Duck fillet with porcini mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce (filet de canard aux cèpes, sauce au poivre vert)

Duck is the meat most commonly served for special occasions in the Dordogne region. Cèpe mushrooms (porcini) are usually considered the best type of mushroom.

• serves

  2

• prep

  10 minutes

• cook

  15 minutes

• difficulty

  Mid

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 duck breast fillets
• 150 g porcini mushrooms, washed and cut into bite-size pieces (alternatively, use Swiss brown mushrooms)
• 1 French shallot, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp green peppercorns
• 2 tbsp Cognac
• 60 ml (¼ cup) strong beef stock
• 1 tbsp cream

Instructions

Heat half of the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook duck, skin side down, for 8-10 minutes or until golden and fat renders. Turn and cook for a further 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, drop mushrooms into a saucepan of boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes, then drain. (If using Swiss brown mushrooms, skip this step and go straight to Step 3.)

Heat remaining oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Stir in the garlic and parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

Discard duck fat from saucepan and add green peppercorns. Stir in Cognac and bring to the boil. Add the stock, return to the boil and cook for about 20 seconds. Add the cream and stir well for about 10 seconds.  

Slice duck fillets into 3 or 4 pieces. Transfer to serving plates. Serve with mushrooms and extra sauce spooned over.

Photography by Benito Martin. Styling by Sarah O’Brien. Food preparation by Alice Storey.

Props by Hayden Youlley Design. In-video photography by Peter Warren.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.