Pomegranate Duck Food

SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Season the duck breasts generously with salt. Place both duck breasts in a saute pan large enough to accommodate without crowding. Bring the pan to a medium-low heat to render the fat from the duck. Periodically remove the fat as a lot of it begins accumulate in the saute pan. This is a low and slow process, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Once the fat has rendered and the duck skin is crispy and brown, once again remove the excess fat from the pan. Turn the heat up to medium-high and flip the duck to sear the bottom. Once the bottom is brown turn the duck so skin side is down. Add the pomegranate molasses and thyme to the pan. Cook until the molasses starts to get thick and syrupy. Turn the duck over for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the duck from the pan and let rest for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the thyme bundle and add the pomegranate seeds. If the mixture is very thick add a few drops of water to loosen things up.
• Once the duck has rested, slice it on the bias and serve drizzled with the reduced molasses and seeds.
• Just Ducky!!

ROAST DUCK BREASTS WITH POMEGRANATE-CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Stir sugar and 1/2 cup water in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil until syrup is deep amber color, swirling pan occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add juice, broth, and California chiles. Boil until sauce is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat; cool. Puree in tightly covered blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Whisk in adobo sauce, vinegar, and cumin. Season to taste with generous amount of coarse salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat before using.
• For duck:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Score skin of duck (don't cut into flesh) with 5 cuts in 1 direction; repeat in opposite direction, making diamond pattern. Sprinkle duck all over with coarse salt, pepper, and ground coriander. Place 2 large ovenproof skillets over medium-high heat. Add duck, skin side down, to skillets, dividing equally. Cook duck until skin is crisp and deep brown, about 7 minutes. Turn duck over; cook 1 minute. Pour off fat. Transfer skillets to oven. Roast duck until cooked to mediumrare, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer duck to cutting board. Let rest 5 minutes. Thinly slice each breast crosswise on slight diagonal. Arrange slices on plates. Spoon sauce over. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.
• ** Dried, smoked jalapeños in a spicy tomato sauce called adobo; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.

TENDER BRAISED DUCK WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Put the duck legs into a small, deep frying pan (there's no need to add oil). Turn the heat on to medium and leave to cook for 5-7 mins until the skin starts to turn golden brown and crispy. Meanwhile, halve the onion and cut into half-moon slices. Turn over the duck legs and add the onions to the pan. Cook 5 mins more, stirring occasionally, until duck is golden all over and the onions are soft.
• Sprinkle in the turmeric, orange zest and cinnamon stick. Cook for a few secs, stirring all the time. Pour over the pomegranate molasses followed by 300ml water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Place a cover on top, cook for 1 hr 20 mins until the duck is really tender, adding extra water if you need. Lift off the cover and cook 10 mins more until the sauce is thickened, glossy and slightly sticky. Serve with couscous or a rice pilau and a simple green salad.

POMEGRANATE-GLAZED DUCK BREAST

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together fennel, salt, lavender, and coriander. Place duck breasts, skin up, in a large dish. Sprinkle evenly with the spice mixture. Flip breasts over and place the zest, brandy, and thyme evenly on the flesh; let marinate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the duck breasts, skin side down, in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Cook until the fat is rendered and the skin is crisp and thin, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer breasts to oven and cook until pink in the center, about 4 minutes. Let duck rest for 2 minutes before slicing. Divide duck evenly among 4 serving plates and spoon over pomegranate glaze.

POMEGRANATE DUCK

Steps:

• Cut the duck in half, through the backbone and breast, using kitchen sissors.
• Mix the remaining ingredients together and marinate the duck for at least 2 hours.
• Strain and reserve the marinade.
• Pre-heat your oven to 170c and cook the duck for 1 1/2 hours.
• Increase the oven temperature to 200c for a further 10 minutes or until the duck skin is crisp and brown.
• Place the marinade in a small saucepan bring to the boil and cook over a high heat for about 10 minutes or until reduced by half.
• Remove the duck and allow to rest for about 10 minutes before cutting the halves in half.
• Serve with a little of the reduced marinade poured over.

DUCK BREAST WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE

Steps:

• For the glaze and sauce:.
• Combine the pomegranate molasses and vinegar in a small saucepan over high heat.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and add the honey; mix well.
• Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the mixture has reduced by about half (about 2/3 cup).
• Remove from the heat.
• Transfer half of the glaze (1/3 cup) to a separate small saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Add the reduced stock or broth and stir to combine; keep warm.
• For the duck:.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Use a knife to lightly score the skin on the duck breasts in a crosshatch pattern; do not cut through to the flesh.
• Season both sides of the breasts with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place skin side down in the hot skillet. (You may need to use 2 pans or do this in batches.).
• Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until nicely browned, then turn the breasts over and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the second side (for medium-rare).
• Brush the duck breasts generously on both sides with the reserved 1/3 cup of pomegranate molasses-red wine vinegar glaze (there may be glaze left over).
• Tent loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Finishing the sauce:.
• Return the pomegranate glaze-stock/broth mixture to medium-low heat.
• When it is heated through, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, stirring to combine.
• Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
• Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, as needed.
• Finishing the dish:.
• When ready to serve, cut the duck breasts into quarter-inch slices.
• Fan the slices on individual plates and drizzle the sauce over the duck.
• If desired, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.
• Serve hot or warm.