MUSCOVY DUCK BREASTS WITH POMEGRANATE-WINE SAUCE

Muscovy Duck Breasts with Pomegranate-Wine Sauce image

Categories Duck Fruit Garlic Bake Sauté Christmas Orange White Wine Winter Pomegranate Molasses Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/2 cups minced shallots (about 8 large)
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 cups dry white wine, divided
3/4 cup dry red wine
2 14-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth
1 14-ounce can low-salt beef broth
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses*
3 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram, divided
1 fresh bay leaf
4 pounds boneless Muscovy duck breasts (4 to 8 breast halves, depending on size)
1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until golden brown, about 18 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add 1 cup white wine and 3/4 cup red wine. Boil until most of liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes. Add both broths, orange juice, pomegranate molasses, 1 teaspoon marjoram, and bay leaf; boil until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 20 minutes. Discard bay leaf. (Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.)
Set rack at lowest position in oven; preheat to 450°F. Rub meat side of duck breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 teaspoons marjoram. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear breasts, skin side down, in heavy large skillet over high heat until skin browns and fat is rendered, about 8 minutes.
Transfer duck breasts, skin side down, to rimmed baking sheet. Drain all but 1 1/2 tablespoons fat from skillet; reserve skillet. Roast duck until thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 145°F for medium-rare, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring sauce to simmer. Rewarm duck fat in reserved skillet over medium heat. Add flour; stir 1 minute. Gradually whisk in sauce.
Transfer duck breasts to cutting board. Pour off all fat from baking sheet. Add 1/4 cup white wine to sheet and scrape up browned bits; add to sauce. Simmer sauce 3 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice duck breasts and divide among 8 plates. Drizzle with sauce.
*Available at some supermarkets and Middle Eastern markets, and by mail at adrianascaravan.com.