Poultry: Gilded Goose by Recipe Cottage

SEARCH RECIPES:

LOCATION: Recipes >> Poultry >> Gilded Goose


	Gilded Goose

		GILDED GOOSE WITH PEAR CONFIT approx 11lb/5kg goose (drawn weight) 1 large onion 2 bay leaves 1 egg yolk 1/4 teaspoon saffron 2 tablespoon pear brandy (Poire William eau-de-vie) 2-3 teaspoons caster sugar For ease of carving remove wish bone. Pull out any excess fat from the vent. Put onion and bay leaves into goose. Cook on a rack in a deep pan at 180C/350F/gas 4 for 15 minutes per 500g/1lb. Provided the bird was at room temperature, this will give a slightly pink meat. An extra 20 minutes will alleviate this. More important is to let the bird rest for 20 minutes prior to carving. Basting is not necessary but it does make life easier if you regularly remove the fat. Don't forget to add onto the total cooking time any time the oven door is left open. At some point mix together the egg yolk, saffron brandy and sugar and allow to sit for 30 minutes or so to develop colour. 30 minutes before the bird is due to be ready, remove it from the oven, tip off any excess fat leaving any juices. Tip all the juice from inside the bird into the pan. Strain the saffron mixture and paint the liquid evenly over the goose. Return to oven for last 30 minutes. The Pear Confit 25g/1oz butter 50g/2oz onion, very finely chopped 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped 1 bay leaf 120g/4oz lean smoked bacon, diced 2 large pears, firm but ripe 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 2-4 tablespoons pear brandy (Poire William eau-de-vie) Melt the butter in a wide bottomed saucepan and cook the onion and garlic for a few minutes. Add the bayleaf and bacon and leave on a low heat until the fat is clear and the bacon is beginning to brown. Quarter, core and peel the pears. Cut into even dice about the same size as the bacon. Add to the pan, sprinkle with the cumin seeds and brandy and lightly mix. Cook at the lowest heat, turning from time to time, until there is little excess liquid and the pears have shrunk and are translucent (30-40 minutes). Best made in advance and re-heated on the day. It may be sharpened with a little extra brandy or some lemon juice.