Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary masterpiece that combines the rich flavors of succulent duck breast with the freshness of cherry tomatoes and the aromatic punch of pesto! These Pesto Tomato Duck Skewers are not just a dish; they are an experience that will elevate your next gathering or weeknight dinner to gourmet status. Perfectly grilled to perfection and bursting with flavor, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends. Don't miss out on the chance to serve up something truly extraordinary—let's dive into the delicious details of this Italian-inspired delight!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb duck breast, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- Wooden skewers
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by cutting duck breast into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring even cooking and consistent size.
- Soak wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes prior to cooking to prevent burning during grilling or broiling.
- Season duck cubes generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, allowing the meat to absorb the seasoning for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Wash cherry tomatoes and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Alternately thread duck cubes and whole cherry tomatoes onto the pre-soaked wooden skewers, leaving small spaces between ingredients for even heat distribution.
- Preheat grill, grill pan, or broiler to medium-high heat (approximately 400°F/204°C).
- Brush prepared skewers lightly with half of the pesto sauce, ensuring even coating on both duck and tomatoes.
- Cook skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating to achieve beautiful caramelization and internal duck temperature of 135°F for medium-rare.
- Remove skewers from heat and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Drizzle remaining pesto sauce over skewers just before serving for enhanced flavor.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves or additional cracked black pepper if desired, and serve immediately.
Tips
- Uniform Cubes: Ensure your duck breast is cut into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking. This helps achieve that perfect balance of tenderness and flavor in every bite.
- Soak Skewers: Soak your wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This simple step prevents them from burning and allows you to focus on creating beautifully charred skewers.
- Seasoning Time: After seasoning your duck cubes with salt and pepper, let them rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and enhances the overall taste.
- Tomato Prep: Wash and thoroughly dry your cherry tomatoes to prevent excess moisture. This ensures they roast beautifully alongside the duck without steaming.
- Skewer Arrangement: When threading the duck and tomatoes onto the skewers, leave small spaces between each ingredient. This promotes even heat distribution and helps achieve that perfect grill mark.
- Grilling Temperature: Preheat your grill, grill pan, or broiler to medium-high heat (around 400°F/204°C). A hot cooking surface is key to caramelizing the duck and tomatoes while keeping them juicy.
- Basting for Flavor: Brush your skewers lightly with half of the pesto sauce before cooking. This not only adds flavor but also helps to create a deliciously caramelized exterior.
- Cooking Time: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating them to achieve that beautiful golden-brown color. Aim for an internal temperature of 135°F for a perfect medium-rare duck.
- Resting Period: After grilling, let the skewers rest for 3-5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is as juicy and flavorful as possible.
- Final Touches: Drizzle the remaining pesto sauce over the skewers just before serving. For an extra touch of freshness, garnish with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 110mg
