Duck Breast With Grapes Turnips And A Port Emulsion Recipes

SEARED LONG ISLAND DUCK BREAST AND FOIE GRAS SAUCE RED CABBAGE SLAW AND WARM YUKON GOLD POTATO AND ONION SALAD CHINESE AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR EMULSION

Steps:

• Season the duck breasts and place skin side down in a medium heated, thick saute pan. Slowly render the duck fat away (12 to 15 minutes). When the skin browns, let breast rest, meat side down. Just prior to plating wipe out pan and bring to high temperature and quickly sear the duck, meat side first, then the skin side, 3 minutes total. Let rest again before slicing.
• For the sauce, caramelize the shallots in a saucepan with a little canola oil. Season. Deglaze with cognac and reduce by 75 percent. Add the chicken stock and reduce by 50 percent. Pour into a blender and monter au foie gras. In other words, as liquid is blending, add foie gras pieces to blender. Check for seasoning and keep warm for plating.
• RED CABBAGE SLAW:
• Mix mustard with lemon juice. Whisk in oil and check for seasoning. Toss with cabbage and scallions. This slaw may be done 20 minutes before plating.
• WITH CHINESE AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR EMULSION
• In a non-reactive sauce pan, reduce the two vinegars by 80 percent until a syrup consistency is achieved. Pour the syrup into a blender while hot. While blending at high speed, drizzle in canola oil. Check for seasoning. Caramelize red onions in a saute pan coated with a little canola oil. Set aside. In a non-stick pan, coat well with canola oil and saute potatoes until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper. Toss hot potatoes with the onions and vinegar emulsion. Check for seasoning.

SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH GRAPE SAUCE

Steps:

• Using a sharp paring knife, score the fat in the duck breasts a couple times in two directions to create a crosshatch pattern. Cut through the fat but not into the meat of the breast. Salt the breasts and let sit outside the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to allow them to come to room temperature.
• Add about 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large saute pan. Place the duck in the pan skin-side down. Bring the pan to a medium heat and cook the duck breasts low and slow to allow the fat to render and so the skin can get nice and crispy. As the fat renders out of the duck, pour or spoon it out of the pan and SAVE IT for another purpose. (It's yummy!) Cook the duck for 8 to 9 minutes on the skin side. Turn the duck over and cook the duck for 2 to 3 minutes on the flesh side. Remove the duck from the pan, cover with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes.
• Add the grapes to the pan with the bacon and bring the pan to a medium heat. Cook the grapes until they split and let out their juices and the bacon is crisp.
• Spoon half the grapes out of the pan and reserve. Add the port and vinegar to the pan, season with salt and reduce the port by half. Add the chicken stock and reduce it by half. Add in the reserved grapes. Taste and re-season if needed.
• Slice the duck on a severe bias and serve garnished with the sauce.