California Walnuts | Essential Food for Health

Servings

6

Prep Time

45 min

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups unshelled California walnuts
• 4 cups green olives, large, pitted
• 1/3 cup capers, drained
• 1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tsp thyme, fresh, chopped
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 2 tbsp walnut oil
• 1/4 cup, plus more as needed, olive oil, extra virgin
• 6 halves duck breast, boned with skin on (each 7-8 oz., 3 lbs total)
• Coarse salt as needed
• Black pepper, fresh ground, as needed

Directions

1. Spread unshelled walnuts on baking sheet and place in preheated 350°F oven for 25 minutes.  Cool.  Shell nuts and break into pieces.  Set aside.
2. To make tapenade, in food processor chop olives coarsely.  Add capers, garlic, thyme, orange juice and walnut oil and process just to combine.  With motor running, add enough olive oil to make a mixture that is finely textured, but not a puree, and is just thick enough to hold its shape.  Set aside.  You will have about 1 3/4 cups tapenade.
3. With long, sharp knife, score skin side of duck breasts in diamond pattern.  Season generously with salt and pepper.  Set aside.
4. Film skillet with olive oil and place over medium high heat.  When hot, cook breast halves, skin side down for 3-4 minutes, until well-browned.  Turn and cook 3 minutes more, until well-browned outside yet rare inside.  Remove from pan and let rest a minute or two.
5. Cut each breast half into lengthwise diagonal slices.  Fan slices and place on plate.  Place about 1/4 cup tapenade at the side and sprinkle with walnut pieces.
6. Serves 6.