5 Spice Duck with Green Beans with Toasted Hazelnuts

I spent most of today watching Christmas movies to try and get into the Xmas spirit. To me, it still just feels wrong to have this special holiday in the Perth summer heat. Is it just me or does any other expat feel the same?
My Grandmother has an old Yorkshire saying "there's only three people can eat from duck; thee, me and duck". No one quite understands it and it is the topic of much discussion and and angst, but we laugh anyway!
Again, this was quite an easy recipe. I adapted the recipe a bit from duck breasts, which are very expensive in Perth, and used 2 whole ducks, as we had them in the freezer. I rubbed Chinese 5 Spice onto the skin of the ducks and pricked the top with a sharp fork, which releases the (huge amount of) fat. I roasted the duck for 1 1/2 hours and then came the boning.... Yes I can now also add this to my culinary resume! Boning the duck was surprisingly easy and fun with a pair of chicken shears!
For similar recipe go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/fivespiceduckbreasts_90212

Ratings:
Taste: 9
Appearance: 7
Difficulty: 6

Cooking the green beans was particularly easy and necessary to complement the rich duck. The toasted hazelnuts added an earthy crunch to the meal but didn't go well with my newly tightened braces!
For similar recipe go to:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Green-Beans-with-Toasted-Hazelnuts-105816

Ratings:
Taste: 8
Appearance: 9
Difficulty: 2