Braised Duck Legs with Shallots and Parsnips

Ingredients for Braised Duck Legs with Shallots and Parsnips

• 12 fresh duck legs (7 to 5.0kg depending on amount of fat on legs)

• 900g shallots, peeled and, if very large, halved

• 1.8kg parsnips, peeled and cut diagonally into 1-inch-thick slices (halve large slices lengthwise)

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled

• 2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 halved California bay leaf

• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 3/4 teaspoons black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoons ground allspice

• 475ml dry white wine

• 1450 to 1925ml chicken stock, homemade or store-bought (preferably not canned broth

• 48 to 1925ml )

• Garnish: fresh thyme sprigs

• 2 (13- by 9- by 2-inch) baking pans

How to make Braised Duck Legs with Shallots and Parsnips

Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 232°C.

Trim fat and skin from sides of duck legs, leaving a covering of skin on top of legs (there may be fat underneath skin). Reserve 120ml fat (for cooking). Score skin on legs in a 1/2-inch crosshatch pattern, cutting through fat but not into meat.

Coarsely chop reserved duck fat and heat in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Remove from heat and discard any solids with a slotted spoon.

Divide shallots, parsnips, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper between baking pans. Add 2 tablespoons rendered duck fat to each pan, reserving remainder in skillet, and toss to coat vegetables. Roast vegetables, turning occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through roasting, until browned in patches, 20 to 30 minutes total.

Pat duck legs dry. Stir together allspice, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and remaining 3/4 teaspoons pepper in a small bowl and rub all over legs. Heat fat remaining in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté 4 duck legs, skin sides down, until well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn legs over with tongs and sauté until undersides are browned, 2 minutes more. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Brown remaining duck legs (in batches of 4) in same manner, pouring off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet between batches.

Reduce oven temperature to 191°C.

Divide duck legs between baking pans, nestling them, skin sides up, in vegetables. Add wine and just enough stock so that most of each leg is submerged but skins are not.

Braise duck and vegetables, uncovered, switching position of pans halfway through braising, until duck is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours total.

Transfer vegetables and duck with a slotted spoon to a platter. Skim fat from pan juices and serve juices, seasoned with salt and pepper if necessary, on the side.

Clause de non-responsabilité

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.