Spiced Balsamic Duck With Plums And Couscous Recipes

ROAST SPICED DUCK WITH PLUMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 4. Toast the star anise and coriander seeds in a dry pan until aromatic. Tip the toasted spices into a spice grinder with 2 tsp sea salt and grind into a fine powder (or crush using a pestle and mortar). Put the spice salt in a bowl, add the sugar, mix well and set aside.
• Lightly score the skin of the duck in a criss-cross pattern and heat the oil in a large casserole. Using a pair of tongs to turn it, brown the duck well on all sides, pour off the excess fat, then sit the duck breast-side up and season all over with the sugar and spice mix. Pack the plums around the outside, then scatter over the bay and pour over the vinegar and stock.
• Roast in the oven for 2 hrs or until the duck is golden and the plums have broken down. Turn the oven right up for 10 more mins to crisp up the skin. Take the duck out of the pan to rest for 10 mins and spoon the excess fat off the plums. Carve the duck and serve with a good spoonful of plums.

HONEY SPICED DUCK

Steps:

• Score the duck breast skin in a criss-cross fashion.
• Blend the honey, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, five spice powder and pepper in a small bowl.
• Coat the duck in this marinade in a shallow bowl.
• Cover and leave for 1 hour or overnight.
• Set the oven to fairly hot, 200c/400f.
• Put the duck on a rack in a roasting tin, reserving the marinade.
• Cook for 20-30 minutes depending on their size and how well you like your duck cooked.
• Put the marinade and 40mls of the roasting juices in a small pan.
• Add the spring onions and bring to the boil.
• Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
• I serve the duck on a bed of rice with the sauce and spring onions spooned over, and sometimes some cranberry sauce to finish.

SPICED BALSAMIC DUCK WITH PLUMS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Spiced Balsamic Vinegar:
• Combine vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilli and star anise in a small saucepan stir over low heat for 4 minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced by one-third and slightly thickened. Remove the flavourings and discard. Set aside.
• Duck:
• Season the duck breasts well with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat and place the duck breasts in skin-side down. Cook 6 minutes until crispy, then turn over and cook a further 4 or until done to your liking. It's normal to serve duck breast cooked medium to rare. Rest for 5 minutes before serving
• While the duck is resting, pour the boiling stock over the couscous and set aside covered for 5 minutes. Stir the butter through with a fork fluffing up well.
• Place the plums in the reduction and reheat gently.
• Slice duck breasts and serve them and the plums over couscous.