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Photo by Kate Ware, Flickr.com

Last October, I spent a few days at Alberta’s Ranchland Outfitters hunting waterfowl with my friend Mario Friendy of Zink Calls. Ranchland has a great reputation for its hunting operation, but Mario spent the weeks leading up to the hunt raving about the food. I guess he knows me pretty well.

As good as the waterfowl hunting was (and it was some of the best I’ve experienced in Canada), all of the meals lived up to the hype, too. Ranchland owner Rob Reynolds and his wife use their restaurant in Elk Point, Alberta, as the gathering place for meals, which include elk and beef the Reynolds raise. Some of the ducks and geese we killed also made it onto the menu, paired with Saskatoon berries gathered by the staff on the ranch. You can’t get much more locavore than that.

Perhaps better known in the states as a juneberry, Saskatoons are similar in appearance to a blueberry, though their flavor is a bit sweeter and nuttier. They make great jam, and in this recipe, which I adapted from the meal we ate at Ranchland, they are a perfect pairing for duck breasts. Whereas the Saskatoon-smothered duck we ate at Ranchland were more of the stewed variety, I’ve gone with grilled breasts, using the berries as a finishing sauce. If you can’t find Saskatoons, currants or blueberries are a fine substitute.

Saskatoon Smothered Duck Breasts

Ingredients
4 duck breasts halves, filleted from the bone
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. Kosher salt
2 tsp. black pepper
Canola oil

Glaze
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, sliced thin
½ cup port or bold red wine
1 cup Saskatoon berries
½ cup duck (or chicken) stock
1 Tbsp. butter

Directions
With a sharp knife, score the skin of the duck breasts, being careful not to slice into the meat. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture into both sides of the duck breasts and let rest for 30 minutes.

Set a cast-iron pan or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little bit of canola oil to the pan to coat it and when it just reaches the smoking point, add the duck breasts skin side down. Let the breasts sear until the skin is crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and sear the other side for a minute or so. Be careful not to overcook the breasts. You want them medium-rare. Remove to a warmed plate and tent with foil.

To make the pan sauce, add a tablespoon or two of olive oil and the sliced onion. Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt over the onions and cook for about 3 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the port or wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove the fond, or brown bits, then add the Saskatoon berries. Let them cook down for a minute or so, then pour in the duck stock. Simmer until the sauce is reduced by about half, then add the knob of butter. Swirl the pan to incorporate the butter. Return the duck breasts back into the pan, turning to coat all sides with the glaze, then transfer to a serving plate and pour remaining pan sauce over the breasts.