Lunch: Duck Prosciutto

Recipe by Adam Sachs Don't worry—you don't need to buy a suitcaseful of whole ducks. Use Moulard duck breasts (available at dartagnan.com). Once cured, slice them very thinly and serve with a salad or garnish with tart blueberry preserves, fig chutney, o

Ingredients

2 1-pound boneless Moulard duck breasts with skin
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
5 juniper berries, cracked
3 bay leaves, crumbled
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Ingredient info: Look for juniper berries in the spice section of better supermarkets. Smoked paprika is available at better supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and latienda.com.

Instructions

Using a small knife, trim all but a 1/8" layer of fat from each duck breast; reserve fat for rendering. Mix remaining ingredients in a medium bowl.
Arrange 2 sheets of plastic wrap side by side on a work surface. Spread 1 scant cup salt mixture (do not pack) in center of each sheet, spreading mixture to match the size of the duck breasts. Top each with 1 duck breast, fat side down. Spread remaining salt mixture over meat, dividing equally. Bring plastic wrap up and over each duck breast, wrapping tightly. Place on a small rimmed baking sheet, fat side down, and refrigerate for 7 days to cure.
Unwrap duck breasts. Scrape off salt mixture (do not rinse). Using a long, sharp knife, thinly slice meat.

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