The Two-Course Date Night
Upscale
Spirited

The Two-Course Date Night

Pan-seared duck breast + a chocolate pots-de-crème. For two.

Time
1 h 30 min
Makes
Serves 2
Difficulty
Hard
Stirred

Method

1

Make the pots-de-crème first: combine the cream, chocolate, and salt in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Whisk until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

2

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale. Slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly.

3

Return the mixture to the bain-marie. Whisk constantly for 4-5 minutes until thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon).

4

Divide between 2 ramekins. Cover; chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours (do this first so they set while you cook).

5

When ready to cook, score the duck fat in a crosshatch pattern, 1/4-inch deep. Season generously with salt and pepper.

6

Place the duck in a cold skillet, fat-side down. Set over medium-low heat. Cook 6-7 minutes, rendering the fat until the skin is golden and crispy.

7

Flip; cook 2-3 minutes for medium-rare (internal temp 130°F). Transfer to a cutting board; rest 5 minutes.

8

Pour off all but 1 tbsp of duck fat from the pan. Add the butter and thyme; swirl until the butter foams. Remove from heat.

9

Slice the duck against the grain into 1/2-inch slices. Spoon the brown butter over the top. Serve with the chilled pots-de-crème garnished with fresh berries.

From the kitchen

Start the duck in a cold pan. The slow render is what makes the skin crispy.

Story so far
Duck breast is the most underused cut in the home cook's arsenal. It's richer than chicken, more forgiving than steak, and a single breast feeds two generously. The scoring: 1/4-inch-deep crosshatch through the fat (not the meat). The render: start in a cold pan over medium-low heat, fat-side down, for 6-7 minutes until the fat is golden and crispy. Flip; cook 2-3 minutes for medium-rare. Rest 5 minutes; slice against the grain. The pots-de-crème: 1 cup heavy cream + 4 oz dark chocolate + 3 egg yolks + 1 tbsp sugar. Whisk over a bain-marie until thick, pour into two ramekins, chill 2 hours.