Light and delicious, this elegant duck, fig and grilled pear salad will make a statement at any picnic spread.
A great make-ahead salad; the key ingredients – the smoked duck (recipe below) and the grilled pear, can be prepared the day before allowing you to build your salad on the day.
If you are having an at-home picnic affair, combine and dress the salad ingredients in a bowl as you would any salad and plate. If you are enjoying this salad as part of a movable feast, plate your salad at the picnic and drizzle with dressing, it’s that simple.
We give you all the information you need to know how to smoke the duck breast (and realise how simple it is).
Salad Variations
If duck breast is not your thing, this salad pairs equally well with smoked chicken or serrano ham. Consider crisping the ham in the oven a little for added flavour and texture and add to the salad at the last minute.
If fresh figs aren’t in season, you can use dried or rehydrated figs, although they will have a slightly different flavour profile from fresh.
Tip: If smoking duck breast, we will often smoke two and make smoked duck rice paper rolls as well, which make great picnic finger food.
Smoked Duck, Fig & Grilled Pear Salad
Make a statement with this smoked duck, fig & grilled pear salad. Tender slices of smoked duck breast with sweet figs and sticky grilled pears topped with salty goats cheese. A simple yet elegant salad that is easy to pre-prepare and pull together last minute. A great make-ahead picnic salad that will be sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 medium duck breast smoked and thinly sliced.
- 1 large cup or handful baby rocket leaves.
- 1 large cup or handful baby spinach leaves.
- 1 large firm pear cored and sliced into 8 or more wedges - not too thin or thick.
- 3 large fresh figs ( use rehydrated dried figs if it is not fig season). Sliced into small wedges.
- 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced.
- 45 grams Chèvre soft goats cheese.
- 1 tablespoon fig balsamic vinegar.
- Drizzle of quality olive oil.
- 1 tablespoon of chopped hazelnuts or walnuts.
Instructions
- Smoke the duck breast – see below for smoked duck breast recipe.
- Place the sliced pear wedges on a preheated griddle pan and brush with olive oil. Cook on each side for a few minutes until you start to see those nice caramelised grill marks. You don't want the pear too soft.
- Arrange the greens, duck slices, pear wedges, figs, and thinly sliced onion on individual plates or one large serving plate.
- Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. (You can also combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss to coat with balsamic and oil. Plating is easier for building your salad in situ at a picnic.
- Top with small chunks of goats cheese, sprinkle with nuts and serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 591Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 294mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 8gSugar: 30gProtein: 39g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate
See the full post on how to smoke duck breast here for more notes and tips on achieving tender, juicy smoked duck breast every time. It’s a lot easier than you might think.
How to Smoke Duck Breast
Slow smoked duck breast is a gorgeous addition to so many picnic menu ideas and is a lot simpler to make than many think. We show you how to smoke a duck breast and how to incorporate it into your picnics.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless duck breasts
- 2 tablespoons of ground black pepper *optional
Instructions
- Remove duck breasts from the fridge and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Score the skin being careful not to cut the flesh.
- Cover the skin of each breast with ground pepper and rub into the skin. (This is optional but I find the pepper helps crisp the skin and the taste will cook-off if you render the fat further in the pan).
- Prepare the bbq with around 3-4 handfuls of wood chips in the smoker box (or in a tinfoil packet with a hole poked in the top). More or less depending on how intense you like your smoke flavours.
- Place a bowl of water on the rack away from where the duck breast will sit. This will help keep the breast moist and juicy.
- Set your bbq to approx 132℃ | 270℉. Only one side of the burner should be lit, the opposite side to where the duck breast will sit.
- Place the duck breast skin side up with the temperature probes inserted if using them.
- Close the lid and smoke the duck until the internal temperature reaches medium-rare 61℃ |141℉. This will be approx 30 minutes for a small breast and 50 for a large.
- If the breast has a thick fat layer, you may wish to render the fat further. Place skin-side down on a medium to hot pan and allow the remaining fat to render out. Crisping the skin further without burning it. See notes about cooking times if the breast has a very thick fat layer.
- Let duck rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. If not serving immediately, leave the breast whole until ready to use.
Notes
Rendering the Fat & Crisping the Skin
If the fat layer is thin, the fat will render and skin will crisp in the smoker. If the breast has a particularly thick layer of fat, you may wish to render this off in a pan after cooking. Depending on the thickness, you will need to factor this additional cooking time.
If it is thick, I recommend smoking to the rarer side of medium-rare to allow for at least another 5-10 minutes cooking skin down in the pan. Watch your heat as you want the fat to render and skin to crisp but not burn. Don't be scared to reduce the heat as it renders.
Keep Your BBQ and Kitchen Fat-Free
Duck generally has a lot of fat which will drip and splatter. It is recommended to use a foil tray or lining in your bbq to catch the fat as it drips. Also, use a grease splatter screen if rendering the fat in a pan after smoking.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 250Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 101mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 30g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate
Sensible Picnic Salad Storage Containers
S’well Stainless Steel Triple-Layered Vacuum Insulated Food Bowls
These stylish 2 in 1 containers (16 oz | 450 gm and 21.5 oz | 610 gm) are perfect for picnic salads. Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulation keeps salads cold for hours and they can double as a serving bowl. They come in a range of gorgeous colours and designs to suit your picnic style.
Super Portable Picnic Dessert Ideas