This is an old hunting camp appetizer that brings the taste buds alive with the fire of jalapenos, the comforting taste of bacon and the rich, delicious flavor of duck. Many variations exist, including adding pieces of sliced water chestnuts for a crunch or using bell peppers and onions instead of jalapenos for children. Each side of a breast from big ducks like a mallard can produce four appetizers , while wood ducks and teal will do two or three each.

Ingredients

6-8 duck breasts, cut into 1-inch wide strips, pounded.

1/3-slice bacon for each piece of duck breast.

1 thin slice fresh (not pickled) jalapeno per piece of duck.

1/3-cup merlot or cabernet.

1/3-cup Moore’s Meat Marinade.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Toothpicks for skewers.

Preparation

After tenderizing duck strips, place in sealable plastic bag, add wine, Moore’s, salt and pepper and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cover toothpicks with water while duck marinates.

Place a piece of bacon on a flat surface. Top with a piece of duck and a slice of pepper and roll it all up. Push a toothpick through the entire roll to hold it together. Continue until all duck pieces have been used.

Cooking

Over hot coals, place the duck rolls on a grill and cook 2 minutes and turn. After another minute, turn again to an uncooked side and continue each minute until bacon is done. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Serve while main course is on the grill. Pieces should be about bite-sized and are best when taken all in one pop.

Leftover pate

On the rare occasion of leftovers, remove the toothpick and place several poppers in a food processor. Add mayonnaise and horseradish to taste and process on high until smooth. Season as you wish and serve as a dip or cracker spread.

Loco Luna Gourmet Foods Launches Lava Gourmet Sauce Line

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 21, 2004–Loco Luna Gourmet Foods has launched its Lava line of gourmet hot sauce. Lava Sauce is the flagship product from Loco Luna Gourmet Foods. Lava Sauce is a small batch, gourmet sauce that is made from only the finest natural ingredients. Lava Sauces are available in mild, medium, hot and extreme heat varieties. That way, everyone from the most deranged hot sauce junkie to your ninety-eight-year-old grandmother can enjoy Lava Sauce’s surprisingly rich and complex character.

“We are extremely passionate about what we do, and we are very proud of what we have created in the Lava Sauce product line,” says Brian Moon, CEO of Loco Luna. Moon adds, “Heat is great, but at Loco Luna, our focus is on great natural flavor. That’s why Lava Sauce is so good even as a marinade or grilling sauce – or by itself as a dipping sauce.”

Loco Luna products will soon be available in leading grocery stores, gift and gourmet shops across the country. Loco Luna Gourmet Foods can also be found on the Web at www.locoluna.net. Not only can you get Lava Sauce there, you just might learn a little about chili peppers while you’re there — and have some fun doing it.

About Loco Luna Gourmet Foods, LLC

Loco Luna Gourmet Foods is a privately held producer of small batch, hand crafted, gourmet sauces. Founded in 2004, Loco Luna is headquartered in McKinney, Texas, with regional sales managers scattered across America. Loco Luna Online can also be found at www.locoluna.net. Sales and distribution inquiries are welcome.