Cooking Duck Breast

The art of perfectly cooking duck breast

Cooking duck breast is an art that requires precision and expertise. To successfully prepare this iconic French dish, it's essential to have the right utensils and master the cooking techniques. In this article, we'll explore the different steps to achieve a perfectly cooked duck breast, juicy inside and crispy outside. We'll also discuss the essential kitchen accessories for making this recipe a success.

Essential utensils for cooking duck breast

The cast iron casserole dish: the indispensable ally

For perfectly cooked duck breast, nothing beats a good cast iron casserole dish. The Cast Iron Casserole Dish - Pink 21cm / 2L | CocoRose™ is ideal for this preparation. Its enameled cast iron ensures even heat distribution, guaranteeing consistent cooking of the duck breast. Furthermore, its 21cm size is perfect for cooking one or two duck breasts, depending on your needs.

The CocoRose™ Cast Iron Casserole Dish: perfect for cooking duck breast

Kitchen gloves: for safe handling

When handling a hot casserole dish, it's crucial to protect your hands. CocoGant™ Oven Gloves are perfect for this task. Heat-resistant, they allow you to handle your casserole dish safely, whether you're taking it out of the oven or moving it on the stovetop.

CocoGant™ Kitchen Gloves: essential for safe handling

Preparing duck breast

The grid pattern of the skin

Before cooking, it's important to score the skin of the duck breast. This allows the fat to render more easily during cooking, resulting in a crispier skin. A good kitchen knife is essential for this precise operation. Remember to wear cut-resistant gloves to avoid any risk of injury during this delicate task.

Cut-resistant gloves: for safe preparation

Cooking duck breast

Pan-frying

The traditional method for cooking duck breast is in a pan. Start by heating your 26cm/3L Pink Enameled Cast Iron Casserole Dish | CocoDeco™ over medium heat. Place the duck breast skin-side down in the cold casserole dish and cook for approximately 8 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Then turn the duck breast over and continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness and desired level of doneness.

The CocoDeco™ Cast Iron Casserole Dish: perfect for evenly cooking duck breast

Baking

For more even cooking, you can opt for oven cooking. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). First, sear the duck breast skin-side down in your 24cm (9.5in) 3L Pumpkin Cast Iron Casserole Dish | PUMPKIN CAST IRON™ on the stovetop for 3 to 4 minutes. Then, place the casserole dish with the duck breast in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness and desired level of doneness.

The PUMPKIN CAST IRON™ Cast Iron Casserole Dish: ideal for oven-roasting duck breast

Side dishes for duck breast

Preparing the vegetables

Duck breast pairs perfectly with seasonal vegetables. For quick and easy preparation, the Mandoline Cuisine | Multifunction PRO is the ideal tool. It allows you to thinly slice carrots, zucchini, or potatoes to create delicious gratins or sautéed vegetables that will perfectly complement your duck breast.

The PRO Multifunctional Kitchen Mandoline: for perfectly sliced ​​side dishes

Honey sauce

A honey sauce is a classic accompaniment to duck breast. To make it, you'll need honey, balsamic vinegar, and finely chopped shallots. The EASYCHOP™ MANUAL CHOPPER is perfect for effortlessly finely chopping your shallots. Reduce everything in a small saucepan until it reaches a syrupy consistency.

The EASYCHOP™ Manual Chopper: for finely chopping the ingredients in your sauce

Training and presentation

Carving the duck breast

Once the duck breast is cooked and rested, it's time to slice it. For a professional result, use a sharp knife and slice the duck breast thinly, perpendicular to the grain. Don't forget your cut-resistant gloves for this delicate operation.

The presentation on the plate

For an elegant presentation, arrange the duck breast slices in a fan shape on the plate. Add your vegetables prepared with the Mandoline Cuisine | Mandoline Super Pro™ and drizzle delicately with honey sauce. For a refined finishing touch, you can use the Wooden Spoons | SmallSpices™ to add a few fresh herbs or spices on top of the dish.

The Super Pro™ Kitchen Mandoline: for perfectly cut vegetables

SmallSpices™ Wooden Spoons: for a final touch of seasoning

Conservation and reuse

The preservation of remains

If you have leftover duck breast, it's important to store it properly to preserve its quality. Bag Master ECO™ Vacuum Food Bags are perfect for this. They keep the meat airtight, extending its shelf life in the refrigerator or freezer.

Bag Master ECO™ Vacuum Bags: for optimal preservation of leftovers

Reusing duck fat

The rendered fat from cooking the duck breast is a culinary treasure. Strain it and store it in an airtight jar. To easily open your jars next time, the Time-Saving Jar Opener | Adjustable Jar Opener™ will be a great help. This fat will be perfect for sautéing potatoes or flavoring other dishes.

The Adjustable All-Purpose Opener: for easy access to your preserved duck fat

👨🍳Here's an amazing recipe for preparing duck breast in a cast iron casserole dish:

Ingredients :

• 2 duck breasts (approximately 300-350g each)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 sprig of thyme
• Salt, pepper
• 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions :

1. Preparing the duck breasts :

   • Score the skin of the duck breasts with a knife (without cutting into the meat) in a crisscross pattern. This allows the fat to render more easily during cooking.
   • Season the duck breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

2. Heat the casserole dish :

   • Place your cast iron casserole dish over medium heat without adding any fat.
   • Place the duck breasts skin-side down in the casserole dish (the fat will render naturally). Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

3. Turn the duck breasts over :

   • Once the skin is nicely browned, turn the duck breasts over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the meat is pink in the center. If you prefer it cooked longer, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

4. Add the herbs :

   • Add the crushed garlic and thyme to the pot. You can also deglaze with a tablespoon of honey and balsamic vinegar for a sweet and savory sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes.

5. Rest :

   • Remove the duck breasts from the casserole dish and wrap them in aluminum foil. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing them thinly.

6. Service :

   • Serve the duck breasts with their sauce and accompany them with roasted vegetables, sautéed potatoes or sweet potato puree.

Enjoy your meal 🥂

Conclusion

Cooking duck breast is a true art that requires practice and the right tools. With the quality products featured in this article, you have everything you need to master this iconic French dish. Feel free to experiment with different cooking techniques and side dishes to find your favorite combination. Enjoy!