Best Recipes Ever - Magret of Duck with Fig and Port Sauce

For the duck to be truly tender, it must be cooked medium-rare and sliced thinly. Instead of port, you can use 3/4 cup (175 mL) dry red wine and 2 tsp (10 mL) granulated sugar.

Ingredients:

4 boneless Magret or regular duck breasts (each about 8 oz/250 g)
2 tbsp (25 mL) minced fresh thyme
3/4 tsp (4 mL) each salt and pepper
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 shallot or small onion, minced
3/4 cup (175 mL) port wine
1 tbsp (15 mL) balsamic or fig vinegar
8 dried figs, stemmed and coarsely chopped

Preparation:

Place duck skin side down; trim off exposed fat around edges. Without cutting through to meat, score skin and fat in crosshatch pattern. (Make-ahead: Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Sprinkle with half of the thyme, the salt and pepper; press to adhere. In large heavy ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; sear duck, meat side down, until browned, about 3 minutes. Turn duck. Transfer skillet to 425°F (220°C) oven; roast until crispy outside and medium-rare inside, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove to plate; tent with foil and let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour fat from skillet; add butter and melt over medium heat. Fry shallot and remaining thyme until shallot is translucent, 2 minutes. Add port, vinegar and figs; bring to boil, adding any juices accumulated around duck and scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Boil until slightly thickened, 1 to 3 minutes.

Thinly slice duck on diagonal; arrange on plates. Serve with sauce.

Servings: 4

Tags: balsamic vinegar, butter, duck, figs, onion, port wine, thyme