Smoked Duck, Lentil, and Orange Salad
    Ingredients Method
    2 mesquite smoked ducklings
    Cold water
    1 whole onion
    2 stalks celery with leaves
    1 large carrot
    1 small hot red chile
    2 cloves garlic, crushed
    2 bay leaves
    1/2 Tbs. each, whole cumin and coriander seeds
    1 lb. green lentils
    1 large leek, trimmed
    1 c. marinated sun-dried tomato halves, diced
    2 large sweet red peppers
    1 small head ornamental kale
    3 blood oranges, peeled, cut into half-moons
    Sprigs of cilantro
    Sprigs of fresh thyme
    Shavings of jicama
    2 limes, halved
    1 sweet onion, peeled, cut in paper thin rings
    Coarse salt
    Pure chile powder

    Skin and carve the duck breasts and legs. Cover and reserve. Break up the carcasses into a soup kettle. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Skim. Lower heat, add the onion, celery, carrot, chile pod, garlic, bay leaves and seeds. Simmer for 1 hour. Strain and defat the stock.

    Cover the lentils and leek in a medium-size saucepan with 2" stock. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender but not mushy.

    Stir in the tomatoes. Grill, peel, seed and core the sweet red peppers. Add 1 pepper, diced, and portion lentil mixture onto serving plates lined with kale. Arrange sliced duck, oranges and sliced remaining grilled red pepper over the lentils. Garnish with cilantro, thyme and jicama. Drizzle with lime juice and add a toss of onion rings sprinkled with salt and chile powder. Serve warm.

    Yield: 6 servings