Persian Jewelled Rice with Pan-Seared Pomegranate Duck and Apple

Full preparation

1. Make the yoghurt sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
   

2. Pre-heat a small griddle or frying pan to medium. Combine the cumin, coriander and salt, then using a sheet of kitchen towel, dry the duck breasts. Rub the spice mix all over the duck, then using a new sheet of kitchen towel, pat the breasts dry again and place skin side down on to the pan. You won’t need to use any fat.

3. For the duck, pre-heat a small griddle or frying pan to medium. Combine the cumin, coriander and salt, then using a sheet of kitchen towel, dry the duck breasts. Rub the spice mix all over the duck, then using a new sheet of kitchen towel, pat the breasts dry again and place skin side down in to the pan. You won’t need to use any fat.

4. Fry over a low to medium heat for about 7 minutes, until the skin is crispy and then turn over to cook on the other side for a further 7 minutes, perhaps a little longer, depending on the size of the duck breasts. Transfer to a warm plate and leave to rest. Set the duck pan to one side for use later.

5. While the duck is cooking, prepare the rice. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan, then add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, bay leaf, saffron (if using), a pinch of salt and four or five grinds of black pepper. Stir the spices around in the oil for about 1 minute then stir in the rice.

6. Add enough water to cover the rice by about 1.5cm. Bring to the boil uncovered, stir, then cover tightly and leave to simmer gently for 8 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave for a further 5 minutes. Take off the lid, fluff up the rice, remove the cinnamon stick, cardamon pods and bay leaf and gently stir in the pomegranate seeds, Pink Lady^® apple and parsley (reserve a little to garnish). Transfer to a warmed serving dish.

7. On a chopping board, carve each duck breast at an angle into fairly thin slices. Add the pomegranate molasses to the pan you used to cook the duck (you may need to add a little water if the molasses is very thick) and gently warm through. Quickly toss the duck breast slices in the warmed pomegranate molasses, then arrange on top of the rice.

8. Sprinkle over the pistachio nuts and a little chopped parsley, and serve with the yoghurt sauce on the side.