Duck Breast with Apples

Name: Duck Breast with Apples
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 people
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds duck breasts; 1 tablespoon duck fat or butter; 2 apples; 1 lemon; kosher salt; 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple sugar; A pinch of cayenne pepper; 1/2 cup apple cider; 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint; Nice salt

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4.8

72 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings
4 people
Calories
319 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Duck Breast with Apples

Elizabeth Hodge

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This is a simple preparation that works just fine with domestic duck. I like to serve this as-is on the plate because it's pretty, but you can serve it alongside wild rice, mashed or roasted potatoes, or even just some good crusty bread. A simple green salad is a good vegetable here.

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Ingredients

Servings

1 1/2 pounds duck breasts
1 tablespoon duck fat or butter
2 apples, such as Jonagold or Fuji
1 lemon
kosher salt
1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple sugar
A pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 cup apple cider, hard or sweet
2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
Nice salt, to finish

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Instructions

Take the duck breasts out of the fridge and salt lightly. Let sit at room temperature for 25 minutes.
Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl of water. Slice the apples into quarter moons of about 1/4 inch thick. Do not peel. Drop each slice into the lemon juice and make sure all sides are coated to avoid browning.
Heat a large saute pan over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the duck fat or butter and swirl to coat the pan. Place the duck breasts skin side down, turn the heat to medium and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until golden brown. Turn over and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, depending on how you like your duck. Remove the duck breasts and tent loosely with foil. Let them rest while you make the sauce.
Spoon off all but about 3 tablespoons of fat. Cook the apples over medium-high heat; do not crowd them. Brown the apples lightly on both sides. When you flip them, sprinkle the brown sugar over everything and swirl to combine while the apples continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the cider in the pan and put the heat up as high as it will go. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and the cayenne into the pan and boil this furiously until it cooks down by two-thirds.
Slice the duck breast pieces roughly the same width as the apples. To make the dish, make a rosette of alternating duck breast and apple in the center of the plate. Spoon a small amount of the reduced cider on each piece of duck, then one more spoonful in the center of the rosette. Sprinkle with the fresh mint and the salt. Serve at once.

Notes

Whatever apple you use, make sure it's a firm cooking apple.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 319kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 22g (7%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 134mg (45%) Sodium 101mg (4%) Potassium 635mg (18%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 16g (32%) Vitamin A 245IU (5%) Vitamin C 30mg (33%) Calcium 24mg (2%) Iron 8mg (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 319 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	319kcal	16%
Carbohydrates	22g	7%
Protein	34g	68%
Fat	11g	17%
Saturated Fat	3g	15%
Cholesterol	134mg	45%
Sodium	101mg	4%
Potassium	635mg	14%
Fiber	3g	12%
Sugar	16g	32%
Vitamin A	245IU	5%
Vitamin C	30mg	33%
Calcium	24mg	2%
Iron	8mg	44%