Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely chopped bulk andouille sausage
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onions
  • 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for frying duck legs
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup roasted pecans
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk
  • 4 duck confit legs
  • 8 cups fresh spinach, cleaned, stemmed and firmly packed
  • 1 cup julienne red onions
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • In a hot saute pan, render the andouille for 1 minute.
  • Add the shallots, garlic, and yellow onions.
  • Saute until soft, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and add the balsamic vinegar.
  • Transfer to a mixing bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup of the olive oil.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • In a food processor, combine the pecans and 1/2 cup of the flour.
  • Pulse until finely ground; be careful not to overprocess or the mixture will become a paste.
  • Season with the Essence.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a shallow bowl, season the remaining flour with salt and pepper.
  • Season the egg wash and duck legs with salt and pepper.
  • Dredge the legs in the seasoned flour.
  • Dip each leg in the egg wash, letting the excess egg wash drip off.
  • Dredge the legs in the pecan-flour mixture, coating the leg completely.
  • In a large saute pan, heat enough olive oil to come 1/3-inch up the sides of the pan.
  • When the oil is hot, lay each leg into the hot oil.
  • Pan-fry the legs until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the legs briefly to a paper towel-lined plate to blot any excess oil.
  • Transfer legs to a small baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook the duck legs until heated through, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the spinach and red onions and toss with the vinaigrette.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Mound the greens in the center of 4 plates.
  • Lay 1 leg on top of each serving of greens.
  • Garnish with black pepper.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Yield: 2/3 cup
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.