Duck Rillettes

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 rillette to pair with a toasted baguette.

Yield: makes ABOUT 5 CUPS

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

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.
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.
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.