I have spent more than a year searching for a "lost" recipe. I coped the pages from a library book and have made the recipe several times...and then lost my copies.

My "Drunken Duck" recipe re-appeared today! Happy Dance!!! It was in an old file box I'm slowly clearing out. I wonder what other jewels may surface?

I had made two copies of this recipe from a library book and then put both copies in the same place. What was I thinking? The book - a history review of cooking, restaurants, and recipes of the late 1800s - came from the Dover, DE, Library. I think it was long out of print when I checked it out in 1992.

The dinner is called "Positively Ducky, A Small Spring Dinner for Four." It's Chapter 29 of the book and begins on page 305. Apparently the recipes were broken down into seasons and the duck recipe came under "Spring."

I know everything about this book - except the title and author. I had made photo copies of the pages, stapled them together, and did not bother to reference the book, author, or publisher on the pages. Again, what was I thinking?

The menu for this dinner is includes...

Crisp Savory Almonds

Chilled Spring Green Soup

Aromatic Duck (which I named Drunk Duck; it's soaked in Brandy)

Gingered Red Cabbage Slaw

Fresh Grapefruit Gelatin with Cream

I won't copy all the instructions right now - I have birthday treats to prepare - but the marinade/rub for the 5 lb. duck includes...

2 teaspoons black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves, crumbled
6 whole cloves
1 Tbls. coarse Kosher salt
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1 Tbls. gin, vodka, or brandy
1 garlic clove, peeled

I am so thankful I found this recipe. A copy will be put in my computer; my friends will have emailed copies, a paper copy will go in a proper file folder and cabinet, and another copy will go in my Betty Crocker cookbook.

My ducks may not be in a row, but they will never be served sober again!