Prep Time

    •    Prep time: 5 minutes
    •    Cook time: 25 minutes
    •    Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

    •    2 duck breasts, with skin still on
    •    Salt and pepper
    •    1 pinch sugar
    •    1/4 medium onion, chopped
    •    1/2 garlic clove, minced
    •    1/2 cup red wine
    •    1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
    •    1 tbsp fig preserves
    •    Small sprig fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage, plus more for a garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Sprinkle the duck breasts with a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper.
   
   
2. Place an iron-skillet over medium-high heat. Place the duck breasts in the pan skin-side down. They should start to render enough fat to sear. Cook for 3 minutes, moving them around to make sure the skin doesn't burn.
   
   
3. Flip the breasts over and place the pan into the oven. Cook for 5 minutes. Then remove the breasts, set aside, and turn off the oven.
   
   
4. Return the skillet to the stove top and turn the heat to medium. Add the onions to cook in the rendered duck fat. Cook for 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for a minute. Then add the wine, vinegar, fig preserves, and herb sprig. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Then strain the sauce into a small saucepan.
   
   
5. With five minutes left in cooking the sauce, place the duck breasts back into the oven to warm. The oven should be turned off, but there should be enough heat to gently warm the breasts back up. Slice the duck into 1/2-inch thick pieces, and spoon on some of the sauce. Garnish with some herbs.

This great family recipe is thanks to Serious-Eats Recipes at https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/01/dinner-tonight-seared-duck-breast-with-red-wine-and-figs-recipe.html