Best Orange Blossom Recipes

ORANGE BLOSSOM CHEESECAKE WITH RASPBERRY AND POMEGRANATE SAUCE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Wrap foil around outside of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides. Butter pan. Blend first 5 ingredients in processor until nuts are ground. Using on/off turns, blend in butter until crumbs are moist. Press onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan.
• For filling:
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Using electric mixer, blend first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Blend in eggs and yolks 1 at a time. Pour into crust.
• Bake cheesecake until slightly puffed and beginning to brown in spots, about 12 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 200°F and continue baking until gently set in center (edges may crack), about 1 hour. Transfer to rack and cool 5 minutes. Run knife around pan sides to loosen. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Do ahead: Can be made 2 days ahead; keep refrigerated.
• For sauce:
• Bring juice to boil in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer until reduced to 1 cup, about 35 minutes. Mix in raspberries and sugar. Simmer until reduced to 3 cups, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Mix in honey; bring to simmer. Cool slightly. Cover; chill until cold. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead; keep refrigerated.
• Release pan sides. Cut cheesecake into wedges and transfer to plates. Spoon sauce over cheesecake; serve.

ORANGE BLOSSOM BALLS

Steps:

• 1. Crush vanilla wafers very fine. Mix with sugar
• 2. Add undiluted juice and nuts. Mix well.
• 3. Shape into small balls. Roll in coconut.
• 4. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

MOROCCAN ORANGE-BLOSSOM SCENTED CARROT SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat.
• While you're waiting for your water to boil, Stir together 1 tsp of the orange blossom water and all other ingredients except for the carrots and parsley in a medium mixing bowl. Set dressing mixture aside.
• Once your water is at a full rolling boil, add the carrots and cook until tender but still a bit crisp (I'm guessing about 10 minutes for this, because the carrots are so thin, but you'll have to check them as they cook so you don't end up with mushy carrots). When the carrots are done to your liking, drain them and add them to the dressing bowl, tossing to coat thoroughly. At this point, if you can fit the mixing bowl in your freezer, do so. If, like me, you can't even fit a cereal bowl in your freezer, dump the dressed carrots into a large freezer bag and seal tightly (don't want your freezer smelling like Moroccan dressing, even if it does contain orange blossom water!), and place in the freezer.
• Allow the mixture to chill for about 15 to 20 minutes, tossing once or twice. Remove from the freezer and pour into a serving bowl if using a freezer bag.
• Toss mixture once more with the remaining orange blossom water. Salt to taste, if desired (if you salted your water enough for the carrots, you may not need any additional salt).
• Serve either slightly chilled or at room temp, sprinkled with the parsley.

ORANGE BLOSSOM CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs until blended. Beat in applesauce and orange zest. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Fold in dates and nuts. , Pour into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. , Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine glaze ingredients; bring to a boil. Pour over cake. Cool completely in pan.

MAUREEN ABOOD'S LAVENDER AND ORANGE BLOSSOM COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees with a rack in the center of the oven. Line two sheet pans (not dark metal) with parchment paper.
• In an electric mixer, beat the butter on high for about 6 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add 3/4 cup (92 grams) confectioners' sugar, lavender and salt and beat another 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and with the mixer on low speed, add orange blossom water and mix to combine.
• Add flour to butter 1/2 cup (about 65 grams) at a time, until dough is crumbly and slightly dry but still able to hold together when squeezed, adding additional flour if necessary.
• Divide dough into quarters and press each into a long narrow log about 1 inch high and 1 inch wide. With a sharp knife, cut into log diagonally to make diamond-shaped cookies 1 to 2 inches long. Use a spatula to transfer cookies to sheet pans, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Cookies should be golden brown at the edges.
• Sift remaining confectioners' sugar over baked cookies while still warm. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

ORANGE BLOSSOM MUFFINS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; cut in butter until crumbly. Set aside for topping. Place the biscuit mix in a bowl. Combine the egg, orange juice, marmalade, oil and remaining sugar; stir into biscuit mix just until moistened. Fold in pecans., Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners; fill two-thirds full with batter. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 400° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

GLUTEN-FREE BUTTER CREPES WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM HONEY BUTTER

Steps:

• Whisk eggs, salt and milk together in a mixing bowl. While whisking, add the flour 1/4 cup at a time, making sure it is well combined before adding the next. Stir in 1/4 cup melted butter.
• In a separate bowl, mix 6 tablespoons softened butter, honey and orange zest together. Whip until creamy and smooth.
• Heat a 10-inch crepe pan over medium heat. When hot, add 1/2 teaspoon butter to the pan and spread around with a brush to cover the whole pan. If your pan is non-stick, you will only need to do this once. If your pan is not non-stick you may need to repeat this more often.
• Whisk the batter well, add 1/3 cup of batter to the heated pan; swirl it around to cover the entire surface of the pan. Cook until the edges brown and the crepe moves freely, about 2 minutes.
• Flip the crepe over and cook until evenly cooked. Remove from the pan and continue with the rest of the batter.
• Place a crepe on a warm plate. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons filling evenly over one half of the crepe. Fold the crepe twice making a triangle. Do the same with the rest of the crepes. Top with remaining honey butter and serve.

