Preserved Duck (Confit de Canard)

Ingredients

• 1 duck
• 4 to 5 pounds
• cut into serving pieces
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 whole cloves garlic
• 3 whole cloves
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 4 cups rendered duck fat (see instructions) or goose fat (see note)

Instructions

1. two legs with thighs attached, two breast halves, two wings and neck.