Duck breast over greens

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
6cupsWashed and dried mesclun
Salad greens
3Anjou pears, cored and
Peeled and cut into fine
Dice
Salad dressing made of 1/2
cupHazelnut or walnut oil mixed
With 2
TB white Balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground
Black pepper
6Skinless boneless duck
Breast halves
2tablespoonsOlive oil
¼teaspoonEach of ground cardamom,
Cloves, coriander and cumin
1cupPeeled, seeded and julienned
Fresh tomatoes
1cupGood flavored veal stock
(store-bought) or chicken
Broth
Slivered black pitted olives
For garnish

Directions

Toss the mesclun with the cubed Asian pear and salad dressing; season with salt and pepper and divide it among 4 dinner plates.

Make sure to remove fat and skin from each duck breast half. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Heat a non-stick skillet until hot. Add olive oil and duck breasts, skin side down. Saute for to 4 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other for very rare duck (or longer if you don't like it rare).

Remove duck to a cutting board. Add spices to skillet with tomatoes and stock. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until reduced. Remove from heat.

Cut the duck in thin diagonal slices and fan them over the salad in the center. Spoon the sauce over the duck and serve, garnished with olives.

Yield: 6 servings

Michelle Urvater provided us this recipe.