3 soup armagnac Recipes

dried white beans such as cannellini (2 1/2 cups), picked over and rinsed, confit duck legs at room temperature, extra-virgin olive oil, onions, finely chopped, carrots, finely chopped, celery ribs, finely chopped, garlic cloves, finely chopped, turkish bay leaves or 1 california, thyme sprigs, reduced-sodium chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes, drained, armagnac or cognac, chopped flat-leaf parsley

butter, peanut oil, unsalted natural cashews, choppped shallot, low sodium chicken broth, cream sherry, half-and-half, whipping cream, water, cornstarch, armagnac or 2 tbsp cognac, chopped chives, for garnish