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Fatty Duck

Friday, October 12th, 2007

Foie Gras – I love it.  I avoid it because it is not good for one’s health, but I also rarely see it beyond the door of Mirepoix.  Government regulations inspired by PETA and other food police will soon make it impossible to find in the US.  My research in the past discovered that it was first enjoyed in Egypt where the geese fattened their livers on their own in preparation for migration.  They gorged themselves.  The Egyptians copied the natural process by force-feeding the birds – basically the same technique employed today and the one that has gotten the industry into trouble in the food righteous countries.  Egypt and Madagascar has presented two different foie gras experiences of late.

First, at Saqqara, Egypt in one of the temples, I found reliefs depicting the force-feeding of geese. A series of reliefs depicted all kinds of bounties being presented as offerings to the gods.  Apparently foie gras was recognized as a food worthy of the gods more than 3000 years ago and was part of those offerings.

Second, Madagascar has been influenced greatly by the French.  Last night the menu had a foie gras salad consisting of foie gras, duck confit and country pate on a bed of greens.  Fabulous!  Cheers to the Egyptians, French and Malagasies!  And especially to the ducks!