UPDATED TRADITIONS FOR THIS PASSOVER AND EVERYDAY
The Tasty Truth about
Animal Fats
Passover is a holiday filled with tradition. Families
gather, familiar recipes are brought out from generation’s old cookbooks and
family favorites are brought alive in the kitchen. I remember learning how to
make some Passover “classics” and was reading a recipe for matzo balls and when
I asked about chicken fat, I was told that no one does that anymore, “we use
vegetable oil”. The problem with that is that the vegetable oil for Passover is
cottonseed oil. Not only does cottonseed oil not taste delicious, it is not
good for you. Cottonseed oil may contain natural toxins and probably has
unacceptably high levels of pesticide residues (cotton is not classified as a
food crop, and farmers use many agrichemicals when growing it). Furthermore,
cottonseed oil is too high in saturated fat and too low in monounsaturated fat.
This year for
Passover, I am reclaiming an old Jewish tradition, one that is tasty, healthy
and so greatly misunderstood. This year for Passover, I am going to use some
delicious, savory chicken and duck fat for my dishes. Sure, I will still use my
trusty extra virgin olive oils, but the holiday is all about tradition, and
this is one tradition I am going to
enjoy.
The 12th-century rabbi and
physician Maimonides touted the benefits of chicken soup to one's
health. Many other cultures also believe in the restorative properties of
chicken soup and it turns out that it indeed may be good for you. Poultry fat
has monounsaturated fatty acid palmitoleic acid which boosts our immune system.
Chicken fat has the most of this healthful fat and what has instinctively been
understood by many cultures around the world can now be backed up by science.
There is something magical about the golden pools of chicken fat.
Animal fats contain fatty acids with help our bodies fight
disease; help absorb vitamins and lower cholesterol. The human body can burn the short-chained fatty acids found in
animal fats and will simply store the long-chained ones found in
polyunsaturated fat. When I teach and lecture, I talk about how the human body
can process natural fats but cannot tolerate hydrogenated and processed fats.
Some states outlaw the use of trans fats and many companies have voluntarily
stopped using them in production of their products.
I have often said that margarine will be the
dietary ruin of the Jewish people. Once touted as a healthier fat and as a
substitute for butter, margarine and other processed fats are known to be
unhealthy. It is a myth that eating animal fat makes you fat.
The French Paradox
In the United States, 315 of every 100,000 middle-aged men
die of heart attacks each year. In France the rate is 145 per 100,000. However,
In the Gascony region, where goose and duck liver form a staple of the diet,
this rate is only 80 per 100,000. This phenomenon has recently gained
international attention as the French Paradox --They eat more poultry fat in
Gascony than anyplace else, but they live the longest.
Using the Whole Bird
The average American cook purchases their poultry precut on
Styrofoam boards wrapped in plastic. We are out of touch with our food. We do
not know how to cut it and we pay more than twice as much as we should.
Think about it. The butcher/producer bought the whole
chicken and paid for it by the pound. You purchase pieces of the bird (boneless,
skinless breasts, thighs, legs or wings) but pay based on the weight of the
entire bird. You might as well buy the entire bird and learn to use it from top
to bottom.
As a consumer you will come out ahead when you learn to
utilize the entire bird. In my home and professional kitchens, I use the pieces
of chicken for meals, the carcass for stocks and the fat for EVERYTHING!
Ashkenazi Jews have a long history with schmaltz. Instead of
butter and in the absence of olive oil, European Jews turned to schmaltz as
their cooking fat.
In America when in 1933, Procter and Gamble published
“Crisco Recipes for the Jewish Housewife,” a promotional cookbook available in
English and Yiddish, animal fats lost favor as immigrants strove to assimilate.
Jewish households never looked back as
medical journals wrongly accused animal fats as being unhealthy and touted
hydrogenated fats such as Crisco and margarine.
Rendering Duck or
Chicken Fat
Start with a whole chicken or duck
The challenge with kosher duck is that it is always found
frozen and whole. This requires a bit of planning ahead and a fearless plan of
attack. Cutting duck or chicken is not hard, but like many kitchen skills has
been replaced with purchasing cut up pieces. I love cutting duck and chicken and
want you to as well-so grab your sharpest knife, thaw your birds and steel
yourself. Here we go.
Place the duck or chicken breast side up on a cutting board
with the legs facing you. (The breast side is plumper than the backside).
Locate the breastbone that runs down the center of the bird. Cut a line as
close to the breastbone as possible down the entire length of the bird. Gently
scrape your knife along the body, this loosens the meat without cutting into
it. Follow downward with your knife until the entire breast is cut away from
the bone.
