The Main Event
Setting the scene
Almond crusted with passion fruit sauce – Their passionate duck.
Roqué knew that the scent of almonds drove Wanda wild so he had a dish of the finest Marcona almonds roasting on the stove just to tease and titillate.
The kitchen table was prepared with a vase of sweet smelling deep orange freesias and their aroma pervaded the air like springtime.
Just in front of these was tonight’s gift – Agent Provocateur Aphrodisiaque Eau de Parfum.
She took it and sprayed a little behind her ear encouraging him to kiss her there. A bottle of chilled Provence rose completed the scene.
The pink tender duck was served and they were both ready for the Passion fruit sauce to follow very soon.
For 2 lovers
Get on with it…
Almond crusted with passion fruit sauce
Pre-heat the oven to 180C. Score the skin of 2 Gressingham duck breasts, season generously then place skin side down into a hot dry frying pan for 5 minutes so it’s crispy & golden. Turn the breasts over & cook for 1 minute then transfer into the hot oven for 15 minutes.
Put 1 tbsp flaked almonds into a small frying pan with 1 tsp salt & 1 tsp caster sugar. Keep everything moving until the salt/sugar disappears & the almonds are golden – this doesn’t take long. Tip into a bowl when cool & crush the nuts (!).
Into a small saucepan put 1 star anise, 30ml Cointreau, 50ml maple syrup & the juice of 1 small orange & cook until reduced by half.
Cut in half & scoop out the flesh of 2 passion fruits and stir them into the sauce. Ready to go.
Remove the duck breasts from the oven, brush with clear honey & press the almonds into the skin. Leave the breasts to rest – if you can – for a few minutes in a warm place.
Slice the duck & drizzle the sauce around it. Serve with a fresh rocket salad & some wild rice to your no doubt very appreciative audience.
Almond crusted with passion fruit sauce ingredients available from www.waitrose.com.
Feed the desire…
Star anise is that delightfully fragrant spice so important to Chinese cuisine.
Anise is a great stimulator that helps to promote good circulation and a hormone punch – most especially in women to boost the libido which frankly girls is always an asset.
