Hello, Lykkers! Today, we embark on a flavorful journey with one of the world's most beloved fruits orange.

While a glass of fresh orange juice is a staple in many of our diets, the culinary potential of oranges extends far beyond the juice.

Join us as we peel back the layers and discover how this vibrant citrus fruit can add zest, color, and a burst of flavor to our meals and celebrations.

A Slice of History: Oranges in the Culinary World

Oranges have tantalized palates and inspired culinary creations for centuries. Originating in Southeast Asia, these citrus marvels made their way around the globe, enchanting everyone from ancient traders to modern chefs with their sweet and tangy flavors. Today, oranges are celebrated in dishes from cuisines worldwide, showcasing their versatility in savory meals, desserts, and everything in between.

Beyond Juice: Oranges in Culinary Creations

Oranges possess a unique ability to enhance a wide array of dishes. Their juicy segments, zesty peel, and tangy juice can transform recipes, infusing them with a refreshing complexity. Here are some innovative ways to incorporate oranges into your culinary repertoire:

1. Zesty Beet Orange Salad

Let's chat about salads. They're always a hit with our Lykkers! With such a variety of healthy, wholesome ingredients, there's something for everyone. Check out this unique dish. The vibrant colors and flavors complement each other perfectly. Baking the beets brings out their deliciousness like nothing else can. And when you toss them with fresh orange, red onions, and red vinegar, it creates a tantalizing burst of flavor!

Instructions for preparing the Zesty Beet Orange Salad:

Ingredients:

3 beets

1.5 oranges

0.5 onion (red)

0.5 handful parsley finely chopped

pinch of freshly ground pepper

0.5 tbsps onion salt

0.5 tbsps orange marmalade

0.5 cup olive oil

red vinegar

Instruction

1. Arrange the beets on a baking sheet lined with foil and roast them for about an hour or until they're tender. Once cooled, peel the beets and cut them into wedges.

2. Put the oil and vinegar into a mixing bowl.

3. Grate one tablespoon of red onion directly into the bowl.

4. Zest 1 tablespoon of orange rind into the bowl.

5. Mix in finely chopped parsley, one tablespoon of onion salt, freshly ground black pepper, and marmalade.

6. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined, then pour the mixture over the beets. Remove the rind from the oranges and slice or cut the fruit into wedges. Combine the oranges with the beets.

Chocolate Orange Tart

Chocolate and orange make one of our favorite flavor pairings. The chocolatey biscuit base of this tart is incredibly simple to make and offers a delightful alternative to pastry. For this recipe, you can use either Lemon Curd Lime or Orange Curd. When combining the ingredients, avoid using an electric mixer to prevent incorporating too much air, which could cause the mixture to rise excessively in the oven.

Instructions for preparing Chocolate Orange Tart:

Ingredients:

75 g butter

100 g dark chocolate

225 g digestive biscuits, whizzed into crumbs (or any other plain biscuits)

150 ml cream

3 eggs, lightly mixed

15ml orange zest

325 g orange curd

25g dark chocolate, melted, to decorate

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

2. In a microwave or on the stove, melt the butter and dark chocolate together until liquid.

3. Add the biscuit crumbs to the melted mixture, and mix thoroughly until well combined. Spoon this mixture into a 22cm fluted round, loose-bottomed tin. Begin by pressing the mixture up the sides to form the lip of the crust, then press it into the base, ensuring there are no gaps where they join. Place the tin in the fridge to chill.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream, eggs, orange zest, and orange curd using either a fork or a hand whisk. Once combined, pour this mixture into the chilled crust in the tin.

5. Bake the tart in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until it is just set. Allow it to cool.

6. Once cooled, remove the tart from the tin and drizzle it with the melted chocolate. Let it cool completely, then chill it in the fridge before serving.

Chocolate Orange Tart | Cookery School | Waitrose

Waitrose & Partners

Selecting and Storing Your Oranges

To get the most out of your culinary experiments with oranges, choose fruits that are heavy for their size—indicating juiciness—and have a firm, smooth skin. Store oranges in a cool, dry place for short-term use, or in the refrigerator's crisper drawer for extended freshness.

Oranges offer so much more than a morning beverage. Their versatility in cooking and baking can elevate meals from ordinary to extraordinary, adding a splash of color and a burst of flavor to any dish. We invite you, our Lykkers, to explore the culinary possibilities of oranges. Experiment with their sweet and tangy characteristics, and let this vibrant fruit inspire your next kitchen adventure.

Happy cooking, Lykkers! Let oranges brighten your dishes and your days.