Roasted Duck with Apples and Onions

Name: Roasted Duck with Apples and Onions
Cook time: PT0D1H15M
Total time: PT0D1H15M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 4 large duck legs (41/2 lb.); Kosher salt; ½ tsp. freshly ground caraway seeds; 2 small yellow onions, peeled and halved lengthwise (1 lb.); 6 Tbsp. salted butter; 3 Honeycrisp apples (1 lb. 12 oz.), peeled, cored, and quartered; Fresh sage leaves, for garnish

It’s all cooked in just two skillets.

Serves
serves 4
Time
1 hour 15 minutes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER HIRSHEIMER

By SAVEUR Editors

Published on March 3, 2020

This elegant dish was served as part of an “Ode to the Apple” dinner at Canal House Station.

This dish offers an easy yet luxurious alternative to the traditional, whole-bird holiday meal. Caraway adds an earthy and licorice note; toast the seeds lightly in a dry skillet before grinding them in a mortar and pestle.

Featured in: Front of House

Equipment

Two large Ovenproof Nonstick or Cast Iron Skillets
Plate

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Ingredients

4 large duck legs (41/2 lb.)
Kosher salt
½ tsp. freshly ground caraway seeds
2 small yellow onions, peeled and halved lengthwise (1 lb.)
6 Tbsp. salted butter
3 Honeycrisp apples (1 lb. 12 oz.), peeled, cored, and quartered
Fresh sage leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven (with its two racks evenly spaced apart) to 400°F.

Step 2

Meanwhile, season the duck with salt and the ground caraway. Heat a large ovenproof nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until warm, then arrange the duck legs in the skillet, skin side down. Cook, resisting the temptation to turn the duck, until the skin is browned, 18–20 minutes. Transfer to a plate, then pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Return the duck legs to the skillet, skin side up, and nestle the onions around them, cut side down. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the duck skin is deep golden brown, the meat is cooked through, and the onions are tender and browned, 45–50 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a second large, ovenproof nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. When the foam subsides, add the apples and turn them over in the butter a few times to coat. Arrange the wedges cut side up in the skillet and cook without turning until they begin to brown on the bottom, 5–7 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the apples are tender and deep golden brown on the bottom, 30–35 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer the duck legs, onions, and apples to a warmed large platter, garnish with sage leaves, and serve hot.

Preheat the oven (with its two racks evenly spaced apart) to 400°F.
Meanwhile, season the duck with salt and the ground caraway. Heat a large ovenproof nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until warm, then arrange the duck legs in the skillet, skin side down. Cook, resisting the temptation to turn the duck, until the skin is browned, 18–20 minutes. Transfer to a plate, then pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Return the duck legs to the skillet, skin side up, and nestle the onions around them, cut side down. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the duck skin is deep golden brown, the meat is cooked through, and the onions are tender and browned, 45–50 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a second large, ovenproof nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. When the foam subsides, add the apples and turn them over in the butter a few times to coat. Arrange the wedges cut side up in the skillet and cook without turning until they begin to brown on the bottom, 5–7 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the apples are tender and deep golden brown on the bottom, 30–35 minutes.
Transfer the duck legs, onions, and apples to a warmed large platter, garnish with sage leaves, and serve hot.