Magret of Duck with Fig and Port Sauce

By AJloves2cook

Ingredients

• 4 boneless Magret or regular duck breasts (each about 8 oz/250 g)
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) minced fresh thyme
• 3/4 tsp (4 mL) each salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
• 1 shallot or small onion, minced
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) port wine
• (Instead of port, you can use 3/4 cup (175 mL) dry red wine and 2 tsp (10 mL) granulated sugar.)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) balsamic or fig vinegar
• 8 dried figs, stemmed and coarsely chopped

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from cbc.ca

Preparation

Step 1

Place duck skin side down; trim off exposed fat around edges. Without cutting through to meat, score skin and fat in crosshatch pattern. (Make-ahead: Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Sprinkle with half of the thyme, the salt and pepper; press to adhere. In large heavy ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; sear duck, meat side down, until browned, about 3 minutes. Turn duck. Transfer skillet to 425°F (220°C) oven; roast until crispy outside and medium-rare inside, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove to plate; tent with foil and let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour fat from skillet; add butter and melt over medium heat. Fry shallot and remaining thyme until shallot is translucent, 2 minutes. Add port, vinegar and figs; bring to boil, adding any juices accumulated around duck and scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Boil until slightly thickened, 1 to 3 minutes.

Thinly slice duck on diagonal; arrange on plates. Serve with sauce.

For the duck to be truly tender, it must be cooked medium-rare and sliced thinly.