• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

1. 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
2. 1/2 pound cipollini onions, peeled and halved
3. 8 large garlic cloves, peeled
4. 5 thyme sprigs
5. 1 large rosemary sprig
6. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
7. Salt and freshly ground pepper
8. Buttery Cornmeal Pastry
9. 1 large egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons water
10. 1 large shallot, minced
11. 1/2 pound kale, stems and inner ribs discarded, leaves coarsely chopped (2 packed cups)
12. 1/4 cup dry white wine
13. 3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
14. 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
15. 3 cups shredded Three-Pepper Duck Confit, see Note
16. 1/4 cup dried currants

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the sweet potatoes with the onions, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 3 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned on the bottom. Remove from the oven and set aside the garlic. Discard the herb sprigs. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°.
2. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the Buttery Cornmeal Pastry to a 14-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Using a 5 1/2-inch plate as a template, cut out 4 rounds as closely together as possible. Roll out scraps and cut out 2 more rounds. Set the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash and freeze for 5 minutes. Bake the rounds for about 15 minutes, until golden and crisp.
3. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large deep skillet. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the kale and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the white wine and cook until nearly evaporated. Add 2 1/2 cups of the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the flour into the remaining 1/2 cup of chicken stock, then whisk the mixture into the skillet. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Mash the roasted garlic cloves and whisk them into the sauce. Add the roasted vegetables, duck confit and currants and cook until heated through; keep warm.
5. Ladle the duck filling into six 1-cup ramekins, cover with the pastry rounds and serve at once.

Make Ahead

The potpie filling can be made 3 days ahead and refrigerated.

Notes

You can use the meat from 5 confited duck legs instead of making your own. They're available, along with pure duck fat, from D'Artagnan at dartagnan.com or 800-327-8246.