Roast Port Glazed Goose with Tawny Port Gravy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion, plus 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 domestic goose, about 10 pounds, well rinsed and patted dry, neck and giblets reserved
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cups Ruby port
• Tawny Port Gravy, recipe follows
• Goose Fat-Roasted Potatoes, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine 1/2 cup of the onions, celery, bell peppers, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne in a mixing bowl. Remove any excess fat around the opening of the cavity of the goose. Prick other fatty areas with a fork at intervals. Do not prick the breast. Stuff cavity of goose with vegetable mixture. Season the outside of the goose with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, and the black pepper. Place the goose in a large roasting pan and roast for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the drumsticks and thighs are easy to remove.

Combine the remaining 1/2 cup onion, carrots, bay leaves, and port wine in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and reduces to about 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and let cool.

Using a pastry brush, glaze the goose with the port wine reduction, and return to the oven for 5 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and set. Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with the Port Gravy, and Goose Fat-Roasted Potatoes.

Port Gravy:

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• Giblets and neck from the goose
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups Tawny port
• 2 cups water

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the giblets and neck, and brown, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the onions, celery, carrots, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and thyme and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.

Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and strain into a clean container and keep warm until ready to serve. Yield: About 2 cups

Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes:

• 2 pounds fingerling potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup goose fat, or duck fat
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
• 5 sprigs rosemary, as garnish

Scrub potatoes and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until just fork tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. When completely cooled, slice them in half lengthwise, and place in a bowl.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Place a 12-inch, non-stick, ovenproof saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add the goose fat.

Once the fat is hot, add the seasoned potatoes to the saute pan, cut side down. Sear on the stovetop for 1 minute, then place the pan in the oven. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove, and add the garlic and chopped rosemary. Toss the potatoes in the pan to coat them and serve immediately garnished with the rosemary sprigs. Yield: 4 servings