James Martin's Spiced Duck Breast With Umeboshi Sauce and Steamed Bok Choi Recipe

This indulgent duck dish makes the perfect dinner party recipe if you're really trying to impress your friends - make it this week for a fragrant and rich main dish everyone will just love.

HOW TO MAKE JAMES MARTIN'S SPICED DUCK BREAST WITH UMEBOSHI SAUCE AND STEAMED BOK CHOI

Taken from More Home Comforts by James Martin (Quadrille £20) Photography: Peter Cassidy

Ingredients

• 1tsp curry powder
• 1tsp ground ginger
• 1tsp five-spice powder
• 2tsp sansho pepper
• 4 x 175g duck breasts
• 4tbsp clear honey
• 1 bok choi, root removed and leaves separated
• 3cm piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 red chilli, finely sliced
• ½ red onion, finely sliced
• 200g umeboshi plums, stoned

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C, gas 6.
2. Mix the curry powder, ground ginger, five-spice and sansho pepper together in a bowl, then sprinkle half the mixture over the skin and flesh of the duck breasts.
3. Place the duck skin-side down in a cold non-stick frying pan and set over a high heat for 3-4 minutes until the fat renders out. Turn the duck over, then drizzle 2tbsp honey over the skin and place in the oven for 8-10 minutes. When the duck is cooked, remove from the pan and leave on a plate for 8-10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the dish.
4. Lay the bok choi in a steamer set over a pan of simmering water. Add the ginger, garlic, chilli and red onion, then cover and steam for 5-6 minutes.
5. Put the plums into a small blender with 1tsp of the remaining spice mix and the remaining 2tbsp honey. Blitz to a fine purée, then pour into a pan and warm through, adding the resting juices from the duck – taste to see if more honey is needed.
6. Lay the steamed veg on a plate, carve the duck into thick slices and lay alongside, and finish with a dollop of the umeboshi sauce.