Recipe: Seared Duck Breast with Cherry Sauce
This isn’t 100% paleo, but I leave out the port and there’s only 1 tb of honey in the entire recipe for the sauce. I also use Kerry Gold grass-fed butter and organic duck breast from the farmer’s market.
Ingredients:
- 2 5-to 6-ounce duck breast halves or one 12-to 16-ounce duck breast half
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) chilled butter, divided
- 1/4 cup finely chopped shallot (about 1 large)
- 1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth
- 8 halved pitted sweet red cherries, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 tablespoons tawny Port
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom honey
- Place duck breast halves between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, pound lightly to even thickness (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch)
- Using sharp knife, score skin in 3/4-inch diamond pattern (do not cut into flesh), cover & chill
- Melt 1 TB butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat, sprinkle duck with salt and pepper, add duck skin side down to skillet and cook until skin is browned and crisp, about 5 min
- Turn duck breasts over, reduce heat to medium, and cook until browned (about 4 minutes longer for small breasts and 8 minutes longer for large breast for medium-rare.)
- Transfer to work surface, tent with foil to keep warm, and let rest 10 minutes
- Meanwhile, pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add shallot to skillet and stir over medium heat 30 seconds. Add broth, cherries, port and honey. Increase heat to high and boil until sauce is reduced to glaze, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Whisk in 1 tablespoon cold butter. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
- Thinly slice duck. Fan slices out on plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.
Recipe from Epicurious
2013 Mantra
“Dream. Build. Create.”
2013 is about creating the future I want for myself. One of my key strengths is “futuristic” meaning I think often of the future and make almost every decision based on how it will affect me going forward. In 2012, I vowed to savor the present day and enjoy the every moment as I have a difficult time doing that by nature. But this year, I have decided to focus on what I do best. To reach any goal, you have to define what it is you want and make a plan on how to get there. Dream big and invent your own future.
Success Stories of 2012
Michel’s success story is particularly significant to me because she was literally the first person I met in Relentless boot camp. I cannot believe how far she’s come and how amazing she looks! (Read Michelle’s entire story here)
“Prior to Relentless Boot Camp, I was pretty much at my all time heaviest, and I was eating and drinking to make myself feel better. I felt weak and sluggish both physically and mentally. I was emotionally disconnected from friends and family because I just wasn’t happy. I kept saying I was mentally not in a good place as a crutch to not commit to any fitness endeavor.
The first thing I noticed after joining boot camp was the mental clarity. It’s amazing how still my mind is when I’m concentrating on my body and that kettlebell—best stress relief ever. I was able to focus at work; I wasn’t zoning out for long periods of time. I was not angry anymore, and I actually woke up feeling happy for the first time in months. I was so impressed with the emotional benefits that I decided to take it to the next level and I enrolled in Fuel 21. I wanted to capitalize on the “high.” I lost 13 lbs and 9 inches in 21 days and I felt amazing. I committed to something that scared the crap out of me and I stuck with it, and to my own surprise, I loved it. I truly felt that I could do anything. I’ve never been happier and according to my latest blood work, I’ve never been healthier.”
***Need a little inspiration for the New Year? Check out all of our success stories HERE.
A Year in Review
In our December programs, I encouraged my athletes to reflect on the year and think of all they accomplished. December is a month of celebration and it’s just as important to celebrate successes as it is to create goals and resolutions for the coming year. This year has been a busy one for me and I’d like to share some of the highlights of my 2012!
- Started off the New Year by completing coach Travis Holley’s Strictly Strength program and PR-ing in every lift at the end of 8 weeks
- Took a trip to Mexico with my closest friends to celebrate my bachelorette party
- Started leading the Strength + Beauty challenges for women
- Completed my Underground Strength Training Certification with Zach Even-Esh
- Competed with Sean in the first ever Relentless Training Event Series including an Adventure Race, 5k and Garage Gym Throw down
- Got legally married in Austin on our anniversary and celebrated in New Orleans for the weekend
- Enrolled in Olympic Weightlifting class with coach Zach Thiel and continued for 3 months leading up to my wedding
- Held a wedding ceremony and celebration with our closest friends and family in Mexico followed by an incredible honeymoon
- Rode in an F1 car (ok, maybe not up there with getting married but it was still a highlight!)
- Completed my indoor mentorship and began assisting Women’s Only Indoor classes at our new downtown gym
With so many exciting things happening in one year, I can’t imagine what 2013 will bring. Take some time to reflect on all of the good things that happened over the course of the year and CELEBRATE! Then, think about which areas of your life you want to improve in the new year and remember that the best is yet to come! CHEERS to the New Year!!
2012 Healthy Gifts Guide
Check out coach Crystal’s 2012 Healthy Gift Guide for some last-minute shopping ideas…
Paleo Chef: Well-Fed by Melissa Joulwan
Paleo On the Go: Farmhouse Delivery
The Traveler: Steve’s Paleo Kits
