Canard a l'Orange (Duck with Orange )

by Michel Lemoine
from Good Food Bites

Michel Lemoine rustles up duck to delight with this tempting adaptation of the favourite classic French dish

Servings: 4
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients
4 duck breasts
Salt , and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp Butter
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 bag of pre-packed baby spinach leaves, washed

For the sauce:
½ tbsp brown sugar
50ml white wine vinegar
250ml orange juice
250ml well flavoured chicken stock
zest of 1 orange, finely sliced
segments from 2 oranges

Method
1. Trim the duck breasts to remove any excess fat and score the skin with a diamond pattern.

2. To make the sauce, put the sugar and vinegar into a saucepan, bring to the boil and reduce until it begins to caramelise. Add the orange juice, reduce down to one third and add the chicken stock. Leave to simmer.

3. Set the oven to 200°C/gas 6. Season the duck breast with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a frying pan over a high heat and add the duck breasts, skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden, turn the breasts over and cook for a further 30 seconds. Transfer to the oven and cook for 4-5 minutes, depending on size. When the duck is cooked, remove it from the oven and leave to rest - skin side up.

4. Heat the butter and add the garlic and spinach. Cook briefly until the spinach has wilted and then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

5. Add the orange zest to the orange sauce and simmer for a minute or so.

6. To serve, place a portion of drained spinach on each plate, cut the duck breast skin into slices and fan evenly across the spinach. Put the orange segments into the sauce and gently poach for 15 seconds. Place the orange segments around the duck and pour the sauce around the plate.