Duck Camp Hors Doeuvres With Bourbon Finish Food

2-STEP POTATO-CHORIZO HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• In a saucepan of actively boiling lightly salted water, blanch the potatoes for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the tines of a fork will just pierce the surface. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, cut them in half and score the cut side of each with the tines of a fork.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• In a bowl, combine the potatoes with the olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper and toss together until evenly coated. Transfer the potatoes to the hot skillet and spread them out into an even layer so they are hardly touching each other. Heat until sizzling, then transfer the skillet to the hot oven. Toast, turning over every 10 minutes, for about 30 minutes, until very crisp and golden.
• While the potatoes are roasting, heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons water. Cook the sausages for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally and pouring off the fat as it accumulates. Drain the sausages briefly on a double thickness of paper towels and slice them 3/4 thick.
• Place a slice of sausage on top of each roasted potato half and secure with a toothpick. Assemble the hors d'oeuvres on a platter and squeeze a little lime juice over them. Serve, accompanied by Avocado Salsa.

CHILLED BEEF AND VEGETABLE HORS D'OEUVRES

Steps:

• Cut tenderloin into thin, 1/4-inch strips, trimming off all fat. Pound out slices, maintaining the rectangular shape, until they are approximately 1/8" thick. Whisk together soy sauce, sugar, salt and mirin until dissolved. Dip slice of steak in soy mixture then place a piece of scallion, pepper and jicama on top. Roll tightly and skewer through center.
• Grill or broil, over or under medium-high heat, basting with sauce, for 3 or 4 minutes. Cut each roll in 2 or 3 pieces and skewer with toothpick. Serve warm or room temperature.

DUCK CAMP HORS D'OEUVRES WITH BOURBON FINISH

Steps:

• Assemble dredge ingredients in a 1-quart resealable plastic bag, seal, and shake to mix thoroughly.
• Add the bacon to a cold 10-inch pan (I find a cast iron skillet works well) and put on medium heat. When fat has rendered and while bacon is still soft, add onions to the pan with brown sugar. Stir onions occasionally, cook until golden brown. You can add a bit of salt and pepper if you like.
• While onion is cooking, add meat to the dredge, 5 to 6 pieces at a time, seal bag, and shake bag to coat all pieces. Remove dredged pieces, shake off excess, and repeat with remaining meat.
• Remove onions and bacon from the pan, trying to leave as many rendered juices as possible, and set onion mixture aside. Add 1/2 of the olive oil to the pan, raise heat to medium temperature a little bit, and allow oil to heat up. Add meat, a handful at a time, and use wooden spoon to separate pieces. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally (note: if meat starts to stick, add a little more oil to pan.) Return onion mixture to the pan, and toss.
• Dissolve cornstarch in bourbon and add to pan. Continue to cook for about 3 minutes, stirring. Liquid should thicken, slightly. Remove the meat and onion mixture from the pan and pour the sauce over the top. Serve hors d'oeuvres family style with toothpicks and crackers or French bread slices.