Duck Breasts With Cherry Port Sauce |
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Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 45 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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Garlic mashed potatoes would be a perfect accompaniment. Ingredients:
1/2 cup port wine |
1/2 cup dried tart cherry |
4 duck breasts (boneless-about 8 ounces each) |
salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste (for the duck) |
1/4 cup chopped shallot |
1/2 lb fresh rhubarb, trimmed and sliced |
1/2 lb fresh sugar snap pea |
2 cups chicken broth or 2 cups stock |
2 teaspoons arrowroot |
2 tablespoons orange juice |
2 tablespoons honey |
1/8 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper |
salt, to taste |
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan heat the port over moderate heat until it is hot; add the cherries, cover the pot and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes. 2. Score the skin of the duck in a crosshatch pattern and season both sides of the duck with salt and pepper. 3. Heat a medium saute pan over high heat until it is very hot. 4. Add the duck, skin-side down and reduce the heat to moderately-low. 5. Cook the duck for 6 to 8 minutes, pouring off the accumulated fat. 6. Transfer the duck to a small roasting pan and roast it for 10 minutes at 400°F (for medium-rare); let the duck stand for 10 minutes before slicing. 7. While the duck is roasting, pour off all but 2 tablespoons of duck fat from the saute pan. 8. Add the shallots and saute over moderately-high heat until softened. 9. Add the rhubarb and saute for 4 minutes; add the sugar snap peas and saute for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. 10. Transfer the rhubarb/pea mixture to a bowl and stir in one tablespoon of honey. 11. Add the cherry/port mixture to the saute pan and let it simmer for 1 minute. 12. Add the chicken broth/stock and simmer until reduced by one third. 13. Whisk together the arrowroot with the orange juice, add the mixture to the sauce and then let it come to a boil; add the remaining 1 tablespoon honey, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and salt to taste. 14. Divide the rhubarb/snap pea mixture among 4 plates. 15. Slice the duck at an angle and divide it among the 4 plates (arrange on top of the rhubarb/peas), then drizzle all with the sauce. |
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