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Yesterday I suggested an intriguing appetizer: roasted olives with herbs, orange zest, and vinegars. You can’t start a dinner party with just one appetizer and finding something to complement those roasted olives requires some imagination.

Suzen has imagination. Here’s a delightful duck breast recipe that makes a super appetizer. It’s almost a mini-meal in its own right. Your guests will love the mixture of duck, horseradish cream, and figs in a balsamic reduction. This spectrum of flavors is actually easily to assemble and will be a dish you’ll truly relish.

A word about the ingredients. The horseradish cream should be mild. You can buy horseradish cream in a good supermarket. I suggest you taste it beforehand and, if you desire, adjust the taste by diluting it with a little sour cream. You want a warm taste, but not too deep a horseradish flavor so that the duck, which should be the dominant tone, is overwhelmed.

The figs in balsamic glaze can be found in good high end gourmet shops or super supermarkets. When you see it, buy two. You’ll quickly love the flavor and begin using it to adorn many of you dishes. Just a dab will do it.

Suzen’s Duck Breast Crostini

Yield: 12 crostini to serve 6 people

Ingredients:

Half loaf of sourdough bread
½ cup of olive oil
1 cooked duck breast
½ cup of horseradish cream + sour cream as needed
¼ cup fig puree in balsamic reduction

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350˚F.

Slice the bread into a dozen pieces, each thin and about 2” by 3”, or enough for two bites. Brush the bread lightly with olive oil and toast in the oven until just browning.

Allow the bread slices to cool.

Slice the duck thinly into slivers, enough for 2-3 pieces for each piece of toast. Top the toast with a teaspoon of horseradish cream and smooth over the toast. Place duck on each piece of toast. Finish with a dab of fig on the top of the duck. If you want to add color, a sprig of herb can adorn the top.

Arrange the toast slices on a serving plate and let your guests enjoy. Accompany with an intense red wine.

Source: Suzen O’Rourke