Homemade Peking Crispy Roast Duck

Peking roast duck sounds complicated to make, but it is not. It just takes time to prep. I usually start preparing the duck early in the morning, then finally roast the duck for dinner. It's always a success. The key to a good Chinese roast duck is to get a crispy skin while keeping the meat moist and sweet. The duck is first brined, them boiled and finally roasted and basted with a dark sweet and salty mixture.

Magret de Canard Roti au Miel Epices (Cardamom, Ginger, Mango and Star Anise spiced Honey Roasted Duck Breast)

I find duck meat to be very sophisticated. So whether you're throwing an elegant dinner or you're having a romantic dinner, duck is the perfect choice.

I'm used to making a French preparation of duck, but I wanted to use oriental flavors for this recipe instead.  I decided to use star anise and honey as the base for the glaze. Star anise is a classic Asian flavor, and I have some very special honey at home that I try to use whenever I need a sweetener for a dish.  Last time I was in Paris I got a jar of raw honey from my sister's in-laws who are honey makers in Amiens, a town in the nothern region of France.  It's just out of this world.

A Brace of American Birds (Pheasant and Duck)

This is meal fit for a President. Or two. A brace of pheasant and duck was the main course at Abraham Lincoln's Inaugural Dinner and will again be featured at President-Elect Barack Obama's Inauguration. Pheasant is no longer commonly available but I finally was able to get some at Whole Foods.