Smoked Duck with Sauerkraut

By Deborah Published: September 11, 2014

FOR THE DUCKS:
3 whole wild mallards
sea salt
freshly gound pepper
applewood chunks or your favorite smoke wood
FOR THE SAUERKRAUT:
1 pound sauerkraut
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cups finely slivered onions
1 cups dry white wine
1 bouquet garni consisting of 1 bay leaf, 1 clove, 1 clove garlic crushed, pinch of thyme, 3 crushed juniper berries, and 3-4 cracked peppercorns, wrapped in cheesecloth

TO PREPARE THE DUCKS: Three mallards, cleaned and gutted. Rinse ducks thoroughly with cold water. Season ducks with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
TO SMOKE THE DUCKS: Soak applewood chunks in fresh water at least 30 minutes. Prepare charcoal fire in smoker; let fire burn 20 to 30 minutes.
Drain wood chunks, and place on coals. Place water pan in smoker, and add marinade to depth of fill line. Place ducks in center of lower rack; cover with smoker lid.
Cook approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees, adding additional charcoal and wood chunks as needed. Remove from smoker, and let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Cooking time varies widely depending on size of ducks. (wild goose takes approximately 3 hours)
TO PREPARE THE SAUERKRAUT: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the sauerkraut in a saucepan, add the onions and simmer until limp, but do not brown. Add the sauerkraut, pinch of salt, wine, and bouquet garni and bring to a boil.
Cover, transfer to the oven and cook for about 1 hour. The sauerkraut should remain somewhat crisp. Remove from the oven, taste and adjust seasonings.
TO SERVE: On warmed plates, place sliced duck over sauerkraut. Serve with optional boiled or roasted potatoes.
HINT: Sliced smoked duck served in a sandwich with condiments of your choice is delicious.