ELEGANT ORANGE BLOSSOM CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a large bowl, combine crumbs, 2 teaspoons orange zest and butter. Press onto bottom and 2-in. up sides of prepared pan., In a large saucepan, combine orange juice and ginger; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons. Strain and discard ginger., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in ginger syrup, melted chocolate, vanilla and remaining orange zest. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake at 325° for 70-80 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., For candied orange slices, in a large skillet, combine water and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Add orange slices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 45 minutes or until translucent. Drain oranges on a wire rack; arrange in a single layer on waxed paper to dry., Remove sides of pan. Top cheesecake with candied orange slices. Refrigerate leftovers.

BITTERSWEET COCOA SOUFFLé WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM CREAM

Steps:

• Butter eight 2/3-to 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups; dust with sugar, completely coating to top edge. Whisk 1/2 cup sugar, flour, and 1/8 teaspoon (scant) salt in small saucepan. Pour 2/3 cup milk into measuring cup; whisk enough milk from cup into saucepan to form thick paste (2 to 3 tablespoons), then gradually whisk in remaining milk from cup. Stir over medium- low heat until bubbles begin to form around edges of pan. Continue cooking until slightly thickened, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add cocoa powder, remaining 2 tablespoons milk, egg yolks, and vanilla; stir until smooth, thick paste forms. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, beating on high speed until firm peaks form. Add 1⁄4 of whites to chocolate mixture; fold to blend. Add remaining beaten egg whites and chopped chocolate and fold until whites are just blended into batter.
• Divide batter among prepared ramekins; place on rimmed baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 375°F. Bake soufflés until puffed above rim of ramekin and toothpick inserted into center comes out with thick batter attached, about 12 minutes (15 minutes for chilled soufflés). Using spoon, form small indentation in top of each soufflé; spoon dollop of Orange Blossom Cream into indentations. Serve immediately.

WATERCRESS, PISTACHIO AND ORANGE-BLOSSOM SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange-blossom water and salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, place watercress and herbs. Set aside until you are ready to serve the salad; you can leave greens in refrigerator in an airtight container for a few hours. Just before serving, pour dressing and pistachios over the leaves and toss gently.

ORANGE BLOSSOM BUNDT CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a Bundt pan with cooking spray; if your Bundt pan isn't nonstick, oil it and dust with flour.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Whisk until well combined.
• In another bowl, stir together the buttermilk, orange zest and orange blossom water.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed and mix in the eggs, one at a time. Mix in half the flour mixture, then all of the buttermilk mixture, and, finally, the remaining half of the flour; at each step, mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan.
• Bake on the middle rack until golden brown and just beginning to pull away from the edges, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, about 3 minutes.
• While the cream is heating, combine the white chocolate chips, orange zest and orange extract in a heat-proof glass bowl, and set the bowl over the cream. When the cream reaches a simmer, pour it over the chocolate and let sit for 1 minute to begin to melt; then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes, stirring every couple minutes to ensure even cooling.
• Invert the cake onto a rimmed plate and drizzle the top with ganache. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ORANGE BLOSSOM MINT REFRESHER

Steps:

• Place water and mint in a 6-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours or until heated through. Strain tea; discard mint., Whisk in sugar until dissolved. Cut orange crosswise in half; squeeze juice from orange. Stir in juice and orange blossom water. Transfer to a pitcher. Refrigerate until cold, 4-6 hours. Serve over ice with orange slices and additional mint if desired.

DATE CAKE WITH ORANGE-BLOSSOM SYRUP

Steps:

• Syrup: In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in orange-blossom water. Let cool.
• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of a standard 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter; coat with flour, tapping out excess.
• Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla; beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk in 2 batches, beating until just combined. Fold in walnuts and dates.
• Transfer batter to pan. Bake until golden brown and a skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven; evenly pierce holes at 1-inch intervals in top of cake (all the way to bottom) with skewer, then pour syrup over cake. Let cool in pan.
• Serving: Serve slices of cake with whipped cream dusted with cinnamon, and orange segments.

ORANGE BLOSSOM CARROT SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients except mint. Chill in refrigerator several hours or overnight. Serve garnished with slivers of mint leaves.

