Roast Wild Duck

Photo: Alison Marras

Ingredients

• 2 whole plucked wild ducks
• olive oil
• thyme
• salt
• knob of butter
• a splash of sherry or other good-quality vinegar
• fresh herbs to garnish

Method

Dariush Lolaiy. Photo: Laura Forest

Season the birds with salt inside and out up to two days before cooking

Remove the wishbones to make carving easier once they're cooked

Stuff a few sprigs of thyme or any other aromatics in the cavities

Rub the outside of the birds with olive oil and brown in a hot pan over medium heat.

Transfer the birds to an oiled baking dish

Cook the birds at 190 degrees for 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven

Remove them from the oven and loosely cover with tin-foil, for 10 minutes.

To serve

Carve the duck by removing the legs. Run your knife either side of the breastbone, then work it between the breast meat and the bone until the meat falls away. Slice each breast across the grain into five slices. Serve with your preferred seasonal sides -we love Jerusalem artichokes and dark leafy greens in winter.

Mix the pan juices with a knob of butter, a splash of sherry vinegar and fresh herbs, pour over the meat and enjoy.