Duck Hashcakes With Sweet Potato, Bacon And Cilantro

1. 1

   ["In a large 12"" diameter skillet, heat 3-4 T.bacon fat or oil til hot. Add onion, adjust heat to medium high and saute until golden brown(adding more fat or oil if needed to keep from burning.) Add garlic , thyme and bay leaf for the last few minutes of cooking. Remove this onion mixture from pan.

2. 2

   In the same skillet, heat another 2-3T of fat/oil til hot, saute carrots, celery and red pepper 3-5 minutes over medium high heat until seared and tender. Remove from pan.", "Meanwhile steam* (or blanch) potatoes until just tender, about 3-5 minutes. Do not cook longer or the hash will be mushy. Cool potatoes in a colander by an open window or in a cool area.", "In the original skillet, heat 3-4 T. oil/fat until hot. Over medium high heat,saute duck sausage on both sides until it loses its pink color.Leave juices/fat in pan with sausage. Add the potatoes, stir to coat well. Increase heat if needed so potatoes will sizzle. Add onion and carrot mixtures, bacon and cilantro.", "Taste and adjust flavoring. Form into 3"" cakes and saute in sizzling fat til crispy on the outside and hot in the center(when tested with a skewer.) Serve with lime wedges alongside fried eggs.", "Notes:* Steaming potatoes preserves their vitamins better, rather than losing nutritional value in blanching water. It is also a much faster and safer method than boiling. I use an easily-stored 2 tiered aluminum steamer with a domed lid- that I found in a Chinese restaurant supply store. see:

3. 3

   http://food52.com/recipes/16931_best_way_to_boil_veggiesdont_steam_em_instead", "Notes:Diced peeled celery root would make a good substitute for some of the sweet potatoes and can be prepared in the same manner(or could be roasted).

4. 4

   3 lb. ( cooked weight) cannelini or Great Northern beans could also be substituted for the potatoes.", "*Note: A vegetarian version of these can easily be accomplished by eliminating the duck, bacon and bacon fat. They could then be served with plain yoghurt, or topped with melted xsharp cheddar. (Not a pancake, but this hash would also be good as a filling in tacos, enchiladas, or burritos, or as a base for fried or poached eggs.)"]

No additional tips available.