Recipes > Main Dish > Duck Fat Seared Scallops Over Cheddar Duck Corn Grits

Duck Fat Seared Scallops Over Cheddar Duck Corn Grits

Name: Duck Fat Seared Scallops Over Cheddar Duck Corn Grits
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: North America
Ingredients: 2 large ears Yellow Corn, husked and silk removed; 4 tsp. Maple Leaf Farms All Natural Rendered Duck Fat, divided; Salt (1 pinch each for corn, scallops and ground duck); Ground Black Pepper (1 pinch each for corn, scallops and ground duck); 2 slices Maple Leaf Farms Duck Bacon, crispy and chopped; 1 large Jalapeno Pepper, ribs and seeds removed, small dice; 1/2 lb. Maple Leaf Farms All Natural Ground Duck; 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder; 1/4 tsp. Ground Thyme; 3 cups Low Sodium Chicken Stock; 10 large Sea Scallops, cleaned and completely dried; 1 cup Corn Grits; 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese; 1/2 cup Whole Milk; 10 Fresh Chives, 8 left whole; 2 chopped

Duck fat provides the ultimate sear for scallops in this Southern-style recipe.

2016 Recipe Contest 2nd Runner Up, Jill Gilber, Philadelphia, PA

Ingredients

2 large ears Yellow Corn, husked and silk removed
4 tsp. Maple Leaf Farms All Natural Rendered Duck Fat, divided
Salt (1 pinch each for corn, scallops and ground duck)
Ground Black Pepper (1 pinch each for corn, scallops and ground duck)
2 slices Maple Leaf Farms Duck Bacon, crispy and chopped
1 large Jalapeno Pepper, ribs and seeds removed, small dice
1/2 lb. Maple Leaf Farms All Natural Ground Duck
1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp. Ground Thyme
3 cups Low Sodium Chicken Stock
10 large Sea Scallops, cleaned and completely dried
1 cup Corn Grits
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Whole Milk
10 Fresh Chives, 8 left whole; 2 chopped

Directions

1
Heat grill to 400 degrees F (medium heat). While the grill is heating, brush each ear of corn with 1/2 teaspoon each of duck fat. Salt and pepper each ear to taste and place on grill, turning throughout cooking process so that corn is slightly charred. Remove corn and turn off grill. Once corn cools, cut corn from the cobs and set aside for later use.
2
Place sauté pan on stove over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove from pan; drain on paper towel. Chop bacon when cool; set aside. In the same pan, cook jalapeno pepper until just soft (about 2 minutes). Remove and set aside. Wipe the pan out with a paper towel to remove any existing grease and accumulated bits.
3
Over medium heat, add 1 teaspoon of the duck fat to pan and melt. Add ground duck, garlic powder, ground thyme, salt and pepper to the pan, breaking up the meat and cooking until browned, about 5 minutes. Combine well. Remove ground duck from pan and place on paper towel to drain grease; let cool.
4
In a medium pot, bring chicken stock to a boil over high heat.
5
In the meantime, clean sauté pan. Heat pan over medium heat, and then add the final 2 teaspoons of duck fat to hot pan. Make sure scallops are dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Add scallops to the pan and sear for about 1 1/2-2 minutes per side until golden. Turn off burner and leave scallops in pan to keep warm. Cover with lid or foil.
6
Once chicken stock reaches a boil, add grits and reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Liquid should be absorbed.
7
Next, add cheese and stir until well combined. Slowly add milk and stir until creamy. Add more milk to thin out if necessary. Add ground duck, jalapeno and half of cooked corn to grits. Combine well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Plating

1
Place grits in serving dish and place scallops in the center on top.
2
Sprinkle with remaining corn, chopped duck bacon and chopped chives. Place remaining 8 whole chives around the circumference of the dish in 4 separate "x" shapes. Serve very warm and enjoy!