ROASTED DUCK BREASTS WITH FARRO RISOTTO AND DUCK CONFIT

Roasted Duck Breasts with Farro Risotto and Duck Confit image

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 30

Ingredients

Duck Confit sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 fresh thyme sprigs
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 ducks, legs, thighs, and breasts cut from carcasses; carcasses quartered
4 cups rendered duck fat
3 tablespoons chopped leek (white and pale green parts)
2 tablespoons chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped carrot
1/2 cup ruby Port
6 cups water
10 whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon butter
Farro Risotto
1 cup farro*
8 cups water
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1/4 cup chopped shallots
2/3 cup dry red wine
2 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Duck Breasts
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
3/4 cup assorted chopped nuts (such as pistachios, hazelnuts, and pecans)
1 whole star anise**

Steps:

For sauce:
Mix first 5 ingredients and duck legs and thighs in bowl. Cover leg-thigh mixture and breasts and carcasses separately; chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 200°F. Heat duck fat in medium ovenproof pot over medium heat to 200°F. Add duck leg-thigh mixture; transfer to oven and cook until meat falls from bones, about 2 hours. Allow duck confit to cool 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place duck carcasses in large ovenproof pot; roast uncovered until lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Transfer pot to stove top. Add leek and next 3 ingredients and sauté over medium-high heat until vegetables are lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add Port; boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add 6 cups water; boil gently for 30 minutes. Add peppercorns; boil broth 10 minutes. Strain broth; skim fat from surface. Boil broth in medium saucepan until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Whisk butter into sauce. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill confit and sauce separately.)
Rewarm duck confit to melt fat; remove duck from fat. Cut meat from bones and add to sauce.
For farro risotto:
Soak farro in cold water 20 minutes. Drain; rinse. Bring 8 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add 1/2 cup oil and farro. Simmer 20 minutes. Drain in strainer and rinse. Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté 1 minute. Add farro and wine. Simmer until almost all liquid evaporates, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth 1 cup at a time and simmer until liquid is absorbed and farro is just tender, stirring frequently, about 14 minutes total. Stir in cheese and 1 tablespoon butter. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, prepare duck breasts:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Sprinkle duck breasts with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add duck breasts, skin side down; cook until skin is crisp, about 5 minutes. Turn duck over. Cook 1 minute; remove from heat.
Bring honey to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add nuts and star anise; boil until honey is reduced to thick syrup, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Spoon honey-nut mixture onto duck breasts. Cook in oven about 4 minutes for medium-rare.
Rewarm duck confit sauce over low heat. Divide risotto among 4 plates. Using slotted spoon, remove duck meat from sauce and spoon over risotto. Slice breasts diagonally; arrange around risotto. Drizzle duck with confit sauce.
*Farro is sold at some Italian markets and natural foods stores.
**A brown star-shaped seed pod available at Asian markets and specialty foods stores and in the spice section of some supermarkets.