Best 2 Whole Duck Cassoulet Recipes

WHOLE DUCK CASSOULET

Steps:

• the meat and cut the meat into small pieces. 7. Heat 2 tablespoons reserved duck fat in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage and cook, turning as necessary until well browned; transfer to a cutting board and slice into quarter-inch rounds; don't wash out the pan. 8. Heat the oven to 375. Transfer a layer of beans to a large enameled cast-iron pot with a slotted spoon to leave behind most of the cooking liquid. Layer half of the sausage and bacon on top, then another layer of beans, then half the duck-and-lamb mixture; repeat the layers until you have used all the beans and meat. 9. Put the pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer, uncovered, then turn off heat. Cover with bread crumbs and chopped parsley leaves and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. 10. While the cassoulet is in the oven, put the skillet used for cooking the sausage over medium-high heat. When it's hot, cook the duck breasts, skin-side down, until they release easily from the pan, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook to rare, just another minute or 2. Remove the duck from the pan with a slotted spoon and pour the drippings from the pan over the cassoulet; reduce oven heat to 350. 11. Bake the cassoulet until it's hot, bubbling and crusted around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes; add a little duck stock if it starts to look too dry. Slice the duck breasts on the diagonal and transfer them to the pot, tucking them into the bread crumbs. Cook until the breasts are medium rare, another 5 minutes or so, then serve.

WHOLE-DUCK CASSOULET

Steps:

• Boil 5 quarts of water and add the beans. Remove from heat and soak for 1 hour. Make a bouquet garni with the parsley stems, thyme, bay leaves and cloves. Add it, along with the bacon, to the beans; bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, skimming occasionally, until the beans are just tender, 45 to 90 minutes. Taste and adjust. Salt and pepper the lamb. Put 3 tbsp duck fat in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the lamb and brown well. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 or 6 minutes; turn off heat. Add the confit and garlic to the pot with the lamb, along with 2 cups stock, tomatoes, garlic and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer; cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is very tender, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Taste and adjust. Discard the bouquet garni. Cut fat from bacon and cut the meat into small pieces. Heat 2 tablespoons reserved duck fat in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage and cook, turning, until well browned; transfer and slice into quarter-inch rounds; don't wash out the pan. Heat the oven to 375. Transfer a layer of beans to a large enameled cast-iron pot with a slotted spoon to leave behind most of the cooking liquid. Layer half of the sausage and bacon on top, then beans, then half the duck-and-lamb; repeat. Put the pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer, uncovered, then turn off heat. Cover with parsley and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Put the skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, cook the duck breasts, skin-side down, until they release easily, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook to rare, 1-2 min. Remove the duck, and pour the drippings over the cassoulet; reduce oven heat to 350. Bake the cassoulet until it's bubbling and crusted around the edges, 30 to 40 min; add a little stock if needed. Slice the duck breasts and transfer them to the pot. Cook until the breasts are medium rare, another 5 minutes or so, then serve.