ROAST TAME DUCK
Take a young farmyard duck fattened at liberty, but cleansed by being shut up two or three days and fed on barley meal and water. Pluck, singe and empty; scald the feet, skin and twist round on the back of the bird; head, neck and pinions must be cut off, the latter at the first joint, and all skewered firmly to give the breast a nice plump appearance. For stuffing, one-half pound of onions, one teaspoonful of powdered sage, three tablespoonfuls of bread crumbs, the liver of a duck parboiled and minced with cayenne pepper and salt. Cut fine onions, throwing boiling water over them for ten minutes; drain through a gravy strainer, and add the bread crumbs, minced liver, sage, pepper and salt to taste; mix, and put inside the duck. This amount is for one duck, more onion and more sage may be added, but the above is a delicate compound not likely to disagree with the stomach. Let the duck be hung a day or two, according to the weather, to make the flesh tender. Roast before a brisk, clear fire, baste often, and dredge with flour to make the bird look frothy. Serve with a good brown gravy in the dish, and apple sauce in a tureen. It takes about an hour.
