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ffrom a collection of recipe from Switzerland in the 70s - a very simple "sandy" cookie (sable) with raisins (other variants possible with cocoa, almonds, chocolate chips, candied orange, icing etc.). They are extremely good for such a simple recipe - this was one of the favorite christmas biscuit in our house, and one we made mountains off so they would last into the winter.

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.

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.

6 large prawns, butterflied, shells on, but heads removedpinch sea salt drizzle vegetable oillarge handful fresh coriander1 lime, juice onlyFor the sweet and sour sauce4-5 tbsp white wine vinegar3-4 tbsp caster sugar4cm/1in piece fresh ginger, unpeeled1 mild red chilli, finely choppedMethod1. To butterfly the prawns, first remove the head by twisting it off, then discard. Don't remove the shell. Place the prawn on its back on a cutting board. Using a small, sharp knife, cut through the centre of the body from below the head down to the tail. Don't cut all the way through the flesh. Repeat with the remaining prawns.2. For the sweet and sour sauce, pour the vinegar into a small pan (not aluminium) over a medium heat. Add the sugar and heat through.3. Slice the ginger into thick slices and add to the sauce in the pan.4. Slice the chilli and add to the pan. Simmer the sauce until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is reduced and sticky - about five minutes. Taste and adjust flavour as needed by adding a touch more sugar or vinegar, as necessary.5. Meanwhile, heat a ridged grill pan until hot. Sprinkle the sea salt over the prepared prawns. Pour over the oil, then rub it into the prawns.6. Place the prawns on the hot grill pan and grill until cooked through and slightly charred (this will take about 2-3 minutes). Press down lightly with tongs to ensure even cooking. Turn the prawns over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side.7. Chop the fresh coriander. When the prawns are cooked, transfer them into the pan with the reduced sauce.8. Add the coriander and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the pan.9. Stir together until the prawns are coated in the sauce. Serve straightaway.

Lamb and Orange Khoresh - 4 organic oranges, about 700 grams (1 1/2 pounds) total - 30g (2 tablespoons) butter - 2 tablespoons sugar - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1.8 kilos (4 pounds) lamb, half from the shoulder and half from the neck (bone-in), cut into 4-cm (1 1/2-inch) cubes - 400 grams (14 ounces) yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 4 pods green cardamom, smashed with the blade of a knife - a pinch saffron threads (optional) - 1 lime - 600 grams (1 1/3 pounds) carrots, peeled and thinly sliced - 2 tablespoons orange flower water - 40 grams (1/3 cup) unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped - a handful of fresh mint leaves - salt, pepper Serves 6.

Prepare the candied orange peel. Wash 3 of the oranges well and use a vegetable peeler to peel off the very surface of their peel: the goal is to get the orange part and as little of the white as possible. Cut the peel in matchstick-size strips (I use kitchen shears). Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan, add the orange peel and boil for 3 minutes. Drain and return to the pan. Add the butter, sugar, and a good pinch of salt. Melt over medium heat and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the pan smells like salted butter caramel and the strips are lightly browned. Don't overcook or they will be bitter. Lift the peels from the pan with tongs or a slotted spoon, letting the melted butter drip down, and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to cool. Reserve the butter that remains at the bottom of the pan. (This can be made a day ahead.)

Cook the stew. Heat the oil and reserved butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot (I use my cast-iron cocotte) over medium heat. Add the meat without crowding (you may have to work in two batches) and cook for a few minutes on each side until browned. Set aside on a plate. Pour in a little water to deglaze the bottom of the pot, add the onions, sprinkle with a little salt, and cook for a few minutes, until soft. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron, and cook for a minute to toast the spices. In the meantime, squeeze the juice from the lime and 2 of the oranges (one of them now naked). Return the meat to the pot and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour in the citrus juices, and add a little water so the liquids almost cover the meat but not quite. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every once in a while. Add the carrots 30 minutes before the end of the cooking. Segment the 2 remaining oranges and add the segments to the pot 10 minutes before the end of the cooking. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Stir in the orange flower water at the last minute, and serve with basmati rice (I opted for brown basmati rice) and a sprinkle of candied orange peel, pistachios, and mint cut into strips -- I just passed these toppings around in small bowls for each guest to help himself.