Duck Breast with Roasted Pears

Duck Breast with Roasted Pears

2 ripe pears, cut in half and pitted

2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

2 duck breasts, skin on - about 1 1/4 pounds in total

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put the pear halves on a baking sheet, cut sides up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1 tbsp of sesame oil. Roast in oven for 15 - 20 minutes until very tender when pierced with a fork. 

Put the duck breasts on a cutting board skin side up and score all over in a crosshatch pattern, so the fat will render and the skin will crisp. Season all over with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1 tbsp of sesame oil. Add the breasts to a stainless steel pan over medium heat, skin side down and cook slowly covered for 12 minutes until the fat is rendered and the skin is brown and crispy. Turn the breasts over and cook for 2 minutes approximately for medium well. 

Transfer to a cutting board to rest. 

To serve, cut the breasts crosswise, on an angle, into 8 slices.