Duck Leg Confit Meatballs in Grand Marnier Sauce

Tender duck confit meatballs covered in Grand Marnier sauce.

Third Place 2012 Chef Recipe Contest, Executive Chef Eric Braun

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
  • 2 Shallots, finely diced, divided
  • 4 Tbsp Crushed Garlic, divided
  • 1 cup Garlic Breadcrumbs
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 2 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce
  • Dash of Hot Sauce

Sauce:

  • 1 cup Orange Marmalade
  • 3 oz Grand Marnier Liqueur or Orange Liqueur
  • 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 can Non-Stick Vegetable Spray
  • 1 head Leaf Lettuce, separated
  • 1 jar Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Navel Orange, sliced

Direction

Meatballs:

  • Heat pan to medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add one finely diced shallot and 2 tablespoons crushed garlic. Cook until shallots are soft, then set aside.
  • Place room temperature duck leg confit into food processor. Scrape shallot mixture into food processor. Add one cup of garlic breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce and dash of hot sauce to food processor. Pulse several times until mixture is smooth. Place mixture in freezer for 15 minutes to cool.

Sauce:

  • Heat pan to medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 1 finely diced shallot. Add 2 tablespoons crushed garlic. Cook until shallots are soft.
  • Add 1 cup of orange marmalade and 3 ounces orange liqueur. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until reduced by half. Remove from heat and set aside. Add red pepper flakes.

Assembly:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray muffin pan with vegetable spray.
  • Form meatballs by using 1-1/2 ounce ice cream scoop. Place rounded balls in muffin tins.
  • Ladle 1 teaspoon of marmalade mixture over each ball. Bake for 10 minutes or until 160 degrees internal temperature. Remove from oven.
  • Place leaf lettuce on small tapas plates. Sprinkle with rice wine vinegar. Plate 3 meatballs on each plate.
  • Drizzle remaining marmalade sauce on each plate. Garnish with orange slice. Serve immediately.