Crispy Duck Breast with Red Wine Sauce

Simple to make and delicious, this crispy duck breast entrée is sure to be a repeat recipe on your list.  Serves 2

Ingredients

• 14 oz duck breasts
• 9 oz blackberries
• 2 shallots
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/3 cups red wine
• 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 clove
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 5 sprigs thyme
• 5 tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Start by mincing the shallots. Then carefully use a sharp knife to score the skin on the duck breast in a diagonal pattern to create a diamond shaped pattern on the breast, then season with salt.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
3. Place the duck breast in a cold, dry pan skin-side down. Turn the heat to medium and let it slowly come up to temperature. Do not move the duck breast until the skin gets crispy, approx. 5 min. Reduce heat to low, turn the duck breast and fry on the other side for approx. 2 – 3 min. Remove the duck breast from the pan and transfer to a baking sheet.
4. Add shallot to the warm frying pan you seared the duck breast in. Sauté until translucent, then add sugar and let caramelize. Deglaze with red wine and balsamic vinegar and let simmer until reduced and the sugar has dissolved.
5. Add chicken stock, cinnamon stick, clove, bay leaf, thyme, and lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer, until the liquid is reduced by about half.
6. In the meantime, transfer the duck breast to the oven and let roast approx. 4 – 5 minutes to finish cooking through.
7. Add blackberries and butter to the sauce and mix well to glaze. Remove the duck breast from the oven, let rest approx. 5 min., then slice and serve with the sauce.
8. Enjoy with Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Red Wine!

Recipe Pairings