Cumin Cilantro Duck Breast With Apricot Jus And Japanese Eggplant Food

ROAST DUCK BREAST WITH DRIED CHERRIES AND PORT

Steps:

• Wrap each duck breast in plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet until each breast is about 1 inch thick. Place the duck on a plate, sprinkle both sides with a total of 4 teaspoons salt, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• When ready to cook the duck, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Score the skin of the duck breasts with a sharp knife, making a crosshatch pattern but not cutting down to the meat.
• In a large (12-inch) heavy-bottomed, ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Place the duck breasts in the pan, skin side down. Cook uncovered over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes, discarding the fat from the pan occasionally, until the skin is very browned. Turn the duck with tongs, place the skillet in the oven, and roast for 12 to 18 minutes, until the internal temperature of the duck is 120 degrees F for rare. Remove from the oven, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, and allow the duck to rest for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the shallots and saute for 2 minutes, until tender. Add the vinegar and cook for one minute. Add the Port, chicken stock, cherries, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the crème fraîche, orange zest, and orange juice and keep warm over low heat.
• Transfer the duck to a cutting board and slice diagonally, fanning the slices out on 4 dinner plates. Spoon the sauce generously on top, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with extra sauce on the side.

FLANK STEAK WITH BALSAMIC ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Put a rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450˚ F. Combine the eggplant, red onion, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes in a large bowl and toss to coat. Spread out on the preheated pan and roast, tossing once, until browned around the edges and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar; toss gently.
• Meanwhile, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt in a food processor or mini chopper. Pulse until mostly smooth (it should be the consistency of a thick pesto; if it's too thick, add more water 1 teaspoon at a time). Adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• Season the steak all over with salt, pepper and the herbes de Provence. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the steak and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 4 to 5 minutes for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board to rest 5 minutes.
• Toss the basil with the eggplant; season with salt, if needed. Divide among plates. Slice the steak, divide among the plates and top with the sun-dried tomato mixture.

CUMIN-SCENTED EGGPLANT WITH POMEGRANATE AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• Stir 5 cups water and 2 1/2 tablespoons sea salt in large bowl to dissolve salt. Add eggplant slices. Place plate on eggplant to submerge; let soak 1 hour. Drain eggplant; pat dry.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sauté eggplant until brown in spots and softened, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining eggplant, adding more oil by tablespoonfuls as needed; arrange eggplant in single layer on baking sheet.
• Mix cumin and cayenne. Sprinkle eggplant with cumin mixture. Roast until golden and cooked through, 30 minutes.
• Remove eggplant from oven; sprinkle with garlic. Arrange eggplant on platter and drizzle lightly with pomegranate molasses. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds and cilantro over. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• *A thick pomegranate syrup; available at some supermarkets, at Middle Eastern markets, and from adrianascaravan.com.