Togarashi Duck Confit Nuggets with Yuzu Aioli & Yuzu Caramel

Chef Cynthia

Servings

60 Nuggets

Prep Time

75 minutes

Cook Time

105 minutes

Category

Main Course

Spiceologists Chef Tony Reed and Chef Cynthia Monroe brought these nuggets to one of our favorite PNW food festivals — and sold out in under two hours. It's easy to see why: tender confit poultry gets crisped up and coated in Togarashi before landing in not one, but two showstopping dipping sauces. The Yuzu Aioli and Yuzu Caramel are incredible on their own, and even better together (we'd dip cardboard in this combo). Confit sounds fancy, but we break the technique down step by step, so don't let it intimidate you — it just takes a little hands-off time. No duck on hand? We've included chicken instructions too, so there's no excuse not to make these.

Togarashi Duck Confit Nuggets with Yuzu Aioli & Yuzu Caramel

Ingredients

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    • 1 whole duck or chicken (5-6 lbs), broken into leg quarters and breasts (yields about 1 lb 14 oz shredded meat)

    • Duck or chicken fat, enough to fully submerge

    • 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
    • 6 cloves garlic, smashed

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    • 1 lb 14 oz confit duck or chicken meat, shredded (from above)

    • 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon mirin
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons Spiceology Orange Gochugaru Chile Seasoning
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

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    • 1 cup potato starch
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 large eggs, beaten
    • 1 1/2 cups rice panko
    • Neutral oil, for frying

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    • 3 tablespoons Spiceology Togarashi Blend

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    • 2 cups mayonnaise (we recommend Duke’s)

    • 2 teaspoons yuzu extract
    • 1 tablespoon Spiceology Pink Peppercorn Lemon Thyme Blend

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    • 2 cups store-bought caramel sauce

    • 1 tablespoon yuzu extract

    • 1 teaspoon sumac

    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional, to thin)

    • Pinch of flaky sea salt

    Directions

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      1. Break the whole duck or chicken down into leg quarters and breasts, trimming excess skin. Submerge the leg quarters in duck or chicken fat with the thyme and garlic and confit at 275°F.

      2. After about 1 hour, add the breasts to the same fat. Pull the breasts once they hit 165°F internal, about 45-60 minutes, so they do not dry out -- then continue cooking the legs alone until fork-tender, about 2.5-3 hours total.
      3. Cool slightly, then pull the meat from the bones and skin; discard the bones and shred the duck or chicken meat. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

      4. Pulse the shredded duck or chicken in a food processor in short bursts until finely broken down but not pureed.

      5. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the tamari, mirin, rice vinegar, Orange Gochugaru Chile Seasoning, and salt until evenly combined.
      6. Portion into 1/2 oz nuggets and shape by hand into rounded pieces.
      7. Freeze on a parchment-lined sheet tray until firm, about 1-2 hours.
      8. Whisk the salt into the potato starch. Set up a standard 3-step breading station: seasoned potato starch in the first dish, beaten eggs in the second, rice panko in the third.
      9. Dredge each frozen nugget in potato starch, dip in egg, then coat in rice panko, pressing gently to adhere.
      10. Cook from frozen using your preferred method, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F: deep fry at 350°F, 3-4 minutes (fry in batches without crowding); bake at 425°F, 12-15 minutes (flip halfway, on an oiled wire rack over a sheet pan); or air fry at 400°F, 8-10 minutes (shake the basket halfway, light oil spray).
      11. While still hot, toss the nuggets in the Spiceology Togarashi Blend until evenly coated.

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      1. Can be made while the duck or chicken confits, or up to a day ahead for the best flavor. Whisk together the mayonnaise, yuzu extract, and Spiceology Pink Peppercorn Lemon Thyme Blend until smooth.

      2. Cover and refrigerate at least 15 minutes before serving -- the blend flavor blooms as it sits, so a day ahead is ideal. Holds refrigerated up to 1 week.

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      1. Make just before serving. Warm the store-bought caramel sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until it loosens and is just warmed through -- do not boil.
      2. Remove from heat. Stir in the yuzu extract and sumac. Stir in the heavy cream if the sauce needs thinning, and add a pinch of flaky sea salt. Taste and adjust yuzu extract to preference.

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      1. Serve the nuggets warm alongside the Yuzu Aioli for dipping and the Yuzu Caramel for drizzling.