Duck Breasts with Spring Vgetables and Herbs

Servings: 2

• 2 White Peking duck breast halves (6 ounces each)
• salt and black pepper
• 1 cup homemade or low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon chopped tarragon
• 1 teaspoon chopped mint
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives
• 1/2 cup shelled English peas
• 1/2 cup peeled fava beans
• 3 large asparagus spears, cut on an angle into 1-inch pieces
• 8 baby artichokes, trimmed and blanched

With sharp knife, score skin side of duck breasts in a series of parallel cuts 3/4 inch apart, without cutting into meat. Make a second series of parallel cuts perpendicular to the first to form crosshatch pattern. Season breasts with salt and pepper.

Place breasts skin side down in heavy nonstick skillet large enough to hold them comfortably in one layer. Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes or until fat runs out and skin is golden-brown and crisp (some breasts may brown more quickly than others; remove each breast as it is done).

Transfer breasts to baking dish or another skillet, skin side down, and finish cooking in oven about 8 minutes for rare, 10 minutes for medium-rare and 12 minutes for medium, turning breasts onto flesh side after 6 minutes.

Let breasts rest 3 to 4 minutes before slicing.

While duck breasts are in the oven, pour off fat from skillet that breasts were browned in. Add broth and simmer until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and simmer until slightly syrupy; stir in tarragon, mint and chives. Keep warm over low heat.

In skillet over medium heat, simmer peas, beans, asparagus, artichokes and remaining tablespoon of butter in 1/4 cup water, covered, about 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender but still bright green.

Place half the vegetables on each of 2 plates, mounding them slightly.

Cut each breast crosswise on a slight angle into 4 to 5 slices about 1/2-inch thick; fan slices around vegetables. Spoon half the sauce over each breast.

*Tip: To trim baby artichokes, snap off tough outer leaves to expose pale, tender inner leaves. Cut off top third of leaves, trim stems and cut artichokes in half, dropping each artichoke as it is finished into a bowl of water with 1 tablespoon lemon juice added. To blanch, drop artichokes into a saucepan of simmering water and simmer for 5 minutes; drain and rinse in cold water to cool.

Values per serving:
Calories: 296, Total Fat: 11.5 g
Fiber: 12 g