Indulgent Duck Breast in Port Wine Reduction

General Added: 10/6/2024
Indulgent Duck Breast in Port Wine Reduction
This Indulgent Duck Breast in Port Wine Reduction recipe is a refined culinary experience that transforms tender duck into a lavish feast. Perfect for special occasions or a luxurious home dinner, the balance of savory duck enriched with a velvety port wine sauce is sure to impress. I stumbled upon this gem back in 1999 on Epicurious, and, despite the intricate steps, it remains a favorite for its exceptional flavor and presentation. Preparing the sauce a day in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the dish's overall depth. Just a friendly advice: take your time and sip your wine responsibly while cooking to enjoy the process and avoid any get-lost moments in the steps!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Indulgent Duck Breast in Port Wine Reduction instructions

Ingredients

Dry Red Wine 1 1/4 cups (None)
Balsamic Vinegar 1/4 cup (None)
Soy Sauce 3 tablespoons (None)
Lemon Juice 1/4 cup (Freshly squeezed)
Garlic Cloves 3 (Crushed)
Fresh Ginger 1 1/2 tablespoons (Grated)
Olive Oil 1/4 cup (None)
Boneless Duck Breasts 2 (Whole, with skin on (approx. 2 lbs each))
Sugar 3 tablespoons (None)
Water 3 tablespoons (None)
White Wine Vinegar 2 tablespoons (None)
Shallot 1/4 cup (Minced)
Garlic Clove 1 large (Minced)
Dry Red Wine 1 1/2 cups (None)
Beef Broth 3/4 cup (None)
Heavy Cream 1/3 cup (None)
Tawny Port 1/4 cup (None)

Instructions

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1. **Marinate the Duck:** In a mixing bowl, whisk together the dry red wine, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, freshly squeezed lemon juice, crushed garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. 2. Place the duck breasts in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag, ensuring all surfaces are well-coated. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight for best results in flavor infusion. 3. **Prepare for Cooking:** Remove the duck from the marinade, pat dry with paper towels, and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 450ยฐF (230ยฐC). 4. **Score the Duck:** With a sharp knife, score the skin of each duck breast in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut into the flesh. Season both sides with salt and pepper. 5. **Sear the Duck:** Heat two heavy skillets over medium-high heat until hot. In each skillet, place one duck breast skin-side down. Cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the fat to render and the skin to crisp. Flip the ducks and sear for an additional 2 minutes. 6. **Roast the Duck:** Transfer the skillets to the preheated oven and roast the duck for 5โ€“7 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 145ยฐF (63ยฐC) for medium doneness. 7. **Make the Sauce:** While the duck is roasting, prepare the sauce. In a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and water, bringing it to a boil while stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer until it becomes a golden caramel color. Carefully stir in the balsamic and white wine vinegars, swirling to incorporate the caramel. 8. **Finish the Sauce:** Pour off excess fat from one skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons, then add minced shallot and garlic to the skillet, cooking over moderate low heat until softened. Pour in the dry red wine, boiling until reduced by half. Add beef broth, and reduce again by one-third, then strain through a fine sieve into the vinegar mixture, pressing on the solids. Whisk in the cream and tawny port, letting it simmer briefly before adding the beurre maniรฉ until the sauce is smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. 9. **Serve:** Let the duck rest for about 5 minutes under loose foil. Slice the duck thinly against the grain and plate the slices. Generously drizzle the port sauce over the duck before serving.

Nutrition Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indulgent Duck Breast in Port Wine Reduction?
It is a refined culinary dish featuring tender duck breast served with a rich, velvety port wine sauce.
How long should the duck marinate?
The duck should marinate for at least 6 hours or overnight for the best flavor infusion.
What ingredients are in the marinade?
The marinade includes dry red wine, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
What is the oven temperature for roasting?
The oven should be preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
How do I score the duck breast?
Use a sharp knife to score the skin in a crosshatch pattern without cutting into the flesh.
Why is the duck skin scored?
Scoring allows the fat to render effectively and helps the skin become crisp during cooking.
How long should I sear the skin-side of the duck?
Sear the duck skin-side down for approximately 10 minutes to render the fat.
How long do I cook the other side of the duck in the skillet?
After searing the skin, flip the breast and sear the other side for an additional 2 minutes.
What is the target internal temperature for the duck?
The duck should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium doneness.
How long does the roasting process take?
Roasting typically takes between 5 to 7 minutes in a preheated oven.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, preparing the sauce a day ahead allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
What type of port is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for tawny port to be whisked in during the final stages of sauce preparation.
How is the caramel base for the sauce made?
Sugar and water are boiled together until the mixture turns a golden caramel color.
Which vinegars are included in the sauce?
The sauce uses both balsamic vinegar and white wine vinegar.
What aromatics are used in the skillet for the sauce?
Minced shallots and garlic are softened in the duck fat before adding the wine.
How much should the red wine be reduced?
The dry red wine should be boiled until it is reduced by half.
How much beef broth is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of beef broth for the sauce reduction.
Why use a fine sieve for the sauce?
Straining the sauce through a sieve removes solids like shallots and garlic for a smoother texture.
When is the heavy cream added to the sauce?
Heavy cream is whisked in after the strained reduction mixture is combined with the vinegar and caramel.
What is used to thicken the sauce at the end?
A beurre manie is added until the sauce is smooth and properly thickened.
How long should the duck rest before serving?
Let the duck rest for about 5 minutes under loose foil to retain its juices.
How should the duck be sliced for presentation?
The duck breast should be sliced thinly against the grain.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is considered a refined culinary experience perfect for special occasions or a luxurious home dinner.
Where did this recipe originate?
The recipe was originally found on Epicurious in 1999.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 distinct ingredients listed in the recipe.
What should I do with the duck after removing it from the marinade?
Pat the duck dry with paper towels and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
How much duck fat is used to saute the aromatics?
Pour off excess fat and leave about 2 tablespoons in the skillet to cook the shallots and garlic.
How is the ginger prepared for the marinade?
The recipe calls for 1.5 tablespoons of fresh ginger that has been grated.
How is the garlic prepared for the marinade?
Three garlic cloves should be crushed before being added to the marinade mixture.
What is the final step before serving the dish?
Generously drizzle the prepared port wine reduction sauce over the sliced duck slices.
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