Braised Duck with Pinot Noir, Cherry Tomatoes and Grapes
- One 5-pound duck, giblets removed
- Salt
- One 750-milliliter bottle Pinot Noir
- 10 black peppercorns
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 pound red or black seedless grapes, stems discarded
- Preheat the oven to 450.
- Rub the duck inside and out with salt.
- Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Set the duck, breast side down, in a very large enameled cast-iron casserole.
- Pour the wine on top and add the peppercorns, garlic and bay leaf.
- Braise the duck uncovered in the oven for 20 minutes, until it starts to brown.
- Turn the duck breast side up, sprinkle with salt and add the tomatoes and grapes.
- Braise uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 300.
- Cover the casserole and braise the duck for about 45 minutes longer, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 160.
- Transfer the duck to a rimmed baking sheet.
- Strain the pan juices into a saucepan; reserve the tomatoes and grapes and discard the remaining solids.
- Skim off the fat and boil the juices until reduced to 1 cup, 20 minutes.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and grapes; season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Using poultry shears or a large, sharp knife, cut the duck in half.
- Arrange the duck halves on the baking sheet, skin side up.
- Broil the duck 6 inches from the heat for about 4 minutes, rotating the pan as necessary, until the skin is crisp.
- Carve the duck and serve with the pan sauce.
salt, black, garlic, bay leaf, tomatoes, red
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/braised-duck-with-pinot-noir-cherry-tomatoes-and-grapes (may not work)