This recipe for duck with red wine mushroom sauce and lentils is a gourmet meal that is easy to prepare and a definite crowd pleaser!
How do you do it? How is it possible to interweave a recipe about duck with the horrors of cancer? I’ve lost loved ones to the disease and nearly everyone has or will at some point. I was recently asked to join several other bloggers this week in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer. My mind immediately went to two strong women who lost their battles; a coworker and a good friend. In 2006, my friend died from Leukemia, a form of blood cancer. She was 24 years old. Is her story even appropriate this week? There is no such thing actually is a Leukemia Awareness Month but it gets no publicity. I think every story is worth telling, whether it’s breast cancer, lung cancer or leukemia.
Someone suggested I share one of her favorite recipes. My response was that she loved beef jerky and frozen pizzas covered in garlic powder (because real garlic made her hands smell). Food wasn’t really her thing. I doubt she ate duck. But she did love art and photography.
Yes, those are my legs peeking into some of the shots. But she’s clearly the star of these photos; the camera loved her. I preferred working behind the scenes (and just to be clear I didn’t take these photos of her.) I should also mention that in addition to being incredibly artistic, she was very funny.
There may or may not have been mind altering substances involved in this photo
She was an artist and I wanted to be just like her. She inspired me to be more creative. To make art. Only I was kind of a terrible artist. I couldn’t draw, I couldn’t paint, and her homemade jewelry always looked way better than mine. We took nude model drawing classes together and her sketches looked great while mine looked like drunk attempts at crude cartoons. But no matter what she was always encouraging. Little did either of us know that years later I’d discover cooking and that would become my art. I know she’d dig it. I’d certainly make her a pizza.
The cancer took her life within three years of the initial diagnosis. It was difficult to watch, especially because there was a brief period of remission at the halfway point where it looked like everything was going to be ok after all.
Thanks, Ann, for being a good friend and for inspiring me to create art. I couldn’t always be the friend you needed, but I did the best I could and I know you knew that.
RIP 2/7/06
The recipe I’m sharing today for duck with red wine mushroom sauce and lentils isn’t as random as it sounds. While researching ingredients that help prevent cancer my results included (but were not limited to) shallots, mushrooms, lentils, kale and red wine (please check out the links for more details on health benefits). When I saw those ingredients I immediately wanted to pair them with a nice, juicy steak. But since red meat has been linked to cancer that would be very counter-intuitive. After contemplating my options I settled on duck. It has some of the same meaty qualities as steak and it’s less boring than chicken. Plus, I’ve never shared a duck recipe on the blog. By all means, swap out the duck for pork tenderloin, chicken breasts or even steak when preparing this.
Duck with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce and Lentils
Ingredients
For the lentils:
- 1/2 cup French lentils
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 garlic clove, whole
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 sprig thyme
For the kale:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 bunch of kale, inner stem removed and ripped into smaller pieces
- 1/4 cup water
For the duck and sauce:
- 1 large (or 2 small) duck breasts
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 4 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
Prepare the lentils:
- Pick through the lentils and wash thoroughly.
- Place in a saucepan with stock, shallot, garlic and thyme. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Simmer for approximately 20 minutes, until lentils are soft but still toothsome. Drain excess liquid. Remove garlic and stem from thyme.
Prepare the kale:
- In a large pan, saute the shallots and garlic over medium-low heat until tender. Add the kale and water. Stir periodically until the greens have cooked down. This can be reheated right before serving the meal.
Prepare the duck and pan sauce:
- Score the fat on top of the duck breast diagonally in both directions. Make sure to cut all the way through the fat without cutting into the meat. This will help the fat render properly. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat a saute pan over medium heat for several minutes and then place the duck in the pan, fat-side down.
- Let the fat render over medium heat for several minutes (5-10 depending on the size) until it's dark brown and crispy. Drain off some of the duck fat periodically so the meat isn't swimming in fat (save in the fridge for later use).
- Flip the breast and allow it to cook on the opposite side for a few minutes. You're aiming for a medium rare breast with crispy (not chewy) fat. I like to keep a thermometer on hand. Remove from the heat when the center is around 125 degrees (it will continue to cook). Allow the meat to rest for at least 5 minutes.
- While the duck is resting, prepare the pan sauce. Drain any remaining fat from the pan and then deglaze with red wine. Use a spatula to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom and incorporate them. Once the wine is almost cooked away, add the shallots and a sprinkle of salt. Allow them to cook for 2 minutes, then add the mushrooms. Brown the mushrooms for 2-3 minutes and then add the chicken stock.
- Allow the stock to reduce significantly until it's a thin sauce consistency. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter immediately.
- Slice duck on the bias into thin strips. (If you accidentally undercook the meat you can briefly stick it in a 375 degree F oven. Be very careful not to overcook in this scenario.)
- Fan the duck over the lentils and top with the mushroom sauce. Serve with kale.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Powerful post. She looked as though she didn’t waste her life and made others richer through it. I’ve lost a few friends along the way and never paid them such a tribute. By the way, I don’t think the shark’s on drugs:)
Great way to honor a friend. And I happen to love duck! Pinot Noir really works nicely with Duck, if you’re looking for a wine pairing for the meal!
That was powerful but beautifully expressed my friend, friends memories live on forever
Hugs
Uru
This is a very beautiful tribute to your friend. No one in my family has had breast cancer, but many other forms of cancer have affected my family and the lives of those around me (including leukemia), so this certainly hit home for me. And the meal you created looks beautiful – that is your art!
A beautiful tribute to Ann! Creating art in her honor is so fitting.
I love duck! Your dish looks delicious! I just made a mushroom red wine sauce (but with steak), too the other day and posted on my blog. Found your site through Food Gawker. Beautiful photos!
So sad about your friend, but it’s nice you had a chance to honor her. It’s on my bucket list to try duck. I think I need to get around to it soon.
You asked on FB how to combine these topics–I think you did it beyond perfectly. You made me cry and you made me see a bit of your friend, which I think is wonderful. Perfect post and perfect looking recipe too. (see now my comment feels awkward lol).
If you don’t mind me slightly getting on my soapbox for a minute, I will say I am glad you indirectly drew awareness to the fact breast cancer gets all the publicity. I find that frustrating sometimes.
Thanks, Laura. Your comments and others have made me a bit teary all day. This was a tough one to write but I feel good about it.
How lucky Ann was to have a friend as special as you to give her such a beautiful tribute.
You’re so right…if you haven’t lost someone special to Cancer, then you are very young, and you will. Sadly, it is true. I lost my first friend to Cancer while I was still in my 20’s and she barely 30. Also Leukemia. And it goes from there. I’ve lost many. What a lovely tribute to Ann. And a special recipe, too. I was very moved by this lovely post. Wonderful photos!
Thanks for sharing Ann’s story and for sharing such a wonderful recipe. It sounds absolutely delicious!
-Shannon
What a moving tribute to your friend, Jen. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure she’d be proud with this beautiful creation and your gorgeous pictures, though!
I’m so so sorry about your loss. Such a beautiful post. And I posted duck today too, twins :)
This is a lovely story, Jen. I’m sorry for your loss. The duck looks delicious!
What a beautiful post, so full of heart. I’ve never cooked duck but it looks scrumptious, and I love how you decided what ingredients to incorporate.