Skip to main content

Duck Confit with Oranges and Watercress

3.8

(2)

In French bistros, confit duck legs are traditionally served with a very simple, sharply dressed frisée salad. This version of the light meal gilds the lily by switching out frisée for peppery watercress and adding juicy navel oranges and nuggets of toasted walnuts.

Cooks' note:

Dressing can be made 1 day ahead and chilled.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 (main course) servings

Ingredients

4 navel oranges
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 Confit Duck Legs at room temperature
8 cups watercress sprigs (from 2 bunches), tough stems discarded
1 cup walnuts, Toasted , cooled, and coarsely broken

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    With a sharp paring knife, cut peel and white pith from oranges, then cut each orange crosswise into 5 slices.

    Step 2

    Whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined.

    Step 3

    Cook duck, skin side down, covered, in a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until skin is well browned and crisp and duck is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes.

    Step 4

    Toss watercress and walnuts in a bowl with just enough dressing to coat. Divide orange slices among plates, then drizzle with any remaining dressing and top with salad and a duck leg.

Read More
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Crispy, Parmesan-crusted cutlets make this spring dish sing.
A feel-good dinner designed to cram a ton of veg in each serving.