Salted Duck Fat Carmels

Okay, I know what you must be thinking – say whaaaaaaat?  Duck up in your caramel? She crazy! But just trust me little ones, these little bites of Heaven are truly divine.

A couple of months ago the good people at D’Artagnan sent me a cooler full of duck fat to play around with in the kitchen. They’re a company that’s well known for their duck products, but also have a plethora of other wonderful gourmet products available online.

You can use duck fat as you would use butter, great for sauteeing some veggies or roasting some potatoes. Adding an incredible richness and depth of flavor that you just don’t attain with butter or olive oil. I’ve been using it to make a vinaigrette for my salad, which it lends itself perfectly for this chilly weather that’s finally come our way. It’s also great in biscuits or pie dough. And, as it turns out – salted caramels!

This recipe has always been a winner for me, so I just adapted it by adding rendered duck fat in place of the butter. They are rich and chewy, with a wonderful silkiness. If you’re afraid they will taste “ducky”, don’t be! While duck fat has a different flavor than butter, more savory – I think the biggest difference is the texture on the tongue. It’s super smooth and silky, with a heavier mouth-feel than butter or oil…and that definitely transcends into the caramels.

I topped off with a bit of my current favorite sea salt (if you haven’t tried Maldon yet, do it!) for a salty, crunchy bite that pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of the caramels. Sliced and wrapped up in pieces of wax paper, they make a wonderful homemade gift that is as unique as it is delicious. 

Disclaimer: I received products from D’Artagnan for review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Did you guys know that such a wonderful thing even existed? They do indeed, and they’re as wonderful as you’d imagine. They are pretty much a food group here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and it is where I was first introduced to them. After years of enjoying them, I thought it was high time I passed the recipe along to you guys!

It’s your basic biscuit dough with the usual suspects – flour, buttermilk, flour. But then you invite some pureed, roasted sweet potatoes to the party. It adds great flavor and color, and also some additional moisture. Which is always welcome in a biscuit!

They aren’t quite as fluffy as your standard buttermilk biscuit, just because the addition of the sweet potato adds some density too… but, what they lack for in fluffiness they more than make up for in deliciousness.

I like to serve them with a bowl of soup, or just plain with some jam or pumpkin butter. But, our favorite way to enjoy them is sandwiching a few pieces of ham. Very thinly sliced country ham is a treat, but more often than not it’s just plain deli ham. It makes for one delicious and easy meal – for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Source: adapted from The Lee Bros Southern Cookbook and Food & Wine, Nov 2013

Chipotle Chicken Skewers with Creamy Dipping Sauce

Guys. I think this just might be our new favorite dinner. Now, I know it’s not really grilling season anymore, technically…but, I think that the fall is one of the best time to fire up your grill! Not to mention tailgating parties and whatnot – which, these would be just perfect for. They’re so good, and so easy!

Sliced chicken breasts are marinaded in a brown sugar-chipotle concoction, that has a few other of my favorite flavors thrown in as well – like garlic, lime, and cilantro. Then threaded onto skewers and grilled. You certainly could cook them under the broiler or on a grill pan as well to get the same charred flavor without having to fire up the grill.

And, lest we not forget the delicious dipping sauce that accompanies them. Creamy, delicious, and studded with finely chopped herbs and scallions – it’s a perfect contrast to the spicy, sweet heat from the chicken.

I served them with cilantro lime rice and steamed broccoli for a healthy dinner that we all enjoyed. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Source: adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook via Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Living on this joyous little island on the wonderful Eastern Shore you’re sure to eat your fair share of clam chowder. For me, there’s nothing more fun than strapping on a  pair of old canvas sneakers, finding a muddy sandbar at low tide, and digging your toes around in the mud until you run into you fill up your bucket with fresh quahogs. Or as well call them, “chowders”.

The big guys aren’t good for much besides soups and clam strips. So, I’ll usually make a batch of chowder when we come across some. About 2 dozen will be more than enough to make a large pot of chowder.

There are a couple ways you can go when it comes to clam chowder. The most well-known is your New England variety, which is cream based. That’s the husband’s favorite, and I plan on sharing that recipe with you soon. But today I’m sharing my recipe for Manhattan, which is tomato based, and my personal favorite…

Bacon, potatoes, celery, onions, tomatoes, and clams. Basic, but oh so delicious.  Now, I realize some of you may not be able to come across fresh clams as easily as I am. In that case, a couple cans of clams and a some bottled clam juice works just fine.

But, if you have a great seafood counter or shop in your neighborhood I’d highly encourage you to try to find some fresh. They’re cheap as far as it goes on the seafood spectrum, and the flavor is unparalleled.

A perfect dinner for these chilly fall evenings, that holds onto one last taste of summer. Make sure to make some homemade oyster crackers to go along with it, they’re the perfect topping and only take a few minutes to throw together. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Source: adapted from Simply Recipes