Ingredients

  • 10 skinless duck legs (about 5 pounds)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups Bar Americain Barbecue Sauce (page 236) or store-bought barbecue sauce
  • 3 cups chicken stock, homemade (page 240) or store-bought
  • 1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/2 head napa cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 large carrot, coarsely grated
  • 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 to 6 brioche buns, split and lightly toasted
  • Spicy Pickles (recipe follows; optional)
  • 3 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 jalapeno chile, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
  • 2 Kirby cucumbers, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • (makes 1 pint)

Method

  • To cook the duck, preheat the oven to 325F.
  • Heat a grill pan over high heat.
  • Season the duck legs with salt and pepper on both sides and brush with 3/4 cup of the barbecue sauce.
  • Grill the legs until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
  • Put the stock in a medium roasting pan, add the remaining 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, the onion, ginger, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, and black peppercorns and season with salt.
  • Arrange the duck legs in the pan, cover with foil, and braise in the oven until the meat is tender and falling off the bone, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, make the coleslaw.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, celery seeds, and celery salt in a large bowl.
  • Add the cabbage, carrot, and onion, season with salt and pepper, and toss well to combine.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving.
  • Transfer the duck to a platter and tent loosely with foil.
  • Skim off any fat from the liquid; then strain the liquid into a bowl.
  • Pour 2 cups of the braising liquid into a large saute pan and boil over high heat until reduced to 1 cup, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Shred the duck into bite-sized pieces, add to the reduced sauce, and toss to combine.
  • Mound the duck onto the bottoms of the buns, top with some of the coleslaw and a few pickle slices, if desired, and cover with the tops.
  • Serve extra pickles on the side.
  • Bring the vinegar, garlic, jalapeno, sugar, and salt to a simmer in a saucepan over high heat and cook until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
  • Remove from the heat, add the dill, and let cool to room temperature.
  • Place the cucumbers in a small container with a lid, pour the vinegar solution over them, and stir to combine.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days before serving.