Braised Duck Legs Recipe

Here is an amazing recipe from chef Andy Waters. These beautifully braised duck legs are combined with braised red cabbage, sweet caramelised apples and a green peppercorn sauce for a fantastic meal fit for any dinner party. Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

BRAISED DUCK LEGS
4 duck legs
2 large onions, large dice
vegetable oil
2 carrots, large dice
1 cinnamon stick
3 star anise
5 bay leaves
1 sprig of rosemary
1.5l chicken stock
salt
pepper
 
BRAISED RED CABBAGE
1 red cabbage, finely shredded
125ml of red wine vinegar
100g of brown sugar
1 large onion, finely sliced
750ml of red wine
1 tsp green peppercorns
1 tsp juniper berries
1 sprig of sage
 
GREEN PEPPERCORN DUCK SAUCE
500ml of beef stock
1/2 tsp green peppercorns, ground
1 sprig of rosemary
100ml of cream

CARAMELISED APPLES
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and turned or cut into wedges
500ml of apple juice
1 knob of clarified butter

METHOD

Start this duck recipe with the duck legs. Preheat the oven to 160˚C/gas mark 3. Remove the knuckle off the end of the drumstick and set aside until required

Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a large pan on a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf and rosemary and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to colour slightly

Add the duck legs and a healthy seasoning of salt and pepper. Cover with chicken stock and bring to the simmer. Place the pan in the oven for for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until the meat in very tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the liquid

For the braised red cabbage, combine the vinegar and sugar in large pan and bring to a simmer. Reduce until it resembles a thin syrup consistency before adding the cabbage and onion. Sweat for 15 minutes.

Cover the cabbage with the red wine, adding the juniper berries, peppercorns and sage. Cook on low heat until the red wine has reduced down to a syrup and the cabbage is soft and tender. Season to taste with salt and set aside until required

For the duck sauce, place the beef stock and rosemary in a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce to the simmer and reduce to 375ml. Add the ground peppercorns and enough cream to give a strong coffee colour to the finish. Season to taste and set aside until required

For the caramelised apples, add enough clarified butter to generously coat the base of a large frying pan. Place the pan on a medium heat and allow it come to temperature

Add the apples to the pan and toss gently until you have an even golden brown colour all over. Add the apple juice in small amounts and reduce, tossing the apples as you go. Repeat until all the juice has been used and the apples have nice glaze. Remove from the pan onto a small oven tray

To serve the duck, heat the grill and place the leg under the heat, skin side up until crispy. Meanwhile, heat the cabbage, sauce and apples and when hot divide the cabbage between 4 plates. Place the duck on top, the apples and around and drizzle with sauce.

Recipe originally found at: https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/andy-waters