Tag Archive for: duck

Seared Duck with Cabernet Reduction

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Serves 4

  • 4 duck breasts, boneless, skin on
  • 1⁄4 tsp. salt
  • 1⁄4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 3⁄4 c. dried cherries, halved
  • 3⁄4 c. Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 6 Tbsp. butter, cut in small pieces

Season both sides of duck breast with salt and pepper. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat; when hot, place duck breast in pan skin side down. Allow duck fat to render from under skin, crisply browning skin, about 8-10 minutes. (Do not shortchange this procedure!) Once well browned, increase heat to high and turn breast over to sear meaty side until it is also nicely browned. Remove duck from pan; keep warm.

Pour off accumulated fat, turn heat to low. Add shallots, dried cherries, and wine; cook together until wine is reduced by half. Add butter, a few pieces at a time, whisking to incorporate each addition. Check for seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, spoon reduction sauce over duck breasts.

Recipe from Chef Jeremy MacVeigh, Professional Culinary Institute, PCIchef.com

Chef’s Note:

“The key to cooking duck breast is to render it, skin side down in a moderately hot pan for about 8-10 minutes to make the skin very crisp and to melt off the considerable amount of fat that lies beneath duck skin. Crisped duck breast skin is sublime, but only if it has been rendered well.”

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Mixed Greens and Duck Salad

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Serves 2, can be doubled

  • 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 slices shallot, minced
  • Salt and fresh ground pepper
  • 2 boneless duck breasts
  • 1 tsp. butter
  • 6 c. mixed greens
  • 1/3 c. pomegranate Craisins
  • 1/3 c. crumbled blue cheese
  • 1⁄4 c. slivered almonds

In large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper. Heat butter in skillet over medium heat. Rinse duck breasts and pat dry; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook skin side down about 5 minutes, until skin is golden and crisp. Turn and cook about 5 minutes more. Meanwhile, toss remaining ingredients in bowl with dressing. Divide among two dinner plates. When duck is cooked through, drain on paper towels before slicing crosswise. Arrange atop plated salad; serve with crusty bread alongside.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Pinot Noir

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