ROAST DUCK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the duck giblets. If you choose, chop and sauté the giblets and set them aside to toss into the gravy later.
• Prick the duck's skin with a fork. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Twist the wing tips under the back and place the duck, breast side up, on a rack set in a roasting pan. Stuff onions, carrots and butter into the cavity. Sprinkle the duck all over with the dried herbs and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Lay bacon slices crosswise over the breast. Roast duck in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees, 11/2 to 2 hours.
• Place duck on a serving platter and tent with foil. Remove vegetables from cavity. (Check to see if the vegetables are edible. If still raw, microwave until tender and feed to the dogs.)
• Prepare the gravy by pouring off all but 3 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. Place the pan over medium heat. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the burned bits stuck to the bottom and then sprinkle with the flour. Cook, stirring, to toast the flour, about 3 minutes. Add the milk and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer. If too thick, loosen with water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.