Tea-Smoked Duck Breast With Pears And Blueberry Jus

Serves: 2

Floy Nolan

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

46

Spice

44

Sweetness

50

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2.5 cups

Chicken Stock

2 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

Directions:

1

Drain corn, pat dry, and transfer to large bowl

2

Stir in sugar, then add pears and gently toss to coat

3

Marinate duck Rinse breasts and pat dry

4

Using sharp knife, score skin in 1/2-inch crosshatch pattern, taking care not to cut through fat into meat below

5

Sprinkle breasts with pepper and teaspoon salt

6

In large bowl, stir together scallions, cinnamon, ginger, remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, and star anise

7

Add duck breasts and toss to combine, making sure both breasts are completely covered with mixture

8

Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight

9

Rinse breasts and pat dry

10

Using sharp knife, score skin in 1/2-inch crosshatch pattern, taking care not to cut through fat into meat below

11

Sprinkle breasts with pepper and teaspoon salt

12

In large bowl, stir together scallions, cinnamon, ginger, remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, and star anise

13

Add duck breasts and toss to combine, making sure both breasts are completely covered with mixture

14

Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight

15

Roast potatoes Preheat oven to 350°F

16

Prick potatoes all over with fork, wrap each in aluminum foil, and place on rimmed baking sheet

17

Roast, turning over once, until tender, 35 to 45 minutes

18

Unwrap potatoes and let cool to room temperature

19

Slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

20

Refrigerate until ready to use

21

(Potatoes can be roasted up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerated, covered

22

) Preheat oven to 350°F

23

Prick potatoes all over with fork, wrap each in aluminum foil, and place on rimmed baking sheet

24

Roast, turning over once, until tender, 35 to 45 minutes

25

Unwrap potatoes and let cool to room temperature

26

Slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

27

Refrigerate until ready to use

28

(Potatoes can be roasted up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerated, covered

29

) Blanch vegetables Have ready large bowl of ice water

30

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

31

Transfer corn to medium sieve and plunge sieve into boiling water

32

Cook corn in sieve, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then lift sieve from boiling water and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking

33

Repeat process with asparagus then carrots, allowing water to return to boil between each batch

34

Refrigerate vegetables until ready to use

35

(Vegetables can be cooked up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerated, covered

36

) Have ready large bowl of ice water

37

In medium saucepan over high heat, bring salted water to boil

38

Transfer corn to medium sieve and plunge sieve into boiling water

39

Cook corn in sieve, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then lift sieve from boiling water and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking

40

Drain corn, pat dry, and transfer to large bowl

41

Repeat process with asparagus then carrots, allowing water to return to boil between each batch

42

Refrigerate vegetables until ready to use

43

(Vegetables can be cooked up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerated, covered

44

) Poach pears Line large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and top with wire cooling rack

45

In 3-quart saucepan over high heat, stir together 4 cups water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt

46

Bring to boil, then reduce heat to moderately low, add pears standing upright, and partially cover with lid

47

Simmer pears until just tender, about 15 minutes, then, using slotted spoon, transfer to rack

48

Allow to drain and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to use

49

(Pears can be poached up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated, covered)

50

Line large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and top with wire cooling rack

51

In 3-quart saucepan over high heat, stir together 4 cups water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt

52

Bring to boil, then reduce heat to moderately low, add pears standing upright, and partially cover with lid

53

Simmer pears until just tender, about 15 minutes, then, using slotted spoon, transfer to rack

54

Allow to drain and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to use

55

(Pears can be poached up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated, covered)

56

Make blueberry jus In heavy, 1 1/2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking

57

Add onion, carrot, and leek, and saut until softened and light golden, about 10 minutes

58

Add wine, raise heat to high, and bring to boil

59

Lower heat to moderately high and simmer vigorously, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced by 2/3, 4 to 5 minutes

60

Add stock, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pod, raise heat to high and bring to boil

61

Reduce heat to moderate and simmer until mixture is thick enough to lightly coat back of spoon, 30 to 45 minutes

62

Pour through fine-mesh strainer into small, clean saucepan

63

Cover and keep warm

64

In heavy, 1 1/2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking

65

Add onion, carrot, and leek, and saut until softened and light golden, about 10 minutes

66

Add wine, raise heat to high, and bring to boil

67

Lower heat to moderately high and simmer vigorously, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced by 2/3, 4 to 5 minutes

68

Add stock, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pod, raise heat to high and bring to boil

69

Reduce heat to moderate and simmer until mixture is thick enough to lightly coat back of spoon, 30 to 45 minutes

