Which item is paired with duck confit?

Duck confit is a dish made from duck leg that has been slowly cooked in its own fat until tender and flavorful. Pairing it with charred fennel is a choice that complements the richness of the duck. Fennel has a slightly sweet and anise-like flavor, which can counterbalance the fatty, savory notes of the confit. The charring adds a smoky depth and additional complexity to the dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.

In contrast, while the other options may pair well in different contexts or dishes, they do not provide the same level of harmony with the rich and fatty nature of duck confit. Smoked cheddar, for instance, offers a strong flavor that might overshadow the duck rather than complement it. Almond butter caramel and buttermilk panna cotta, being desserts, have flavor profiles that are generally not suited to the savory meat dish. Thus, charred fennel stands out as the most fitting pairing for enhancing the flavors of duck confit.