Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup peanut oil, plus
  • 1/3 cup peanut oil
  • 2 wild ducks, dressed, skin removed, cut into pieces, bones and all
  • salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 lb andouille sausage, cut in 1-inch rounds
  • 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 celery, leaves and all, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 quarts vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
  • 2 cups cooked wild rice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives
  • hot pepper sauce

Method

  • Heat a large pot over medium heat.
  • Add 1/2 cup peanut oil and heat until hot.
  • Season the duck pieces with salt and pepper and add to the pot.
  • Cook, turning and rearranging a few times, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the ducks from the pot and set aside; discard the oil in the pot.
  • Add the remaining 1/3 cup oil to the pot and heat over medium heat until hot.
  • Add the sausage and cook, stirring, until browned, about 2 minutes.
  • Scoop out the sausage and set it aside with the duck.
  • Sprinkle the flour into the oil and sausage drippings in the pot.
  • Whisk to combine.
  • Cook, stirring, over very low heat for 5-7 minutes or until it makes a dark roux.
  • Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, parsley, and garlic.
  • Gradually stir in 1 to 2 cups of the broth to make a smooth sauce.
  • Add the thyme, marjoram, and sage.
  • Add the duck pieces and sausage, pouring in any of their drippings.
  • Add the remaining broth.
  • Bring to a boil, decrease the heat to low, and simmer for 2 hours, until the duck is fall-off-the-bone tender.
  • Serve over wild rice and sprinkle with chives and hot sauce to taste.