Duck and Wild Rice Salad

Rice: Rinse rice well in a large sieve under cold water and drain. In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in water and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until rice is tender, about 1-1¼ hours. (Grains will split open but not all liquid will be absorbed.) Drain well in a colander and cool.

Duck: Preheat oven to 375°. Pat duck breast halves dry and season with salt and pepper. Score skin in a crisscross pattern and place duck breast halves, skin sides up, in a lightly oiled shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pan. Roast in middle of oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 120° (for medium-rare), about 25 minutes. Transfer duck breast halves to a cutting board, and when just cool enough to handle, remove skin. Cut duck breast halves in half horizontally (butterfly-style); then cut across the grain into thin slices.

Assemble: In a large bowl, combine rice, green pepper, scallions, dried cranberries, pecans and 1 teaspoon salt. Add dressing and toss gently. Using an ice cream scoop, place a mound of rice salad into martini glasses or onto individual serving plates. Arrange duck slices over rice and sprinkle with fried onions.

Plan ahead – Dressing can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored, covered, in refrigerator.

Simplify – Use pre-cooked duck breasts.