Edible Wild Food Recipes / Wild Pear Curry with Crispy Duck

The Really WILD Food Guide

WILD PEAR CURRY & CRISPY DUCK

The wild food cook necessarily has to take advantage of the ingredients which come to hand. This recipe allows wild pears [which can be gritty] to be utilized in a fruit curry.

PREPARATION

· Mix together good pinches of the spices [more
if you like hot spicy food].

· Slice the onion lengthwise and set aside. · Skin the pear, remove core material, and then cut into chunks no more than ½-inch thick. Set aside.

· Remove skin and any excess fat from the duck meat, slice, season and set aside.

VARIATIONS & ALTERNATIVES
You could always add some apple to make a really fruity curry, and the addition of some dried elderberries will add a spot of extra colour, texture and a little more sweetness.

At the same time, the addition of sliced potato would provide carbohydrate and more bulk. Rather than serving 'on' or 'with' rice why not consider adding rice [a handful per person] to the cooking curry [adding more water to compensate for absorbtion by the rice]? This would ensure the rice is fully infused with the spices and sweetness.

½ - 1 cup duck meat - sliced
1 small onion or shallot - sliced
1 pear - diced
Ground cumin, turmeric, chilli powder and ginger - large pinches
Oil
Water
Salt and pepper

[Main ingredients above are approx. per person, but obviously variable according to taste and circumstance.]

METHOD

· Heat a couple of good slugs of olive oil in
a pan and add the spices to release the flavours. Stir rapidly to prevent burning.
· Add the sliced onion and stir. · Reduce the heat and cook until the onion is translucent and begins to soften.

· Add water to the pan [about 1 cup and top up as necessary] and the sliced pears. · Bring to the boil and stir for a couple of minutes then reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the pear chunks are tender [but not mushy]. · Add seasoning to taste.

· Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry the duck pieces [or even deep fry] until nicely browned. · Remove pan from the heat, and allow the meat to rest for a few minutes. [Sprinkle some garam masala over if you want to spice the meat.] · Serve on top of the dished fruit curry.

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