Best Orange Compote Recipes

DUTCH BABY WITH CRANBERRY-ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For the compote: In a heavy saucepot, add half of the cranberries and the honey. Cook over medium-low heat until the cranberries have broken down, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and the remaining cranberries; cook for another 2 minutes. Off the heat, fold in the orange segments. Let cool. Serve at room temperature.
• For the Dutch baby: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, flour, shortening, sugar and salt. Whisk until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth and creamy.
• Place an 8-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven for 8 minutes to get hot. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and add 1 tablespoon of the butter, swirling to coat the pan evenly. Pour one-quarter of the batter into the hot pan and return to the oven. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with a 1/4 cup of the compote, and dust with powdered sugar. Repeat with the remaining butter and batter.

ORANGE ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE AND TROPICAL-FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Combine sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high; boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Place pan over low heat; stir until caramel bits dissolve and sauce is smooth. Remove from heat; add butter, cardamom, and pinch of salt. Stir until butter melts. Cool.DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature or rewarm over low heat before using.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift powdered sugar, flour, and salt 3 times. Place in medium bowl.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until foamy. Add cream of tartar; beat until whites are opaque and soft peaks form. Gradually add superfine sugar, beating until whites are thick and shiny and fluffy peaks form (peaks should droop over gently; do not overbeat). Add orange peel and vanilla; beat just until blended. Sift 1/4 of flour mixture over whites. Using large rubber spatula, gently fold flour mixture into whites. Repeat with remaining flour mixture in 3 more additions. Transfer batter to ungreased 10-inch-diameter angel food cake pan with removable bottom and 4-inch-high sides (do not use nonstick pan); smooth top.
• Bake cake until golden and springy to touch, about 50 minutes. Immediately invert pan onto work surface if pan has feet, or invert center tube of pan onto neck of bottle or funnel. Cool cake completely.
• Gently tap bottom edge of pan on work surface while rotating pan until cake loosens. Transfer to platter. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover with cake dome; let stand at room temperature.
• For compote:
• Cut all peel and white pith from oranges. Using small sharp knife and working over bowl to catch juices, cut between membranes to release orange segments into bowl. Squeeze remaining juice from membranes into bowl. If orange segments are large, cut each in half or thirds. Cut passion fruits in half; scoop out pulp and add to orange segments. Add remaining fruits, sugar, mint, and pinch of salt. Toss gently to combine. DO HEAD: an be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Slice cake; transfer to plates. Spoon compote alongside; top with caramel.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a medium straight-sided saute pan, add sugar and wine. Bring to a simmer and cook until it creates a lazy bubble, 235 to 240 degrees F. Add cranberries and stir, bringing temperature to low. Continue to cook cranberries, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes. Add allspice, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf, entire orange, orange juice, zest and salt. Cook until cranberries begin to burst and thicken, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Remove aromatics, orange and zest from cranberries and either puree in a high-speed blender for smooth cranberry compote, or leave as is for textured compote. Cool and reserve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Use a food processor or by hand, mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add the butter pieces and mix until it resembles small pea size pieces. Add the yolk, vanilla, and zest, and mix until it forms a ball. Add the water to help dough come together. Form the dough into a disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Press the dough into the bottom of a springform pan and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and set aside. For the filling, use a mixer with a paddle attachment. Cream the cheese with the sugar on low speed. Add the eggs 1 at a time until smooth making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and orange zest. Slowly pour in the melted white chocolate and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into the springform pan. Wrap aluminum foil around the base of pan and up side to protect from water bath. Place pan on sheet pan or pan with high sides and fill with 1/3 water. Bake cheesecake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool for 4 hours before serving.
• To make the compote, place the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest in a saucepan and stir over low heat. Simmer until cranberries soften or pop. Cool mixture and add the orange segments.
• Serve cheesecake with compote and orange segments.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY-ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan. Place on a baking sheet., In a small bowl, mix wafer crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate, sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Fold in orange zest. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 55-65 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer., Meanwhile, for compote, in a large saucepan, combine compote ingredients. Cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove rim from pan. If desired, serve cheesecake with whipped cream.

