Honey-Roasted Duck Breasts with Toasted Red Quinoa and Asian Pears

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• Kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups red quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 2 1/4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup pecans
• Two 1-pound Moulard duck breast halves
• Finely ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 small Asian pears, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoons dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. In a large ovenproof saucepan, heat the olive oil.
3. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes.
4. Season with salt.
5. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, until the quinoa is lightly toasted, 2 minutes.
6. Add 2 cups of the stock and bring to a simmer.
7. Cover and bake for about 20 minutes, until all of the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
8. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and fold in the parsley; keep warm.
9. Meanwhile, spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 4 minutes, until lightly golden; coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl.
10. Increase the oven temperature to 400.
11. Score the duck skin in a crosshatch pattern and season with salt and pepper.
12. In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the duck breasts skin side down over low heat until most of the fat has rendered, about 10 minutes.
13. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
14. Turn the duck breasts skin side up and add the honey to the pan.
15. Baste the duck with the honey and roast in the oven for 6 to 7 minutes, until medium-rare.
16. Transfer the duck to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
17. Meanwhile, in the same skillet, cook the pears over moderately high heat, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes.
18. Add the butter, sherry and remaining 1/4 cup of chicken stock and cook until thickened, stirring to loosen any browned bits, about 3 minutes.
19. Stir in the rosemary.
20. Thinly slice the duck breasts crosswise.
21. Spoon the quinoa onto 4 plates and top with the duck and pecans.
22. Spoon on the pear sauce and serve.

extravirgin olive oil, onion, kosher salt, red quinoa, chicken, parsley, pecans, duck breast halves, ground pepper, honey, asian pears, unsalted butter, sherry, rosemary

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/honey-roasted-duck-breasts-with-toasted-red-quinoa-and-asian-pears (may not work)