4221 tempting trifles two Recipes

two 4 1/2- to 4 3/4-lb ducks, rinsed, patted dry, excess fat removed from the cavities, and trussed, scotch, shredded peeled fresh gingerroot, minced garlic, julienne orange zest, coriander seeds, crushed, black peppercorns, crushed, soy sauce, honey, dark brown sugar, bread, scallions, parsley sprigs, three 12-oz cans beer, brown stock or beef broth, arrowroot dissolved in 3 tbsp cold water, kumquats for garnish if desired

all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, cold unsalted butter, cut into bits, well-shaken buttermilk, raspberries (about 3 cups), blackberries (about 1 1/2 cups), sugar, well-chilled heavy cream, sugar

two 7- to 8-lb legs of lamb, trimmed of excess fat, boned, and butterflied by butcher (each 4 to 4 3/4 lb boneless), fresh lemon juice, garlic cloves, chopped fine, chopped fresh thyme leaves, chopped fresh oregano leaves, chopped fresh rosemary leaves, coarse salt, olive oil, freshly ground black pepper to taste, garnish: fresh herb sprigs

two 1/3-inch-thick diagonally cut slices of italian or french bread, olive oil for brushing the toasts, soft mild goat cheese

olive oil, balsamic vinegar, ground cumin, great northern beans, rinsed, drained, black beans, rinsed, drained, celery stalks, chopped, frozen corn kernels, thawed, red bell pepper, chopped, chopped red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, jalapeno chilies, seeded, chopped

two 1 1/2-lb red snappers, cleaned , leaving heads and tails intact, minced peeled fresh gingerroot, garlic cloves, minced, dry sherry, soy sauce, fresh shiitake mushrooms , stems discarded and caps sliced thin, carrots (about 1/2 lb), cut into julienne strips, scallions , cut into julienne strips, fermented black beans,* rinsed lightly, water, cornstarch, grain white rice , cooked according to package instructions and omitting any butter or margarine

two 28-cans whole tomatoes, drained, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice, loosely packed fresh coriander sprigs, washed well , spun dry, and chopped, minced shallots, freshly grated orange zest, fresh lemon juice, red-wine vinegar, diagonal 1/4-inch-thick slices fat-free french or italian bread (about 4 oz total), toasted lightly, four 4-oz sea bass , flounder, or sole fillets, all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, fresh orange juice

two 5- to 6-oz fillets of sea bass or other firm-fleshed white fish,with skin, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, fennel seeds, chopped fine, accompaniment if desired: parsnip fennel puree

two 1/4-oz packages (5 tsp total ) active dry yeast, warm water (105o-115of.), sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, unsalted butter, melted and cooled, milk, heated to lukewarm, sour cream, eggs, beaten lightly, dried currants or raisins, sugar, cinnamon

two 1-lb containers of plain yogurt, sugar, vanilla, dried apricots, light brown sugar, melted butter for brushing the crepes, all-purpose flour, sugar, milk, eggs, unsalted butter, melted and cooled, poppy seeds, freshly grated lemon zest, salt, melted unsalted butter for brushing the pan, crepe batter

two 3.52-oz bars) toblerone bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, egg whites, sugar, strawberries, carambolas (star fruit, available seasonally at specialty produce markets), sliced, seedless red and green grapes, dried apricots

two 1/2-lb loaves of day-old italian or french bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 12 cups), bacon , cut into 1/2-inch pieces, minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped celery, minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 tbsp dried thyme, crumbled, minced fresh sage leaves or 2 tsp dried sage, crumbled, chopped fresh parsley leaves, unsalted butter, melted, oysters, shucked and chopped , reserving the liquor for another use, a 12- to 14-lb turkey, the neck nd giblets (excluding the liver) reserved for m king turkey giblet stock, unsalted butter, softened, dry white wine, all-purpose flour, parsley sprigs and thyme sprigs for garnish

two 1/2-lb artichokes, lemon, water, white-wine vinegar, olive oil, minced scallion greens, tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped

two 7-oz jars roasted red peppers, drained, sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil, about 30), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes and drained well, reserving 3 tbsp of the soaking liquid, garlic cloves, chopped fine, ground cumin, bottled pickled jalapeno chiles, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves ), fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh coriander, chopped scallion, cream cheese, cut into bits and softened, tortilla chips as an accompaniment

two 7- to 8-bone racks of lamb, trimmed and frenched (the butcher can do this), red mole, canola or grapeseed oil, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

two 2 1/2-lb chickens, halved, traditional achiote recado, charred habanero salsa, rajas, authentic guacamole, corn tortillas

onion, halved or quarter, garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs (optional), turkey, butter, melted , or vegetable oil (optional), turkey broth or canned chicken broth, flour, cream (optional), salt, freshly ground black pepper

plain low-fat yogurt, light mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, grated onion, sugar, celery seeds, sliced green cabbage, sliced red cabbage, green bell pepper, thinly sliced into strips, coarsely grated peeled carrots, chopped fresh dill, divided