And the Thanksgiving feasting continues with some tasty birds and mud bugs.
I picked up some nice boneless duck breasts from one of my local independent butcher shops, South Alabama Custom Meats.
I paired it with some crawfish and the plan was etouffee.
Smoked and Grilled Duck Breasts
I had planned to finish these with crispy skins, but I had a brain fart whilst tending the grill and charred it to a crisp alright... Dang'it!
But all was not lost, took the skins off and the meat was super succulent with a great flavor.
4 Duck breasts
Rubbed with a mix of baking powder and salt, then left to air dry for 30 hours.
I also injected the meat with a brine solution for the duration.
Before cooking I scored the skin and rubbed them with a mix of Cajun spices.
Then it was into the smoker at 180° until I had an IT of 100°.
From there they went onto the grill to crisp the skin.
And that is where I brain farted and charcoaled the skin.
Heat too high and I put them on the main grates, fatty duck skin burns quickly.
Oh well... Meat wasn't ruined by any means.
I finished the meat to an IT of 150°, a nice medium.
Very juicy, tender and flavorful.
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Crawfish Etouffee
Make a roux of 1 stick of butter and 2/3C flour.
Cook to a nice color like that of peanut butter.
Add in your Cajun Holy Trinity, 1-1/2C finely diced onion, 1C finely diced Green bell pepper, 1/2C finely diced celery and cook till veggies start to soften.
Add in 2C chicken stock, 1T minced garlic, 1-1/2C chopped tomatoes.
I used a mix a Cajun spices to get a nice spicy flavor suitable for my palate.
Bring it to a slow boil and then lower to simmering, add in crawfish and cook for another 10 minutes.
Serve over white rice.
(https://i.imgur.com/AQvrE8v.jpg)
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Chef Chile: You are an artist in your own rite, your family eat like royalty......................Joe
Looks mouth watering.
The skin on the Duck was the perfect color for me to eat.
Mike
You're still rolling single? That's some good eats right there!
Quote from: MarkT on November 24, 2018, 04:38:36 AM
You're still rolling single? That's some good eats right there!
Single? Nope, married with children.
My wife and kids are in PA visiting family for a month, then they drag the family down here for Christmas.
That looks great !.Man we have to do a swap sometime. My house for a meal and some fishing and we will join you down there for a meal and some fishing !! I hope you like wine .............. or beer or scotch pairings ???
Cheers:
Todd
I'd be happy to cook in exchange for fishing/hunting, been doing such since I was 15.
The cooking skills do come in handy.
I'm a teetotaler with 24 years sobriety.
Beer? An ice cold rootbeer is great.
Wine? Perhaps a sparkling cider.
Spirits? Just a Tonic and Lime, please thank you.
I'm kind of like Julia Childs; she said: "I love to cook with wine ......... and some times I add it too my food".
I can usually find some tonic and lime if need be.
Cheers:
Todd
Chile, that is some amazing looking chow! Top shelf as usual. I'm ready to eat NOW!
...................Lou