Glazed Goose

Another excellent Goose recipe.

Roast Glazed Goose with Tawny Port Gravy

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion, plus 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 domestic goose, about 10 pounds, well rinsed and patted dry, neck and giblets reserved
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped carrots
2 bay leaves
3 cups Ruby port
Tawny Port Gravy, recipe follows
Goose Fat-Roasted Potatoes, recipe follows

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine 1/2 cup of the onions, celery, bell peppers, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne in a mixing bowl. Remove any excess fat around the opening of the cavity of the goose. Prick other fatty areas with a fork at intervals. Do not prick the breast. Stuff cavity of goose with vegetable mixture. Season the outside of the goose with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, and the black pepper. Place the goose in a large roasting pan and roast for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the drumsticks and thighs are easy to remove.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup onion, carrots, bay leaves, and port wine in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and reduces to about 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and let cool.
Using a pastry brush, glaze the goose with the port wine reduction, and return to the oven for 5 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and set. Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with the Port Gravy, and Goose Fat-Roasted Potatoes.

Port Gravy:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Giblets and neck from the goose
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups Tawny port
2 cups water

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the giblets and neck, and brown, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the onions, celery, carrots, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and thyme and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and strain into a clean container and keep warm until ready to serve. Yield: About 2 cups

Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes
2 pounds fingerling potatoes
1 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup goose fat, or duck fat
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
5 sprigs rosemary, as garnish

Scrub potatoes and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until just fork tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. When completely cooled, slice them in half lengthwise, and place in a bowl.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Place a 12-inch, non-stick, ovenproof saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add the goose fat.
Once the fat is hot, add the seasoned potatoes to the saute pan, cut side down. Sear on the stovetop for 1 minute, then place the pan in the oven. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove, and add the garlic and chopped rosemary. Toss the potatoes in the pan to coat them and serve immediately garnished with the rosemary sprigs. Yield: 4 servings
(courtesy of Emeril Lagasse)

Beer Ham

Here is another simple Ham recipe. This is very good and quite simple.

Beer Ham:

INGREDIENTS

• 20 pounds bone-in ham
• 1 (20 ounce) can sliced pineapple
• 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans beer

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 18 quart roasting pan.
2. Place the ham, with the fattier side up, in the roaster. Use toothpicks to secure pineapple rings on the ham. Pour the beer over the ham. Place lid on roasting pan.
3. Bake 6 to 8 hours, or until cooked through.
4. Remove the pineapple rings and let sit 15 minutes before slicing.

Collards

Here is an excellent collard green recipe.

Slow-Cooked Collard Greens:

2large bunches collard greens
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, smashed
2 bay leaves
1 smoked ham hock
2 quarts chicken broth, warm
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepperTo prepare the greens: cut away the tough stalks and stems from the collards, and discard any leaves that are bruised or yellow. Wash the collards thoroughly to remove the grit, 2 or 3 times, until the water runs clear. Dry thoroughly. Tear the leaves into large pieces.

Place a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, and ham hock. Cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pack in the greens, pushing them down into the pot. Add the broth, vinegar, and sugar. Bring up to a boil turning the greens over occasionally with a wooden spoon as they wilt. Lower to a simmer, cover the pot, and let cook for 45 minutes. Taste the "pot liquor" (broth) and check the seasoning, add salt and pepper. Cover and let cook for 15 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves and serve.