Jul 09 2026
Restaurants›Django›Duck Frites Recipe

Duck Frites Recipe

Inspired by Django
Time1h 30m
Serves4

with béarnaise, Harissa aioli, curry ketchup

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Ingredients

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For the Duck

For the Frites

For the Béarnaise Sauce

For the Harissa Aioli

For the Curry Ketchup

Method

For the Duck

  1. 1

    Prepare the Duck

    Score the skin of the duck breasts in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, thyme, and crushed garlic.

  2. 2

    Cook the Duck

    Place the duck breasts skin-side down in a cold skillet. Turn the heat to medium and cook for about 6-8 minutes until the fat renders and the skin is crispy. Flip the breasts and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until desired doneness. Let rest before slicing.

For the Frites

  1. 3

    Prepare the Potatoes

    Peel and cut the potatoes into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick). Soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch.

  2. 4

    Fry the Potatoes

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 325°F (165°C). Drain and dry the potatoes thoroughly. Fry in batches until tender (about 4-5 minutes). Remove and let cool.

  3. 5

    Finish the Frites

    Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Fry the potatoes again in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 2-3 minutes). Drain on paper towels and season with salt.

For the Béarnaise Sauce

  1. 6

    Make the Reduction

    In a small saucepan, combine finely chopped shallots, white wine vinegar, and half the tarragon. Simmer until reduced by half. Strain and set aside.

  2. 7

    Prepare the Sauce

    In a heatproof bowl, whisk together egg yolks and the strained reduction. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and whisk until thickened. Gradually add melted butter while whisking continuously until emulsified. Stir in remaining tarragon and season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the Harissa Aioli

  1. 8

    Combine Ingredients

    In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, harissa paste, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.

For the Curry Ketchup

  1. 9

    Mix the Ketchup

    In a small bowl, combine ketchup, curry powder, and honey. Stir well until fully blended.

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