Duck Confit Parmentier

I can cross one thing off of my Foodie Bucket List.  I made duck confit this week!  I love roasted duck and duck confit. Whenever I'm in a restaurant that serves duck, I will order it but I've rarely made duck myself and never have I made duck confit.

Don't run away if you don't like duck.  I think this recipe would be perfectly adaptable to roasted chicken thighs or even the dark meat from your Thanksgiving turkey! Parmentier is a French version of Cottage or Shepherd's Pie.  Comforting and oh, so delicious.

 

The driving force behind this recipe was the cookbook that I won from Penny at Lake Lure Cottage....The utterly gorgeous new cookbook from the blogger Mimi Thorisson (www.mimithorisson.com) called A Kitchen in France. Thank you, Penny! I love this cookbook! 

I had fully expected to buy already made duck leg confit at a store in town that I know sells them (I believe Whole Foods and Trader Joes do occasionally have it also) but then I remembered a poultry specialty store in Milwaukee called Tower Chicken that sells duck legs and now, rendered duck fat as well at a very reasonable price compared to the more well-known kitchen specialty shops.

I'm so happy I tried making my own because I know I will make it again. I'd love to try a cassoulet with duck confit next, although my husband would eat the duck leg confit on its own anytime.

The recipe for the duck layer is so delicious too with onions, shallots and red wine and then topped with a lovely layer of seasoned Parmesan mashed potatoes. 

I served a simple side of French green beans sauteed with thyme sprigs...

and we drank a glass of Côtes du Rhône, which was also used to make the duck layer. Again, feel free to substitute any dark meat poultry in this recipe.  Even a rotisserie chicken would work!

Although I made my duck confit with purchased duck fat, click here for a very easy recipe for duck confit from Melissa Clark at Food 52.  I used her seasonings but roasted using the method I found on Epicurious. I'm planning on using Melissa Clark's easy method next time to see how they compare. Mimi Thorisson's method can be found on her website here.  

 

Since this will be my last post until after Thanksgiving, I would like to wish everyone who celebrates a very wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!

Duck Confit Parmentier

Adapted from A Kitchen in France by Mimi Thorisson
Printable Recipe

Serves 4

For the Duck Layer:

4-5 duck confit legs, either store-bought or homemade (other dark meat poultry may be substituted, if desired)
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 shallots, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3/4 cup dry red wine

For the mashed potato layer:

2-1/2 to 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream (or creme fraiche)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To make the duck layer, remove the skin and bones from the duck legs and shred into small pieces.

In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the onion and shallots until light gold and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Add the shredded duck meat and parsley and saute for another 2 minutes. Pour in the red wine and simmer to reduce slightly. About 5 more minutes. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish or oven proof skillet so that the duck layer takes up about 1/3 of the height of the dish or pan. Set aside.

To make the mashed potato layer, place the peeled potatoes in a pot. Cover with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and either pass throw a potato ricer back into the pot or use a regular potato masher. I prefer using a potato ricer for a smoother texture. Add the butter, sour cream or creme fraiche and grated Parmesan cheese and mash until blended. If too stiff, add milk, a little at a time to make spreading easier.

Top the duck mixture with the mashed potatoes and flatten the potatoes with a fork to make an even layer. I used a piping bag fitted with large star tip to pipe the mashed potatoes over the duck.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until the potatoes are golden brown, about 25 minutes or so.