BRAISED GOOSE WITH PEARS OR APPLES

Braised Goose with Pears or Apples image

Yield makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 goose, cut into serving pieces, excess fat removed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup diced bacon or pancetta (optional)
2 large onions, roughly chopped
4 bay leaves
A few fresh thyme sprigs
1/2 pound dried pears or apples
2 cups dry white wine
1 tablespoon vinegar: white wine, champagne, or sherry
About 2 pounds pears or apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Steps:

Turn the heat to medium-high under a casserole or deep skillet at least 12 inches across; a minute later, add the goose pieces, skin side down. Cook, rearranging the pieces now and then so that they brown evenly, until nicely browned and rendered of fat, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and turn; brown for 2 or 3 minutes on the meat side. Remove the goose and pour off all but a tablespoon of the fat.
If you're using it, cook the bacon in the same skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp all over, about 10 minutes. Add the onions, bay leaves, and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally and seasoning with salt and pepper, until the onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the dried fruit and cook for another minute or two, stirring occasionally. Add the wine and raise the heat to high; cook until the wine is reduced by about half, 5 minutes or so.
Return the goose pieces to the skillet and turn the heat to very low. Cover and cook (the mixture should be bubbling, but barely) for at least 2 hours, turning only once or twice, until the goose is very tender. Add the vinegar, sliced fruit, and a good grinding of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.