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DUCK BREAST WITH ORANGE SAUCE
2 oranges
1/2 cup sugar
1 bunch asparagus, tips only
1 whole duck breast, skin and tenders removed and set aside
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra dry vermouth
1 cup dry white wine
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter
Cut six 1-inch wide and 2-inch long pieces of zest from the oranges. Cut strips into julienne and set them aside. Squeeze juice from the oranges; set aside for sauce. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a small pan, add sugar, stirring until it dissolves, reduce heat to medium, add orange zest and cook about 45 minutes. Remove the zest from the syrup and place on a sheet of parchment paper.
Steam asparagus tips until tender, set aside.
Season the duck breast with salt and pepper on all sides.
Cut 2-3 slices of the reserved duck fat and skin, heat a medium, nonstick skillet and cook until the fat renders, discard the skin. Put the duck in the pan, press with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook about 2-3 minutes, then turn, press and cook another 2-3 minutes. Turn and cook 1-2 minutes; turn and cook another 1-2 minutes. Duck is tastiest when rare but if you want well-done, add a minute or two to the above timing and, at this stage, reduce heat and cook another 5 minutes. Transfer the duck to a plate.
Do not wash the pan, but add and render some more duck fat, discard skin.
Deglaze pan with the vermouth and wine, bring to a boil, add ginger and cook about 2 minutes to burn off the alcohol. Pour in the reserved orange juice and cook until the sauce has reduced by half (about 10 minutes). Pour any juices that have collected around the duck breast into the sauce. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve and whisk in the butter.
To serve, cut the duck breast on the diagonal into thin slices. Fan 4 to 6 slices on each dinner plate, place the asparagus tips alongside. Pour about 1 tablespoon of the sauce over the top of the duck and asparagus; garnish the duck with strips of candied orange zest. Serves 2-4 |
