So here I am, drafting this here blog post, looking to link to a previous post I did about the first time I smoked a whole duck. Lo and behold, I could not find it. But there’s a very good reason for that – it doesn’t exist.
I guess I committed the cardinal sin against one of today’s internet commandments, which is, Thou Shalt Visually Document All Food-Related Activities and Post for All to See (or it Did Not Happen).
But believe me, it was a tasty orange- and honey-glazed duck. Since I can’t link to the proof, just imagine how beautiful it turned out for now.
So technically, this is my first-ever smoked duck by social media standards.
New Year’s Eve Dinner
The holiday season is a time when I make sure to do something special. Although it usually is “standard special.” For Christmas, I smoke a standing beef rib roast and for New Year’s Eve, a smoked duck.
As mentioned above, the last one I cooked had an orange-and-honey-centric flavor to it. This year’s duck was more herb-centric.
The first step was to place the thawed duck on a baking rack and place it in the sink. At the same time, I had eight cups of water boiling on the stove. Once it reached boiling point, I poured half on the duck, turned it over, and poured the other half.
In the fridge it went, where it sat for about nine hours. The point of all of this was to tighten the skin and help make it become crisp during the cook. As the duck sits in the refrigerator, moisture is drawn out, which further facilitates the crisping process.
As the Weber Smokey Mountain was coming up to temp, I took the duck out of the fridge, scored it, and applied a mixture of:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Juice from half a lemon
It went on the smoker at 325 degrees for about two hours.
When it reached 165 degrees internally (175 degrees in the thigh), I removed it from the smoker and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
The result was a rustic, fatty, delicious duck dinner – a perfect way to say farewell to 2023 and usher in the New Year.
The Wine: 2015 Stephen & Walker Pinot Noir
Holidays are not only days I use as an excuse to cook something special, they’re also an excuse to break out my more prized wines.
I discovered Stephen & Walker while staying in Healdsburg about ten years ago. They had a tasting room in the town, and we were blown away by the character and flavor of the wines we sampled. Rustic, fruit-forward, great structure.
The fruit-forward and earthy aromas matched the flavors of the wine. It was a perfect match for the duck.
I could be wrong about this, but I believe the only way to buy these wines is through their website or tasting room. If you look for it in your local wine shop, your effort will probably be unsuccessful. So if you’re looking for high-quality reds and whites from the Russian River Valley, I highly recommend Stephen & Walker.
About Stephen & Walker
Stephen & Walker is a small, artisanal, family-owned winery located in Healdsburg, California that was started in 2004.
Their vineyards are located in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Monterey Counties. Each bottle of wine they make is intended to bring out the flavors realized from the unique terroir of each vineyard.
If you’re in Northern California on a wine excursion, Stephen & Walker has locations in Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Howell Mountain, Mendocino Ridge, and Monterey brought to you in our limited-issue wine collection. We look forward to seeing you soon!
About the Russian River Valley
The Russian River Valley, a premier wine region in Sonoma County, California, is celebrated for its cool and foggy climate, making it an ideal locale for producing exceptional wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Originating from the explorations of the Russian-American Company in the early 19th century, the region is now home to renowned wineries such as Kosta Browne, Williams Seylem, and Paul Hobbs. The vineyards, which first emerged along the final stretch of the Russian River in the late 1970s, primarily span the plains between Windsor, Santa Rosa, and Sebastopol.
While the river runs along the northern edge of the AVA, most vineyards are located on the plains, with the westernmost vineyards near the Coastal Ranges benefiting from a cool and extended growing season, focusing on cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What a way to ring in 2024! The food was fantastic and the wine was a unique experience that brought the culinary experience together.
Happy New Year to everyone. Cheers!