Description
Silky Orange Delight Curd brings Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen with its zesty, creamy essence. Smooth citrus notes and rich butter create a luxurious spread you’ll savor on scones, toast, or straight from the spoon.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1–2 Oranges (any variety)
- 3 Large Egg Yolks
- 1 Large Egg
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) Salted Butter (chilled and cut into pieces)
Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup (150 grams) Granulated Sugar
Additional Ingredients:
- ¾ teaspoon Citric Acid
- Orange food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Carefully extract fragrant orange zest using a microplane grater, ensuring only the bright outer layer is collected.
- Pulse the zest with granulated sugar in a food processor until the mixture becomes a fine, aromatic blend.
- Extract fresh orange juice, measuring precisely to capture the fruit’s natural sweetness.
- In a sturdy saucepan, whisk together egg yolks, whole egg, orange-sugar mixture, freshly squeezed orange juice, and citric acid until smooth and uniform.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously with a silicone whisk to prevent scorching, until the consistency transforms and thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
- Monitor the temperature carefully, aiming for 165°F (74°C) using a digital cooking thermometer to ensure perfect texture and food safety.
- Immediately remove from heat and transfer the hot mixture to a clean glass bowl.
- Incorporate chilled butter pieces gradually, whisking vigorously until completely melted and creating a silky, glossy texture.
- Optional: Strain the curd through a fine-mesh metal strainer to eliminate any zest fragments and achieve ultimate smoothness.
- For enhanced visual appeal, add a few drops of orange food coloring to create a vibrant, sunny hue.
- Carefully transfer the curd to a sealed glass container and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
Notes
- Zesting Technique: Use a fine grater to carefully remove only the bright orange outer layer of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
- Sugar Infusion: Blitzing zest with sugar releases intense citrus oils, creating a deeply aromatic base for the curd.
- Temperature Control: Maintain consistent medium heat and constant whisking to prevent egg scrambling and ensure smooth, silky texture.
- Doneness Check: Look for a thick, custard-like consistency that coats the back of a spoon and holds a clear path when a finger is drawn across.
- Butter Incorporation: Add cold butter in small pieces and whisk thoroughly to create a rich, glossy finish that enhances the curd’s luxurious mouthfeel.
- Storage Tip: Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the curd to set and develop a more intense flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg