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7.21.2008

Duck Confit and Pommes Sarladaise... Good Therapy


I know I said I'm taking a brief break. And I did, kind of. But you know what makes me feel better? Cooking.I'm coming to terms with Mama Roxy's passing and I just feel her love all around.Her children and husband are going to be OK!What a wonderful season we had with her in our lives. There is so much gloom out there lately, so I'm focusing on the the bright side of life. Thank you all for your kind words. Her daughter saw it and is most appreciative.
Last week I found some duck legs in the freezer at the local Treasure Island.Immediately I though Duck Confit. I could only afford the 2 legs and knew I had some chicken fat in the freezer( I use it for chopped liver). A little cheating, but it could work. I also purchased some duck fat for this experiment. The guys in the kitchen at the caterer talk about confiting as its part of an average day. I have never attempted such and knew Certain Someone would love this. I searched the Internet and all the recipes seemed consistent. Some even used a slow cooker.Some just called for herbs with salt in the curing and some offered spices too! I used several cloves of garlic, allspice,coriander,and rosemary( a lot of recipes called for thyme, but I only had rosemary).I ground the salt with the herbs and spices.I realized I used way to much salt at first and adjusted it before resealing in a Ziploc back to cure for 2 days in the refrigerator. Certain Someone was demanding it for Sunday late lunch after his golf. With all going on we had been doing take out all week. He wanted a nice home cooked meal before this weeks travels. He will be gone about 2 weeks( Europe,the house, work, etc). I washed the legs off, dried, and cooked in a baking dish with the garlic and fat covering the legs for 3 hours. The confiting scent nearly drove us insane as it cooked in the oven for 3 hours at 225.
Then on Sunday he called from the golf course to notify me he was on his way and hungry. I had soaked the potato cubes in water to remove some starch. And then I cooked them in the fat from the confit. It was infused with the garlic gloves. Amazing. I cooked them for about 5 minuted to soak up the fat, then with a slotted spoon arranged them on a roasting pan. A slight drizzle of Maldon Salt, pepper, and parsley and into to the oven. I then took the 2 legs and fried them up in a dry skillet until the skin was crisp. All the fat seared it nicely. The potatoes browned up with a few tosses in the oven. The meal was spartan but rich and divine. Certain Someone slowly savored his lone leg. He also loved the potatoes. I noticed how he took off the skin to savor last. When he finished he got up and gave me a big kiss. I guess he liked it! Next time I will be more adventurous and buy a whole duck from Chinatown( cheaper), render my own fat, and confit the whole thing.
I also made a rustic galette from some nectarines and plums that needed to be used ASAP. For a few hours I felt like I was in the French countryside. A nice escape.

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35 comments:

Proud Italian Cook said...

I felt like I was in the french countryside just reading this post and looking at your food!
Isn't cooking such a stress reliever? glad you're feeling better.

zlamushka said...

Lovely pic of you in the previous post. I love the necklace you wear on that one. GIant and absolutely fabulous. I like :-)

Nice galette, looks crumbly and tangy, nice refreshing dessert.

Glamah, are you btw, participating my T&T event this month? We are featuring What´s For Lunch Honey. Alll you need ot do is cook something from her blog and post about it. Deadline is end July ....

Nikki @ NikSnacks said...

Cooking makes me feel better, too. I had a rough day today and I didn't know how to feel better. I attempted to call some friends, ignored some phone calls, went for a walk, tried to read a book, tried to look for some new blogs to put in my reader...nothing NOTHING made me feel better. When I decided it was time to make dinner, and I started prepping the veg, a calm washed over me and I realized that cooking is what comforts me and instantly makes me feel better. Having a loved one eat my food is the final salting of the dish.

I'm glad you've discovered confit at home. No one here would dare eat it. I will leave that to you and the restaurants :)

eatingclubvancouver_js said...

Duck confit is so yummy! I admire you for doing it at home. Kudos.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A great dish to get your spirits back! Yummy!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

mmmmmm......if youwere cooking for me it would definitely make me feel better.
Glad certain someone liked it. VERY glad you are feeling better.

Chibog in Chief said...

this is sinfully delicious...its been a long time i didnt have duck confit hmmmm you just gave me some delicious ideas :-)

Emily said...

I'm glad cooking is helping you to feel better. I guess it really is like therapy. I know you're sad, but you seem like you're in good spirits, so I'm happy for that.

