For flavour and glamour ... Sweet orange

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 8

For flavour and glamour ... Sweet orange

COOKING with

Celia Timms

Nearly everyone enjoys orange flavour, so it is with confidence I recommend these recipes. The Baked Alaska Choc/Orange Pie is an easy way of producing this glamour dessert. The' Orange Cheesecake, is not baked, and is made in an electric blender or food processor. The Streusel-Topped Orange Muffins have a rich, orange flavouring, which can be enjoyed with coffee for the morning break. Chocolate / Orange Baked Alaska Pie: This is a very easy method of producing the glamorous Baked Alaska. Points to watch: Ensure that the ice cream filling is frozen hard; prepare the meringue topping before removing pie from freezer. To make an 8 to 9in pie you need: 1% cups wholemeal biscuit crumbs % cup finely chopped almonds 3 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon grated orange rind % cup margarine or butter, melted. 1 litre chocolate ice cream Vi cup orange flavoured liqur (optional) 3 large egg-whites; V 4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 teaspoon grated orange rind % cup firmly packed brown sugar. Method: For the pie shell — combine crumbs, almonds, brown sugar, orange rind and melted butter in a large basin and press mixture evenly into an 8 - 9inch pie plate, covering bottom and sides. Chill for one hour. Soften ice cream and carefully stir in liqueur if used. Return to freezer until almost set then spoon into the chilled crumb crust. Freeze until very firm. Beat egg-whites with cream of tartar until foamy.

Beat in orange rind. Beat in sugar, one tablespoon at a time and continue beating until thick and glossy. Spread this meringue swiftly and evenly over the top of frozen ice cream, sealing well at the edges. Bake at 260 C for one or two minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately. Orange Cheese cake Rich in flavour but low in calories, this cheesecake should prove popular. Another difference is that it lacks a crust — which in some cases can be soggy. For an Binch springform pan, about 10 servings, you need: 2 envelopes gelatine lYz cups orange juice 3 teaspoons grated orange rind % cup sugar Vs teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 3 cups cottage cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla essence Vi cup wholemeal biscuit crumbs Method: Pour half a cup of the orange juice into the container of an electric 1 blender and sprinkle the > gelatine over it. Heat re- < maining cup of orange juice 1 to boiling and add to I blender. Cover and process 1 at high speed until gelatine > dissolves. Stop blender. Add orange rind and a third cup 1 of the sugar, salt, egg yolks, ’ cottage cheese and vanilla. • Cover and process until 1 smooth. Pour into large ’ bowl and chill until the mixture mounds lightly when dropped from a spoon. Beat egg whites until soft

peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining third cup of sugar and beat until stiff. Fold into orange mixture. Sprinkle biscuit crumbs over base of springform pan and carefully spoon the cheesecake filling on to the crumbs. Chill until firm. Streusel-topped Orange Muffins: Containing both the rind and flesh of an orange, and topped with a sugar, butter, and mild, cin-namon-flavoured topping, these are good served warm with butter. To make about 12 muffins, depending on size of pans, you need: 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking power; % teaspoon baking soda Vz teaspoon cinnamon Vz teaspoon salt Vz cup raisins 1 orange 2 large eggs % cup dairy sour cream y 4 cup butter, melted For Topping: Vi cup sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, Vi teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons cold butter. Method: In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir in raisins. Grate two teaspoons of rind from orange. Peel orange, removing all pith and divide into segments. Puree these in blender or food processor to measure Vz cupful. Combine eggs, measured orange puree, sour cream, orange rind and melted butter and beat well. Add all at once to the dry ingredients stirring only just until moistened. Divide batter evenly between well gfeased muffin cups or patty pans. Sprinkle streusel aing on muffins. Bake at for 18 - 20 minutes. To make streusel topping: Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until mixture forms coarse crumbs.