Duck and Shrimp Gumbo

yield: Makes 6 to 8 (main-course) servings

active time: 1 1/4 hr

total time: 2 3/4 hr

Instead of pairing shrimp with sausage, we've taken this spicy gumbo in a more sophisticated direction by adding duck meat.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (5 1/2- to 6-lb) Long Island duck (also called Pekin), excess fat discarded and duck cut into 6 pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped (2 cups)
• 2 celery ribs, finely chopped (1 cup)
• 1 large red bell pepper, finely chopped (1 cup)
• 1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped (1 cup)
• 4 Turkish or 2 California bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (48 fl oz)
• 4 cups water
• 1 lb medium shrimp in shell (31 to 35 per lb), peeled and deveined
• 1 cup thinly sliced scallion greens (from 2 bunches)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Accompaniment: white rice

PREPARATION

Pat duck dry, then prick skin of duck all over with tip of a sharp knife.

Heat oil in a wide 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, then brown duck in 3 batches, skin side down, turning over once, 8 to 10 minutes per batch.

Transfer duck to a bowl and pour off and discard all but 1/4 cup fat from pot.

Reduce heat to moderately low, then add flour to fat in pot. Cook roux, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula or spoon, until well-browned (a shade darker than peanut butter), about 20 minutes. Add onions, celery, bell peppers, bay leaves, and salt and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, 6 to 10 minutes. Add broth, water, and duck with any juices accumulated in bowl and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until duck is tender, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

Remove gumbo from heat, then transfer duck to a cutting board with a slotted spoon and shred meat into large pieces, discarding bones and skin. Skim fat from surface of gumbo, then return duck to gumbo. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and stir in shrimp, scallions, and cayenne. Simmer gumbo until shrimp is just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Serve gumbo over white rice.

Cooks' note: Gumbo, without shrimp, scallions, and cayenne, can be made 3 days ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and add shrimp, scallions, and cayenne and simmer until shrimp are just cooked through, about 2 minutes.