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The appetizer, Regional

Smoked duck breast toasts

Smoked duck breast toasts are a terroir style appetizer for 6 people, made with toasted country bread, onion jam, smoked duck breast and arugula. They take 20 minutes of active work, cost €2.00 per person, and rate as very easy. The bread toasts in the morning, while assembly happens right before guests arrive to keep everything crisp.

Small slices of country bread topped with thin strips of smoked duck breast and a spoonful of onion jam, simple and so good.

Smoked duck breast toasts
For
6 people
Work
20 min
Total time
35 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
140 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Smoked duck breast brings a bold, lightly smoky flavor that plays against the sweetness of onion jam, all piled onto a crisp slice of toasted country bread. Arugula adds a peppery bite that cuts through the richness of the duck, and each bite stays neat in one hand, perfect for a standing cocktail hour.

This is the kind of appetizer you want for a dinner party in fall or winter, when you need something simple to pull off but still impressive on the table. Mon Chou likes recipes like this one that come together almost entirely in the morning, so you can actually spend time with your guests instead of rushing around the kitchen.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps, 5 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, cut and toast the bread, then store it in an airtight container to keep it crisp. Right before guests arrive, slice the cold smoked duck breast thinly and spread the onion jam on each toast. At serving time, roll the duck slices, top each toast with arugula and a touch of pepper, a last minute assembly that keeps the bread perfectly crisp.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Smoked duck breast 200 g

Bakery

  • Country bread 1

Pantry

  • Onion jam 6 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Arugula 1 bunch

Allergens Gluten

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Cut the country bread into small half inch squares and toast them. 5 min

    Toast both sides, they won't go soft under the jam.

  2. Let the toasts cool and store them in an airtight container.

    A closed container keeps them from getting damp before the evening.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Take out the smoked duck breast and slice it into very thin strips.

    Slice it cold, it cuts much more thinly that way.

  2. Spread a small spoonful of onion jam on each toast.

    Use the back of a small spoon to spread it without overflowing.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Place a rolled slice of duck breast and a leaf of arugula on each toast, then add pepper.

    Assemble them at the very last moment so the bread stays crisp.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a country bread with a fairly dense crumb, it toasts better and won't crumble under the jam.
  • If your smoked duck breast slices look too thick, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes before cutting, it will slice even more thinly.
  • Make a few extra toasts, they disappear fast and it's always easier to have a few too many than not enough.

The variations

  • Swap the onion jam for fig jam, it brings a different kind of sweetness that pairs just as well with smoked duck.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the duck with slices of fresh goat cheese and keep the onion jam and arugula.
  • To save time, buy pre toasted bread slices from the store and spend your time rolling the duck slices instead.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry white wine or dry cider
  • Other savory toasts for variety
  • A handful of walnuts or hazelnuts

Storage

Toasted bread keeps for 1 day in an airtight container at room temperature. Sliced duck and onion jam keep for 2 days in the fridge in a closed container. Only assemble the toasts right before serving, they don't reheat well and lose their crispness once topped.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use a different bread instead of country bread?

Yes, a baguette or a seeded loaf works well as long as it's firm enough to slice thin and toast without crumbling. Avoid soft sandwich bread, it softens too quickly under the jam.

How do I plate these toasts so they look impressive?

Roll each slice of duck breast into a little rose before placing it on the toast, it holds together better and looks far more polished than a flat slice. Arrange the toasts on a platter with some space between them so the arugula and jam color show through.

How many toasts should I plan per person?

Count on about 3 to 4 toasts per person if this is an appetizer before a meal, and more if the toasts are the main part of the gathering. With 200 grams of smoked duck breast, this recipe fills about twenty toasts.

Can I make these toasts for kids too?

Smoked duck has a fairly strong flavor that doesn't always appeal to kids, so you can prepare a few toasts separately with just onion jam and a mild cheese. You can also skip the arugula if its peppery taste is too much for them.

Can smoked duck breast toasts with onion jam be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 20 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make smoked duck breast toasts with onion jam?

Allow 35 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 20 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in smoked duck breast toasts with onion jam?

About 140 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does smoked duck breast toasts with onion jam cost?

About €2.00 per person, that's €12.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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