Lafitte Pure Duck Rillettes

Pull a little apart with a fork and the texture tells you what makes rillettes so good. Strands of duck remain visible, held together by soft, rich duck fat. They give the spread a meaty bite that a smooth pâté does not have. On crisp toast, that combination is immediately satisfying.

Onion rounds out the savoury duck, black pepper gives a gentle lift, and nutmeg adds a warm aromatic note at the back of the mouthful. The seasoning makes the meat more interesting without taking over. Let the serving portion lose its refrigerator chill and the fat softens, making those shreds easier to draw across a piece of bread.

Lafitte shreds the duck by hand, keeping the character of the meat in the finished rillettes. Choose the 120g tin or the 180g jar from the pack options, according to the table you have in mind. Choose these for the person who likes a proper charcuterie lunch: a substantial spoonful, a good crust, and something sharp to make the next bite as appealing as the first.

• Toast and cornichons: Heap the rillettes onto warm TPK&B Classic Sourdough Baguette and add a cornichon on the side. The bread gives crunch; the pickle brings the little flash of acidity that rich duck enjoys.
• Apple and fennel sandwich: Spread onto country bread with thin apple and fennel slices. Their crisp freshness changes the feel of the rillettes and makes a lovely lunch. A small swipe of Dijon adds another savoury edge if you like it.
• A relaxed charcuterie plate: Bring out the rillettes with radishes, a green salad and a basket of bread. A light, fresh red wine works well with this sort of plate. Keep the duck generous and the accompaniments bright.

A smooth pâté keeps its preparation largely hidden. Rillettes leave you little clues: threads of meat that catch on the fork and separate as you spread them. Lafitte’s hand-shredded duck makes that difference part of the eating experience. It is a useful French food word to know when you are choosing the next thing for your bread.

The duck is still recognisable, even after becoming something so easy to share. That is why a simple toast suits it so well. There is no need for an elaborate canapé to appreciate the strands, the softened fat and that small warmth of nutmeg. A jar on the lunch table can offer quite a lot to notice.

Store unopened tins and jars at room temperature, away from heat. Bring only the serving portion to room temperature. Follow the pack’s storage instructions after opening and its printed date.