DUTCH BABY WITH BLUEBERRY-ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For the Dutch baby: Place an ovenproof 12-inch skillet in the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• In a blender, combine the flour, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt. Blend on high to make a smooth batter. Let the batter rest while the oven heats up.
• Once the oven is preheated, carefully remove the skillet and add the butter. Let the butter melt and sizzle, then pour in the batter. Return the skillet to the oven.
• Bake the Dutch baby until the edges are puffed and browned and the middle is set, 20 to 25 minutes.
• For the blueberry-orange compote: Meanwhile, zest the orange into a small skillet; squeeze the juice from half of the orange into the skillet. Add the granulated sugar, nutmeg and blueberries. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, swirling the skillet, until the sauce is thick and syrupy and the berries are beginning to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Keep warm.
• Serve the Dutch baby hot, topped with the compote and dusted with confectioners' sugar if desired.

ORANGE RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH CARAMELIZED FIG AND PISTACHIO COMPOTE

Steps:

• Cook's Note: If you can't find fresh ricotta cheese, use the carton variety and strain through a fine mesh strainer for 1 hour before using.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Combine the ricotta, milk, egg yolks, vanilla and zest in a separate bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Beat the egg whites in an electric mixer until stiff. Add the dry ingredients to the ricotta and milk, stirring gently until just combined. Whisk in a small amount of the egg whites to lighten the batter, then fold in the remaining whites.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle or large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat and brush the surface with butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon a scant 1/3 cup of the batter onto the pan and cook the pancakes for 3 or 4 minutes. Flip, cooking until both sides are golden brown. Stack the pancakes and serve topped with the Fig and Pistachio Compote. Dust with confectioners' sugar and garnish with mint sprigs.
• Add the figs, butter, honey, brown sugar, pistachios, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a cast-iron skillet set over high heat. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the syrup begins to bubble and the figs just soften. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.;

BLOOD ORANGE, GRAPEFRUIT AND POMEGRANATE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Set aside two oranges and a grapefruit half. Remove peel and pith from remaining oranges and grapefruit. Cut away both ends of the fruit so that it sits flat on your cutting board (it helps to use one with a canal around the edges so you can pour off the juice). Using a chef's knife, utility knife or a paring knife, cut skin and pith completely away from the fruit, following the natural curve of the fruit from top to bottom. Slice peeled fruit into rounds. Cut the grapefruit rounds into thirds or quarters and combine with the sliced oranges in a serving bowl. Pour accumulated juice into a separate, small bowl. Squeeze the juice from the remaining two oranges and grapefruit half (you need about 3/4 cup), and add to the small bowl. Peel and slice any remaining grapefruit and add to the bowl with the fruit. Set aside fruit while you make caramel syrup.
• Stir vanilla and port into the citrus juice. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water and agave nectar. With a wet pastry brush, brush down sides of pan to dislodge any stray sugar granules. Over medium heat, bring mixture to a boil, continuing to brush down any errant sugar crystals. Cover pan, turn heat down to medium-low and set timer for 4 minutes. Uncover and cook until the caramel is golden to amber. Swirl pan if necessary to distribute the darkening caramel, but do not stir. Bubbles should be breaking on the surface. Insert a candy thermometer and as soon as the caramel reaches 310 to 325 degrees (it will be a deep golden color), remove from heat and allow bubbles to subside.
• Carefully add juice-port mixture to the sugar mixture, standing away from pan to avoid splashes. Heat through over medium heat stirring with a heat-proof spatula. The caramel may seize on the spatula; just continue to stir and heat until the caramel has melted again and the juice and caramel come together. (The caramel is very hot so resist temptation to taste it.) Remove from heat and allow to cool, then pour over fruit. Toss gently. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

FIG AND ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Using a zester, remove the zest of one orange in long strips.
• Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the pith from all the oranges, so the flesh is fully exposed. Slice the oranges crosswise into sections 1/4 inch thick. Remove seeds, and place the slices in a bowl.
• Blend the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or to a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat, and add grenadine syrup. Blend well. Set aside.
• Place 4 figs snugly in a small saucepan. Pour just enough syrup over them so they are 90 percent covered. Add the strips of orange zest. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove and refrigerate.
• Place the 4 cooked figs over the marinating orange slices in the bowl. Pour over the cooking liquid and 4 tablespoons of Grand Marnier. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
• Just before serving, slice the 4 uncooked figs lengthwise into four sections.
• Distribute the chilled orange slices and their juices over 4 chilled plates. Lay four uncooked fig quarters over each serving, and top with a poached fig. Sprinkle with the 2 remaining tablespoons of Grand Marnier, and garnish each with a sprig of mint.

ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine orange zest and slices, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons water; bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until oranges collapse and liquid is syrupy, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Cool compote to room temperature.

BLOOD ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice from two oranges, strain and set aside. Remove the peel and pith from the remaining oranges. The easiest way to do this is to cut away both ends of the fruit so that it sits flat on your work surface, then using a chef's knife, utility knife or a paring knife, cut the skin and pith completely away from the fruit, following the natural curve of the fruit from top to bottom. Once peeled, remove the sections from between the membranes, holding the fruit over a bowl to catch the juice and slicing next to the connective membranes on one side of each citrus segment. Set the sections aside while you make the blood orange caramel syrup.
• Place the sugar in a medium saucepan and carefully add the water and agave nectar. With a wet pastry brush, brush down the sides of the pan. Look closely and make sure there are no stray sugar granules adhering to the pan. Brush any that you detect down into the wet sugar using the pastry brush. Turn the heat on medium and bring to a boil, watching again to make sure there are no loose sugar crystals on the sides of the pan and brushing down if necessary. Cook until the caramel is golden to amber. Swirl the pan if necessary, but do not stir, to distribute the syrup, which may be hotter and darker in one area than in another. There should be many bubbles breaking on the surface. As soon as the caramel reaches a golden color (about 325 degrees), remove from the heat. Wait until the bubbles subside, then carefully add the orange juice, being very careful to stand back, as it will bubble up. Stir the mixture with a whisk. The caramel will probably seize on the whisk (it helps to heat the whisk in hot water first). Don't worry about that, just stir and return to the heat. The caramel is very hot so resist the temptation to taste it. Heat through, whisking, until all of the seized caramel has melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the Cointreau or Triple Sec (or other orange liqueur), vanilla, and cinnamon. Allow to cool, then pour over the oranges. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

ORANGE SOUR CREAM CAKE WITH BLUEBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• To prepare the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, orange rind and salt. Cut butter into small pieces and add to bowl. Mix at low speed until crumbly.
• Add 1/4 cup sour cream. Mix at medium speed until smooth and paste-like. Scrape bowl, and add remaining 1/4 cup sour cream and egg yolks. Beat at high speed for 1 minute. Scrape bowl, and add orange extract and vanilla extract. Beat at high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 more minute.
• Butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch cake pan, and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit. Scrape batter into pan, and smooth with a spatula. Bake until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool.
• To prepare compote: In a medium glass, enameled or other nonreactive saucepan, combine lemon juice, cornstarch and sugar. Mix until smooth. Add blueberries, vanilla extract, elderberry essence and salt. Stir gently to mix. Place over medium-low heat, and simmer just until liquid thickens and blueberries darken in color. Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl.
• To serve, remove cake from pan. Slice, and serve topped with blueberry compote.

ALMOND-MACAROON TORTE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING AND ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For orange syrup:
• Combine sugar, 1 cup water, and orange peel strips in medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and syrup comes to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill syrup with peel strips.
• For almond macaroons:
• Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Draw two 12 x 4-inch rectangles, spacing 2 inches apart, on each of 2 sheets of parchment paper (4 rectangles total). Turn over each parchment sheet onto large rimmed baking sheet (rectangles will show through). Spray parchment with nonstick spray.
• Place slivered almonds, 1 cup sugar, and coarse salt in processor. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean halves. Blend until nuts are finely ground. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff but not dry. Fold nut mixture into egg whites. Spread 1/4 of macaroon batter evenly within each rectangle, filling completely.
• Bake macaroon layers until golden and almost firm to touch in center, reversing sheets after 20 minutes, 35 to 40 minutes total. Cool on sheets.
• For frosting and compote:
• Place 10 tablespoons orange syrup in large saucepan and bring to simmer over medium-low heat (reserve remaining syrup). Add chocolate to saucepan and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool until frosting begins to thicken, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Place 1 macaroon layer on long platter. Spread 1/2 cup frosting evenly over. Top with another macaroon layer. Spread 1/2 cup frosting evenly over. Repeat 1 more time. Top with last macaroon layer, flat side up. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of torte. Press sliced almonds onto sides of torte. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with foil tent; store at room temperature. Cover remaining syrup; chill.
• Thinly slice whole oranges crosswise into rounds. Cut slices into quarters and place in remaining reserved syrup for compote. Slice torte; place on plates. Spoon orange compote alongside.

