Cantaloupe with Port

This appetizer is one of the simplest you'll ever make. There is no cooking time and it's ready in 5 minutes. The condition is to have a well-ripened cantaloupe and a good-quality port. The combinaison of both ingredients makes a sweet and original appetizer which your guests will remember.

Serves 4
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: none
Difficulty: *

Ingredients:
- 2 cantaloupes, well-ripened
- 3/4 teaspoons port for each serving
- salt and pepper

Cut the cantaloupe in half and remove the seeds using a spoon.
Scoop round balls of cantaloupe out of each half with a melon baller or a small round spoon. You can also cut the cantaloupe into squares (simpler).
If you like, you can reserve the halves and use them as serving bowls. Otherwise, fill 4 regular bowls with the cantaloupe balls/pieces.
Drizzle 3 to 4 teaspoons of port on each bowl. You can add more if you like :-)
Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour since this appetizer is better served chilled.

Season with salt and freshly ground pepper just before serving.
Let me know how you like it, it's a wonderful summer dish.

Spiced Duck and Potato Soufflé: Stylish!

You can plan on cooking Duck for Valentine's Day this year, it 's very simple and it's original. I suggest that you serve it with a light Potato Soufflé: simple and memorable!! The flavors of both dishes marry well together and you'll surprise your partner with the secret ingredient used in the Soufflé.... sssshhhh.


Serves 2
Preparation: 5 minutes for the Duck + 1 hour marinating, 10 minutes for the Soufflé
Cooking time: 5 minutes for the Duck, 10 minutes for the Soufflé
Difficulty: *

Ingredients for the duck:
- 2 duck breasts (about 1 pound)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
For the marinade:
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground 5-spices
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients for the Potato Soufflé:
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/2 tablespoon fennel seeds -this is the secret ingredient!-
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper

For the Duck:
Remove the skin off the duck breasts and cut each breast into 4 slices (not too thin).
Prepare the marinade: wisk together the lime juice and spices in a non-metallic dish and add some pepper. Coat the duck breast slices with the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a big frying pan, heat one tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, fry the duck breast slices for about 1 minute on each side.
Reduce the heat to low, add the honey and let cook for 2 to 3 additional minutes.
Serve immediately.

Prepare the Potato Soufflés (make sure they'll be ready at the same time as the duck - you can let the soufflés stand for about 5 minutes before serving):
Separate the egg white and the yolk.
Mix together the mashed potatoes, the fennel seeds and the egg yolk.
Add a pinch of salt to the egg white and beat until stiff.
Delicately mix the stiff egg white and the mashed potatoes.
Preheat your oven at 400°F / 200°C.
Fill in 2 small ramequins with the preparation and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes. Your soufflés will be fluffly and light.

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day!!