Braised Duck Tacos (Tacos de Carnitas de Pato)

Name: Braised Duck Tacos (Tacos de Carnitas de Pato)
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 6
Ingredients: 3 lb. duck legs; 1 1 ⁄ 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1 head garlic, halved horizontally; 1 large white onion, thinly sliced, plus one small, finely chopped; 1 (4") piece Mexican cinnamon, broken in half; 1 medium orange, quartered; 12 corn tortillas, warmed; 3 ⁄ 4 cup roughly chopped cilantro; Lime wedges, for serving; Salsa , such as tomatillo and pineapple or peach pico de gallo, for serving (optional)

Serves
serves 6

HELEN ROSNER

Slowly braised duck infused with the aroma of Mexican cinnamon and orange is shredded and pan-fried until crisp in this recipe from chef Roberto Santibanez. It first appeared in the iPad edition of our December 2013 issue with the story The World of Duck.

Ingredients

3 lb. duck legs
1 ¹⁄₂ tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 head garlic, halved horizontally
1 large white onion, thinly sliced, plus one small, finely chopped
1 (4") piece Mexican cinnamon, broken in half
1 medium orange, quartered
12 corn tortillas, warmed
³⁄₄ cup roughly chopped cilantro
Lime wedges, for serving
Salsa, such as tomatillo and pineapple or peach pico de gallo, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°. Combine duck, 1 1⁄2 tbsp. salt, plus garlic, sliced onion, and cinnamon in a 6-qt. Dutch oven. Squeeze the orange quarters over the duck and add the spent oranges to the pot; toss to combine and arrange duck skin side up. Cook, covered, until duck is very tender, about 2 1⁄2–3 hours. Let duck cool in the pot, then transfer to a cutting board. Shred meat into large chunks, discarding skin and bones. Strain pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup; chill until fat solidifies on the surface. Reserve 1⁄4 cup fat; save remaining fat for another use.

Step 2

Heat reserved duck fat in a 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Cook duck, stirring occasionally, until slightly crispy, 3–5 minutes. Season with salt; pile into warm tortillas and garnish with chopped onion, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve with salsa, if you like.

Heat oven to 350°. Combine duck, 1 1⁄2 tbsp. salt, plus garlic, sliced onion, and cinnamon in a 6-qt. Dutch oven. Squeeze the orange quarters over the duck and add the spent oranges to the pot; toss to combine and arrange duck skin side up. Cook, covered, until duck is very tender, about 2 1⁄2–3 hours. Let duck cool in the pot, then transfer to a cutting board. Shred meat into large chunks, discarding skin and bones. Strain pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup; chill until fat solidifies on the surface. Reserve 1⁄4 cup fat; save remaining fat for another use.
Heat reserved duck fat in a 12” skillet over medium-high heat. Cook duck, stirring occasionally, until slightly crispy, 3–5 minutes. Season with salt; pile into warm tortillas and garnish with chopped onion, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve with salsa, if you like.