DRIED-FRUIT COMPOTE WITH VANILLA AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Peel zest in long strips from half of orange with a vegetable peeler and trim any white pith from zest. Cut zest into fine julienne strips. Halve orange and squeeze 1/3 cup juice.
• Combine zest, juice, wine, sugar, and 2 cups water in a 3-quart heavy saucepan. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean with a sharp knife into wine mixture, reserving pod for another use. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then continue to boil, uncovered, until reducedto about 3 cups, about 10 minutes.
• While syrup is boiling, cut off and discard fig stems and halve figs lengthwise. Add figs to syrup and simmer, covered, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add apricots and prunes, then simmer, covered, until plump, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer compote to a heatproof bowl and cool to warm or room temperature, 1 to 2 hours.

WARM FRUIT COMPOTE OF CHERRIES, ORANGE AND CRANBERRIES OVER VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a microwave safe bowl, combine cherries and their juice, orange zest and juice and the cranberries. Loosely cover dish with plastic food storage wrap and microwave on high 1 minute. Stir fruit and microwave on high 1 minute longer. Let fruit stand 5 minutes, then spoon over scoops of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with ginger snaps, vanilla wafers or cinnamon sugar cookies.
• Compote may also be prepared on conventional stove top. Combine compote ingredients in a small saucepot and simmer over low heat 7 or 8 minutes or until cranberries plump.

CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• 1. FOR CRANBERRY FILLING: Combine cranberries, sugar and fresh orange juice in heavy medium saucepan.
• 2. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• 3. Reduce heat and simmer until berries pop and mixture thickens, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, about 10 minutes.
• 4. Cool cranberry filling completely.
• 5. FOR CHEESE FILLING: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until well blended.
• 6. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
• 7. Set cheese filling aside.
• 8. FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 9. Lightly butter 9-inch diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides.
• 10. Place cookie crumbs in medium bowl.
• 11. Add melted butter and blend until moist crumbs form.
• 12. Press onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan.
• 13. Pour cheese filling over crust in pan.
• 14. Spoon 1 cup cranberry filling over cheese filling (reserve remaining cranberry filling for compote).
• 15. Using a small sharp knife, swirl to form marble pattern.
• 16. Bake until center of cheesecake is set, about 1 hour.
• 17. Transfer cheesecake to rack and maintain oven temperature.
• 18. PREPARE TOPPING: Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla in small bowl.
• 19. Gently press down any raised edges of cheesecake.
• 20. Spoon topping over cake.
• 21. Bake 5 minutes.
• 22. Transfer cheesecake to rack and cool.
• 23. Cover and refrigerate over night.
• 24. (Cheesecake can be prepared 2 days in advance. Keep refrigerated)
• 25. Release pan sides and transfer cheesecake to platter.
• 26. Cut cheesecake into wedges and serve, passing compote separately.
• 27. CRANBERRY ORANGE COMPOTE: Combine sugar and water in heavy small saucepan.
• 28. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves and liquid appears clear.
• 29. Transfer to medium bowl and mix in 1 3/4 cups reserved cranberry filling and minced orange peel.
• 30. Using small sharp knife, cut peel and white pith from oranges.
• 31. Working over another bowl to catch juices, cut between membranes to release segments.
• 32. Add segments to bowl with juices.
• 33. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover oranges and cranberry filling separately and refrigerate.)
• 34. Add orange segments and juices to compote and serve.

