According to our calendar of food holidays, October 27th is National Potato Day. What a perfect opportunity to celebrate the love affair between duck fat and potatoes. We’ve got 3 easy recipes you can make to experience this winning combination.
A Match Made in Food Heaven
Duck fat is liquid gold – when heated – and a staple in the cuisine of Southwest France. When combined with the earthy potato, duck fat the flavor and imparts a golden crust. Use duck fat for potato galette, roasted potatoes, pommes Anna, hash browns, croquetas, sautéed fingerlings, mashed potatoes, and just about any other spud application you can think of.
Here are our 3 favorite simple recipes; each is easy to master at home, and will become a favorite of yours, too!
Confit Fingerling Potatoes
If you’re making one of our recipes for duck or rabbit confit, throw some little potatoes in the fat before you strain it. These fingerlings slow-cooked in aromatic duck fat make a rich side dish or a sneaky snack for the chef.
Ingredients
- ½ pound fingerling potatoes
- Duck fat from 1 recipe rabbit confit
- Maldon salt
Preparation
Wash potatoes and dry well. If some of the potatoes are large, cut them in half. After removing the rabbit from the fat, lower the potatoes into the fat using a slotted spoon. Cook the potatoes over low heat for 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain the potatoes on paper towels. Sprinkle generously with salt before eating.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2” chunks
- Kosher salt
- White vinegar
- 6 tablespoons duck fat, softened
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, rough chopped
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Placed potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a few tablespoons of salt and a splash of vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and par-cook until exteriors are just tender, about 4-5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Spoon duck fat over potatoes and toss to coat evenly. Don’t worry about rough, slightly broken up edges – they’ll yield crispy results!
- Spread potatoes evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt & pepper. Sprinkle with rosemary.
- Roast until evenly golden brown and cooked through, about 35 – 40 minutes, flipping once at the midway point. Serve hot.
Duck Fat French Fries
We think these are the ultimate french fries. Double-frying in flavorful duck fat yields frites that are golden and crisp on the outside yet creamy and fluffy on the inside. Delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 quarts duck fat
- 4 russet potatoes, long sides peeled and cut into 1/4-inch sticks
- Coarse salt
- Piment d’Espelette (optional)
Preparation
- Run the cut potatoes under cold water to remove excess starch. Thoroughly dry the potatoes.
- In a large, heavy pot over medium-high flame, heat duck fat to 300 degrees F.
Slowly add potatoes to duck fat, working in batches if needed. Par cook for 4-5 minutes, until tender. Remove fries with a slotted spoon. Drain on a paper towel-lined sheet pan and let cool to room temperature. - When ready to finish, heat the duck fat to 360 degrees F.
- Once the oil is heated, add the par-cooked fries and cook for another 2 minutes, working in batches. Fries should be crisp and golden brown. Remove fries with a slotted spoon and drain. Season with salt & piment d’Espelette, if using. Serve immediately.
Chef Tip: Duck fat is one of the few fats that can be reused over and over again. After the oil is cooled but still liquid, decant into a sealable container. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a paper towel to out any food particles. Cover and refrigerate.
Since 1985, D’Artagnan has been at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement, producing superior tasting products by partnering with small ranches and farms. We are committed to free-range, natural production, sustainable and humane farming practices and no use of antibiotics or hormones. That’s why D’Artagnan products have been revered by America’s most renowned chefs for over 30 years. We offer the same high-quality products to home cooks at dartagnan.com, along with recipes and guides to help you live the tasty life.
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