Repeat with the other breast.
To remove the legs and thigh; cut the piece of skin that
attaches the leg to the bones. Bend the leg slightly to loosen it from the
joint. Cut the skin on the back and remove the leg and thigh. Trim any pieces
of fat and loose skin from the chicken or duck.
I individually wrap my poultry pieces and then freeze them.
I save my carcasses for stock and the fat for rendering.
To Render the Fat
Place the fat in a saucepan. Add about 1/3 cup water for 1
pound of fat/skin. Place the pan on very low heat and let the fat melt very
gently.
The water will evaporate and pieces of skin will start to
turn golden brown. This process can take several hours. You can do this in a
very low oven at 275 F.
When the skin turns golden brown, pour the fat and skin
through a strainer. Press on the skin to get every last drop of fat.
Cool the fat before storing. And see below for
Gribenes/Cracklings
Gribenes
Return the skin to the pan and turn the heat to medium. Add
one medium white onion that has been diced. Continue cooking, occasionally
pouring off the fat and saving it, until the skin turns a deep brown and is
very crispy.
Parsnip and Roasted Garlic Soup with Gribenes
I have never really liked the standard potato-leek soup so popular in
the late winter and early spring. The soup just doesn’t have any OOMPH!
My roasted version with the addition of parsnips, roasted garlic and
generous sprinkle of gribenes with the caramelized potatoes and leeks has punch
and flavor. The soup is addicting with a decadent creamy consistency.
Serves 6+
1 small medium white onion, diced
1 medium leek, white part only, sliced
2 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
6 medium parsnips
Several tablespoons of chicken or duck fat
Several springs of thyme
1 bulb of roasted garlic, squeezed so all the flesh has been
removed
10 cups of chicken stock
Suggested garnishes: chives, gribenes
Preheat oven to 350
1.
Place the onion, leek, potatoes and parsnips on
a parchment lined sheet pan. Toss the vegetables with the poultry fat and roast
in the preheated oven until they are medium brown and caramelized (about 20-30
minutes).
2.
Transfer the vegetables to a saucepan with the
garlic and remaining ingredients. Simmer over low heat until the vegetables are
very soft (about 20 minutes).
3.
Puree with soup with an immersion blender.
Adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper.
4.
Serve the soup garnished with fresh chives and
gribenes.
Duck Confit
Duck confit is like
kitchen gold. The ancient method of preserving poultry in fat is not hard, but
does take a bit of time.
Confiting is the
technique of poaching duck legs and thighs in their own fat. The gentle heat
transfer ensures that the meat will retain moisture and flavor. Poaching
poultry in water is not the same. The fat molecules are too large to penetrate
which is not the case with water. The water actually dries out the meat,
whereas the fat keeps the meat juicy. The meat is then stored in the fat where
it attains even more flavor and can be preserved for as long as 6 months.
Once made, the confit
can be served as a garnish, salad, entrée or appetizer. I keep a couple of jars
in my home refrigerator and “buckets” of confit at work.
After the work is
done (most of the time spent confiting, you can be doing other things) the confit
can be quickly made into delicious and flavorful dishes.
For the duck legs
6 duck legs
2 fresh bay leaves
Several springs of thyme
Several parsley stems
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns
For the confit
3 garlic cloves
6 cups of duck fat, melted
- Pulse the bay leaves,
thyme, parsley stems, nutmeg and peppercorns in a food processor.
- Spread the herb mix on the
duck legs and refrigerate unwrapped overnight or for up to 2 days.
- Wipe off the herbs and
place the duck legs and garlic in a shallow casserole or Dutch oven.
- Preheat oven to 200
- Pour the fat over the duck
legs.
- Place the pan on a sheet
pan and place in the oven. Cook for 3-4 hours or until the skin has begun
to shrink away from the bone. The meat will look cooked through and the
leg and thigh portion will be firm.
- Cool the pan before trying
to remove the duck. Gently remove the legs and place in a container for
storage in the refrigerator (I use re-tasked cleaned and sterilized jars).
Pour the fat through a strainer and directly into the jars to cover the
legs.
- Seal the cooled jars and
store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Confit Jelly at the bottom of the jars-after the confit has been
stored for several days, a dark jelly substance will gather at the bottom of
the jars. This jelly is loaded with flavor and body and is the by-product of
the confit process. Add the jelly to your soups and stews as a flavor base.
Duck Rillettes
with Green Apple and Coriander Relish
(from Confit to
Rillettes)
Rillettes are like
coarse pate. The meat, all fragrant with aromatic spices, and glistening with
creamy duck fat, schmeared on matzo or stuffed into a baked potato just makes
my mouth water. This classic hors d’oeuvre is easy to make once you have
confit.
