Grilled Marinated Duck Breast with Honey Recipe

This Grilled Marinated Duck Breast with Honey recipe see juicy duck breasts and pieces of fruit flavoured with a zesty oriental marinade, cooked on the grill and finished with fresh rosemary.

20 to 25 minutes plus 4 hours marinating time 25 to 30 minutes Easy Serves 2 to 4

Image: Le Creuset

Ingredients

4 tablespoons soy sauce
4 tablespoons runny honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
Zest 1 unwaxed lemon
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground white pepper
2 large duck breasts, total weight 350g
1 bunch of large, white seedless grapes
2 apples, cored and thickly sliced
2 clementines, peeled and segmented
1 sprig of rosemary
4 x kebab skewers

Method

Make the marinade by combining the soy sauce, honey and sesame oil in a large bowl or dish. Add the lemon zest, a pinch of salt and a generous quantity of pepper.
Add the duck breasts and prepared fruit and leave to marinate for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Once marinated, remove the duck breasts and put them on kitchen paper to drain.
Thread the pieces of fruit onto the skewers.
Carefully pre-heat the empty grill over a medium heat on the hob for 4 to 5 minutes. Test the temperature of the grill – see recipe notes below.
When hot enough place the duck breasts onto the grill skin-side down and cook for 8-10 minutes each side, turning after 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove the excess fat as it renders and discard.
Once cooked remove from the grill, wrap in foil and rest for 10 minutes.
While the duck is resting place the fruit kebabs on the grill and sear for 3-4 minutes.
To serve slice the rested duck breasts, place the slices back onto the warm grill with the kebabs and pour the resting juices over the meat or place the sliced duck onto a warmed serving platter, pour over the resting juices and accompany with the fruit kebabs.
Decorate with a few leaves of rosemary.

Recipe notes

Allowing the duck to rest ensures the juices stay in the meat when it is sliced, making it juicy and the meat tenderer. Also, the meat will continue to cook for a while whilst resting which evens out the colour so it is pink, but not rare, in the centre.

To test if the grill is hot enough add a few drops of cold water to the hot surface. If it sizzles and the water evaporates almost immediately, it is hot enough and ready for use. If the water produces steam and has no sizzle, heat the grill for a little longer and repeat the test again.

You can also enjoy the grilled Duck breasts with seasonal vegetables and a glossy celeriac purée or mashed potatoes.

Shred any leftover duck and put in a bread wrap (with some cherry tomatoes and rocket salad and ) to make a delicious on-the-go lunch for the kids! Shredded leftovers will also make a good protein top for your salad.