Grilled Fig And Duck Salad Recipes

LACQUERED DUCK WITH GRILLED FIGS

Steps:

• Put all the syrup ingredients in a small, heavy-based saucepan. Add 6 tbsp water, season lightly with salt and pepper and simmer over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the syrup has reduced by just over half and is very sticky. Remove from the heat.
• Put the duck breasts skin side down in a cold frying pan (it's unusual to start frying in a cold pan, but with duck this is often a good idea - it makes the fat render slowly from under the skin, keeping the flesh really moist). Fry slowly for about 15 minutes until the skin is golden. At least 100ml/31⁄2fl oz fat will be rendered from the skin. (Once cool, keep the fat in the fridge - it's great for roasting potatoes.)
• Preheat the oven to fan 180C/ conventional 200C/gas 6. Sit the duck breasts skin side up on a rack in a roasting tin. Spoon a little of the syrup on top and leave for 2-3 minutes until sticky. Tip any syrup that drips into the bottom of the roasting tin back into the syrup in the saucepan, and reheat to liquefy if necessary. Repeat this technique - spooning the syrup over the duck and leaving it to stand - until there are three or four layers and you have used up most of the syrup. If it gets too thick, just add 1-2 tbsp water. Conversely, if it's too thin, add another 1 tbsp sugar. Arrange the orange slices round the duck and spoon the last splash of syrup over the top.
• Roast the duck for 8-12 minutes until done to your liking. Meanwhile, cut the figs in half lengthways, tip into a bowl and toss with the olive oil and plenty of seasoning. Heat a ridged cast-iron griddle pan (or a heavy frying pan) on the hob until very hot, then chargrill the figs for 2 minutes on each side.
• Once the duck is cooked, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 3 minutes, then cut each breast at an angle into two or three slices. Transfer to four serving plates with the orange slices and figs, and garnish with extra bay leaves and the star anise from the syrup.

DUCK BREAST AND FIG SALAD WITH A RED WINE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Trim duck breasts if necessary. Place in pan. In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 of the red wine vinegar, olive oil, bay leaf, thyme and shallots. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over duck and marinate for 30 minutes.
• Trim top portion of the stem on figs. Season with pepper. Place in pan and add remaining red wine vinegar and red wine. Hold aside.
• Heat grill. Grill duck until cooked to desired doneness. Brush with marinade while grilling. Reserve leftover marinade and heat on stove until it just comes to a boil. Hold aside.
• Take duck off grill and let rest. Place figs on grill to warm, skin side down. Slice duck on the bias. Divide arugula into 5 portions and put on plate. Place duck and figs on top. Sprinkle with blanched chestnuts. Drizzle cooked marinade over duck, figs and greens.

HONEY GLAZED GRILLED FIG SALAD WITH FETA, PISTACHIO AND MIZUNA

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar, honey, orange juice and some salt and pepper to combine. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Set aside.
• Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high for direct grilling. Brush the figs with some olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill, cut-side down, just until slightly charred. Remove to a plate.
• Toss the mizuna with some of the vinaigrette. Transfer the mizuna to a platter and arrange the figs over top. Sprinkle with the feta and pistachios and drizzle some of the remaining dressing over top. Serve at room temperature.