Pato a la Sidra

Pato a la Sidra is a delightful Spanish dish featuring tender duck braised in a rich apple cider sauce, delivering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. This Paleo-friendly recipe brings a taste of Spain to your table, beautifully highlighting the duck's natural richness.

Ingredients

• Duck thighs - 2 pieces (about 400g)
• Apple cider - 250 ml
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Onion - 1 medium, diced
• Carrot - 1 medium, sliced
• Celery - 1 stalk, sliced
• Thyme - 1 teaspoon, dried
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Apple - 1 medium, cored and diced
• Parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

Steps

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the duck thighs with salt and pepper, then place them skin-side down in the skillet. Sear for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Remove the duck thighs and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add diced onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
3. Pour in the apple cider and scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze it. Add the thyme and diced apple, stirring to combine.
4. Return the duck thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the duck is tender and the flavors meld together.
5. Once cooked, remove the duck from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. If desired, reduce the sauce further by boiling it without the lid for 5-10 minutes.
6. Serve the duck thighs drizzled with the apple cider sauce and garnish with chopped parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Cholesterol: 110 mg
• Total Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein, supporting muscle health.
• Contains healthy fats that are beneficial for heart health.

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