Seared Duck Breast With Cherries And Port Sauce Food

DUCK BREAST

Steps:

• The day before: score the skin of the duck breast to help render the fat. Either use a very sharp knife to score the skin in a criss cross, diagonal pattern, being careful to only cut the fat, not going into the duck meat at all. The second option for scoring duck breasts: use a sausage pricker. By gently pressing down all over the surface of the duck skin and fat, you're creating lots of tiny holes.
• Dry out the skin. Once the skin is scored (or pricked), place duck breasts on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for 8-12 hours, or up to 3 days. The cold air from the refrigerator will help to dry out the skin. This is key to getting crispy skin when you render the fat.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Heat a small amount of canola oil (or other high smoke point oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable oil) in a large skillet over medium heat, no higher!
• Cook the duck breasts. Season the duck on both sides with salt and pepper, then add skin side down. Cook undisturbed for 5-8 minutes, or until the fat has rendered. You'll know the duck is ready to flip when it easily pulls away from the pan, the fat has shrunk significantly, and the skin is crispy and golden brown.
• Flip the duck. Gently turn the duck breasts over, being careful not to puncture the skin. (If you're adding any aromatics -- garlic, fresh herbs, etc -- this is the time to do so). Transfer the pan to a preheated oven and cook for 5-7 minutes (Pekin duck will only take an additional 3-5 minutes). Check temperature to ensure desired doneness is reached. For medium-rare, look for an internal temperature of 135 F.
• Rest the duck. Allow the duck breasts to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into ¼ - ½" thick slices. Meanwhile, make the sauce.
• Make the port cherry sauce. Sauté olive oil, garlic cloves, fresh thyme, and cherries in a sauce pan, about 1-2 minutes over medium-high heat, breaking up the jam with a spatula. Pour in port (or red wine) and chicken stock, then bring to a boil and reduce by half. Turn off the heat, add 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, then swirl the pan until butter gently melts. Serve over sliced duck with flake sea salt sprinkled on top.

SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH PORT CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice the skin of the duck in a diamond pattern, being careful to just cut through the skin and fat, but not into the meat. Cut at about 1 inch intervals. Sprinkle the duck breast with kosher salt and pepper. For best results let the duck sit out on the counter for at 30 minutes, up to 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 450F. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position.
• Once you are ready to begin, heat a medium oven proof skillet over medium high heat. And get a large saucepan of water over high heat to bring to a boil.
• Once the water in the saucepan is boiling, add the broccolini and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and then plunge into cool water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
• Lay the duck breast skin side down in the hot skillet. Reduce the heat to medium low and let the skin brown and fat render for 4-5 minutes, or until the skin is deep golden brown and much of the fat has melted off. Spoon out the fat frequently while you are searing the duck. Turn the duck over and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Flip the duck back to skin side down and put the skillet in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the duck reaches 130F for medium rare. If you prefer medium, continue roasting for another 1-2 minutes and take the duck out at 135F.
• Once the duck is out of the oven, move it to a plate and let it rest. Then add the broccolini to the skillet and saute it in the duck fat (adding more if needed) for 2-3 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned. Sprinkle the broccolini with some kosher salt.

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.

DUCK BREASTS WITH CITRUS PORT CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Score the skin of the duck breast with a knife in 2 directions, crossing over each other (makes a crosshatch). Season both sides of each duck breast with salt and pepper.
• In a large nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, place the duck breasts skin side down. Sear the breasts until the skin is golden brown about 10 minutes, flip and sear the other side for just 3 minutes. Place the seared duck breasts in a baking dish skin side up, and put them in oven. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove the duck breasts from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour off most excess fat from skillet, and place it back on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute until translucent. Pour in the port wine and orange juice, and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the orange zest and chopped cherries and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce the mixture and thicken, mashing the cherries with the back of a wooden spoon to extract flavor as they cook.
• Slice the breasts into 1/4-inch slices on a diagonal. Pour the cherry port sauce over the top and enjoy!
• Cook's Note: excess duck fat can be refrigerated and is great for cooking potatoes or eggs.

SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH CHERRY-PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the stock until steam begins to rise from the surface, about 3 minutes. Add the dried cherries and remove from the heat.
• Season the duck breast halves with salt and pepper. Using a sharp knife, score the skin by making a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Place the duck, skin side down, in the pan and cook until the skin is very crisp and golden, 12-15 minutes. Turn the duck over and cook until the meat is just springy when pressed, 3-5 minutes more for rare to medium-rare, or until done to your liking.
• Transfer the duck to a warmed platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before carving.
• Pour off all but 1 Tb fat from the pan. Set the pan over medium heat, add the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Add the port, bring to a boil and cook until it is almost evaporated, about 3 minutes.
• Add the stock and cherries and the demi-glace, and cook until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the butter and whisk until completely incorporated.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Using a sharp carving knife, cut the duck across the grain into thin slices and arrange on a warmed platter. Pour the sauce over the meat and serve immediately.