Muscovy Duck Breasts With Pomegranate-Wine Sauce

By á-174942

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 1/2 cups minced shallots - (abt 8 large)
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 1/4 cups dry white wine divided
• 3/4 cup dry red wine
• 2 cans low-salt chicken broth - (14 oz ea)
• 1 can low-salt beef broth - (14 oz)
• 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

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

* Available at some supermarkets and Middle Eastern markets, and by mail at adrianascaravan.com.

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 degrees. 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 degrees 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.

This recipe yields 8 servings.