Courtesy: Georgia Pecan Commission

Add this dish for a new, tasty take on the freshest part of your meal. If duck breast is unavailable, try boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which have a similar rich dark meat. For a lighter course, the watercress and pecan salad, seasoned with a sweet and tangy gingery dressing, is delicious all by itself.

Save Print
Asian Duck Salad with Watercress and Pecans

Serves: 4

Ingredients
Ginger Dressing
  • ¼ cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 small cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Salad
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 2 skinless duck breasts, 4 oz. each (or substitute chicken or turkey)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 bunch (6 oz.) watercress
  • 1 large carrot, peeled
  • ¾ cup toasted pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons minced radish, red part only (optional)
Instructions
Dressing
  1. In a blender or small food processor, combine all Ginger Dressing ingredients; mix until garlic is very finely chopped and ingredients are well blended. Set aside while preparing salad.
Salad
  1. Heat the 2 teaspoons oil in medium skillet over high heat. Sprinkle duck breasts with salt.
  2. When oil is hot but not yet smoking, add duck.
  3. Reduce heat to medium high and cook until well browned—about 5 minutes; turn duck breasts and cook until browned on other side but pink in the middle—about 4 to 5 minutes longer.
  4. Transfer duck to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, remove and discard tough stems from watercress.
  6. Cut carrot into thin matchstick-size sticks and combine with watercress.
  7. Toss salad mixture with half the Ginger Dressing. Mix remaining dressing with the pecans.
  8. To serve, thinly slice duck and divide among four serving plates, fanning slices. Arrange watercress mixture in a small mound on each plate and spoon pecans on top.
  9. If desired, sprinkle with radish to garnish.
Notes
*Nutrition information per serving: protein: 13g; fat: 17g; saturated fat: 3g; carbohydrate: 8g; fiber: 2g; sodium: 424mg; cholesterol: 44mg; calories: 234.