James Martin Whole Duck Food

WHOLE ROASTED DUCK WITH PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI, DUCK-FAT POTATOES AND BORDELAISE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• For the whole roasted duck, use a small sharp knife to pierce the skin of the duck all over, but be careful not to tear holes in the skin. Season the duck with salt and black pepper and place on a wire rack sat in a roasting tin. Roast for 25 minutes.
• Remove the duck from the oven and pour any excess fat from the roasting tin into a jug. Reduce the oven temperature to 120C/250F/Gas ½.
• When the oven reaches 120C/250F/Gas ½, return the duck to the oven and cook for a further 1¼ hours - basting with the reserved fat every 20 minutes. Once cooked allow the duck to rest for 30 minutes.
• For the duck fat potatoes, heat a large frying pan and add the duck fat. Once hot and melted, add the diced potatoes and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until golden-brown and tender.
• For the bordelaise sauce, heat a medium saucepan and add the butter. Once hot, add the shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the thyme, bay leaf and peppercorns and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the red wine and cook until the volume of liquid has reduced by half. Pour in the warm veal jus and reduce by half again. Season with a little sugar, to taste. Pass through a fine sieve and set aside in a warm place until ready to serve.
• For the purple sprouting broccoli, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the water and refresh in ice-cold water.
• Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the broccoli and gently fry for 1-2 minutes.
• To serve, remove the duck breasts from the roasted duck and cut into pieces. Divide the meat between serving plates. Serve the potatoes and broccoli next to the duck with a spoonful of the sauce.

DUCK SOUP

Steps:

• Mix the ingredients of the marinade, and add the breast fillets and legs.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• To make the stock, put carcass portions and other stock ingredients into a large saucepan.
• Add water to cover and bring to the boil.
• Simmer gently for 45 minutes.
• Strain, return stock to a clean pot and reduce over medium heat for 15 minutes.
• Remove any remaining meat from the carcass and reserve.
• Cool reduced stock, and refrigerate overnight.
• When stock is cold, skim fat from the surface.
• The stock is ready for use.
• For the duck portions: remove from marinade, and cook in a hot oven (about 200c) for about 20 minutes for the breasts, and about 30 minutes for the legs.
• You want the meat to be pink and juicy still, and the skin crispy.
• Cool a little then shred the meat.
• For the soup: Put stock in a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
• Reduce heat, and add remaining soup ingredients including both lots of reserved duck meat.
• Warm through and season to taste.

ROASTED DUCK BREAST WITH PLUM SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce, fry the shallot in the oil for 5 mins or until softened but not coloured. Add the plums and sugar, stirring for a few mins until the sugar has dissolved. Add the red wine and stock, then simmer for about 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly thickened. Keep warm or leave at room temperature for up to a day before reheating to serve.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180C/ 160C fan/gas 4. Score the skin of the duck breasts with a sharp knife and season well with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick frying pan and place the duck breasts in, skin-side down. Fry for 6-7 mins, then turn and add the thyme, star anise and butter. Allow this to melt, basting the duck with the juices, then transfer everything to a small roasting tin and finish in the oven for 5-6 mins for pink or 10-12 mins for well done.
• When the duck is ready, baste again with the juices, then rest for 5 mins while you finish everything else.
• To serve, thinly slice each duck breast on a chopping board. Arrange on each plate along with a spoon of the Creamed potatoes, some of the plum sauce and the Buttered spinach.