Fillets of Ducklings with Green Peas

Tender duckling fillets served atop mashed potatoes and green peas with sauce or half-glaze.

(1) Roast two or three ducklings in the oven, basting frequently. Boil a pint and a half of green peas, and when tender strain off the water; mash about one pound of boiled potatoes, put them into a border mould, poach in the bain-marie for a few minutes, and then turn them out onto a hot dish. Cut as many thin croutons of bread as fillets and fry them in butter until browned. When the ducklings are cooked cut off the fillets, trim them, and arrange alternately with the croutons on the border of potatoes. Strain the gravy that has run from the ducklings into the stewpan with the peas, put in two ounces of butter, one teaspoonful of sugar, and a little salt, and stir over the fire for a few minutes. Beat the yolk of an egg with half a teacupful of cream or milk, then mix it in with the sauce; and stir by the side of the fire until thick. The sauce must not boil after the egg is added. Heap the peas in the center of the dish, and serve.

(2) Roast and fillet the ducklings as for No. 1, score the skin, arrange the fillets in a circle on a dish, fill the center with plain boiled green peas, and serve with a sauceboatful of half-glaze.