• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 12 dried California figs
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 6 large Peking duck legs
• Salt and freshly ground pepper; to taste
• 1 pound medium red onions, each cut into 6 wedges
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice with 1/2 cup of the balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Simmer over high heat until thickened and reduced to 1/4 cup, 6 minutes. Pour the balsamic glaze into a glass measuring cup and let cool to room temperature.

In a heatproof bowl, combine the figs and orange juice. Cover and microwave at 50% power for 8 minutes.

Prick the duck legs all over with a fork and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the legs to a rimmed nonreactive baking pan and roast in the upper third of the oven for about 30 minutes, or until most of the fat has been rendered and the skin is crisp. Transfer the duck legs to a platter and discard the fat.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.

Arrange the plumped figs and the onion wedges, cut side down, in the roasting pan. Drizzle with the fig cooking liquid, olive oil, honey and the remaining 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Set the duck legs on top of the onions and figs, pour the chicken broth around the duck legs and bake in the upper third of the oven for about 1 hour, or until the duck is very tender.

Transfer the duck legs to the platter. Continue roasting the onions and figs for 45 minutes longer. Return the duck legs and their juices to the pan and roast for 10 minutes, or until the duck is heated through.

Transfer the duck legs to plates.

Using tongs, set the onion wedges and figs alongside the duck. Pour the pan juices over the onions and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.

Calories 285.4 (22% from Fat); Total Fat 7.2g;
Sodium 92.7mg; Potassium 339.8g; Protein 24.1g; Carbohydrate 32.5g; Sugar 19.8g; Dietary Fiber 3.1g;