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Duck with Pomegranate

17/11/2023

Duck with pomegranate is a refined dish that combines the rich flavors of duck with the slightly sweet acidity of pomegranate. Here’s a version with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole duck, cleaned and ready to cook (about 2-2.5 kg)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 large pomegranate
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
  • A sprig of rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 glass of red wine (preferably a robust Italian wine like Chianti or Barolo)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 190 °C (375 °F).
  2. Season the inside and outside of the duck with salt and pepper. Cut the pomegranate in half and squeeze the juice of one half, keeping the seeds aside. Keep the other half for garnishing.
  3. In a bowl, mix the honey with the balsamic vinegar and add the kept pomegranate seeds.
  4. Place the duck in a baking dish and rub it with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, then spread the honey, balsamic vinegar, and pomegranate seed mixture over it.
  5. Inside the duck, put the rosemary, bay leaves, and garlic cloves.
  6. Pour the red wine into the baking dish and add the other half of the pomegranate, divided into segments, around the duck.
  7. Bake the duck and let it cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the skin becomes crispy and golden, and the duck’s juices will be clear when the meat is pierced with a knife. During cooking, baste the duck every 20-30 minutes with its cooking juices.
  8. Once cooked, let the duck rest for about 10 minutes before carving it.
  9. Serve the sliced duck on a serving platter, garnished with the remaining pomegranate segments and drizzled with the cooking juices as a sauce.

You can accompany this dish with a side of roasted potatoes or a fresh salad. For wine, a structured and characterful red would be the ideal pairing.

Curiosity

Duck with pomegranate is a dish that can be found on festive occasions, especially during winter holidays when pomegranates are in season. Pomegranate not only adds a unique flavor but is also rich in antioxidants and considered a symbol of prosperity in many cultures.

Duck with Pomegranate