Dress a Roast Duck in Style

A favorite dish of the holiday season, roast duck is truly versatile, and worth the price. It is relatively simple to cook, and can be wholly used: the rich fat makes delicious stock, or try duck fricassee, confit with legs and thighs, seared breasts, or prepare a soup with small leftover pieces.

Ducks have a layer of fat just beneath their skin to keep them warm and to give them buoyancy in water. Before and during cooking, this layer of fat must be rendered or drained by steaming in boiling water for 30 minutes. First, prick the skin all over (being careful not to pierce the flesh) and place the duck on a rack above an inch or so of water in a covered pan. Steam over high heat, saving the rendered fat for use in cooking.
Before roasting, dress your duck for the holiday season with this flavorful and elegant stuffing recipe my Auntie Sheila has used for decades with great success.

5-6 slices raisin bread, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup marmalade, thinned with a little water or chicken broth

Mix all ingredients and press gently into duck's cavity before roasting.
Roast the steamed duck at 375 degrees, breast down, for 15 minutes. Turn breast up, roast for another 15 minutes or so until the skin is crisp. A perfectly prepared and cooked duck will have very little if any fat remaining and a nice, thin and crispy skin. (Alternately, steam the duck ahead, refrigerate it and roast when you're ready to prepare your meal.)

Food Fact! Duck meat is considered to be "white" meat, even though the meat on a duck is considerably darker than other poultry meats such as chicken or turkey. The reason for this, according to HelpWithCooking.com is that as ducks are more active in comparison to chickens which, for example, spend most of the time sitting down or walking around. The extra oxygen required for the duck's energetic lifestyle gives their meat the darker red color and a stronger and richer flavor.
The distinct flavor and taste of the duck meat often inspires pairing with fruit sauces or other sweet and spicy ingredients to give a delicious and exotic tasting meal. Roast duck can be an exciting alternative to traditional turkey or chicken dishes.