PEPPERED DUCK BREAST WITH RED WINE SAUCE

Peppered Duck Breast With Red Wine Sauce image

Back in 2011, this version of steak au poivre made with duck breasts was introduced as part of a New Year's menu. Fancy enough for a gathering, but relaxed enough that it doesn't feel like too much, you can make it any time you want something a little more special than your average fare.

Provided by David Tanis

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

3 Muscovy duck breasts (about 1 pound each)
Salt
1 tablespoon freshly crushed black peppercorns
4 garlic cloves, sliced
Fresh thyme sprigs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large shallot, sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups unsalted chicken broth
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons medium-bodied red wine
1 tablespoon Cognac or brandy
2 teaspoons potato starch

Steps:

Remove the tenderloins (the thin strips of meat on undersides of the duck breast) and reserve for the sauce. With a sharp knife, trim away any gristle from the undersides of the breasts and trim any excess fat. Score the skin in a diamond pattern, cutting through the fat but not quite reaching the meat. Lightly sprinkle salt on both sides, then rub 1 teaspoon crushed black peppercorns all over. Sprinkle with the garlic and a few thyme sprigs, cover, and leave at room temperature for 1 hour. (For deeper flavor, refrigerate the breasts for several hours or overnight, then return to room temperature before cooking.)
Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and the reserved duck tenderloins; let them brown well, stirring occasionally, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and a small thyme sprig and let them fry for 1 minute.
Add the broth and 1/4 cup wine, raise the heat to a brisk simmer and let the liquid reduce to about 1 1/4 cups, about 10 minutes. Strain the sauce and return to the heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons red wine and the Cognac or brandy and cook for 1 minute more. Dissolve potato starch in 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir the mixture into the sauce. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Season to taste with salt. (Sauce may be made in advance and reheated, thinned with a little broth.)
Remove and discard the garlic and thyme sprigs from the breasts. Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high. When the pan is hot, lay in the duck breasts, skin-side down, and let them sizzle. Lower the heat to medium and cook for a total of 7 minutes, checking to make sure the skin isn't browning too quickly. With tongs, turn the breasts over and let them cook another 3 minutes for rare, 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to a warm platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice crosswise, not too thickly, at a slight angle and serve with the sauce.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 239, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 817 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams