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Ingredients  2 cups water  1 cup cooked Thai jasmine rice  1 cup thinly sliced Chinese celery (including the leaves), or spring onion half teaspoon preserved cabbage 2 tablespoons fish sauce  1 tablespoon Maggi seasoning  1 tablespoon garlic, thinly sliced  Shiitake mushrooms, sliced (optional) 1 teaspoon Thai pepper powder fried garlic to taste, and a half teaspoon of salted radish always adds a nice taste You also need 4 large (8 to the pound) shrimp, or half a pound of smaller ones, shelled, deveined, and butterflied, or half a pound of other flavor ingredient.  Method  In a very small amount of oil saute the garlic until golden brown and beginning to crisp up. Pour in the water, and bring to the boil. Next add the celery, Maggi sauce, and fish sauce and pepper powder, and stir until it boils again. Now add the rice, preserved cabbage, shiitake, and return to the boil, continuing to simmer, stirring occasionally.  Now add the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink.  Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle fried garlic over each serving, and garnish with chopped coriander/cilantro leaves, we like to add a few thin slices of fresh ginger also (see picture below). It is also popular to serve a small dish of moo yong dried pork on the side with this soup.

Magret en Croûte de Lavande 2 duck fillets or magrets, about 400 grams (14 ounces) each 4 teaspoons unsprayed dried lavender flowers (check with the vendor that the lavender is safe for consumption) 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds 2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds The zest of one lemon, finely chopped 2 teaspoons fleur de sel 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Serves 4. Slash a few diagonal cuts in the skin of the meat. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small mortar or spice grinder, and pestle or process until finely ground. Sprinkle this rub on the flesh side of the meat, wrap each piece tightly in plastic, and chill for an hour. Remove the meat from the fridge 15 minutes before serving. Preheat the oven to 200° C (400° F), and place the fillets or magrets (without the plastic wrap!) skin side down in a baking dish. Slip into the oven to bake for 15 minutes, flip the meat, and return into the oven for 5 minutes. If desired, you can switch the oven to grill mode at this point to get the skin crispy and golden. Transfer the meat on a cutting-board, and reserve the cooking juices. Cover the meat with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut each fillet in 1-cm (1/2-inch) slices, drizzle with the juices, and serve with mashed purple potatoes.

Cooking a whole duck in the microwave to drain fat before roasting in the oven makes handling this tough bird a breeze.

Arrange the ducks, breast-side down in a large or oven- and microwave-safe oblong baking dish. Microwave at full power for 10 minutes. Turn the ducks breast-side up and microwave another 5 minutes. Pour off fat and juices and reserve.

Meanwhile preheat the oven to 375F. Transfer the ducks to the oven and roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes until the the duck skin is crisp and the meat is tender enough so that the drumstick bone moves slightly when twisted.