Duck Salad With Cheese Toasts And Port Currant Sauce Recipes

HONEY & SOY DUCK SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Score the skin of the duck breasts and season. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a high heat, add the duck, skin-side down, and cook for 4 mins or until the skin is crisp. Turn over and quickly brown the underside, then transfer to a baking tray.
• Mix the dressing ingredients together and spoon all but 2 tbsp of it over the duck. Roast the duck for 10 mins for pink, longer if you prefer. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 4 mins, then slice into strips. 3 Toss together the salad, tomatoes, spring onions and duck slices. Drizzle over the remaining dressing and serve.

DUCK BREASTS WITH REDCURRANT & ONION RELISH

Steps:

• Gently fry the onion, apple, garlic, ginger and chilli, if using, in a pan with the oil for about 10 mins until softened. Pour in the vinegar and bubble down until reduced by half. Add 100ml water and sugar to taste. Cook until reduced by two thirds and thickened. Stir in the redcurrants and balsamic vinegar, and cook for another 5 mins. The relish can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge.
• Using a sharp knife, slash the fat of the duck breasts in a criss-cross, cutting almost through to the flesh. Rub the skin with salt and five-spice powder.
• Heat a heavy-based frying pan, until you can feel a gentle heat, then place the duck, skin-side down. Cook for 5 mins on a low to medium heat until the fat begin to melt. Spoon over the duck and season.
• When the skin begins to brown and crisp, after about another 2 mins, tip out the excess fat. Flip over the breasts and cook for another 5 mins on the flesh side. This will give you medium-rare duck. If you prefer well done, cook for a further 3 mins or so. Remove from the heat, allow to stand for 5 mins then slice diagonally. Serve with watercress salad and the relish.

DUCKLING WITH PORT-WINE AND RED CURRANT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Remove giblets and necks from the ducklings. Rinse everything with running cold water and drain. Pat ducklings dry and cut each into quarteers; trimming excess skin and fat.
• Place a rack in roasting pan. Place duckling quarters, skin side up on rack and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for about 2 hours or until ducklings are golden and tender.
• While bird is roasting, place giblets and neck into a pot with enough water to cover. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Drain, reserving 1 cup of broth.
• In saucepan, combine the port-wine, orange juice, lemon juice, mustard, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup currant jelly and the reserved broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. In a small bowl or cup mix 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 cup water. Gradually stir into simmering liquid in saucepan. Cook until sauce thickens slightly and is smooth.
• In a cup, stir 1/4 cup red-currant jelly and 1 teaspoon of water until smooth. About 10 minutes before duckling is done, brush duckling quarters with jelly mixture.
• To serve, arrange the duckling on a warm platter with oranges and olives as garnish. Serve the sauce in a gravy train or small bowl.

PORT-CURRANT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, apple and garlic; sauté until onion is tender and golden, about 12 minutes. Add Port; reduce heat to medium. Simmer until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 30 minutes. Strain mixture; return liquid to saucepan. Discard solids in strainer. Add stock to saucepan; simmer until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup, about 15 minutes. Stir in currants. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat.)

SUMMER DUCK SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Rub the five-spice into the duck breast on both sides and place in a medium frying pan, skin-side down. Fry the breast on a medium heat for 4 mins until the skin turns golden brown. Cook for 1 min on the other side to seal the meat, then transfer to a small baking tray and wipe out the pan. Put the duck in the oven for 10 mins (or 12-14 mins if you like it cooked through).
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in the pan and gently cook the shallots for about 5 mins until soft. Add the plum sauce, soy, vinegar and sesame oil. Turn the heat to high and simmer for about 2 mins until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, tip in half the pomegranate seeds and leave to cool.
• Once the duck breasts are cooked, leave them to rest while you prepare the rest of the salad. Heat a griddle pan on a high heat and char the lettuce quarters for 2 mins each side. Put the carrots and cucumber in a bowl and toss with half the dressing.
• Pile onto a serving platter with the lettuce and avocado. Slice the duck breast into 6 thick slices, arrange on top and scatter over the remaining pomegranate seeds. Serve the extra dressing on the side.