You can plan on cooking Duck for Valentine's Day this year, it 's very simple and it's original. I suggest that you serve it with a light Potato Soufflé: simple and memorable!! The flavors of both dishes marry well together and you'll surprise your partner with the secret ingredient used in the Soufflé.... sssshhhh.
Serves 2
Preparation: 5 minutes for the Duck + 1 hour marinating, 10 minutes for the Soufflé
Cooking time: 5 minutes for the Duck, 10 minutes for the Soufflé
Difficulty: *
Ingredients for the duck:
- 2 duck breasts (about 1 pound)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
For the marinade:
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground 5-spices
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Ingredients for the Potato Soufflé:
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/2 tablespoon fennel seeds -this is the secret ingredient!-
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper
For the Duck:
Remove the skin off the duck breasts and cut each breast into 4 slices (not too thin).
Prepare the marinade: wisk together the lime juice and spices in a non-metallic dish and add some pepper. Coat the duck breast slices with the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a big frying pan, heat one tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, fry the duck breast slices for about 1 minute on each side.
Reduce the heat to low, add the honey and let cook for 2 to 3 additional minutes.
Serve immediately.
Prepare the Potato Soufflés (make sure they'll be ready at the same time as the duck - you can let the soufflés stand for about 5 minutes before serving):
Separate the egg white and the yolk.
Mix together the mashed potatoes, the fennel seeds and the egg yolk.
Add a pinch of salt to the egg white and beat until stiff.
Delicately mix the stiff egg white and the mashed potatoes.
Preheat your oven at 400°F / 200°C.
Fill in 2 small ramequins with the preparation and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes. Your soufflés will be fluffly and light.
Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day!!