Serves 6 as an hors
d’oeuvres
3 confit duck legs, skin pulled off and reserved, meat
pulled off and shredded by hand
1 tablespoon duck fat
1 medium shallot, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh squeezed orange juice
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
1.
Toss the duck meat in a bowl with the fat,
shallot and lemon juice. If the pieces of duck are too big, you can chop them
up a bit, but you do want texture for this dish. The fat should just bind the
meat together. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
2.
Place the rillettes in glass jars or ramekins
and cover with additional duck fat or serve with the relish. The rillettes can
be stored, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days.
For the Apple and
Coriander Relish
2 teaspoons duck fat
1 medium shallot, sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small Granny Smith Apple, cut into matchstick
2 tablespoons apple sauce, homemade or purchased
½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Several sprigs of fresh coriander leaves
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
1.
Sauté the shallot in a small pan, lightly coated
with the duck fat until the shallot is lightly browned.
2.
Add the garlic, apple pieces and apple sauce.
Cook the mixture for just a minute or two until the apple has softened slightly
and the garlic is fragrant.
3.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the
ginger and coriander leaves.
4.
Dollop the rillettes on matzo and top with a
spoonful of the relish.
Potatoes
Sarladaises (Potatoes cooked in Duck fat)
There is a rustic
charm to this dish, not to mention a mouthwatering quality. Something as simple
as potatoes browned crispy in duck fat just makes the eyes widen and the pulse
quicken. YUM!
I like to brighten
the flavor of the dish with a sprinkle of sea salt, citrus zest and a generous
dusting of freshly chopped parsley. The bright flavors heighten the savory duck
fat and make the dish sparkle.
Serves 8
1/3 cup poultry fat
6 medium Yukon gold potatoes cut into ¼ inch thick coins
6 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary,
½ cup chicken stock
Coarse Sea Salt and freshly cracked pepper
Zest of 2 lemons and 2 oranges
½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
Preheat oven to 350
1.
Heat a large sauté pan, lightly coated with duck
fat, over medium heat.
2.
Add the potatoes, to cover the bottom of the pan
but not stacked. Cook the potatoes, in batches, until they are golden brown and
crispy on both sides. Sprinkle each batch with chopped rosemary and a bit of
garlic.
3.
Transfer the browned potatoes to a casserole.
Pour the chicken stock over the potatoes and roast in the oven until the
potatoes are cooked through but still hold their shape.
4.
Sprinkle the potatoes with lemon and orange zest,
sea salt and chopped parsley before serving.
.
Fat, Fat-Fries
If I am going to eat
a French fry, I want it to be big fat fry. I want flavor, texture and lots of
it.
Cooking potatoes in
duck fat is not a new technique, but it is a delicious one. I frequently sauté
onions, shallots, potatoes and whatever else I can get my hands on… it is the je ne sais quoi that makes the meal that
much more savory and luscious.
Serves 4-6
1 pound fingerling potatoes
2 cups poultry fat-prefer duck
Several sprigs fresh rosemary
Coarse sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
1.
Place a medium pot of cold water over
medium-high heat. Add the potatoes while the water is cold, this keeps the
skins from cracking. Boil the potatoes until they are easily pierced with a
paring knife. Drain and let cool for a few minutes.
2.
Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise.
3.
Heat a deep saucepan, with the duck fat, over
medium high heat. When the fat is hot (a small piece of potato sizzles) add the
potatoes in a single layer. Fry the potatoes until they are brown and crispy
(about 3 minutes).
4.
Using a slotted spoon or mesh, transfer the
potatoes to a large bowl. Toss the potatoes with the chopped rosemary, sea salt
and pepper. Serve immediately with Confit Garlic Aioli.
Confit Garlic Aioli
3 egg yolks
10 cloves confit garlic, garlic squeezed from skins
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup tasty extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
1.
Place the egg yolks, garlic, lemon juice and
salt and pepper in the work bowl of a food processor.
2.
With the motor running, add the olive oil, drop
by drop until the aioli forms. If the aioli seems a bit too stiff, add a couple
of teaspoons of water to loosen it up.
3.
Store the aioli in the refrigerator, covered,
for up to 5 days.
Blood Orange-Duck
Confit Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Serves 4-6
For the salad
2 cups baby arugula (the peppery flavor balances the
vinaigrette and duck)
Several confit duck legs, skin peeled off and saved, and
meat pulled and shredded
2 medium beets, roasted
½ cup raisins
½ cup dried cranberries
Grapefruit sections, tangerine sections, blood orange
sections
1 red onion, sliced thinly
1.
