Duck Breasts With Cherry Port Sauce

Garlic mashed potatoes would be a perfect accompaniment.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup port wine
• 1⁄2 cup dried tart cherry
• 4  duck breasts (boneless-about 8 ounces each)
•  salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste (for the duck)
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped shallot
• 1⁄2 lb fresh rhubarb, trimmed and sliced
• 1⁄2 lb  fresh sugar snap pea
• 2  cups chicken broth or 2  cups  stock
• 2  teaspoons arrowroot
• 2  tablespoons  orange juice
• 2  tablespoons honey
• 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
•  salt, to taste

Directions

1. In a small saucepan heat the port over moderate heat until it is hot; add the cherries, cover the pot and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes.
2. Score the skin of the duck in a crosshatch pattern and season both sides of the duck with salt and pepper.
3. Heat a medium saute pan over high heat until it is very hot.
4. Add the duck, skin-side down and reduce the heat to moderately-low.
5. Cook the duck for 6 to 8 minutes, pouring off the accumulated fat.
6. Transfer the duck to a small roasting pan and roast it for 10 minutes at 400°F (for medium-rare); let the duck stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
7. While the duck is roasting, pour off all but 2 tablespoons of duck fat from the saute pan.
8. Add the shallots and saute over moderately-high heat until softened.
9. Add the rhubarb and saute for 4 minutes; add the sugar snap peas and saute for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
10. Transfer the rhubarb/pea mixture to a bowl and stir in one tablespoon of honey.
11. Add the cherry/port mixture to the saute pan and let it simmer for 1 minute.
12. Add the chicken broth/stock and simmer until reduced by one third.
13. Whisk together the arrowroot with the orange juice, add the mixture to the sauce and then let it come to a boil; add the remaining 1 tablespoon honey, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and salt to taste.
14. Divide the rhubarb/snap pea mixture among 4 plates.
15. Slice the duck at an angle and divide it among the 4 plates (arrange on top of the rhubarb/peas), then drizzle all with the sauce.