SLOW COOKED DUCK RAGU WITH PACCHERI PASTA
Ragu' d'anatra alla veneta is a staple of northern Italian cuisine. Shorter days and dark evenings are lifted with this wholesome dish which is a good substitute for the classic bolognese. This low and slow sauce can be paired with homemade pasta, or fresh or dried pasta for a quicker dish.
It can be difficult to adjust as the evenings get darker, but it doesn't have to be gloomy – this dish makes an uplifting mid-week supper. Either our Campden Non-Stick Frying Pan 28cm or Campden Casserole Low 4.3L would be the ideal saucepan to make this hearty recipe in.
SERVES:
6 people
COOKING TIME:
2hrs 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 4 duck legs
- 3 large shallots, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
- 2 teaspoons of plain flour
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 250ml full bodied red wine
- 2 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes
- 250ml chicken stock
- 3 sprigs of rosemary, leaves chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons of whole milk
- 600g paccheri pasta
- Salt & Pepper, to season
To serve:
Grated parmesan
Small bunch of parsley, chopped
METHOD:
1 - First, heat the oil in a large non-stick sauté pan over a medium heat and brown the duck legs for 5 minutes on each side. Then remove the duck legs with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a plate.
2 - Lower the heat and add the chopped shallots to the pan. Fry gently for 5-8 minutes until soft and translucent. Then add the garlic and fry for a further minute before stirring in the flour and cinnamon.
3 - Add the red wine, tomatoes, stock, rosemary, bay and sugar to the pan and stir. Bring to a simmer and season to taste. Return the duck to the pan and cover with a lid. Cook on a low heat for 2 hours, stirring every so often.
4 - After a couple of hours, lift the duck legs carefully from the pan onto a plate. Allow to cool slightly and remove the skin. Then, using two forks, shred the meat from the bones.
5 - Put the shredded duck back into the pan and add the milk, then stir and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes while the pasta is cooking.
6 - Cook the pasta according to instructions on the packet and drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.
7 - Check the seasoning of the duck ragu before adding the pasta to the pan. Stir to coat the pasta with the ragu, adding a little pasta water if it seems too dry. Heat through for one minute and serve immediately with grated parmesan and chopped parsley, to garnish.