Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Duck, Wild Rice and a Great Wine

It had been quite a few years since we had roasted duck for dinner.  We love duck.  I think we ate duck for two weeks straight while we were in the Dordogne of France a few years ago.  So, since it was just The Trout and me for Thanksgiving, we enjoyed our smaller meal.

Beautifully roasted and with a crispy skin, the duck was delicious.  I made a Cumberland Sauce to go with it with port and orange juice.  We also had roasted Brussels sprouts and apples, but the recipe I want to give you is for the wild rice side.

I still have wild rice that we bought in 2010 when we were in northern Minnesota for a wedding.  I knew I wanted to use it with the duck, but wanted a different recipe.  Of all places, I found it on the large bag of Craisins (dried cranberries).  It was a perfect blend of flavors.  This rice dish would also be perfect with chicken or pork or turkey.

Wild Rice with Cranberries and Caramelized Onions
from Ocean Spray Cranberries

2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup brown rice
1/2 cup wild rice
3 tablespoons butter
3 medium onions, sliced in thin wedges
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 cup Craisins dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Combine chicken broth and both rices in medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to low.  Cover and simmer 45 minutes or until rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions and brown sugar.  Cook 6 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and onions are soft and translucent.  Reduce heat to low.  Slowly cook onions, stirring often for 25 minutes or until they are caramel in color.  Stir in dried cranberries.  Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes until cranberries swell.  Gently fold cranberry mixture and orange zest into cooked rice.  Serves 4 to 6


Along with this special meal, we had a bottle of wine which turned out to be a real "find".  A Jordan 1980 Cabernet.  This wine was 31 years old and so delicious.  A good meal, a good wine and being together.  It is the best of the best.  But wait until I tell you what we had for dessert........

20 comments:

  1. Now if only I had of known, I would have come over to help you eat it:) Love duck also goose yum yum. Diane

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  2. I discovered how delicious duck could be only a couple of years ago-It is really an unappreciated meat here in the U.S.. Sad for us. Duck pairs beautifully with wild rice and a good fruit sauce.

    This looks really good.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    Velva

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  3. Susan, Evan and I are still regretting that we were just too tired to care about a Thanksgiving meal for just ourselves. Yours makes me drool!! We love duck, too and I can't wait to hear about dessert! blessings ~ tanna

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  4. We love duck too and I'm so glad to have your wild rice recipe. Wild rice seems to be forgotten lately and it's wonderful. Hope you and the Trout had a fabulous Thanksgiving.
    Sam

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  5. Duck meals come few and too far inbetween. Loving the wild rice pilaf for your cozy menu for two.

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  6. You two have found the perfect recipe for life! I haven't cooked duck for some time, but plan to do so as part of our Christmas Eve Danish celebration. It will be the hot course after all the fish courses. Any tips - it's been such a long time! My email is pondsidehouse@hotmail.om

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  7. Errrrr....that would be .com!!!

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  8. As stated in my blog post today, I have an "emergency" duck in the freezer. We love wild rice and I shall save your recipe for the next blizzard. Well, maybe I won't wait that long as it sounds delicious.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  9. The duck looks perfect and that rice would have been great with my Cornish hens. Will do it next time.

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  10. That sounds so good. I have some wild rice I bought at a bulk foods store to use in soup and haven't used it yet. I think this recipe needs to be made since I also have a new bag of Craisins.

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  11. I'm hungry!!!
    This sounds like a wonderful meal, Susan!

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  12. SOme of the best recipes still come from "the back of the box"! I've never made duck, ever, but you sure have tempted me!

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  13. wow That's a plate of comfort and deliciousness! Haven't had duck in a long while..looks really delicious with brown rice.

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  14. I love duck! What a delightful meal you and your husband shared for Thanksgiving and that wine must have been such a treat. We enjoy the Jordan wines also but have never had one that aged! It must have been wonderful.

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  15. Looks delicious - and I think I will try your recipe soon - I have dried cranberries and wild rice in my cupboard....

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  16. Sounds like a perfect Thanksgiving meal!

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  17. Anonymous12:11 PM

    Nice post. I went through the post I found it very informative and useful. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. I've made that same wild rice recipe! It's great. Love the pairing with duck.

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  19. Anonymous7:53 PM

    Thanks for all of your work on this web page. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

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  20. It does look delicious but not something I have ever cooked.

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