Classic Duck Legs

This one comes courtesy of the Lidl French Specials week and is inspired by my recent trip to the Basque Country.  I bought two Barbary Duck Legs. Each leg is €2.99 and at €7.87 per kg I think the price is excellent. Each leg weighs an average of 380 g. We’ll say a third of that weight is bone.

Verdict:

The portion is very generous and one leg per person will see you through a very satisfying dinner. The flavour of the duck was rich and delicious and very little liquid came out during the cooking process. The meat was a bit tough so that we ended up eating the legs with our fingers but that’s probably because I didn’t leave it in the oven quite long enough. What can I say I was hungry! There was even plenty for the cats to munch on after dinner so the whole family was sated and happy!

Along with the duck, I bought a bag of baby spuds for €0.99 and I used about half a bag for two people. The only other thing you will need is a bit of oil, salt, pepper, lots of garlic (I used 4 large cloves for this amount of potatoes), 2 teaspoons of chili powder and a handful of fresh parsley.

So basically, dinner for two hungry adults for €7.00. I think that’s alright! 

Mehod: 

Heat up the oven (usual 180 C / mark 6). Place the duck legs in a roasting tray and season each side with salt, pepper and a teaspoon of the chili. You do not need to add oil the skin will render some. Cover the tray with tin foil and place with the hot oven for 30 min. Remove the foil cover and place in the oven again for 15 to 20 min (skin side down). After this time, turn the legs skin side up and put back in the oven for the same time so the skin is nice and crisp. In the mean time, place your diced potatoes in a bit of oil and season with salt and pepper. Fry on medium heat for about 15 min then add half a mug of water and turn down the heat. Add water as many times (I had to do it 3 times) until your potatoes are cooked down. At the very end grate the garlic and toss the parsley in. 

Remember that the meat will be more tender if you let it rest a bit. For this you can take it out of the oven and cover it with tin foil and let it rest for 15 min while the potatoes finish to cook.