Arrange the salad on a beautiful platter.
2.
Crisp the duck skin in a medium sauté pan and
chop it up. Sprinkle over the salad.
For the vinaigrette
1/3 cup blood orange juice
2 teaspoons honey
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1.
Whisk the ingredients together and pour over the
salad
Confit Garlic
I confit garlic in chicken fat all the time. It is my secret
for creamy-flavorful mashed potatoes, soup bases and vinaigrettes.
2-3 bulbs garlic, separate the unpeeled cloves from the bulb
Several thyme sprigs
1 rosemary sprig
1 cup melted poultry fat
1.
Put all of the ingredients in a narrow pan so
that the garlic can be covered by the fat.
2.
Cook over very low heat for 30 minutes or until
the garlic is soft.
3.
Save the fat and use it for sautéing. Store the
garlic in the refrigerator and squeeze cloves from their skin before using.
Garlic Confit
Gremolata
Better than butter!
This powerhouse of flavor will add an irresistible mouth-feel and bright flavor
to mashed or roasted potatoes and vegetables. Schmeared this all over a chicken
or turkey and then roast it and wait for the compliments.
3 tablespoons poultry fat
8-10 cloves confit garlic, peeled
½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Juice and Zest from 1 lemon
Juice and Zest from 1 orange
1.
Pulse all of the ingredients together in a food
processor and store in the refrigerator.
Wilted Red Cabbage
with Garlic Confit Gremolata
3 heaping tablespoons garlic confit gremolata
2 medium red onions
1 large head red cabbage, shredded
½ cup chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
1.
Place a large sauté pan over medium heat. Melt
the garlic confit. Add the onions and cook until the onions are slightly
softened (about 5 minutes)
2.
Add the cabbage and chicken stock and continue
cooking until the cabbage has wilted down and but is still crunchy (about 12
minutes)
3.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper
Parsnip and Leek
Latkes
I serve these latkes
with my favorite chicken or pot roast as a side dish. They are fragrant and so
savory.
Serves 6+
1 large russet potato, grated with all the water squeezed
out
2 medium leeks, white parts only, sliced thinly
2 medium parsnips, peeled and grated
3 tablespoons matzo meal
5 egg whites (whites make food crispy, yolks make food
cakey)
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
½ cup Duck fat
1.
Mix all of the ingredients together. (I always
make a small ‘tester” latke to make sure my seasoning is correct)
2.
Heat a large sauté pan, with the duck fat, over
medium heat. When the fat is hot and sizzles when a bit of potato is put in it,
drop the latke mixture from teaspoons into the fat. Brown on each side and
transfer to a paper towel lined pan.
Roasted Marrow Bones
Hard to look
lady-like scooping out fatty creamy bone marrow and schmearing it on matzo.
WHATEVER!
Satisfying and yes,
primal, bone marrow is amazing. Served as an accompaniment to a great steak or
as a hors d’oeuvre, roasted marrow bones are a treat.
Serves 6
2 garlic cloves, peeled
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
½ cup matzo meal
1 tablespoon chopped flat leaf parsley
1 teaspoon Sea salt
6 marrow bones
Preheat oven to 450.
1.
Place the garlic, lemon juice and zest and
parsley in a food processor and pulse until you have a coarse crumb mixture.
Add the sea salt.
2.
Sprinkle some the mixture on top of each marrow
bone.
3.
Roast the bones on a foil lined sheet pan.
Sprinkle with sea salt and serve with matzo.
Bone Marrow
Dumplings
I used to serve these
dumplings in my first restaurant as a garnish in soups or a filling in pasta.
They are delicious and rich.
3 pounds of marrow bones-scooped
2 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup cooked and “riced” potatoes (Russett potatoes roasted
and put through a ricer to equal 1 cup-you want them to fluffy and light. Not
packed down)
2 1/2 cups matzo meal
2 egg yolks
½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Chicken stock
Salt and pepper
- Melt the marrow over LOW
heat. Add the shallots and garlic and stir to combine. Cool the mixture
- Place all the ingredients
in a bowl with the cooled bone marrow. Fold together to combine. You may
need more matzo meal if the mix is too “wet”.
- Bring stock to simmer.
Form dumplings and gently add to stock. Cover and poach dumplings until
they float and are cooked through (about 5 minutes).
- Serve the dumplings in
your soups, as a garnish to a gorgeous steak or as a first course with a
salad of roasted beets and peppery arugula.
