Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam

Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam RecipeFrying chicken is an art, and one which my Dad had more than mastered during his lifetime.  Dad made the best-ever fried chicken!  I don’t think he ever tired of that labor intensive task, possibly because of how much he loved to eat it, but most likely it was because he did it to please others.  Endless hours were spent at the stove frying dozens of breasts, legs, thighs, and wings, three cast iron skillets going at the same time.  Whether it was destined for Sunday brunch, a picnic, or an ordinary weekday meal, it was a special day when fried chicken was on the menu.  Creamy mashed potatoes, milk gravy, and flakey biscuits most often were among the supporting cast of sides when golden, crispy fried chicken made an appearance at our table.
Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam RecipeA couple of weeks ago, J’s significant other Michael (who was visiting us from NY) requested a fried chicken dinner before heading back to school.   It had been quite some time since I last pulled out the old iron skillets for the purpose of frying some birds.  Michael, who purports to be a better cook than me  – (Wink Wink), offered his help and together we made succotash, mashed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits – all the required side dishes necessary to fully enjoy a fried chicken dinner.  Dad would have been proud.
Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam RecipeDuck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam Recipe
I have made countless biscuit recipes over my baking lifetime, and although many have been very good, I haven’t completely fallen in love with any particular one to deem it my ‘favorite’.  I am on a constant search for a biscuit that replicates those that my Grandma and Dad use to make.  Although the recipe I am sharing here is nothing at all like the one of my memories, it is a darn good biscuit, and one I know I will be making over and over again.  The first time I baked these little gems was the night we made our chicken dinner.  Wow, is all I can say!  They were so tender and buttery that they didn’t even need the gravy.  Of course that didn’t stop me from ladling it all over the top of the biscuits anyway.  For quite awhile now, I have had Duck Fat Biscuits queued up on my list of recipes to develop.   Well, finally, here it is.  A simple substitution of duck fat for the butter, and an even more fabulous biscuit was born.
Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam RecipeAs for the tomato jam, it too has been on my list of recipes to develop.  Last week while working on the recipe for these biscuits,  I became the serendipitous recipient of tomatoes from my friend’s garden.  She asked me to water her plants while she was on vacation, and offered in return all the tomatoes that were going to come ripe on the vines while she was away.
Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam RecipeDon’t you just love when a taste you have in mind for a recipe you are making turns out exactly as anticipated.  Such is the story with this jam.  A blend of Middle Eastern spices impart a savory warmth to the tomatoes, while the heat from dried Aleppo and Ancho chilies lend a spicy edge.  This jam reminds me very much of a chutney.  Jam/Chutney, either way, it proved to be the perfect topping for these biscuits.  I think you will agree that the way they compliment each other is just ‘Ducky’.  ( Ha, I couldn’t resist.)
Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam Recipe 

 

Source:  Biscuits adapted  from Heartland by Marcia Adams / Spicy Tomato Jam adapted from a recipe by Adam Ried




6 thoughts on “Duck Fat Biscuits with Spicy Tomato Jam

  1. I have found both leaf lard and duck fat at a local grocery store and haven’t found a recipe that prompted me to purchase them. With your sumptuous recipe and glowing recommendation I intend to jump right in! Pairing the lush biscuits with tomato jam makes for a very tempting summer feast!

    • Thanks Deb! I have had this duck fat in the freezer for quite a while just waiting for the perfect recipe. Now that I have succeeded with using it in biscuits, I plan on being adventuresome and branching out to other recipes.

  2. I do love it when a recipe turns out exactly like how you imagine it to be! This duck fat biscuit looks and sounds amazing, Mary! Plus, that tomato jam must be lovely.

    • Thanks Lynna! My sister just made a tomato jam recipe and served it with a blend of feta cheese and cream cheese spread on toasted baguette slices, then topped with the jam. I can’t wait to pop the lid on one of my jars and serve it that way at my next party.

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