Ep 4. What's Up, Duck?

In the third season of the popular food-themed show Good Eats, episode four delves into the world of duck. Host Alton Brown brings his unique blend of humor, science, and cooking expertise to the table as he explores the finer points of preparing this versatile and flavorful meat.

The episode begins with an introduction to the basics of duck anatomy, with Brown breaking down the differences between various cuts of meat and explaining how each part of the bird can be used in different preparations. He also provides some useful tips on how to select the best quality duck at the grocery store or market, noting that it's important to look for a bird with firm, plump flesh and a thick layer of fat.

From there, Brown moves on to the heart of the episode - demonstrating a variety of different ways to cook with duck. He starts with a classic preparation, roasting a whole duck in the oven and showing viewers how to achieve the perfect crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. He also offers some tips on how to make a delicious accompanying sauce, using the duck drippings to create a rich, complex flavor.

Next up, Brown tackles one of the more challenging aspects of cooking with duck - rendering the fat. He demonstrates how to cook duck legs in a skillet, slowly melting the fat and crisping up the skin until it's golden brown and tasty. He also offers some suggestions for how to use the rendered duck fat, including using it to make french fries or other fried foods.

Moving on to a more unconventional preparation, Brown shows viewers how to make a delicious duck confit. This classic French dish involves cooking duck legs in fat until they become tender and falling off the bone, then refrigerating them in the fat until ready to use. Brown notes that this technique can be used with other meats as well, such as pork or chicken, for a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Finally, Brown wraps up the episode with a nod to Asian cuisine, demonstrating how to make a spicy duck stir-fry with vegetables and noodles. He shows viewers how to create a perfectly seasoned marinade, and then quickly stir-fries the duck and vegetables with some noodles for a simple, fast, and tasty meal.

Throughout the episode, Brown provides plenty of helpful tips and tricks, from how to properly sharpen knives to the best way to sear meat for maximum flavor. His humorous asides and witty commentary keep things lighthearted and engaging, while the scientific explanations behind each technique ensure that viewers come away with a deeper understanding of the culinary process.

For anyone who loves duck - or simply wants to expand their cooking repertoire - the What's Up, Duck? episode of Good Eats season 3 is a must-watch. With plenty of useful information, entertaining commentary, and delicious recipes, it's the perfect way to get inspired and try something new in the kitchen.