Duck breasts with honey and spices

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Serves 4

Preparation time
less than 30 mins

Cooking time
10 to 30 mins








Ingredients

For the duck2 tsp coriander seeds1 tsp ground ginger1 tsp ground macesalt and freshly ground black pepper4 boneless duck breasts8 tbsp runny honeyFor the beans480g/1lb 1oz fine green beans30g/1¼oz butter

Method

1. Crush the coriander seeds using a pestle and mortar or grind in a spice grinder. Add the ginger, mace and some freshly ground black pepper and mix well.2. Remove any sinew from the flesh side of the duck breast and score the skin in a criss-cross diamond pattern with a sharp knife. Season with a little salt.3. Place a dry skillet or frying pan over a moderate heat and, when hot, lay the duck breasts in the pan, skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes to render the excess fat from the duck to make the skin crisp.4. Carefully tip the fat out of the pan and turn the duck breasts over. Increase the heat and cook until the flesh is browned.5. Reduce the heat under the pan and sprinkle the spice mix generously over the skin of each duck breast.6. Spoon the honey over the duck and continue cooking, basting often as the honey gets thicker and glazes the duck.7. Meanwhile, for the beans, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the beans and cook rapidly for five minutes, until the beans are just cooked.8. Drain the beans, return them to a clean pan and add the butter. Toss to mix over a medium heat.9. Turn the breasts over again in the thick honey and, when cooked to the desired stage, remove them from the pan.10. Slice the duck thinly across the grain and serve with the beans and a trickle of spiced honey around the plate.