With all the rich and decadent football party food I’ve been
sharing lately, I’d thought I’d take a little break, and post a nice, simple
green vegetable side dish. Of
course, these beautiful roasted Brussels sprouts were just a prop so I could demonstrate using leftover duck fat, but still.
If you watch any amount of celebrity chef TV, you’ve
undoubtedly heard them going off on the virtues of duck fat. They mostly pontificate
on its deep, palate-coating richness, which is true; but they also like to point
out the health benefits. That part is a little cloudy…you know, like saturated
fat when it cools down.
undoubtedly heard them going off on the virtues of duck fat. They mostly pontificate
on its deep, palate-coating richness, which is true; but they also like to point
out the health benefits. That part is a little cloudy…you know, like saturated
fat when it cools down.
Duck fat does have much less saturated fat than butter, and
is higher in oleic acid, the stuff that makes olive oil so popular with the
healthy eating gurus, but make no mistake, this is still an animal fat, and
should be used in moderation. The good news: “in moderation” totally works!
is higher in oleic acid, the stuff that makes olive oil so popular with the
healthy eating gurus, but make no mistake, this is still an animal fat, and
should be used in moderation. The good news: “in moderation” totally works!
A few tablespoons and a very hot oven is all you need to
turn some sleepy vegetables into something much more special. As I mention in
the video, bacon grease will make a fine (and even more flavorful) substitute,
but if you do cook duck, saving the leftover fat is nothing short of mandatory.
I hope you give this technique a try soon. Enjoy!
turn some sleepy vegetables into something much more special. As I mention in
the video, bacon grease will make a fine (and even more flavorful) substitute,
but if you do cook duck, saving the leftover fat is nothing short of mandatory.
I hope you give this technique a try soon. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
Brussels sprouts (about 4-6 per person)
salt, pepper, cayenne to taste
enough melted duck fat to coat vegetables generously (about
2-3 tablespoons per pound of sprouts)
2-3 tablespoons per pound of sprouts)
fresh squeezed lemon to finish
*Roast at 450 degrees F. until tender but still a little
firm, about 15-20 minutes
firm, about 15-20 minutes