Duck Breasts with Flagolet Beans

I managed to make it down to London for work on Monday however it was  very dangerous to leave the office even for a sandwich. Not because of icy pavements but since my route always takes me right past the window Greensmiths the Butchers stacked with lovely sausages. Although this week it was a little sparse hampered by the weather  but there were some lovely large duck breasts.

There are lots of recipes for duck with fruit sauces , cherries , oranges & pomegranates I even found a vietnamese recipe with pineapple . However in the end I settled on a light version of cassoulet with lovely green flagolet beans . Though these dried beans  need to be soaked overnight all the other preparation is hands off – the beans slightly thickening a vegetable stock and flavoured with herbs

This simple recipe meant  could really taste the succulent  duck blushing pink inside with a thick tasty  layer of  fat  perfectly browned & caramalised.

Duck Breasts with Flagolet Beans

200g of dried flageolet beans  soak overnight
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 medium onion finely chopped
5 sprigs of thyme
1 bay leaf
1.5 pints of vegetable stock
Salt and pepper
Fresh Parsley finely chopped

1. Ensure the dried beans have been soaked for at least 8 hours.
2. Simmer the flagolet beans for at least one hour in the stock and thyme for at least one hour with the lid on.
3. Simmer the beans a futher 15 minutes with the lid off to allow the stock to reduce, you do not need to drain the beans , since the stock should form a tasty juice.
4. Just before serving stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Duck Breasts
2 large duck breasts
Sea salt and pepper
Olive Oil

1. Season the duck breasts well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2. Heat the a dash of olive oil in a hot non-stick pan until very hot
3. Place the duck breasts skin side down in the pan , turn the heat down a little
4. Cook the breast for 8 minutes or so then turn over a cook for another 5 minutes
5. Remove from the pan and allow to rest for 5 minutes.