Amaretto oranges with vanilla mascarpone

Using only a few special ingredients, this gourmet orange dessert will impress even the most difficult to please.

 

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
• 250g mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup (125ml) amaretto liqueur (see note), plus 1 tbs extra for the mascarpone
• 6 seedless oranges (such as navels), scrubbed
• 1 1/4 cups (275g) caster sugar

 

Method

1. Combine vanilla seeds, mascarpone and 1 tablespoon amaretto in a bowl. Cover and chill while you prepare the oranges.
2. Trim the ends off the oranges, then using a peeler, carefully pare orange rind, being sure not to remove any of the white pith with the rind. Stack little piles of the pared rind strips on top of one another (about 4 at a time) and using a sharp knife, cut lengthways into very thin strips. Set aside.
3. Using a sharp knife, remove and discard the white pith from the oranges. Slice each orange across into 1cm-thick rounds, then stack the slices to reform their original shape and place on a large serving platter.
4. Bring a small saucepan of water to the boil. Add rind and simmer for 1 minute, drain, then repeat process to remove the bitterness. Place the sugar and 1/2 cup (125ml) water in a saucepan over low heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then increase the heat to medium-high and simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly syrupy. Add the blanched orange zest and cook for 3 minutes, then add the 1/2 cup (125ml) amaretto. Cool completely.
5. To serve, remove the candied rind from the syrup and pile on top of the oranges. Pour over the syrup and serve with the vanilla mascarpone.

 

Notes

Amaretto liqueur is made from bitter almonds or apricot kernels, from bottle shops.