Take the duck breast out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature. Place the breast skin-side up on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife and gently score the skin in a crisscross pattern with diagonal cuts (only deep enough to cut through the skin and fat, do not cut into the meat). Remove any excess hair and pat dry with a paper towel.
Description
A contrasting, seasonal dish that combines juicy duck breast with intense raspberry jam and a slightly salty-sour plum-soy sauce. This dish is inspired by the flavors of Kraków - the fruity additions and delicate herbs cut through the richness of the duck. Perfect for summer grilling, served with arugula and grilled vegetables; the striking color and sheen of the glaze, along with the deep aroma of the sauce, create an elegant, harmonious flavor composition.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (15)
- Duck breast 4 pcs (~800 g)
- Raspberry jam 150 g
- Plum 300 g
- Sugar 30 g
- Soy sauce 60 ml
- Balsamic vinegar 20 ml
- Garlic 2 clove (~10 g)
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Water 50 ml
- 🌿 Spices
- Salt 0.2 pinch (~5 g)
- Black pepper 4 pinch (~2 g)
- Thyme 4 g
- ✨ Optional
- Butter 20 g
- Arugula 80 g
- Toasted sesame seeds 10 g
💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used
Preparation steps
Meat preparation
Rub the skin and meat evenly with salt (use about 5 g of salt) and pepper (2 g). Sprinkle with dried thyme (4 g) and crushed garlic (10 g). Leave the meat skin side up on a plate, uncovered, in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (you can leave it for up to 2 hours) - this will gently dry out the skin, improving its crispiness.
Plum Soy Sauce
Cut the plums (300 g) in half and remove the pits. In a saucepan with a diameter of about 20 cm, place the plums, add sugar (30 g), soy sauce (60 ml), balsamic vinegar (20 ml), and 30 ml of water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the temperature and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes, until the plums soften and the sauce thickens slightly.
Turn off the heat. If you want a smooth sauce, blend the contents with an immersion blender until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve into a bowl to remove the skins. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and if you want a velvety texture, add cold butter (20 g) and stir vigorously until it melts and enhances the flavor.
Grilling and Sautéing
Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 200-220°C). If using a charcoal grill, wait until the coals have an even glow. Lightly brush the skin with a thin layer of rapeseed oil (10 g from the specified amount) to prevent sticking.
Place the chicken breast skin-side down on a hot grill or skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes without moving, until the skin is deeply golden and the fat has rendered (you will see bubbles of fat). Then flip the breasts and grill for 4-6 minutes on the meat side to reach an internal temperature of about 58-60°C (medium). If you prefer it more well-done, extend the time by 2-3 minutes.
Glaze made from jam
1-2 minutes before the end of grilling, brush the skin with raspberry jam (about 100 g) in a thin layer using a brush. After flipping, brush again for a moment to allow the glaze to caramelize and give a shiny finish.
Resting and Slicing
Transfer the cooked breasts to a cutting board and loosely cover with aluminum foil. Let rest for 8-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute evenly. After resting, slice the breast diagonally into thin slices (about 5 mm), cutting against the grain of the meat.
Assembly and serving
On a plate, arrange a handful of arugula (80 g) as a base (if using). On the arugula, lay the duck slices in a fan shape. Drizzle the meat with 2-3 tablespoons of warm plum-soy sauce. Next to it, add 50 g of raspberry jam as a sweet dipping element. Sprinkle everything with toasted sesame seeds (10 g) for decoration and texture.
Additional tips
If you don't have a grill, use a heavy cast-iron skillet: first, sear the skin over medium heat to render the fat (basting occasionally), then finish in an oven preheated to 200°C for 4-6 minutes. Adjust the time depending on the thickness of the breast.
Fun Fact
In Krakow and the surrounding areas, fruits were traditionally used to preserve and enhance the flavors of meats; the combination of duck with fruits (plum, raspberry) has a long history of regional sweet-sour combinations.
Best for
Tips
Serve on warm plates, with a side of freshly baked potatoes or grilled vegetables. For drinking, choose a red wine with moderate tannins (e.g., Pinot Noir) or a stronger cider. For aesthetic effect, use a few fresh raspberries for decoration.
Store meat and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Gently reheat in a pan over low heat, adding a little water to restore juiciness. Do not freeze with the glaze on top - the glaze will change texture.
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