DUSK BREAST CROSTINI

Dusk Breast Crostini image

Provided by Justin Warner, Food Network Star Season 8 Winner

Time 30m

Yield 16 crostini

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 boneless duck breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 shallots, minced
2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus leaves for garnish
1 cup orange marmalade
1 baguette, sliced on the bias into 3/4-inch-thick slices
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

For the duck: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Trim excess fat from along the sides of the duck breasts. Using a sharp knife, score the skin in a crosshatch pattern. Season with salt and pepper and place skin-side down in a cast-iron skillet. Turn heat to low and cook until skin begins to crisp, about 10 to 12 minutes. Flip and transfer to the oven to continue to cook, about 10 minutes. Remove the duck breasts from the skillet and set aside to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
For the sauce: Pour off some of the duck fat from the skillet and put the pan over a medium flame. Add the shallots, thyme sprigs, and marmalade. Cook until aromatic and slightly reduced, about 4 minutes. Discard sprigs.
For the baguette: Brush baguette slices with oil and bake until light brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
To assemble, slice duck breast on the bias into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place a duck slice on a toasted baguette. Drizzle a spoonful of sauce on top. Garnish with a few thyme leaves and serve.