Honey-roast confit of duck

French recipe for 4 people, takes only 50 mins; recipe has thyme sprig, rosemary, garlic clove, black peppercorn, duck leg, duck fat, bay leaf, sunflower oil and clear honey.

Honey-roast confit of duck

Honey-roast confit of duck

Recipe by Chef Soomro Course: French
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15 mins

Ingredients

  • Garlic Clove: 2 fat garlic cloves, lightly bashed
  • Bay Leaf: 2 bay leaves
  • Sunflower Oil: sunflower oil, for covering the duck, if needed
  • Rosemary: 2-3 rosemary sprigs, leaves roughly chopped
  • Black Peppercorn: 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • Thyme Sprig: 3 thyme sprigs, leaves roughly chopped
  • Clear Honey: 4 tbsp clear honey
  • Duck Leg: 4 duck leg (about 800g)
  • Duck Fat: 750g duck fat

Directions

  1. Mix together the thyme, rosemary, garlic and peppercorns with 2 tbsp flaky sea salt. Tip half into a large baking dish, top with the duck legs, then sprinkle over the remaining salt and massage well into the duck. Cover with cling film and chill for 24 hrs.
  2. Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Take the duck legs out of the dish, wipe off the salt mixture with kitchen paper, then set aside.
  3. Melt the duck fat in a flameproof casserole dish until just bubbling. Add the bay leaves and duck legs, and bring to a gentle simmer. The legs should be completely covered, so top up with olive oil if needed. Transfer the dish to the oven and cook for 2 hrs 30 mins.
  4. To check whether the duck is cooked, insert a skewer into the thickest part of a leg - it should go in easily. Leave the duck to cool in the fat. Can now be chilled for up to 2 weeks. While the duck cools, make the Puy lentils & pancetta (see Goes well with, right).
  5. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lift the duck legs from the dish, scrape off the fat and place, skin-side up, in a shallow roasting tin.
  6. Spoon 1 tbsp honey over each duck leg and roast for 25-30 mins until the skin is browned and sticky. Serve with the Puy lentils & pancetta.