SPICED DUCK WITH FIGS & RUBY SPICED RICE

Steps:

• Score the duck diagonally with a sharp knife. In a large bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the marinade. Add the duck breast to the marinade and toss to coat it completely. Cover and leave in the fridge to marinate for one to two hours.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (400 degrees F/Gas Mark 6).
• Remove the duck breasts from the marinade, reserving the remaining liquid in a small sauce pan. Pat the duck breasts completely dry with kitchen paper. Sprinkle them all over generously with sea salt and five spice powder.
• Place the duck skin side down in a large heavy based pan with an oven proof handle. Cook the breasts over a low to medium heat for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the fat begins to render out and the skin has good colour.
• Spoon off any excess fat (this can be saved in a sealed jar in the fridge for roast potatoes). Turn the breasts and then add in the figs tossing to coat in the juices.
• Place the pan in the oven to cook for 10 minutes. Bring the reserved marinade to a steady simmer over a high heat and reduce until slightly thickened.
• Once cooked, rest the duck breasts for 5 minutes under tin foil on a chopping board. Slice thinly and transfer to warmed plates. Spoon over the reduced sauce and serve with the warm figs, salad leaves and toasted hazelnuts.