Rare breast of duck lacquered with spiced honey

4 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
4 Boneless Moscovy Hen Duck Breasts, Approx. 7-8 oz. each
½ cup Orange Blossom honey
½ cup Port Wine (Zinfandel Port works very nicely)
3 Each, whole clove
½ Stick, whole cinnamon
3 Allspice
1 Star anise
½ teaspoon Whole black peppercorn
2 Seed from green cardamom
1 Lime, juice and zest from
1 Lemon, juice and zest from
Salt and pepper mill
2 minutes before slicing.

Directions

from Chef David Kinch or Sent Sovi Preparation:

1. Using a sharp knife, trim and remove the sinew and membrane from the underside of the duck. With the skin side down trim off any excess skin and fat from around the perimeter of the breast.

2. Flip over each breast and score the skin by cutting through the skin without cutting the meat in diagonal lines 3. Place the honey and port wine in a non reactive pot and bring to a simmer, making sure to skim off any impurities rising to the surface.

Reduce by exactly half.

4. When the honey/port mixture is reduced, add all the spices, juices and zests. Let cool to room temperature - Strain.

5. Pre-heat oven to 425 F.

6. Place a saut‚ pan on a medium flame and season the duck breast with salt and few turns of a pepper mill on both sides. When the pan is hot place the breast skin side down and slightly reduce the heat. The breast will immediately start to render its fat and prevent the breast from sticking.

7. When the breasts are golden brown, turn them in the pan to remove the visible rawness and remove from the pan when the breasts are still very rare.

8. Brush the duck breasts on the skin side liberally with the spiced honey and place in the oven to cook to a perfect medium rare (approx. 2 minutes) and allow the honey to take on a shiny, lacquered finish. Allow to rest for 9. Slice the duck breast into thin (¼") pieces and fan out on a warm plate.

This duck preparation works well in a salad with greens, or as an entree.

At Restaurant Sent Sov' it is served with Sauteed Apples and a Savory Fennel Cake.

Posted to FOODWINE Digest 27 Jan 97 by Patrick Gerding <winestwd@...> on Jan 28, 1997.

Related recipes