Duck With Walnut Sherry Vinaigrette Food

SMOKED DUCK AND SCALLOP SALAD WITH SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare the vinaigrette dressing by whisking all of the ingredients together and reserve under refrigeration until needed.
• Prepare the fried leeks by mixing the buttermilk and egg in a small bowl. Fill a large pot 1/2 full with vegetable oil and heat to 375 degrees F. Dip leeks in mixture and then dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Deep-fry the leeks until they are crisp and golden brown. Degrease the fried leeks on absorbent paper towels and reserve in a warm place until needed.
• Prepare a stovetop smoker.
• Prepare the marinade by combining ingredients in a large bowl. Separate into 2 small bowls. Add duck breast to 1 bowl, turning to coat evenly. Marinate for 5 minutes.
• Place the duck in a smoker for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Rub scallops with marinade from second bowl. Preheat grill. Grill the duck breast for 10 minutes, turning to cook evenly. Add scallops during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
• Place the cleaned, stemmed watercress in a bowl and toss it with 3/4 of the dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Mound the watercress in the center of a chilled salad plate. Slice the duck breast and lay it on top of the mound. At the base of the mound, place 3 grilled scallops in a triangular formation. Garnish the salad by sprinkling it with roasted pecans and arranging cheese wedges. Top with fried leeks.

DUCK WITH WALNUT SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Put a 13- by 9-inch shallow flameproof roasting pan (not glass) in middle of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Pat duck dry and trim off any excess fat. Score duck skin in a crosshatch pattern at 1/2-inch intervals with a sharp knife, then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place duck, skin sides down, in roasting pan and roast until thermometer inserted diagonally into center registers 135°F, 25 to 30 minutes for medium-rare.
• Preheat broiler. Turn duck over and broil (skin sides up) 6 inches from heat until fat is golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 10 minutes. (Internal temperature will rise to at least 145°F.)
• While duck stands, pour off all but 2 teaspoons fat from pan, then add shallots and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add sugar and cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Add vinegar, along with remaining 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and cook, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 30 seconds. Transfer to a bowl, then whisk in oil until combined. Stir in walnuts.
• Thinly slice duck and serve with vinaigrette drizzled around plates.

SHERRY-WALNUT OIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, mustard, and salt. Whisk in the oil.

PEAR AND WALNUT SALAD WITH SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In the bottom of your salad bowl whisk together the first four ingredients of the vinaigrette. Once blended stir in the cheese until coated.
• Add all your salad ingredients to the bowl and toss until evenly coated.
• Enjoy!

AGED SHERRY-WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toss the minced shallots with the salt in a bowl and let the shallots "weep" for a few minutes. This helps them flavor the vinaigrette more quickly. Whisk in the mustard and sherry vinegar. Slowly drizzle in the walnut oil and the olive oil. It's not important to keep this vinaigrette emulsified. If the oil and vinegar separate, just stir vigorously to recombine them before using. Season with the pepper and more salt if needed. This vinaigrette will keep several weeks in the fridge.
• *Once oil has been opened, store it in the fridge to slow down the oxidation that leads to rancidity - especially a problem for nut oils.

BRAISED ENDIVES WITH HARICOTS VERTS

Steps:

• Cut out a round of wax paper to fit just inside a 12-inch heavy skillet, then butter 1 side of round.
• Fit endives, cut sides down, snugly in skillet. Add broth, lemon juice, butter bits, sugar, and salt, then cover endives with wax-paper round, buttered side down, and simmer until endives are tender and liquid is thickened and reduced to about a quarter of its original volume, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook beans in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then drain again.
• Remove wax paper from endives, then gently stir in beans and cook until beans are just heated through, about 1 minute.