ORANGE-SCENTED BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CANDIED BLOOD ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For compote:
• Cut ends off oranges. Cut oranges with peel lengthwise in half, then cut each half lengthwise into 3 wedges. Combine 2 1/2 cups water and sugar in large saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add orange wedges and any accumulated juices to syrup and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until orange peel is soft and translucent and syrup is reduced and thickened, turning orange wedges occasionally and adding more water by 1/4 cupfuls as needed if syrup is too thick before orange wedges are soft, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in orange liqueur. Cool 15 minutes. Transfer to small container. Cover and chill. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep chilled. Bring to room temperature before using.
• For cake:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325°F. Lightly butter 10-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter parchment.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Combine chocolate and butter in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; stir until chocolate-butter mixture is melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; add both sugars, orange liqueur, and orange peel and whisk until blended (mixture will look grainy). Add eggs, 2 at a time, and whisk until just blended after each addition. Whisk in sour cream. Add flour mixture and stir in with rubber spatula just until incorporated. Transfer batter to prepared pan; spread evenly.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes. Run small knife around sides of cake to loosen. Invert cake onto rack; peel off parchment. Cool cake completely (center may sink slightly).
• For glaze:
• Combine chocolate and butter in small metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; stir until chocolate-butter mixture is melted and smooth. Whisk in corn syrup. Cool glaze until barely warm but still pourable, about 10 minutes.
• Pour glaze onto center of cake. Using small offset spatula, spread glaze over top of cake, leaving 1/2-inch plain border around top edge. Let stand at room temperature until glaze sets, about 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and store at room temperature.
• Using hot dry knife and wiping knife clean between slices, cut cake into slices. Divide among plates. Serve some candied orange compote alongside.

ORANGE-SCENTED DUTCH BABY PANCAKE WITH STRAWBERRY-MINT COMPOTE AND BLOOD ORANGE MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a blender, blend the eggs and egg white until frothy. Add the milk, flour, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, sugar, vanilla and salt and blend just until smooth. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the blender. Add the orange zest and pulse just to combine.
• In a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Once hot, pour in the pancake mixture and transfer to the oven. Cook until golden brown and puffy, about 20 minutes.
• Top with powdered sugar. Slice and serve with Strawberry-Mint Compote and Blood Orange Maple Syrup.
• Place the strawberries, orange juice, honey and orange peel in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries are soft, about 8 minutes. Remove the orange peel. Stir in the mint. Serve warm or cold.
• Stir the blood orange juice and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Set aside.

ORANGE-SCENTED OLIVE-OIL CAKE WITH ORANGE COMPOTE AND GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan. With a vegetable peeler, remove peel from half of 1 orange, leaving pith. With a paring knife, cut rind into enough matchsticks to yield 1 tablespoon. Finely grate enough rind of remaining oranges to yield 1 packed tablespoon zest.
• Working over a bowl, cut segments of 3 oranges free of membranes. Squeeze juice from membranes into a bowl (you should have 1/4 cup juice). Cut segments in half, and place in bowl with matchsticks of orange peel; set aside.
• Combine sugar and zest in a bowl; using your fingers, rub together well. Add juice and buttermilk, and whisk to combine. Add eggs and oil, and whisk to combine. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; add to buttermilk mixture, whisking until smooth.
• Transfer batter to pan, and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cake onto rack, and let cool completely, about 2 hours. (Undecorated cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.)
• Meanwhile, stir honey into bowl with orange segments.
• Bring cream to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan. Pour over chocolate in a bowl, let stand for 5 minutes, and whisk until smooth. Drizzle ganache over cooled cake, and let set, about 1 hour. Serve with orange compote.

WALNUT AND ALMOND CAKE WITH ORANGE-POMEGRANATE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with oil. Combine walnuts, almonds, and cake meal in processor; grind nuts finely.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks, lemon peel, orange peel, cinnamon, and salt in large bowl until beginning to thicken, about 3 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until very thick and light in color, about 2 minutes longer. Beat in orange juice; fold in nut mixture. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until puffed and deep golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack (center of cake will fall).
• For syrup and compote:
• Place large sieve over bowl. Cut off all peel and pith from oranges. Working over sieve, cut oranges between membranes to release segments into sieve. Squeeze any juice from orange membranes over. Let oranges drain while preparing syrup.
• Bring pomegranate juice, sugar, lemon juice, and reserved orange peel to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and thin syrup forms. Remove from heat.
• Holding orange peel back with spoon, pour 3/4 cup syrup into small bowl. Spoon over cake; let stand at least 1 hour.
• Add drained orange juice to remaining syrup in pan. Boil syrup with peel until reduced enough to coat spoon, about 8 minutes. Discard peel. DO AHEAD Cake can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature. Place orange segments in bowl. Cover and refrigerate orange segments and syrup separately.
• Add syrup to orange segments; let compote stand 15 minutes. Trim edges of cake. Cut cake lengthwise into 2 1/2-inch-wide strips. Cut strips on diagonal into diamonds; place on plates. Spoon compote over and serve.