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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.

The serving options for these deeply aromatic pineapples are endless. Eat them right out of their steeping liquid, or broiled, seared or grilled and topped with a scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt. Steep them overnight or up to four days for the most intense flavor.

1 cup sugar 1 vanilla bean 2 cups white wine 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon saffron 1 pineapple, cored and cut into 1-inch ring

1. Put the sugar in a saucepan large enough to hold the sliced pineapple and 4 cups of liquid. Cut the vanilla bean in half, scrape out the seeds and add to the sugar, along with the vanilla bean. Add white wine, water and saffron and bring to a boil. Let cook at medium-high heat for 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, prep the pineapple. Slice the top and bottom of the pineapple off, making a stable base. Cut down from the top of the pineapple, removing all the eyes and leaving clean rings. Cut out the core of the pineapple with a 1-inch cookie cutter or melon baller. 3. Add the pineapple rings to the saucepan and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the liquid and pineapple to a plastic container and let steep overnight (or up to 4 days) before serving.