Crunchy Pear Salsa Recipes

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Market Tip:
• Mexican limes, sold at Latin American markets and some supermarkets, are especially good in this recipe because they are sweeter and more fragrant than Persian limes (the more familiar variety). Mexican limes are also referred to as Key limes, which are available at Melissa's (melissas.com; 800-588-0151).

Steps:

• Roast the chickpeas: Drain, rinse and pat dry the chickpeas; let sit 30 minutes on a paper towel-lined plate to let them dry out. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Dump the chickpeas onto a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until crisp and dry, about 50 minutes. Let cool.
• While the chickpeas cool, bake the croutons: Toss the pita pieces with the butter and a pinch of salt on another baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool. (You can store the chickpeas and the croutons in separate containers at room temperature for up to 4 days.)
• Make the dressing: Mix the tahini, lemon juice and 3 to 4 tablespoons water in a bowl until creamy and pourable. Season with salt and pepper. (You can put the dressing in a cute jar and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. If it gets too thick to pour, mix in a little water before using.)
• Make the salad: Combine the spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, radishes and mint in a large bowl. Add the feta, za'atar, dressing and chickpeas and gently toss. Top with the croutons.

Steps:

• For the duck marinade: In a medium bowl, add the ginger, peppercorns, rice wine, dark and light soy sauce, sea salt and star anise and stir to combine. Add the duck, cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinate for 30 minutes or as long as overnight in the refrigerator.
• For the salsa: While the duck marinates, combine the cilantro, ginger, chile, grapefruit, lime juice and zest, pears, mangos, onions and chile flakes in a medium bowl. Toss to combine and season with sea salt. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Heat a wok or pan over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Place the duck into the wok, skin-side down, and fry until the skin is brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the breasts and reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook for 4 minutes.
• Remove the duck and let rest for 5 minutes. Chop the duck into bite-size pieces, then dust the pieces in the cornstarch and coat well.
• Heat a wok or pan over high heat and fill to a quarter of its depth with peanut oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F, or until a cube of bread turns golden brown in 15 seconds and floats to the surface. Ensure that your wok is stable before deep-frying.
• Place the duck pieces in a spider/scoop, carefully lower into the oil and fry until crispy and golden brown. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
• To serve, spoon some crispy duck onto a tortilla and top with some Asian pear salsa. Serve with small bowls of cilantro, flaked sea salt and dried chile flakes so guests can season their own and help themselves.

Steps:

• Soak celery in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Whisk together in a large bowl the vinegar, maple syrup and salt. Add pears and stir gently to coat. Add celery, cheese and pecans, stirring to combine. Season with pepper.
• Place the 6 lettuce leaves on plates and divide the salad, placing a portion on top of the lettuce on each plate.
• Serve either chilled or at room temperature.
• NOTE: To toast the nuts, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly browned (about 2 to 4 minutes).
• VARIATION: Instead of cheddar and pecans, try a good Parmesan and toasted walnuts.

Steps:

• Thaw peas in colander under running water for a minute; drain.
• Combine all ingredients.
• Chill for a couple of hours to marry the flavors.
• Garnish just before serving.