Duck Watermelon Herb Salad With Roast Cashews Food

DUCK, WATERMELON & HERB SALAD WITH ROAST CASHEWS

Steps:

• Place the duck breasts, skin-side up, on a board. Score the skin all the way through, cutting down to, but not into, the flesh. Make sure you score all the way to the edges. This will ensure the skin doesn't pull the flesh in as it shrinks.
• Season the skin with a generous amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the duck, skin-side down, in a solid heavy-based cold pan, then put the pan over a medium heat. Now do not touch anything, do not move the pan. What will happen over the next 10-12 mins is that the fat under the skin will slowly melt, then the skin will brown and go crisp. Once all the fat has run from the skin, there will be a good 1-2cm of duck fat in the pan. Spoon off the excess fat, season the flesh side now (not before), then turn the duck over. Cook for 2 mins, then increase the temperature to full for just 1 min. Take off the heat, then leave in the pan to rest for 5 mins.
• For the dressing, put all the ingredients into a small food processor and whizz. Remove the 2 outer leaves from each head of lettuce and discard, then peel the leaves away, one at a time. Lay them out on a big serving plate.
• Thinly slice the duck, then toss with the radishes, spring onions, grapefruit, watermelon, herbs and some of the dressing. Spread over the leaves and scatter the nuts over the top. Drizzle more dressing over and serve.

DUCK & WATERMELON NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the duck legs on a baking tray and rub with the oil, five-spice and ½ tsp salt, and roast for 1 hr. Meanwhile, mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl and season.
• Remove the tray from the oven and pour any fat into a mug (save this to make fantastic roast potatoes). Spoon 1 tbsp of the dressing over each duck leg, then drizzle with a little extra honey (about 1 tsp per leg). Return to the oven for another 15 mins, brushing any sticky sauce that drips off the duck back onto the skin after 8-10 mins. Remove from the oven and leave to rest while you prepare the noodles.
• Boil the kettle and put the noodles in a large bowl. Pour over enough hot water to cover, then leave to stand for 3-5 mins until soft. Drain and run under cold water to cool. Shred the duck meat and skin with two forks - it should easily pull away from the bone. Toss the noodles in any sticky, fatty juices left on the tray used for the duck.
• Arrange the noodles on a platter. Top with the watermelon, duck, herbs and chilli, pour over the remaining dressing and toss together just before serving.