Duckling with Blackberry Sauce

Description
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Source: Southern Living Holiday Dinners 1982
 * 8 servings.

Ingredients

 * 2 (5 to 5½ pound) dressed ducklings
 * 2 medium onions, quartered
 * 2 medium apples
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * ¼ teaspoon pepper
 * 1 quart water
 * 2 cups chopped onion
 * 1 cup chopped celery
 * 1 cup chopped carrots
 * 2 (16-oz) cans blackberries, undrained
 * ¼ cup cointreau
 * ¼ cup blackberry jam
 * 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
 * 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon butter, softened

Directions

 * 1) Remove giblets and neck from ducklings, set aside.
 * 2) Prick fatty areas of ducklings (not breast) with a fork at intervals.
 * 3) Stuff each cavity with quartered onion and apple.
 * 4) Close cavity of ducklings with skewers.
 * 5) Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
 * 6) Fold neck skin under and place ducklings, breast side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan.
 * 7) Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 2 hours or until drumsticks and thighs move easily.
 * 8) Discard onion and apples.
 * 9) Set ducklings aside, keep warm.
 * 10) Combine the reserved giblets and neck, 1 quart water, chopped onion, celery and carrots in a medium saucepan.
 * 11) Bring to a boil, stirring well.
 * 12) Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
 * 13) Drain mixture, reserving 2 cups of duck stock.
 * 14) Discard giblets, neck and vegetables.
 * 15) Drain blackberries, reserving 2 cups blackberry juice.
 * 16) Set blackberries aside.
 * 17) Combine scrapings from roasting pan, reserved blackberry juice, cointreau, and reserved duck stock in a medium saucepan.
 * 18) Bring to a boil, and boil 15 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half.
 * 19) Make a paste by combining jam, flour and butter.
 * 20) Gradually add to liquid in pan, stirring well.
 * 21) Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
 * 22) Stir in blackberries.
 * 23) Cut ducklings in quarters; place under broiler to crisp skin.
 * 24) Transfer to serving platter.
 * 25) Serve with blackberry sauce.