Duck Breast with Apricot Red Wine Sauce & Herb Orzo
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- Level
- very easy
- Prep Time
- 10 mins
- Total Time
- 1 h
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2
- duck breasts (about 14 oz/400 g each)
- 1 tsp
- pumpkin pie spice
- 5 mL
- 1/2 tsp
- salt and pepper
- 2 mL
- 1 cup
- red wine
- 250 mL
- 1/4 cup
- Sensations by Compliments Pure Apricot Jam
- 60 mL
- 2 1/2 cups
- orzo
- 625 mL
- 3 tbsp
- butter
- 45 mL
- 4
- cloves garlic, sliced
- 3 tbsp
- chopped fresh sage leaves
- 45 mL
- 1 tbsp
- finely chopped fresh thyme
- 15 mL
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). With a sharp knife, score skin of duck breast in a criss-cross pattern (being careful to score only the fat layer, not the meat). Pat duck dry with paper towel. Season all over with pumpkin pie spice, salt and pepper. Heat large ovenproof skillet over low heat. Add duck breasts skin-side down. Cook 10 to 15 min. until skin is golden brown and crispy. The fat will slowly start to melt, remove any excess fat with spoon as it renders and reserve for another use.
Step 2
Transfer duck (still skin-side down) to oven. Roast 8 to 10 min. until internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) for medium rare or 74°C (165°F) for well done. Transfer to wire rack, skin-side up. Let rest 10 min.
Step 3
Meanwhile, wipe pan clean and place over medium-high heat. Stir in wine and jam; bring to a boil. Cook 8 to 10 min. until thick and syrupy.
Step 4
At same time, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup (60 mL) pasta water. Heat another skillet set over medium-low heat. Add butter, swirling in pan, cook 1 to 2 min. until butter stops frothing and turns light brown. Stir in garlic, sage and thyme. Cook 1 min. until fragrant and sage is wilted. Stir in orzo and reserved pasta water. Plate pasta onto 6 dishes. Slice duck breasts and place overtop. Drizzle wine sauce over duck to serve.
Tip
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