I'm sure you already know, but Confit de Canard is simply preserved Duck.
It is usually made from Ducks that were fattened for the making of Foie Gras, and the legs and thighs were later preserved in their own fat (of which there was lots). The pieces of Duck are placed in large copper pans, covered with Duck Fat, then gently simmered for a few hours, before being placed in large earthenware 'crocks' and covered with the fat. Like this, the Confit would keep for a long time.
These two frozen Duck Legs, in a vacuum pack (below), were bought at Aldi for £2.99. It was sold as 'Duck a l'Orange', and comes with a separate pack of Orange flavoured sauce. The sauce is best kept for another recipe (I used it for a sweet-n-sour Pork dish), and the legs roasted as one would any other Confit.
Confit de Canard is usually very expensive, so you can imagine my delight at finding these at Aldi. OK, they come from China and not from France, but I'm not complaining. They taste pretty much the same.
I served them with some roasted small Jersey Royal Potatoes (superb), and a bit of Greenery.
I'm allowing my freezer to empty itself bit by bit at the moment, but when we return from France in September, I shall make sure that there are several packs in there.
If you search for Confit de Canard online, you will see how expensive it normally is. These are just £1.50 per person/serving.
Verdict: 8/10. It doesn't have the intensity of French Confit, but it comes very close.
N.B. I DO NOT work for Aldi, nor am I a shareholder. I am simply a new devotee. I keep discovering new and exciting things. May that continue !!!
After your post about the lamb shanks I found my local Tesco have them. They are with the fresh meats and £6.50 for the pack of two, with red wine gravy and look exactly the same as the ones you showed. They were very good, we were impressed. Lamb has been too expensive for us recently so this has given us the chance to have lamb again. I will see if they have the duck and give them a try.
ReplyDeleteThey are very good. The Sainsbury's one's have too much 'sauce' but I'd rather that than too little. They seem to be everywhere these days; I keep some in the freezer at all times.
DeleteI have never been a fan of duck and much prefer swan. Unfortunately, neither Aldi or Lidl seem to stock swan. Come to think of it, I have never seen any badger meat in either of those stores. Surely Waitrose will have both.
ReplyDeleteThey were clean out of Swan when I last went, but their Fox cutlets were very good.
DeleteThat seems very cheap. It must be a luxury, or exotic, item in Britain. A bonus that the sauce came separately and you can use it elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteIf you buy them in tins (French), they cost a lot. These are so good; I won't need to bring back the big tins in future.
DeleteSweet Bear had Duck Confit in Paris last week, it was about 30 Euro, and very good. You could buy ten of those for the cost of on at a Cafe and Paris.
ReplyDeleteThey are expensive, and these at £1.50 each are very good. Fill your freezer!
DeleteOh, to marry a man that cooks! My mother raised chickens. In later years if I complained about some ache or pain my mother would say, "Well, Kathe, you know you're no spring chicken anymore." My reply was always, "Good thing! Because you butchered all of them and we ate them!" Then we would laugh together. I hated "plucking" chickens and could usually get out of it. Mom baked those tender chickens in real cream and fresh carrots and potatoes from our farm. I haven't tasted chicken like that since. I'm certain your wife treasures your culinary skills.
ReplyDeleteI love cooking; and I love eating. I think the two go together.
DeleteSorry, my chicken comment came up anonymous. I forgot to check in.
ReplyDeleteI'll forgive you.
DeleteI usually shop at Lidl as it's nearest to me, but along with Aldi I find both to be a bit of an adventure, you just never know what they'll have in there next. Such good quality too.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so keen on Lidl, although last Christmas they had a superb selection of Charcuterie.
DeleteSadly my local Aldi, which is quite small, doesn't seem to stock either of those. A great pity because I love lamb and the shanks sound ideal. I rather hope they may sell the duck, as it's likely to be popular with nationalities other than we Brits!
ReplyDeleteCoppa's Girl