Crispy Braised Duck Legs

Submitted by chia2160

"from today's ny times, courtesy of mark bittman"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 45mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 duck legs, trimmed of excess fat
• 1 large onion 8ounces carrot
• 3 celery ribs
• salt and fresh black pepper
• 473.18 ml chicken stock, preferably homemade

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put duck legs skin side down in a skillet large enough to accommodate all ingredients comfortably. Turn heat to medium, and cook, rotating so skin browns thoroughly and evenly but do not turn over completely. Meanwhile, peel onion and carrots, trim celery and roughly chop them all.
2. When skins are nicely browned, turn and sear the meat side just 1 to 2 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. Remove to a plate; remove all fat from pan except enough to moisten vegetables. Add vegetables and salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat, until they begin to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Return duck legs skin side up to pan, and add stock; it should come about halfway up the legs but not cover them. Turn heat to high, bring to boil and transfer to oven.
4. Cook 30 minutes, and turn heat to 350 degrees. Cook undisturbed until duck is tender and liquid reduced, at least 30 minutes or a bit longer. Serve immediately, or let rest in a 200-degree oven for up to an hour.

Reviews

[pjblackrock]

I put the duck legs, after pricking the skin and rubbing in Chinese five spice into a hot pan skin side down to render the fat and colour the skin to achieve a crispness. Turned the legs over and cooked for 1-2 minutes then placed into a preheated 200 degree oven for 8-12 minutes. Meanwhile grated the zest from a large orange and and all the juice and added this to 1/2 pint of chicken stock. Add this to the rendered duck fat stirring well. Remove the duck legs from the oven and place into the sauce, bringing it to the boil and reduce the mixture by half. Add to noodles and enjoy.

 

[Maito]

Used the crock pot to cook these after searing them, which is one of my favorite ways to prepare them. I love how flaky and moist and delicious the meat comes out. I would love to try this in an Asian duck pancake dish - the possibility of uses are endless, really (besides just eating it plain).

 

[MariaLuisa]

We made this a few weeks ago, but I can't stop thinking about it, so I better write a review. It was so good. Really crispy. I smashed the vegetables into the remaining liquid with the back of a fork, and served the duck and sauce with polenta, which I think was the perfect accompaniment. The next night, we used the last of the sauce to dress fusilli -- it was to die for.

 

[kejarboe]

I had never had duck before and tried this recipe. Absolutely amazing! Loved it :) Definitely will keep duck in the normal rotation!

 

[Aim Two Peas]

This recipe was great! I added two large cloves of minced garlic and a fresh thyme from the garden. I also used veggie broth having plenty of liquid to serve over my wild rice. The carrots came from the garden which added to my husbands delight. The duck was tender and juciy, while crisp on top. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks for helping us clean out the freezer.