If 2020 has taught us anything it’s to live outside the box and expect the unexpected. With the holidays around the corner it’s the perfect time to get into the kitchen and discover some new cooking flavors. For us, that includes exploring new and old ways to serve duck for holiday meals. Why not put a twist on your Holiday and Thanksgiving staples by adding a little more flavor – by incorporating duck?

The thought of cooking with duck fat may raise an eyebrow or two, however cooking with fat is not only great – it’s delicious! "Replace bacon fat (pork) with duck fat and ALL of your dishes will transcend to the next level,” Chef Marcee exclaims! “Adding duck fat makes ordinary dishes speak modern upscale volumes!” After receiving the Holiday Duck Package from Maple Leaf Farms, I knew I had to give this a shot! Duck breast is a red meat option that's as lean as chicken breast, and duck fat adds delicious flavor and richness to any classic holiday dish.

The Maple Leaf Farms Holiday Duck Package includes:

· 4 Duck Breasts, 8 oz. each (2 - 2 packs)

· 1 tub Duck Fat, 3.5 lb.

This is a pretty solid ‘starter pack’. There are endless opportunities when it comes to cooking with duck fat. The most notable is duck fat fries! I experimented a bit by making breakfast potatoes with duck fat! Substitute just as you would a scoop of butter or a dash of olive oil but know a scoop goes a long way!

According to Chef Jamie Gwen, the options are limitless when it comes to utilizing duck fat! “For the crispiest, full-of-flavor French Fries to a confit duck leg that is rich in flavor and texture, there might be nothing better than duck fat,” states Chef Gwen. “Make a warm spinach salad using duck fat in the pan dressing, roast baby potatoes tossed in duck fat with fresh rosemary sprigs for an aromatic punch of flavor, or drizzle popcorn with duck fat and sprinkle with smoked salt, for the ultimate indulgence!”

For the sake of the holidays, here are a few options for switching it up when it comes to the big meal (besides cooking the turkey with duck fat)!

Duck Confit:

Consider preparing duck confit instead of turkey! Duck confit may take a bit to prepare but trust me! It’s well worth the wait. It’s simply melt-in-your-mouth meat! Cooking it in duck fat allows for the skin to crisp to perfection. It’s also pretty rich, so you may want to be reserved for reaching for this one.

Try this step-by-step Turkey Stuffing recipe from Chef Lance Corralez!

1-cup medium diced Celery

2/3 cup small diced Onion

4 ounces melted Butter

4 ounces Duck Fat rendered

24 cups diced dried Bread

2 ½ cups Chicken Stocks

1 Tablespoon Fresh Sage Minced not bruised

½ teaspoon Fresh Black Pepper

1Tablespoon Smoked Paprika

Directions

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

In a large sauté pan render the duck fat and butter over medium heat.

Then add the celery and onions and cook until it a little soft.

Then add the chicken stock and black pepper, bring to a simmer.

In a large bowl place the bread, slowly add the chicken stock mixture to the bread.

With a large spoon or spatula mix gently, add the sage, mix gently.

In a large baking dish seasoned with 3 Tablespoon with butter place the bread mixture.

Sprinkle the top with the Paprika. Bake for 45 minutes.

Serves 18

Pan-Seared Duck Breast in a Blueberry Sauce:

My absolute favorite was this DELICIOUS pan-seared duck breast in a blueberry sauce! The levels of flavors are warm and complex and simply mouth-watering. I followed the recipe pretty closely, but instead of olive oil – I used duck fat! The final product was decadent! One of the meals for holidays or special occasions.

The great news is that Maple Leaf Farms is offering a special sale on these products beginning Black Friday and ending on Cyber Monday! It's easy to put a different twist on traditional holiday favorites with duck, especially with brands like Maple Leaf Farms.