Ingredients
- 4 duck breasts
- Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon duck fat or olive oil
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Preparation
Blackberry Balsamic Reduction
- In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar, blackberries and brown sugar. Lightly crush the berries. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer (stirring occasionally) until reduced by half.
Remove from heat. Run reduction through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds and pulp. Sauce will thicken as it cools.
Duck
- Score the skin (but not the meat) in a cross-hatch pattern. Lay the duck breasts out on a cutting board. Salt the duck breasts on both sides, then let stand for at least 15 minutes. Pat the duck breasts dry with paper towels before cooking.
Heat 1 teaspoon of duck fat or olive oil in a large cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. When hot, lay the breasts skin-side down. Depending on the size of the duck breasts, follow these instructions:
- For small duck breasts: cook for about 3 minutes on the skin side, 1-2 minutes on the meat side.
- Medium-sized duck breasts: cook 3-5 minutes on the skin side, 3-4 minutes on the meat side..
- Larger sized duck breasts: cook 5-8 minutes on the skin side, 4-6 minutes on the meat side.
When the sizzle starts to die down, turn the duck breast over and lightly salt the skin side for more flavor and crispier skin. ¾ of the total cooking time should be on the skin side.
Remove the ducks from the pan and let them rest on a cutting board, skin side up, for 5 minutes.
Slice the breasts, drizzle with blackberry sauce and serve.