Almond Biscuits

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp almond essence
• blanched almonds for decoration
• beaten egg for glazing

1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Cream the margarine (or butter) and sugar together until light, white and fluffy. Beat in the egg and almond essence. Stir in the sifted dry ingredients to make a stiff dough.

2. Form the mixture into balls about 1 - 1.5 inch diameter and place these on a greased baking tray. Place half an almond (split lengthways) on each ball and press to flatten slightly. Brush with beaten egg.

3. Bake in a moderate oven (350 deg F / 180 deg C) for 20 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. This quantity makes about 45 biscuits.

Bean Sprout Salad

• 2 tablespoon Sesame seeds
• 1 pound Fresh bean sprouts thoroughly washed and drained
• 3 Garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 2 md Scallions -- trimmed & minced
• 1 - 1" cube ginger, peeled and minced
• 2 tablespoon Oriental sesame oil
• 1/3 cup Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoon Cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 2 teaspoon Light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Spicy sesame oil

PREHEAT OVEN TO 300F.

Toast the sesame seeds by spreading them over the bottom of a pie tin. Roast for 12-to-16 minutes, stirring often, until they are golden. The seeds can be toasted in advance and stored in an airtight container.

Place the bean sprouts in a large heatproof bowl and set it aside. In a medium-size skillet set over moderately low heat, stir-fry the garlic, scallions and ginger in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are limp. Add all the remaining ingredients, increase the heat to moderate, then boil the mixture, uncovered, for 1 minute to slightly reduce the liquid.

Pour the boiling dressing over the bean sprouts, toss well, then cover the bowl and chill the salad for several hours. Toss again before serving.

Roast Duck

• 1 duck, about 5 pounds, fresh or frozen
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 scallion
• 3 slices fresh ginger

Glaze:

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Few sprigs fresh cilantro, for garnish

1. Thaw the duck, if frozen. Remove any excess fat, and rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the entire surface of the duck, inside and out, with the salt. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or, overnight.

2. Put the scallion in the cavity and lay the slices of ginger on top of the duck. Add at least 2 inches of water to a large flameproof roasting pan with a lid and put the pan on the stove. Place a large rack in the roasting pan and bring the water to a boil. Choose an oval casserole large enough to hold the duck and small enough to fit into the roasting pan. Place the duck in the casserole and then put the casserole on the rack. Cover and steam for 1 hour, checking the water level from time to time and adding more boiling water if necessary. Save the duck broth to use in soups or stir fry dishes. When done, remove the duck from the casserole and place it on a rack to dry.

3. Combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. With a pastry brush, paint the hot glaze over the surface of the duck. Allow duck to dry for 1 hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 375F. Roast the duck, breast side down, for 20 minutes. Turn over and continue to roast for 40 more minutes.

5. Transfer duck to a chopping board and allow to cool slightly. Using a cleaver, disjoint and cut the duck through the bone into bite size pieces. Arrange the pieces on a serving platter, garnish with cilantro and serve.