Wine Country Recipe: Roasted Duck Leg with Black Currant Sauce and Roasted Turnips
A tart, slightly sweet currant sauce complements and adds bright flavors to these crispy duck legs and roasted turnips. Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
4 (8-ounce) duck legs, skin on, excess fat removed
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
2 medium turnips (about 10 ounces), peeled and each cut into ten wedges
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup black currant preserves
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees with a rack in the upper and lower third. Sprinkle both sides of the duck legs generously with salt and pepper and 1 teaspoon of the thyme leaves.
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Add the duck legs, skin side down, and sear for 4 minutes. Turn the legs and sear 1 minute.
Transfer the duck to a medium roasting pan, skin side up. (Reserve the duck fat in the skillet for later use.) Cover the pan and roast the duck for 1 hour on the upper rack. Uncover and roast for an additional 15 minutes. While the duck is roasting, spread the turnips in a single layer, in another roasting pan. Drizzle the turnips with 2 tablespoons of the reserved duck fat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and the remaining teaspoon of thyme leaves.
About 35 minutes before the duck is done, put the turnips in the oven, on the lower rack, so that the duck and the turnips will be ready at the same time. When the duck is ready, let it rest while you make the sauce.
To make the sauce, remove all but 1 tablespoon of duck fat from the skillet used for searing. (If there is less than 1 tablespoon left, just use what is left.) Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add the balsamic vinegar and simmer for 1 minute. Add the black currant preserves and water and simmer for 30 seconds. Turn off heat and whisk in the butter. To serve, spoon the desired amount of sauce on 2 plates and top with 2 duck legs. Arrange the turnips next to the duck.
Pairing Suggestions:
Chapin Family Vineyards ~ 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Rich, concentrated layers of vanilla, chocolate, roasted coffee and clover.
Doffo Winery ~ 2012 Zinfandel ~ A heartfelt wine which embodies all of the Doffo family’s passion and experience.
Lorimar Vineyards & Winery ~ 2011 Solo-Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Solo can save any occasion with its super powerful dark cherry and green bell pepper and captivating ruby color.
Maurice Car’rie Vineyard & Winery ~ 2011 Zinfandel ~ Rich fruit aromas of blackberry and plum coupled with a slight spiciness of black pepper.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Wine Institute of California.
