CHERRY BRANDY RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the garnish, mix the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon together and set aside.
• Pour the brandy, crème de cacao and double cream into a cocktail shaker (or see tip, below), then add a generous handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold, then strain into two small coupe or cocktail glasses.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of the spiced sugar, then serve. THREE TWISTS Serve these cocktails at your next dinner party. They’re so delectable, they double as dessert – serve with a teaspoon to enjoy all the toppings. Trifle alexander Drop 1 black cherry in syrup into the bottom of two small cocktail glasses along with a dash of the syrup. Tip 80ml brandy, 50ml sweet sherry, 50ml double cream, 1 tsp sugar syrup and ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste into a blender with a small handful of ice. Blitz until smooth and very cold, then pour into the prepared glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles, then serve with savoiardi biscuits or sponge fingers for dipping. Serves 2. Strawberry alexander Blitz 80ml gin, 50g frozen strawberries, 50ml double cream, 25ml triple sec and 25ml water in a blender until very smooth. Pour into two tumblers and garnish each with a mini meringue, mint leaves and a pinch of freeze-dried strawberries. Serves 2. Passion fruit & coconut alexander Tip 80ml cachaça, 50ml coconut rum, 50ml double cream and the flesh of 1 passion fruit into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker is cold, then double strain the cocktail into two martini glasses. Cut 1 passion fruit in half and drizzle the halves with a couple of drops of coconut rum. Float one half, cut-side up, on top of each cocktail. Serves 2.

Steps:

• Remove the tenderloins (the thin strips of meat on undersides of the duck breast) and reserve for the sauce. With a sharp knife, trim away any gristle from the undersides of the breasts and trim any excess fat. Score the skin in a diamond pattern, cutting through the fat but not quite reaching the meat. Lightly sprinkle salt on both sides, then rub 1 teaspoon crushed black peppercorns all over. Sprinkle with the garlic and a few thyme sprigs, cover, and leave at room temperature for 1 hour. (For deeper flavor, refrigerate the breasts for several hours or overnight, then return to room temperature before cooking.)
• Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and the reserved duck tenderloins; let them brown well, stirring occasionally, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and a small thyme sprig and let them fry for 1 minute.
• Add the broth and 1/4 cup wine, raise the heat to a brisk simmer and let the liquid reduce to about 1 1/4 cups, about 10 minutes. Strain the sauce and return to the heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons red wine and the Cognac or brandy and cook for 1 minute more. Dissolve potato starch in 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir the mixture into the sauce. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Season to taste with salt. (Sauce may be made in advance and reheated, thinned with a little broth.)
• Remove and discard the garlic and thyme sprigs from the breasts. Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high. When the pan is hot, lay in the duck breasts, skin-side down, and let them sizzle. Lower the heat to medium and cook for a total of 7 minutes, checking to make sure the skin isn’t browning too quickly. With tongs, turn the breasts over and let them cook another 3 minutes for rare, 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to a warm platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice crosswise, not too thickly, at a slight angle and serve with the sauce.