Braised Duck Tartlet in Zinfandel Reduction
Duck:
4 whole duck legs
8 oz Zinfandel
8 oz chicken or duck stock
½ bunch fresh thyme
5 cloves of garlic
Tart shell:
13 oz unsalted butter
11 oz cream cheese
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice
13 oz flour
2 oz olive oil
For duck: season duck with salt & pepper. Gloss the sauté pan with olive oil. Brown duck thoroughly on both sides in sauté pan. Discard the oil. Add Zinfandel to sauté pan and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Put into 325 degree oven for approximately one hour. Remove from oven; set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bone; dice; take only enough of the braising liquid to moisten the meat. Set aside; keep warm.
For shell: combine butter, cream cheese, salt & lemon juice in a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment; incorporate the flour, scraping the sides periodically until dough comes together. Set aside; refrigerate for about 45 minutes. Roll the dough out to approximately ¼ inch thick; fit into individual tartlet shells (recommended: two inch shell). Blind-bake the shells at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes. Take foil/beans out and put shells back in the oven for 6 or 7 minutes until slightly golden. Take out; let cool.
Assemble: Fill shells with approximately 2 teaspoons of the duck mixture. Serve slightly warm or room temperature. Optional garnish: arugula salad on top.
Arugula Salad:
Arugula
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Proportions and taste up to you
About the 18th Annual ZAP Festival
For information on the 18th Annual ZAP Festival on January 28-31, 2009 visit www.zinfandel.org.
About ZAP
Founded in 1991, ZAP is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America's wine. ZAP organizes seminars, educational programs, and tastings at wineries and other settings across the United States to explain the uniqueness of the Zinfandel grape. ZAP promotes the continuing research surrounding the origins and history of the Zinfandel grape, including support of the Heritage Vineyard, the development of the Zinfandel Aroma Wheel, and acts as a resource, connecting the Zinfandel community around the world.
The organization brings its members together through a busy calendar of events literally across the country, ranging from the Annual Festival in January, to tours of different cities in the U.S.
Click here for more details on all upcoming ZAP events. ZAP also distributes to our members a seasonal newsletter full of Zinfandel-related information as well as events tailored to Advocates.
