The holiday season is upon us and now is the perfect time to put together a festive menu that your loved ones will love. It is an exciting and fresh way to switch up the traditional main dish with the exquisite flavor of duck! Maple Leaf Farms’ duck offers a delicious and versatile taste profile to make sure everyone can get a taste of what they love during this season of togetherness. It delivers a delectable and memorable alternative to turkey making the choice of switching things up this year an easy one with duck!
Why Choose Duck Over Turkey?
1. Quicker Cooking Time
Duck cooks much faster compared to turkey making this a great option for those who are short on time. Since duck is a smaller bird, it takes less time to roast, leaving you more time to create the rest of your menu or set up the house for hosting. Cooking two whole ducks takes about half the time of that of a roasted turkey! If you’re looking to simplify your Thanksgiving prep, duck is the perfect solution.
Follow these easy recipes to make the most of your Holiday Duck:
- Classic Roasted Whole Duck: Achieve that perfectly crisp skin and juicy meat with this straightforward recipe.
- Duck Under a Brick: For those of us whose schedule doesn’t allow you a few hours in the kitchen, try this kitchen hack of butterflying the duck to help cut down the cooking time!
2. Nutrient-Packed and Healthier
Did you know? Duck packs the same calorie count as turkey but is richer in essential nutrients, including iron and vitamin E, which support immunity and overall health. Trying to avoid the inevitable food coma this year? Unlike turkey, duck doesn’t contain tryptophan which can cause the post-dinner drowsiness you may feel after a turkey dinner.
3. Use Every Part of the Duck
One of the best things about duck is its versatility. Every part of the bird can be used to create delicious dishes. One of the best parts of the duck is what chefs call “liquid gold”. Duck fat can be rendered off during the roasting process. Make sure you reserve the rendered fat to use in sides such as gravy, veggies, and even desserts.
Making Holiday Dinners Better with Liquid Gold:
- Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with a richness you can only get from duck fat.
- Duck Fat Brussels Sprouts: Give these holiday veggies a new twist, adding richness that will impress even Brussels sprouts skeptics.
- Duck Fat Fried Mozz: Are you looking for a way to make Fried Mozzarella even better? Fry them in Maple Leaf Farms’ Duck Fat for the best results.
4. Duck Products for Every Occasion and Skill Level
Whether your holiday plans include a small family dinner or a large gathering for work, you can find the duck product that fits your needs and cooking skill level. For smaller gatherings, using duck breast and duck legs will give you the opportunity to showcase your culinary skills. If you’re hosting a larger group, a roast half duck makes an elegant and festive centerpiece. Roast Half is fully cooked, therefore saving you time in the kitchen and making it an ideal product for a larger group of guests.
6. Maintain Tradition with a New Twist: Turducken!
For those who want to keep turkey as part of the tradition but still want something that will change things up, try a version of turducken with duck, turkey, and chicken. Layer turkey breast, chicken breast, and duck breast with stuffing in between for a show-stopping main course that combines traditional holiday flavors with something a little more adventurous. It’s a unique way to mix the best of both worlds!
Why Stick with Turkey When You Can Elevate Your Holiday?
Bring Maple Leaf Farms’ duck to the table and surprise your family with something truly memorable. Duck’s rich and savory flavor, shorter cooking time, and ability to adapt to any dish makes it an exciting way to elevate your holiday feast. It’s a delicious, crowd-pleasing option that’s sure to impress your guests and might just become a new family favorite.