Duck Fat

[Steve Kroll]

For a long time now, I've been hearing celebrity chefs tout the splendors of duck fat. Well, to be honest, I just don't cook much duck and in the past have always considered the fat to be a nasty byproduct. It was black sludge you tossed out because there was several quarts of it left in the pan after cooking the duck - enough to keep a small car lubricated.

Last weekend, I cooked duck breasts for 8 guests and made a conscious effort not to overheat the fat and continually strain it off as it was rendering. Then I clarified it and put it in the fridge for safekeeping. The next day I made oven roasted potatoes with some of the fat.

Oh my goodness. This stuff is delicious. The cooking qualities remind me very much of lard, which I also use regularly, but more flavorful and rich.

I've been cooking everything in it this week, from eggs to potatoes to oven roasted cauliflower. Yum.

I know there was a thread on this last year. But I am just wondering how many current members use it... and what other creative things do you make with it? I still have around two full cups left in the fridge.

 

[justplainbill]

Can be used to make a tasty fried rice.

 

[Gravy Queen]

I like duck fat and goose fat. We can also buy it in tins and jars here.

Must admit I only use it for roast potatoes as it does give such a good crispy result.

I used semolina once for crunchy roast potatoes (a Nigella Lawson recommendation). My husband broke his tooth on them.

Duck fat is far safer.

 

[GLC]

It's very nice to enrich lots of foods. And somewhat pricey, so capturing it for free was a good deal. for those who want to try it, you can get 1.5 ounce sealed units.

More Than Gourmet Graisse De Canard Gold® Rendered Duck Fat, 1.5-Ounce Units (Pack of 6): Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food

Or a seven pound pail for about $100.

 

[CharlieD]

I only wish I could get some.

 

[Gravy Queen]

Charlie - can you not get goose or duck where you are?

 

[Aunt Bea]

Steve,

If you do a little googling you will find many recipes that use duck fat for baking. Things like cookies and pie crust. I have never used it because I never cook duck but I do use chicken fat and bacon fat for those types of things.

 

[FrankZ]

Steve...

Save it... Then...

CONFIT!

I think it might be the most perfect ever... (Or at least the most perfect that doesn't include cheese).

 

[PrincessFiona60]

IF I was allowed...I'd be using it for all kinds of things. Why didn't I know about duck fat BEFORE I couldn't have it!

 

[Steve Kroll]

Steve,

If you do a little googling you will find many recipes that use duck fat for baking. Things like cookies and pie crust. I have never used it because I never cook duck but I do use chicken fat and bacon fat for those types of things.

Mmmm.... pies...

Maybe Cornish pasties this weekend.

 

[Bolas De Fraile]

Steve,

If you do a little googling you will find many recipes that use duck fat for baking. Things like cookies and pie crust. I have never used it because I never cook duck but I do use chicken fat and bacon fat for those types of things.

oh yes, I use duck/goose fat for pastry.I love to use it in hot water crust.
Ps I am an avid schmaltz collector as my wife is prone to bronchitis

 

[Bolas De Fraile]

Steve...

Save it... Then...

CONFIT!

I think it might be the most perfect ever... (Or at least the most perfect that doesn't include cheese).

oh yes

Place any firm white fish in a vacpack bag a add a tbls of fat seal and poach

 

[CharlieD]

Charlie - can you not get goose or duck where you are?

Keeping kosher has it's disadvantage. But to answer your question, yes I can, but only couple of times a year, if that.

 

[CWS4322]

For folks who think poutine is bad, take a look at this recipe for pancakes fried in duck fat....

First you make the pancakes:

Steven and Chris | Martin Picard's Deep-Fried Pancakes

Then you build the sandwich:

Steven and Chris | Pork Belly & Goat Cheese Vinily Sandwich

OMG--talk about a threat to your arteries!

 

[Steve Kroll]

Obviously these guys don't eat their own food, or they would weigh 300 lbs.

Also, I could never deep fry anything in duck fat. I'm just too darn stingy with the stuff.

 

[buckytom]

steve, how do you deal with the smell of the cooking ducks? do you have very good ventilation?

i've been forbidden to cook duck ever again in the house because the smell of the fat stayed for several days, even with all of the windows open and the ventilator fan going.

 

[Kylie1969]

We have never cooked duck

 

[merstar]

I came across this decadent recipe a few days ago:
The best potato salad! Roasted in duck fat, with blue cheese & Bacon

 

[Kylie1969]

That does actually look very tasty Merstar

 

[TATTRAT]

Obviously these guys don't eat their own food, or they would weigh 300 lbs.

Also, I could never deep fry anything in duck fat. I'm just too darn stingy with the stuff.

You can get Rendered, and refined Duck Fat at places like Whole Foods, and even Trader Joes. No need to be stingy

At a couple of my units, Wednesday is Duck Fat Fried Pommes Frites, with Sea Salt and typically a few house made condiments. Trust me, give it a whirl, it's the stuff dreams are made of, lol.

Bucky, Having the duck cleaned properly helps with the smell, and like I just mentioned above, if you are in it for the fat, the rendered/refined stuff REALLY isn't as strong as doing it yourself. Also, when doing whole ducks, or any cuts with the bones, just like a bone in chicken smells much more like Chicken, than just a boneless & skinless breast which is fairly benign in odor by comparison so, bone OUT if the fam doesn't dig the aroma.