DUCK CONFIT ON COUNTRY TOAST WITH FIG CHUTNEY

Duck Confit on Country Toast with Fig Chutney image

Provided by Food Network

Time 3h10m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

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8 duck legs
Salt mixture
6 cups duck fat
1 loaf crusty Italian bread
SALT MIXTURE:
1 cup salt
1 teaspoon crushed bay leaves
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon peppercorns
FIG CHUTNEY:
20 fresh figs, cut in 1/2
1 1/2 cups red wine
1 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
4 tablespoons mascarpone cheese (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

Place the duck legs in a shallow roasting pan, generously sprinkle with salt mixture (recipe follows) and pour over enough duck fat to cover. Cook in a preheated 275 degree oven for about 2/12 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Remove the legs from the fat to cool. Strain the fat and save for other uses (it will last a couple of weeks in the refrigerator).
Slice the Italian bread into 1/2-inch thick slices. Sprinkle with some extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Toast in a 300 degree oven until golden.
Put all of the ingredients except the mascarpone cheese in a heavy-bottom saucepan over low heat and cook until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper
To serve, place fig chutney on a slice of the toasted Italian bread and top with a dollop of the mascarpone cheese. Serve the duck on the side. Or you might remove the bone from the leg, trying to keep the meat intact and serve it on top of the chutney. The duck legs will remain crisp if you prepare them the same day you will be serving them and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 hours.