70

Pour through fine-mesh strainer into small, clean saucepan

71

Cover and keep warm

72

Smoke duck Preheat oven to 350°F

73

Line bottom of wok and inside of lid with double layer of heavy-duty foil, leaving 3-inch overhang along edges

74

In small bowl, stir together tea leaves and cilantro

75

Sprinkle mixture in even layer on bottom of wok and set rack in wok (it should rest about 2 inches from bottom)

76

Heat heavy, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking

77

Remove duck breasts from marinade and transfer, skin-side down, to skillet

78

Sear without moving until skin is deep golden brown, about 5 minutes

79

Using tongs, transfer breasts, skin side up, to rack in wok, arranging about 1 inch apart

80

Heat wok over high heat, uncovered, until steady wisps of smoke begin to appear, 5 to 10 minutes

81

Reduce heat to moderate, then cover wok and, using oven mitts, fold foil overhang from wok and lid together, crimping to seal tightly (foil will be very hot)

82

Smoke duck breasts 10 minutes

83

Preheat oven to 350°F

84

Line bottom of wok and inside of lid with double layer of heavy-duty foil, leaving 3-inch overhang along edges

85

In small bowl, stir together tea leaves and cilantro

86

Sprinkle mixture in even layer on bottom of wok and set rack in wok (it should rest about 2 inches from bottom)

87

Heat heavy, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking

88

Remove duck breasts from marinade and transfer, skin-side down, to skillet

89

Sear without moving until skin is deep golden brown, about 5 minutes

90

Using tongs, transfer breasts, skin side up, to rack in wok, arranging about 1 inch apart

91

Heat wok over high heat, uncovered, until steady wisps of smoke begin to appear, 5 to 10 minutes

92

Reduce heat to moderate, then cover wok and, using oven mitts, fold foil overhang from wok and lid together, crimping to seal tightly (foil will be very hot)

93

Smoke duck breasts 10 minutes

94

While duck is smoking, glaze pears Slice each pear in half lengthwise and, using small spoon or melon baller, remove seeds

95

In heavy, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat, melt butter

96

Cook, uncovered, turning over once, until pears are caramelized, about 5 to 6 minutes per side

97

Remove from pan and keep warm, covered

98

Slice each pear in half lengthwise and, using small spoon or melon baller, remove seeds

99

In heavy, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat, melt butter

100

Stir in sugar, then add pears and gently toss to coat

101

Cook, uncovered, turning over once, until pears are caramelized, about 5 to 6 minutes per side

102

Remove from pan and keep warm, covered

103

Finish duck and potatoes When breasts have smoked 10 minutes, carefully unwrap foil (smoke and steam will billow out)

104

Using tongs, transfer breasts to baking dish and place in oven

105

Transfer potatoes to rimmed baking sheet and place alongside duck in oven

106

Roast duck to desired doneness, 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare (instant-read thermometer inserted into breasts will read 135°F)

107

Transfer breasts to carving board, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes before slicing

108

When potatoes are warm, remove from oven, cover and keep warm

109

When breasts have smoked 10 minutes, carefully unwrap foil (smoke and steam will billow out)

110

Using tongs, transfer breasts to baking dish and place in oven

111

Transfer potatoes to rimmed baking sheet and place alongside duck in oven

112

Roast duck to desired doneness, 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare (instant-read thermometer inserted into breasts will read 135°F)

113

Transfer breasts to carving board, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes before slicing

114

When potatoes are warm, remove from oven, cover and keep warm

115

While duck is resting, finish vegetables In heavy, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking

116

Add asparagus, carrots, and baby corn and sauté until lightly browned and heated through, about 7 minutes

117

Keep warm

118

In heavy, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking

119

Add asparagus, carrots, and baby corn and sauté until lightly browned and heated through, about 7 minutes

120

Keep warm

121

Finish sauce and duck and serve If necessary, rewarm sauce over low heat

122

Stir in blueberries

123

Divide potato slices among 4 large plates

124

Sprinkle duck breasts with pepper

125

Holding sharp knife at 45°F angle, cut each duck breast into thin slices

126

Arrange slices on top of potatoes

127

Place 1 pear half on side of each plate and arrange vegetables on other side

128

Spoon blueberry jus over plates and serve immediately

129

If necessary, rewarm sauce over low heat

130

Stir in blueberries

131

Divide potato slices among 4 large plates

132

Sprinkle duck breasts with pepper

133

Holding sharp knife at 45°F angle, cut each duck breast into thin slices

134

Arrange slices on top of potatoes

135

Place 1 pear half on side of each plate and arrange vegetables on other side

136

Spoon blueberry jus over plates and serve immediately