Corned Duck Recipe
Corned Duck - Duck Reubens are delicious!
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| Corned duck reuben and a handful of chips! |
Duck Hunting Season is Here
December is over halfway through, Christmas is almost here and soon it will be a new year. The cold months at the end and very begining of the year are my favorite at Modern Wild Man. Hunting seasons are open and there are many opportunities for sporting outdoors. The waterfowl migration is in full swing, and I have been blessed to spend time in the duck marsh and on ponds this winter hunting ducks. This winter has had mild weather so far across the midwest and the migration has been slow. Fortunately, I've been able to take ducks from the field on most of my hunts and Meg has proven to be a great waterfowl retriever.
Many hunters have a love / hate relationship with ducks and geese. Hunting waterfowl is thrilling and can be very satisfying, offering fast action and plenty of shooting. As table fare however, a lot of hunters struggle to table a duck or goose dish that is worthy of representing the birds they pursue and their love of waterfowling.
Duck is Fine Table Fare
Corned duck and goose breast is a great way to enjoy waterfowl at the table. If you like a roasted corned beef with cabbage, fried corned beef with eggs and potatoes or like my family, corned beef in reuben sandwiches; you owe it to yourself to corn some duck and get cooking!
Corned duck is a magic dish for folks who have preconceived ideas about how duck tastes, or that they don't like duck at all. Give corned duck and goose a try and create a new family favorite!
In large pot, mix together the Tender Quick, canning salt, and sugar to the water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
Pour the cooled brine over the duck breasts in a glass container, I use a glass gallon jar. The duck breasts should be trimmed of any fat and cleaned of feathers and shot. Add 4 T pickling spices, peppercorns and garlic cloves. You may have to weigh the duck down with a to keep the breasts submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 5 to 7 days, stirring the brine every other day.
On cooking day, remove the duck from the brine and rinse them well. I like to cook the corned duck in a crockpot or slow cooker. Line the bottom of your crockpot with the duck breasts and cover with water, add in the remaining 2 T of pickling spice and turn the heat on medium for 5-7 hours. If you like you can add in potatoes, carrots and cabbage to the slow cooker.
Modern Wild Man Corned Duck
Ingredients~
Boneless skinless breasts from a limit of mallards (5 birds - 10 breasts)
1/2 C Morten's Tender Quick
1/2 C canning salt
1/4 C sugar
2 quarts water
4 T pickling spice for brining / 2T pickling spice for cooking
12 whole peppercorns
8 large garlic cloves
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| Modern Wild Man with a great evening hunts birds. |
In large pot, mix together the Tender Quick, canning salt, and sugar to the water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
Pour the cooled brine over the duck breasts in a glass container, I use a glass gallon jar. The duck breasts should be trimmed of any fat and cleaned of feathers and shot. Add 4 T pickling spices, peppercorns and garlic cloves. You may have to weigh the duck down with a to keep the breasts submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 5 to 7 days, stirring the brine every other day.
On cooking day, remove the duck from the brine and rinse them well. I like to cook the corned duck in a crockpot or slow cooker. Line the bottom of your crockpot with the duck breasts and cover with water, add in the remaining 2 T of pickling spice and turn the heat on medium for 5-7 hours. If you like you can add in potatoes, carrots and cabbage to the slow cooker.
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| Duck breasts in the corning brine. |
Make Up a Corned Duck Reuben
My favorite way to enjoy corned waterfowl is in a delicious reuben sandwich. Shred corned and cooked duck breasts with a fork. Add the shredded breast meat to rye bread slices buttered on the outside and holding together swiss cheese, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing. Grill your sandwich on a hot iron skillet with melted butter and you've got a fantastic meal! |
| All the parts for a corned duck reuben. |
I hope you get to enjoy some waterfowl hunting this season. I hope some cold weather settles in and the migration really kicks off. I hope too that you can enjoy some great wild dishes with your family at a holiday table!
If you enjoy waterfowling check out some Modern Wild Man waterfowling posts:
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