Magret de Canard With Colonel Hawker Sauce

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Score the duck by drawing a sharp knife at a slant diagonally through the skin and fat in rows ¼ inch apart without penetrating the flesh. Do the same in the opposite direction. Salt the breasts on both sides.

2. Step 2

   Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Place duck breasts skin side down and reduce heat to low to render the fat without overcooking the meat, which should be served pink. Cook slowly until the layer of fat all but disappears, about 30 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, turn breasts over and sear until browned, about 1 minute. Let duck sit for 10 minutes to reabsorb its juices. Remove breasts and cover loosely. Save fat for another purpose.

3. Step 3

   Combine stock, sauces, lemon juice, shallot, cloves, mace and cayenne. Heat to boiling; then simmer 10 minutes. Strain and discard solids. Return sauce to the cleaned pan, add port and reduce to about 1 cup. Adjust seasonings. (If desired, thicken sauce slightly with roux, as in previous recipe.)

4. Step 4

   To serve, thinly slice breasts lengthwise and accompany with the sauce.