STRAWBERRY AND HAZELNUT SALAD WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM DRESSING

Steps:

• Cover the raisins with hot water in a small bowl and let stand until plump, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, toast the hazelnuts in a large pan over medium-high heat, shaking the pan frequently, until the skins begin to fall off and the nuts are toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Set aside.
• Mix the white wine vinegar, orange blossom water, honey and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. Add the strawberries, figs, apricots, spring mix, hazelnuts, raisins and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the bowl and toss until well combined. Serve immediately.

ORANGE BLOSSOM MUFFINS

Steps:

• Combine egg, salad oil, 1/4 cup sugar, and orange juice together; add biscuit mix and beat vigorously for 30 seconds.
• Stir in marmalade and pecans.
• Grease muffin pan or line with paper bake cups.
• Fill 2/3 full.
• Combine 1/4 cup sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; cut in butter until crumbly.
• Sprinkle over batter.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Makes 1 dozen.

MOROCCAN CARROT SALAD WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM WATER VEGAN

Steps:

• Peel the carrots and cut them in half and lengthwise.
• Put them in a pot with just enough water to cover them, 1/2 the garlic, and the sugar.
• Boil until just tender. Drain.
• While the carrots are boiling, mix together the olive oil, orange blossom water, remaining garlic, and pepper.
• Return the carrots to the pot with this mixture and sauté over low heat for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
• Remove from heat, put in a serving dish, and mix with the chopped parsley and cilantro.

ORANGE-BLOSSOM-HONEY MADELEINES

Steps:

• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow and thick, about 4 minutes. Beat in honey, vanilla, and orange zest. Gently fold in dry ingredients. Add 5 tablespoons melted butter; gently fold into batter. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of batter; chill for at least 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Position a rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°F. Lightly brush madeleine molds with butter. Place pan on a baking sheet. Drop 1 scant tablespoon batter into each mold. Bake until golden and a tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 10 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven, invert, and quickly knock madeleines out of pan. Serve warm on their own or with Ginger-Yogurt Mousse with Pistachio Meringue .

ENDIVE AND FENNEL SALAD WITH MINT AND ORANGE-BLOSSOM DRESSING

Steps:

• Slice an inch off the stem of the endives and the outer leaves will fall away. Peel away the others until just the cores are left. Slice the cores into quarters. Rinse the leaves, then pat them dry and place in a large bowl.
• Cut the fennel bulbs in half and slice into semicircular slivers, right up to and including the fluffy green part. Add to the endives, along with the mint leaves.
• For the dressing, pound the garlic using a pestle and mortar until it starts to break down. Slowly add the olive oil and stir with the pestle, then add the lemon and lime juice. The ratio of lemon to oil is a personal preference, so experiment. Next, add the honey and orange-blossom water, and season. Toss into the salad just before serving.

ORANGE BLOSSOM CREPES

Steps:

• In small bowl, blend cream cheese, milk and almond extract, and stir in finely chopped almonds.
• Spread onto center of cooked crepes, roll up, and set aside.
• In large skillet or chafing dish, stir sugar and lemon juice into melted butter.
• Dissolve cornstarch in orange juice, and add, along with Grand Marnier and grated peel to butter mixture.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick and translucent.
• Place filled crepes in sauce.
• Heat to boiling.
• Pour warm cognac over all.
• Ignite, and spoon flaming sauce over crepes.
• Garnish with toasted almonds and orange sections, and serve immediately.
• Dessert Crepe Batter:.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk milk and water thoroughly with beaten eggs.
• Gradually add flour, whisking constantly until smooth.
• Add remaining ingredients, whisking constantly, and mix until smooth.
• Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow air bubbles to escape.
• Recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc.
• This batter has a tendency to stick to the crepe pan while cooking due to the sugar, so use a little extra oil on the crepe pan.
• To cook, spray a nonstick crepe pan with nonstick spray, and heat over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles and dances when it hits the pan.
• Ladle about 2-3 Tbsp of batter into pan, and swirl around until it completely coats the bottom of the pan.
• If you have any excess batter, just dump it back into the bowl.
• Cook just until the edges of the crepe begin to look dry and a little crisp.
• Turn over, and cook the other side for about 20-30 seconds longer.
• Turn out onto a towel to cool, and repeat for the next crepe.
• It should not be necessary to separate the crepes to prevent sticking, but you may, if desired.
• Recipe makes about a dozen crepes, but I usually double it and store the extra crepes in the freezer.
• Just wrap the crepes in a couple paper towels, put them in a freezer-safe plastic bag, and freezer for up to 6 months.
• Makes about 12-14 7" or 20- 24 5" crepes per recipe multiple.