Duck Fat

[Sallie]

I had been getting duck fat pretty easily from Whole Foods--1lb containers for ~$4--Grimaud Farms. Unfortunately, they are no longer carrying it. I tried Bryan's and they don't carry it either. Do you have any ideas? I kind of need it this weekend because I'm making pate, so mail-order is not useful for this time. I'd prefer not to go to Boulette's larder, either; $8/cup is highway robbery.

[passportsf]

Just bought some at Magnanis in Berkeley (Monterey Ave). I think it's $8.99 per lb. and a bit more than a cup container ran me $4.99.

[Sallie]

I made a couple of inquiries this weekend by phone, also. Golden Gate Meat Company (Ferry Building)--$8.49/lb. Leonard's--$8.29/7oz (see highway robbery, above). I called Mission Market Meats, too, and they didn't understand. I think I'll have to swing by to check. Thanks for all of your suggestions! I was able to get the pate made with what I had but it took all of it, so a restock is in order.

[OldTimer]

If you are really into duck and don't want to get ripped off, call Sonoma Poultry in Petaluma and arrange to pick up a batch of whole ducks. $2.20 lb, whole. About 5-6 lb. Free range, no hormones, etc. With 3 ducks, you can get 6 breasts, 6 legs and 6 wings. Render the fat from the carcasses, confit the legs and wings, You know what to do with the breasts. You will probably get about 4-5 lbs of fat from the carcasses. The whole enchillada will cost you about $35-40, or what you would pay for 3 lb of fat at Golden Gate Meat. Logistics are a bit difficult. You have to pick them up in Petaluma nears Lombardi's BBQ. Only available by appointment. You can get fat (unrendered) in 5 lb bags...$1.80 lb. If you want to get an idea what I'm talking about, call an upscale market (Whole Foods, Andronicos, etc. and price duck breasts.
http://www.libertyducks.com/price.html

[bdl]

It's actually the Mission Market Poultry & Fish counter that has the duck fat (and, btw, a great assortment of fish and poultry, fresh and reasonable). They would certainly understand the question.

[adampaul]

I bought some recently at Molly Stone's Tower Market (Twin Peaks) - its in front of the deli counter, not the meat counter, as one might expect it to be. I'm pretty sure it was more than $4/lb, though, but neither was it $8/cup.

[mmerino]

http://www.secure-kew.com/grimaud/mai...
Buy it direct from Grimaud.

[Sallie]

Thanks--this will help for next time. Unfortunately I was in a time crunch this weekend.

[farmersdaughter]

Did you try Bryan's butcher shop or the Bryan's supermarket next door? I was just at the market yesterday and saw Grimaud's rendered duck fat there.

[Sallie]

Gaaah--where?! I checked there this morning. The butcher shop said they didn't have it, and so I went next door to the supermarket and looked and couldn't find it. Where was it?

[farmersdaughter]

That is so weird. I am pretty sure it was in the area where the cheeses are, near the case that has all of the frozen housemade stocks.

[Sallie]

Thanks--I'll go back and check tomorrow. I had just enough for this batch of pate but will need some more. It really adds something to all sorts of items. One of my new faves--saute the onions and celery for chowder in it. Subbed this for bacon grease recently and it was much more subtle.

[Atomica]

Reviving this to say I just bought 2 lbs. of duck fat from Bryan's. The grocery has it in the frozen section by the deli. I will not say how much I paid because it is damned embarrassing and I'm going to look for other sources.

[wolverine61]

Try to render a goose. Much more fat and a new taste treat.

[OldTimer]

Find a 99 Ranch market...they have frozen duck all the time, and some fresh duck parts. Doubt if they have just the fat. For pate, you can use chicken fat (schmaltz).

[Sallie]

Finding schmaltz has proved difficult as well--the duck fat was originally a stand-in for that.

[urseberry]

The Milk Pail Market in Mountain View has duck fat. It's from Fabrique Delices. I don't remember the price, but I think it was around $4 a cup.

[coolbean98]

I used to buy it at Magnani's (about $5/pint) or Ver Brugge's in Berkeley, although if you have time, I now just render it myself from whole duck and reuse it as it makes your dollar go alot further.

[bdl]

You might try Mission Market at 21rst (?) and Mission. I know they carry it but I'm not sure what size container. It's also frozen, but that shouldn't be a problem.

[Atomica]

I've had trouble finding it too. Don't bother with Falletti's or Andronico's either. Why did Whole Foods quit carrying it? All I can think of is getting a duck and rendering it. Good luck to you.

[Sallie]

Don't know. I didn't ask.

[osho]

Re. Whole Foods - you can provide feedback to their store 'buyer', I did this for another product and they started restocking it a week later.