. When cool add mixture to a jar and tightly cover. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.

GARLIC CONFIT

Steps:

• Cut the tops off the garlic bulbs, place on a clean working surface, and press down firmly with the flat part of a large knife to separate the cloves from the bulb. Remove the skins and discard.
• Pour oil into a very small pot; add garlic cloves and thyme.
• Turn heat to medium and cook until bubbles start to form. Lower the heat to the lowest possible setting and cook until garlic is soft but not brown, 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the cloves.
• Place garlic cloves and oil in an ice cube tray and freeze until firm, 2 to 3 hours. Remove frozen cubes from the tray and store in a freezer bag.

GARLIC CONFIT

Steps:

• Halve any garlic cloves that are very large and place all the peeled garlic in a heavy covered pan.
• Add bay leaves, thyme, a tablespoon of kosher salt, and 15 or 20 whole black peppercorns; cover with oil.
• Place cover on pan and braise, in the oven, on 300 degrees F until garlic is tender and golden, about 1 hour or 1 1/4 hours.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Transfer garlic and oil to a sterilized jar and press plastic wrap over the top.
• Place another piece of plastic wrap over the rim of the jar and screw on cover.
• Store up to three weeks in the refrigerator being sure to not contaminate.
• Always use a clean fork or spoon to retrieve garlic or oil from jar and replace plastic wraps.