What To Do With Ducks?

[Cael Nu Mara]

Hi all,

Yesterday i went out to stalk some of the mallard and teal that have taken up residence on one of the wee lochans near our digs. I managed to drop four mallard for four shots, not bad for a rifleman So now im stuck for what to do. We froze two and are going to eat the other two when we get back next week, only thing is i dont really know how to cook them, (dont shoot many = dont cook many) so im looking for your favourite wild duck recipes really, as long as they are pretty simple




Thank you

Sam

 

[Mikey P]

Whatever you do, save the fat! Although I don't do the meat/fish thing, some friends swear by using duck fat for cooking, especially roasting potatoes. The French use it for preserving meat too.

 

[TallMikeM]

I've always just roasted them (not much of a cook, me) and yes, make sure you save the fat for roasting your tatties and 'snips. Best spuds I've ever had.

 

[DavidJT]

Roast them on a rack, which allows fat to drip down and gather below. Serve with a sort of reduced mulled wine sauce (think of British Red's syrup recipe with added butter)

 

[Toddy]

Wild ones aren't as fatty as the domesticated, so don't worry too much about that.
If you are going to roast them watch the outsides don't dry out too much, that's why folks draped them with bacon. It's usually just under the skin that's the fatty bits.
HWMBLT doesn't like the skin, gravy, sauces or soup so usually I just strip the bird down to meat.
Sliced thin it flash fries really quickly to go into stir fry, and the grease that does come out works well for frying the onions and garlic to start things off.

If you roast the birds, then break them out into portions, breast, leg, that kind of thing, these can be laid out on a big ashet and spiced with hot paprika and sprinkled with orange juice and some brown sugar. Toast under a hot grill and serve on a bed of rice with veggies at the side. Really only for folk who like eating the meat off the bones though.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Cael Nu Mara]

thanks toddy, i think Ill give the big roast tray a go sounds tasty, and as for

Really only for folk who like eating the meat off the bones though.

those who dont arent really proper canivors!


Thanks
Sam

 

[suburban bushwacker]

The expert on cooking wild duck is a chap called Hank - you can read his blog here
http://www.honest-food.net/blog1/wild-game-recipes/
He really is the don of wild food cooking
Hope this is a help
SBW

 

[waterman]

The quick method is cut along the breastbone to expose the breast flesh, cut breast fillets out.any cooking method works.ready in minutes no plucking gutting and the most useful part of the bird ready for use.

 

[spiritwalker]

jab lots of hole through the skin and rub in salt and pepper and i mean shed loads when you think you have enough on it your only half way there then roast it for as long as you can without burning it it strips the fat out and makes it kind of like crispy duck from the chinese
on you let it dry lots too prior to roasting...

was thinking of your post stalking mallards cant you just go to the pond with a loaf and bring them to your hands :-D

 

[mayobushcraft]

Try stuffing the inside with cheap apples. But you should not eat the apples afterwards. the apples give it a wonderfull flavor. Works well with pheasant too.

 

[FerlasDave]

Try stuffing the inside with cheap apples. But you should not eat the apples afterwards. the apples give it a wonderfull flavor. Works well with pheasant too.

This is nice, I like to glaze it with honey with some spices and cinnamon.

 

[mayobushcraft]

This is nice, I like to glaze it with honey with some spices and cinnamon.

Sounds wonderfull.

 

[Left Turn]

This should be good with duck. Won't help with cooking the bird, but will be nice along side.

Port reduction
Makes about 1 cup (US cup) (240ml)

1 1/2 cups port
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
minced shallot (a large one - 3 US tablespoons worth)
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter
Table salt

Combine all except butter and salt in saucepan, heat at bare simmer until reduced to 1/3 cup.
Take off heat, fish out the thyme stems, and whisk in the butter.
Salt to taste.

Oh, yeah. And Hello! everyone! I'll go post in the introduction section.

 

[jonnie drake]

Try stuffing the inside with cheap apples. But you should not eat the apples afterwards. the apples give it a wonderfull flavor. Works well with pheasant too.

now that sounds nice! I like to roast mine, well salted with chopped onions and a bit of oil, basted regularly. I'd imagine a bit of cider splashed on wouldn't harm it, I know it works well for chicken.

p.s. don't waste the skins!! The feathers make great trout flies!

 

[scanker]

jab lots of hole through the skin and rub in salt and pepper and i mean shed loads when you think you have enough on it your only half way there then roast it for as long as you can without burning it it strips the fat out and makes it kind of like crispy duck from the chinese
on you let it dry lots too prior to roasting...

That's similar to what I do, but I've only done it with fatty supermarket ducks. I marinade the whole duck in a plastic bag over night with sherry, soy sauce, star anise, ginger, cinnamon, garlic, cloves etc, then slow, low roast as you describe. The meat just falls off the bone, has a lovely flavour, crispy skin and we eat it with hoi sin sauce and pancakes. Lovely. Especially as the other week I got three ducks for 70p each when I just happened to be in Tesco at the right time for the reductions!

 

[Cael Nu Mara]

well they are no more. Ate them as toddy sugested (ish) and they were lovely, thanks for all your sugestions.



Sam

 

[Toddy]

There were loads of good ideas there, I'm noting this thread for after the New Year when I suspect there'll be more duck

Thanks for the recipes folks

cheers,
M

 

[Cooper90]

I am suprised nobody went for duck stew i always do these with my Feathered friends, a good recipe is here..

http://chairmanstef.blogspot.com/2009/01/duck-stew-with-turnips-apples.html

 

[gowersponger]

this time of year the best thing to do with duck is feed them bread

 

[tytek]

What does the law say about hunting ducks/geese?

Is it legal to grab them from a local park say???
I have had them feeding out of my hand in the past (especially this time of year) and thinking about how I'd cook them at the same time.

Fast food? Not if I'm faster!!!