Braised Blood Oranges Food

BRAISED ENDIVES WITH BLOOD ORANGES, PISTACHIOS, AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• For the garnish: In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs, orange zest, garlic and parsley; set aside.
• For the endives: Season endives with salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt butter with olive oil. Place endives in pan cut side down. Once endive starts to lightly brown, about 5 minutes, add wine and reduce by three-quarters, another 4 to 5 minutes. As the wine begins to reduce, test endive for tenderness. Once the endive is tender, remove and transfer to a plate. Pat dry, cover, and set aside.
• When the wine is reduced, add orange juice and sugar. Turn up heat and reduce to a thick, shining syrup, stirring frequently. Lower temperature to medium-high, add pistachios and orange segments, and heat for 1 minute.
• Uncover endives, and transfer to two warmed plates. Garnish with bread crumb mixture. Pour orange syrup with the pistachios and oranges over the endive. Top with thin shavings of ricotta salata, and serve.

ROASTED BLOOD ORANGES

Steps:

• If crystallizing the mint leaves, place them on a sheet of parchment paper. Brush lightly with egg white on both sides. Place sugar in a small mound and dip each coated leaf in the sugar, to cover both sides. Shake off excess. Place leaves on a plate to dry for about 4 hours or in a turned-off oven with a pilot light, until dry and crisp.
• Peel oranges, removing all pith. Cut each in 4 slices horizontally, removing any seeds. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Place Demerara sugar on a plate and dip each orange slice in the sugar on one side. Use a butane or propane torch, or light a broiler with the rack as close as possible to the heat element. On a baking sheet lined with foil, place oranges, sugared side up. Use the torch to caramelize the sugar, or place slices under the broiler until the edges are seared. Allow to cool briefly, then coat with sugar and sear again. Place slices on a cooling rack and allow to sit at least 1 hour.
• Arrange slices on individual plates. Dot with a few drops of mint oil, garnish with the plain or sugared mint leaves and serve.