Cookbook:Seared Duck Breast with Pinot Noir Reduction

The acidic, fruity flavor of Pinot Noir perfectly matches the fatty, slightly gamey taste of the duck.

Ingredients

 * 4 ea. (28 oz) boneless duck breasts
 * Salt
 * Freshly-ground black pepper
 * 1 ½ cups Pinot Noir wine
 * 1 shallot, very finely minced
 * 1 tbsp olive oil

Procedure

 * 1) Score skin of duck in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut into the meat. Sprinkle on both sides liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
 * 2) Heat a large stainless steel skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 duck breasts, skin side down, and cook until skin is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Flip and cook 3 minutes. Move to a greased roasting pan and repeat with remaining duck.
 * 3) Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes for medium rare. Remove and keep warm.
 * 4) Pour most of the fat out, leaving 2 tbsp. Place pan back on medium high heat, add shallot, and sauté until translucent. Deglaze pan with wine and ignite carefully with a firestick, if desired. If you ignited it, wait until flames die before continuing. Bring to a boil.
 * 5) Cook wine until reduced by ⅔. Slice duck on the bias and drizzle with sauce. Serve immediately.