Vanilla Bean Honeybell Orange Tart With Chocolate Spiced Citrus Meringue Food

ORANGETTES

Steps:

• Slice the ends off of the oranges, score the peel from one end to the other, and remove the peels off the oranges.
• Slice the peels into thin strips and trim the edges.
• Using a medium size pot, place the peels in boiling water and blanch them for a few minutes. Rinse the peels, and repeat this process a second time. This is done to remove the bitterness of the peels.
• Prepare the simple syrup by combining the water and sugar in a sauce pot. Bring the syrup to a simmer, place the peels in the pot, and simmer for 1 hour. Once the peels have cooked, remove them from the pot, and place on a rack to cool and drain.
• Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler. Dip the candied orange peels in the chocolate, remove them quickly, and roll them in the cocoa powder. Store the orange peels in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MERINGUE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners. Put the cocoa powder in a large bowl. Microwave the milk and water in a small microwave-safe bowl until steaming, 1 to 2 minutes; pour over the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Whisk the sugar, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla and orange zest into the cocoa mixture, then whisk in the flour mixture.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling them three-quarters of the way. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Make the ganache: Microwave the chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute. Let sit until thickened but still pourable, 5 minutes. Spoon over the cupcakes, gently spreading to cover. Let set 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the meringue: Whisk the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Cook, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff glossy peaks form, 5 to 8 minutes. Tint with orange food coloring. Generously spread the meringue on the cupcakes and lightly brown with a kitchen torch.

VANILLA MERINGUE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F; line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar. Beat until the mixture is frothy and soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting about 15 seconds between each addition. Once all of the sugar has been added, beat for an additional 5 minutes. The egg whites should be glossy and stiff but not dry.
• Spoon the mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 2-inch cookies onto the lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie.
• Bake for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the cookies in the oven for an additional 30 minutes. Remove and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

CITRUS-VANILLA SALAD

Steps:

• Trim the bottoms and tops of the navel oranges, grapefruits and blood oranges, then cut away the peel and pith with a paring knife. Slice the fruit crosswise and arrange on a rimmed platter.
• Combine the lemon juice, sugar, 1/4 cup water and the vanilla seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Pour the syrup over the fruit, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

CITRUS TART WITH SHORTBREAD ALMOND CRUST

Steps:

• Add the eggs and cream to a medium bowl and whisk together until combined.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, clementine juice, grapefruit juice and cornstarch. Cook, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly add the egg-cream mixture and stir to combine. Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Pour the citrus custard into the prebaked Shortbread Almond Crust and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove the tart from the refrigerator, top evenly with Citrus Whipped Cream, and sprinkle with the citrus zest.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the cookies and almonds into a food processor and pulse to chop fine. Add the sugar, cinnamon and salt and pulse to combine. Drizzle in the melted butter and process until the mixture holds together.
• Press the crust into a 9-inch fluted tart pan, evenly covering the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, then bake until golden and crisp, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
• In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon of the citrus zest until stiff peaks form.