Sugar-n-Spice Duck Breast

Take the extra step to freshly grind your spices to yield an aromatic and succulent dish.

Ingredients

2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
2 teaspoons freshly ground cumin
1 teaspoon freshly ground star anise
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 whole duck breast
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 garlic clove, crushed

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
2. Using a fork, combine half of the orange zest, cumin, anise and pepper with 1 tbsp of butter along with all the salt.
3. Rub the mixture on the entire duck breast and let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
4. In another bowl, mix the brown sugar with remaining zest, cumin, anise, pepper and garlic. Set aside.
5. In an oven-safe skillet, heat the remaining butter over medium heat until butter is golden brown.
6. Carefully sear the breast on each side for 2 minutes.
7. Now place the skillet into the pre-heated oven for EXACTLY 5 minutes.
8. Remove the skillet from oven and transfer the breast to a plate to cool for another 5 minutes.
9. Preheat your broiler.
10. Dredge the breast in the remaining sugar mix and place onto a baking rack with baking pan underneath. Broil for EXACTLY 2 minute or just until you see the sugar melted.
11. Transfer and cool for 3-4 more minutes before serving.

Serve

Using a very sharp knife, thinly slice the breast and place onto serving platter with remaining juices.