Duck legs are dry-brined and braised in an aromatic stock, then shredded and mixed with armagnac and spices and sealed into a serving dish with duck fat to make a delectable spread for a toasted baguette.
Ingredients
- 3 lb. duck legs
- 1⁄4 cup finely chopped thyme, plus 4 sprigs
- 1⁄4 cup kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp. ground ginger
- 10 cups duck or chicken stock
- 1 tbsp. whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed, plus freshly ground, to taste
- 10 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 (2") piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp. armagnac or brandy
- 3 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp. grated orange zest
- 1⁄8 tsp. ground cloves
- 1 cup duck fat
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Toast points, for serving
- Cornichons, pickled carrots, onions, radishes, or turnips, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Place duck on a baking sheet. Rub with finely chopped thyme, salt, and ginger. Cover with plastic wrap; chill 4 hours or up to 8.
Step 2
Brush excess spice mixture from duck and transfer to an 8-qt. saucepan. Add thyme sprigs, stock, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, and ginger; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered slightly, until meat is very tender, 1 1⁄2–2 hours. Remove from heat and let cool in the pan until room temperature; cover and chill overnight.
Step 3
Next day, uncover and scrape solidified fat from top of pan; set aside. Pull duck from pan and discard skin, bones, and gristle; finely shred meat. Strain and reserve 1⁄4 cup stock; save remaining stock for future use. Transfer meat to a bowl and add reserved stock, plus armagnac, parsley, orange zest, cloves, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Tightly pack rillettes into a 1-qt. baking dish or five 6-oz. ramekins. Melt reserved fat plus 1 cup duck fat in a 1-qt. saucepan over medium heat; pour over rillettes; cover with plastic wrap and chill until fat is solid. To serve, push fat aside and spread rillettes on toast points; garnish with cornichons or pickled vegetables, if you like. To store, redistribute fat over rillettes and cover with plastic wrap; keep, refrigerated, up to 2 weeks.
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