Braised Duck With Prunes Armagnac Food

PRUNES IN ARMAGNAC

Steps:

• Bring prunes, 1 cup Armagnac, and the sugar to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until liquid is syrupy and prunes are softened, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer prunes in syrup to a heatproof bowl, and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons Armagnac and the cinnamon. Let cool. Spoon prunes over ice cream, and drizzle with some syrup.

ROAST DUCK WITH PRUNES AND WINE-BRAISED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cabbage; sauté 2 minutes. Add 2 cups juice, 1 cup wine, vinegar, sugar, orange and cinnamon. Simmer until cabbage is tender and almost all liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Discard orange. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Cabbage can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cool, then cover and chill.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Place duck on rack in roasting pan. Place 10 prunes and apple in duck cavity. Sprinkle duck with salt and pepper. Roast duck 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Continue roasting until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 160°F, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining 1 cup juice and 16 prunes in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until prunes absorb almost all liquid, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer duck to platter. Tent with foil to keep warm. Pour off fat from pan. Add remaining 3/4 cup wine to roasting pan, set over medium heat and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add wine mixture to prune mixture; simmer until sauce is reduced to 1 cup, about 4 minutes.
• Bring cabbage to simmer, tossing occasionally. Slice duck; arrange on plates. Spoon prune sauce over. Serve cabbage alongside.

BRAISED DUCK WITH PRUNES & ARMAGNAC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. On the stove set a large oven proof roasting pan over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, season the ducks with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. When the pan is hot add the duck pieces, skin side down, and sear for about 6 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, until skin is crisp and golden brown. Turn over and cook on the second side for 4 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet and set aside. Drain off the excess fat from the roasting pan into a glass measuring cup. Wipe out roasting pan with paper towels, and return to the stove and set over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of the reserved duck fat to the pan and then the shallots, cut side down, along with the carrots, onions, bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Saute the vegetables and aromatics for 5 to 6 minutes, then stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, until a light roux is formed, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the red wine, chicken stock and the Armagnac. Season the sauce with remaining teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper then simmer for 3 or 4 minutes. Return the seared duck pieces to the sauce, skin side up, and add the prunes. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Then turn the duck pieces over to skin side down and continue to bake for 45 minutes longer, or until the meat is very tender. Transfer the duck pieces to a large warmed serving platter and then stir the remaining 2 tablespoons of Armagnac into the sauce. Pour the sauce into a warm sauce boat and pass along with the duck, taking care that each guest gets a few prunes and a piece of shallot.