4 shallots prunes armagnac Recipes

pitted prunes (about 20), armagnac or other brandy, divided, olive oil, cut-up free-range chicken, shallots, peeled, organic chicken broth, fresh thyme sprigs plus 1 1/2 tsp chopped, sherry wine vinegar

dried figs (preferably calmyrna; 1 1/3 cups), stems discarded, dried apricots (1 1/4 cups), pitted prunes (1 1/4 cups), whole allspice, mixed peppercorns (black, white, green, and pink ), unsalted butter, melted, goose, wing tips removed, onions, quartered, chopped shallots (2 large), armagnac, veal demiglace, apricot jam or preserves

muscovy ducks, approximately 4 lb each, quartered and trimmed of excess fat, salt, freshly ground black pepper, shallots, peeled and split in 1/2, diced carrots, diced onion, fresh bay leaves, fresh rosemary sprigs, all-purpose flour, red wine, dark or light chicken stock , preferably home-made, armagnac , plus 2 tbsp, prunes