HOW TO COOK DUCK BREAST RECIPES

Steps:

• Score the duck breast skin. About an hour before cooking, remove the duck breasts from the refrigerator and their packaging. Use a sharp knife to score the skin: Make 3 to 4 parallel shallow cuts into the skin, but not through it, in one direction, then make 3 to 4 shallow cuts in another direction, making a cross hatch or diamond pattern. Pat the duck breasts dry with paper towels.
• Season with salt and rest for 15 minutes. Season the breasts on all sides with salt (you might not use all the salt; that’s fine). Set aside and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the potato into small 1/2-inch cubes.
• Start in a cool pan to render out as much fat as possible. Place the duck breasts skin-side down in a large cast iron skillet and turn the heat to medium. You want to crisp the skin slowly, driving out as much of the fat as possible.
• Cook on the first side for 6 to 8 minutes. After 6 to 8 minutes, the pan will have filled with a substantial amount of fat from the skin. The skin should be a very dark golden-brown.
• Flip the breasts and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until they reach 135°F. Flip the breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more. Add the potatoes to the pan right after you flip the breast. Cook until the breasts are plump and register 135°F in the thickest part of the breasts for medium-rare.
• Rest the duck for 5 minutes and continue to cook the potatoes until crisp. Remove the duck breasts to a clean plate or cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Continue cooking the potatoes, stirring regularly, until they are golden-brown on the outside and tender inside, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Slice the duck breasts and serve with the potatoes. Slice the duck breasts on the diagonal and serve over the potatoes with any accumulated juices on the resting plate.

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, score the duck skin (fat) with diagonal parallel slashes 1/2 inch apart to make a diamond pattern, being careful not to pierce through to the flesh.
• Pour the balsamic vinegar into a shallow dish just wide enough to fit the breasts in one layer.
• Add the duck, flesh (not fat) side down; cover and leave to marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature (can be marinated up to 2 hours refrigerated but remove for last twenty minutes at room temperature).
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add duck, fat side down and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes (covered to avoid spattering).
• After the 5 minutes, carefully pour the rendered fat from the pan and wipe the outside of the pan of any grease that may have dripped there before placing back on the stove.
• Turn the duck breasts over and continue to cook: about 5 minutes more for rare, 8 for medium rare, and 10 minutes for well done, but of course depending on the size of the duck breasts.
• Remove duck from pan to cutting board and slice thinly against the grain.
• Serve immediately, passing extra balsamic vinegar for drizzling if desired.