diff --git a/app/services/ocr/vl_model.py b/app/services/ocr/vl_model.py
index 2f3a621..737a415 100644
--- a/app/services/ocr/vl_model.py
+++ b/app/services/ocr/vl_model.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def _try_docuvision(image_path: str | Path) -> str | None:
         client = CFOrchClient(cf_orch_url)
         with client.allocate(
             service="cf-docuvision",
-            model_candidates=[],  # cf-docuvision has no model selection
+            model_candidates=["cf-docuvision"],
             ttl_s=60.0,
             caller="kiwi-ocr",
         ) as alloc:
@@ -48,8 +48,9 @@ def _try_docuvision(image_path: str | Path) -> str | None:
             doc_client = DocuvisionClient(alloc.url)
             result = doc_client.extract_text(image_path)
             return result.text if result.text else None
-    except Exception:
-        return None  # graceful degradation
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.debug("cf-docuvision fast-path failed, falling back: %s", exc)
+        return None
 
 
 class VisionLanguageOCR:
@@ -141,15 +142,11 @@ class VisionLanguageOCR:
         # Try docuvision fast path first (skips heavy local VLM if available)
         docuvision_text = _try_docuvision(image_path)
         if docuvision_text is not None:
-            return {
-                "raw_text": docuvision_text,
-                "merchant": {},
-                "transaction": {},
-                "items": [],
-                "totals": {},
-                "confidence": {"overall": None},
-                "warnings": [],
-            }
+            parsed = self._parse_json_from_text(docuvision_text)
+            if parsed is not None:
+                parsed["raw_text"] = docuvision_text
+                return self._validate_result(parsed)
+            # If parsing fails, fall through to local VLM
 
         self._load_model()
 
diff --git a/app/services/recipe/llm_recipe.py b/app/services/recipe/llm_recipe.py
index 5f8ff33..a4bb62f 100644
--- a/app/services/recipe/llm_recipe.py
+++ b/app/services/recipe/llm_recipe.py
@@ -238,12 +238,16 @@ class LLMRecipeGenerator:
         raw_notes = parsed.get("notes", "")
         notes_str: str = raw_notes if isinstance(raw_notes, str) else ""
 
+        all_ingredients: list[str] = list(parsed.get("ingredients", []))
+        pantry_set = {item.lower() for item in (req.pantry_items or [])}
+        missing = [i for i in all_ingredients if i.lower() not in pantry_set]
+
         suggestion = RecipeSuggestion(
             id=0,
             title=parsed.get("title") or "LLM Recipe",
             match_count=len(req.pantry_items),
             element_coverage={},
-            missing_ingredients=list(parsed.get("ingredients", [])),
+            missing_ingredients=missing,
             directions=directions_list,
             notes=notes_str,
             level=req.level,
diff --git a/tests/services/recipe/test_llm_recipe.py b/tests/services/recipe/test_llm_recipe.py
index 06744e5..4e8d5a3 100644
--- a/tests/services/recipe/test_llm_recipe.py
+++ b/tests/services/recipe/test_llm_recipe.py
@@ -140,7 +140,8 @@ def test_generate_returns_result_when_llm_responds(monkeypatch):
     assert len(result.suggestions) == 1
     suggestion = result.suggestions[0]
     assert suggestion.title == "Mushroom Butter Pasta"
-    assert "butter" in suggestion.missing_ingredients
+    # All LLM ingredients (butter, mushrooms, pasta) are in the pantry, so none are missing
+    assert suggestion.missing_ingredients == []
     assert len(suggestion.directions) > 0
     assert "parmesan" in suggestion.notes.lower()
     assert result.element_gaps == ["Brightness"]
@@ -218,8 +219,11 @@ def test_recipe_gen_falls_back_without_cf_orch(monkeypatch):
     fake_router = MagicMock()
     fake_router.complete.side_effect = _fake_complete
 
-    # Patch where LLMRouter is imported inside _call_llm
-    with patch("circuitforge_core.llm.router.LLMRouter", return_value=fake_router):
+    # LLMRouter is imported locally inside _call_llm, so patch it at its source module.
+    # new_callable=MagicMock makes the class itself a MagicMock; set return_value so
+    # that LLMRouter() (instantiation) yields fake_router rather than a new MagicMock.
+    with patch("circuitforge_core.llm.router.LLMRouter", new_callable=MagicMock) as mock_router_cls:
+        mock_router_cls.return_value = fake_router
         gen._call_llm("direct path prompt")
 
     assert router_called.get("prompt") == "direct path prompt"