Recipe courtesy of J. Fred Volk

Duck Camp Hors d'Oeuvres with Bourbon Finish

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 40 min
  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 30 min
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Ingredients

1 cup powdered biscuit mix (or all-purpose flour can be substituted)

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dill weed

1/4 teaspoon ground thyme

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon paprika

2 to 3 slices bacon, diced

1 medium or large onion, French cut

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Salt and pepper

4 to 6 boneless duck breasts, 3/4-inch cubed (this recipe also works with pheasant, doves, goose or chicken)

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (not all may be needed)

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 cup bourbon

Crackers, for serving

French bread slices, for serving

Directions

Special equipment:
Toothpicks
  1. Assemble dredge ingredients in a 1-quart resealable plastic bag, seal, and shake to mix thoroughly.
  2. Add the bacon to a cold 10-inch pan (I find a cast iron skillet works well) and put on medium heat. When fat has rendered and while bacon is still soft, add onions to the pan with brown sugar. Stir onions occasionally, cook until golden brown. You can add a bit of salt and pepper if you like.
  3. While onion is cooking, add meat to the dredge, 5 to 6 pieces at a time, seal bag, and shake bag to coat all pieces. Remove dredged pieces, shake off excess, and repeat with remaining meat.
  4. Remove onions and bacon from the pan, trying to leave as many rendered juices as possible, and set onion mixture aside. Add 1/2 of the olive oil to the pan, raise heat to medium temperature a little bit, and allow oil to heat up. Add meat, a handful at a time, and use wooden spoon to separate pieces. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally (note: if meat starts to stick, add a little more oil to pan.) Return onion mixture to the pan, and toss.
  5. Dissolve cornstarch in bourbon and add to pan. Continue to cook for about 3 minutes, stirring. Liquid should thicken, slightly. Remove the meat and onion mixture from the pan and pour the sauce over the top. Serve hors d'oeuvres family style with toothpicks and crackers or French bread slices.

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lolahmtx

I made this dish with duck breasts from my husband's hunting trip. I followed the directions, but it did not turn out well at all. The flavor and consistency were awful. We ended up throwing it out. My husband used the remaining breasts by soaking them in citrus(pineapple, orange juice, etc) over night, seasoning with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and grilling them on high heat. They turned out great!

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