Directions

Prepare the oranges: Remove the peel from 2 oranges with a vegetable peeler. Cut the white pith off the back with a very sharp knife. Cut into julienne, and blanch three times in boiling water. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside. Squeeze the juice of those 2 oranges and reserve. Peel and cut the remaining 2 oranges into sections, draining their juice into the other juice, and set the sections aside. You now have one dish of blanched julienned orange zest, about 1 cup/250 ml orange juice, and a dish of orange sections.

Prepare the duck breasts: Score the fat side of the breasts with a knife. Set them fat-side down in a pan over low heat and render the fat, about 10 minutes. Remove the duck and pour off the fat. Increase the heat in the pan and put the breasts back in skin-side down. Saute until done to your liking, or about 7 minutes on the fat side, then another 3 on the other. Remove to a carving board to rest, covering to keep warm.

Make the sauce: Put the sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and orange juice. Reduce slightly. Now add the stock and the zests. Boil down to sauce consistency. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Check the seasonings. Add the orange sections. Carve the duck breasts and arrange on a serving platter. Spoon over the sauce, and serve.

Directions

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the fat in a saute pan and brown the chicken on all sides, working in batches. When all the chicken is browned, remove it to a plate and add the shallots and garlic to the pan for 1 minute. Pour in the Cognac to deglaze. Put the chicken back in the pan. Pour in the wine and stock, cover and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes, turning once.

Meanwhile, melt a little butter in a frying pan and cook the mushrooms until golden. When the chicken is cooked, remove it to a serving platter and keep warm. Boil the cooking liquid down to sauce consistency. Stir in the creme fraiche and mushrooms. When hot, taste and correct the seasonings. Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Remove the meat from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, about 20 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large casserole. Working in batches, brown the stew meat well on all sides, removing as you go. When the meat is done, cook the carrots and onions in the same pot until tender and lightly golden. Add the garlic, and cook one minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Pour over the wine and the stock. Add the bouquet garni. Return the meat to the pot, cover, and transfer to the oven until the meat is very tender, about 2 hours.

While the meat cooks, prepare the garnish: Heat the oil, in a pan and brown the bacon, and remove. Add the onions and cook until browned all over, remove. Finally, brown the mushrooms, and remove. Deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup water, reduce, and then pour over the garnish. Set aside.

When the meat is done, remove it from the pot. Strain the stock, discarding the vegetables. Pour the liquid back into the pot, and boil until thick enough to coat a spoon. Return the meat to the pan and add the garnish. Cover, and simmer until the onions are tender and the flavors have blended, 10 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. Serve.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Place the bread slices in a large mixing bowl and dampen with heavy cream. Once bread is soaked through, add the rest of the ingredients, except the meat, and mix well. Mix in the meat. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and bake, uncovered, on a lightly greased baking pan for 45 minutes.

Serve the meatballs hot, with gravy if desired.