I knew what confit was, but I don't think I've ever see anyone actually do it. This is so cool! I think I'll have to try it.
So you slow cook it in fat, then you sear it?
Oh gosh. I love potatoes. I ate mashed potatoes tonight with macaroni and cheese.

Peter M said...

Courtney, I read an interview from a Greek chef who, ironically cooked his best dishes when he was in the dumps or out of sorts.

Your cooking therapy shows in this sexy duck confit.

Anonymous said...

I was going to have the Duck Confit Sunday night instead I had veal medallions. Paula

Darius T. Williams said...

This was definitely a nice French inspired meal - lol. I've never really had duck - or duck confit. I'm not sure I'm that adventurous. Yours looked good though...it looks like something I need to try.

Mary said...

I haven't had duck in ages. And thanks for making me drool for dinner when I've just eaten a perfectly lovely bowl of cheerios and it's not even 8am.
Someday I'd like you to cook for me.

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Courtney,

Everything looks simply "divine." Kudos to you! I have never attempted duck confit. Thank you so much for sharing yourself and your artistic talents.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you made a fantastic meal! Never had duck confit. I don't think I have the patience to make it so I'll have to try in a restaurant some day.
Good to see you cooking and blogging again :)

Jen said...

This looks amazing, Courtney. Also, from everything you told me about Mama Roxy, this is the kind of thing she'd want you doing.

Keep yourself busy while CS is away. Huge hugs!

Megan said...

Hi Courtney, I'm glad your feeling better and can feel the love around you. I must say, thats a beautul picture of you with Mama Roxy. Bless you!
Dinner looks great but I'm eyeing that dessert!

Núria said...

Wow Courtney! I would have kissed you too if you place this duck in the table!!!! ;-) It bet it was awesome! Never tried it in confit, but since I love duck, this will be my next recipe to try :D

Swati said...

That was a gorgeous meal Glamah...
Glad to see you back:))

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Cooking makes me fell better as well.

So sorry to hear about your Mama Roxy.

Deborah said...

I don't think I'll be making this meal any time soon - as I am sure I wouldn't be able to find these ingredients - but I sure do hope to eat something like this one day! Gorgeous meal!

Anonymous said...

ooh girl! what a great post. duck confit would prob. be up there on my 'death row' last meals. absolutely delicious. this is such a warm-weather meal to me, but now i'm thinking it doesn't have to be!

Thistlemoon said...

Yeah cooking is some good therapy! I am glad you found a way to feel better during this hard time. I have never done a confit before - but I am sure it was therapeutic, both in the making AND the eating!

Emily said...

You're tagged for a music meme!

Cynthia said...

Atta girl!

Gabi said...

Beautiful meal- cooking always makes me feel better too- cheaper than therapy and with tastier results!

Chou said...

I agree with all the "cooking is therapy" comments. Isn't it? Your galette sounds yummy--did you stick any almond paste in the bottom? It makes galettes soooooo good.

jasmine said...

Cooking can be great therapy. Glad you are able to find your way in the kitchen.

Love duck confit.

xo
j

Unknown said...

gorgeous! i lovee love love it! bring on the fat, baby

ChichaJo said...

What a fabulous meal! I love duck confit but have never even thougt about doing it myself...bravo to you! It looks sublime!

Laura Paterson said...

What a gorgeous meal. I adore duck confit, but have never tried it myself... Please do try the whole duck - and let me know how you get on with it!

Being in the kitchen is one of the best things I can do when things are tough. I hope you take care of yourself honey - thinking of you.

Jen said...

Wow... I'd always thought duck confit was something that one had to buy, I had no idea you could make it at home.

Heather said...

You know what makes me feel even better than cooking? Eating duck confit and galettes. Christ, woman.

Glad you're bouncing back. :)

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

Glad you are finding cooking so therapeutic. It's nice to have such and outlet. This dish looks incredible!

G said...

I'm ashamed to say I had no idea what "confit" meant... wow. Thanks for illuminating me - it looks SO delicious!!

Jeanne said...

Oh Courtney!!! Wow wow wow. You have made my all-time favourite French dish here and you've made it look fairly effortless! Despite having eaten this many, many times, I have never made it myself - I think I'll have to pop across the Atlantic to visit you next time you make it :) And a beautiful galette too - it certainly looks like the French countryside around here!