French Fridays with Dorie this week quacks me up - it's Pan Seared Duck Breasts with
I have never cooked duck before either (umm, apparently I have for other FFWD dishes but forgot!), but after having seen an ad featuring Justine Schofield cooking it, I was happy to give it a try. However, I was not prepared for how expensive duck is - $18 for two breasts. Ouch.
Cooking the duck, the candied oranges and the sauce were all easy enough. As Dorie suggested, I cooked the candied oranges and sauce in the morning and cooked the duck in the evening.
The end result was really, really good. Judging from the amount of fat that was on the duck and in the pan, it wasn't a low fat meal, but as a treat every now and again, it is worth it. The oranges were the perfect foil for the richness of the duck, and the only change I would make would be to thicken the sauce slightly.
I served my duck with boiled mixed vegetables and microwaved baby potatoes.
To see what the other Doristas made of this dish, visit the LYL section of the website.
Looks wonderful. Catherine
ReplyDeleteThe sauce could have been a little thicker for sure. It was delicious, even with the chicken thighs I used. and kudos for finally cooking duck. Dorie's duck recipes are all winners in my book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had Duck in ages, Gaye! When I lived on Long Island in New York, we often had duck for dinner. (something about Long Island ducks being world famous) However, since moving to PA, I wouldn't dream of buying duck not only because it would be hard to come by and really expensive, but like you say, the grease can be quite over whelming. It is good every now and again though and yours looks just perfect! Now I'm wanting some duck:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Gaye...
Dorie;s duck recipes are winners, for sure!
ReplyDeleteThat looks just like this amazing duck that we ate a few weeks ago in Corsica. Great job Cakelaw! :D
ReplyDeleteTerrific duck debut for you! I think Mardi may have been the only one who found kumquats!
ReplyDeleteI loved this recipe too! I have to say, 2 duck breasts were $30.00 at my grocery store, so I opted to buy a whole duck for $20.00 and butcher it myself.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
I agree with the sauce being a bit thin for my tastes. I actually did boil it down even more just before serving and it was still soupy. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteyour sauce seems a bit thinner than the rest I've seen this morning, but the duck looks delish!! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, the sauce could have been thicker. I actually added a bit of cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it. This was such a company worthy dish, and yours looks spectacular! Love your photo! Happy friday, Gaye!
ReplyDeleteI contemplated adding starch or flour to thicken the sauce, but chickened (ducked?) out of that.
ReplyDeleteThat duck fat is gold! Potatoes cooked in duck fat are one of my favorite foods, ever...
Oh, Gaye, please say I can use that line, "quacks me up". I know you are a lawyer and I will definitely give you credit. I am already writingh the phrase in my mind..... Did you make the other two duck dishes? The duck recipe with peaches is fabulous. I didn't have a problem with the sauce. In fact, I reduced it too much and had to add a 1/4 cup of wine at the end. I think my figs were "heavy", so to speak, and made everything less runny. Yeah, it was a splurge, cost and calorie-wise but I liked it as well as you seemed to.
ReplyDeleteLOL, hi Mary, happy for you to use it.
DeleteI love duck and love making it home now that I know how. You're right that the sauce could have been thicker. I boiled mine for a long long time. My favorite part (other than the duck) was the fruit. So, so good!
ReplyDeleteThis was truly a delicious and elegant dish. All of Dorie's duck recipe were so good and if it wasn't so expensive I think I would prepare
ReplyDeleteit more often. Your dish looks wonderful, quite delicious.
Gaye, lovely dish of pan-seared duck breasts with oranges - your presentation is wonderful. I boiled the sauce for quite a while and although it had a nice consistency I would have preferred to have a bit more of it.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend,
Andrea
This looks really good, I need to mark this one as I don't have it marked yet and we do like duck...yours looks like a winner.
ReplyDeleteYou quack me up. We did the orange thing too. I am glad that I am not the only one that paid a high price for their duck. Price alone makes it a special occasion meal.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've cooked duck before either, but maybe I have. I can't remember for sure:) I couldn't find duck breast for this one so I used pork loin. I think several of us agree with you desire for a thicker sauce next time.
ReplyDeleteI used to grow cumquats but then I moved house and wouldn't know how else to source them unless you produced your own. You never see them in the shops. I do love duck and duck goes so well with orange so I know I'd enjoy this recipe xx
ReplyDeleteWoah...duck breasts are so expensive! I usually buy whole duck when it's on special at the supermarket- so much cheaper lol though it's frozen ;) I don't see kumquats are often either, except in Asian supermarkets- not a huge fan anyway, I prefer oranges! Your duck looks so delicious!
ReplyDeleteYou quack me up! lol! Love your humor and this recipe. My family loves duck so this is a must try. I can imagine how rich it is. I like your blog!
ReplyDeleteYour duck is the stuff dreams are made of.. this looks lovely and so darn succulent. Amazing recipe
ReplyDelete