Confit Of Garlic Food

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.

CHICKEN CONFIT

Steps:

• Lay the leg portions on a platter, skin side down. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt and black pepper. Place the garlic cloves, bay leaves, and sprigs of thyme on each of 2 leg portions. Lay the remaining 2 leg portions, flesh to flesh, on top. Put the reserved fat from the chicken in the bottom of a glass or plastic container. Top with the sandwiched leg portions. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Remove the garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and chicken fat and reserve. Rinse the chicken with cool water, rubbing off some of the salt and pepper. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Put the reserved garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and chicken fat in the bottom of an enameled cast iron pot. Sprinkle evenly with the peppercorns and salt. Lay the chicken on top, skin side down. Add the olive oil. Cover and bake for 12 to 14 hours, or until the meat pulls away from the bone.
• Remove the chicken from the fat. Strain the fat and reserve. Pick the meat from the bones and place it in a stoneware container. Cover the meat with some of the strained fat so that there is a 1/4-inch layer of fat on top. The chicken confit can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• The excess oil can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used like butter for cooking. The tinge of chicken taste in the oil is wonderful and I use the oil to roast potatoes, cook green beans, and pan-fry veal.

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.

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.