Duck Breasts with Apricot Chutney
Duck breasts are a flavorful and versatile protein that can be elevated with the addition of a sweet and tangy apricot chutney.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups orange juice
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 12 oz dried apricots, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
duck:
- 12 duck breast halves with skin (5 ounces each)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
orange sauce:
- 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
- 3 tablespoons cold butter
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
Directions
- For chutney, in a saucepan, combine orange juice and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.
- Add the apricots, cherries, raisins, ginger, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper and cloves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until apricots are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl; stir in lemon juice. Let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
- Season both sides of duck with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, sauté duck, skin side down, in oil until skin is browned; turn and cook for 1 minute. Set aside 1 tablespoon drippings.
- Place duck on a greased rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake at 350° until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium, a thermometer should read 165°; well-done, 180°), 30-35 minutes.
- For orange sauce, sauté garlic in reserved drippings for 1 minute. Add wine; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until reduced by half.
- In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, orange juice, broth and orange zest until blended. Stir into wine mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Add butter and basil; whisk until smooth.
Remove skin from duck if desired before slicing. Serve with orange sauce and chutney.
Nutrition Facts
1 duck breast half with 1/4 cup chutney and 1 tablespoon sauce: 525 calories, 30g fat (11g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 456mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
