Zesty Orange Marzipan Recipes

ZESTY ORANGE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Sift the sugars and ground almonds together, then stir through the orange zest. Beat together the egg and egg yolk, then add to the sugar mixture, stirring well.
• Knead briefly to ensure the marzipan is completely mixed and pliable, adding a little orange juice if the mix is too dry, or icing sugar if too wet.
• Place the cake on a cake board and use small balls of marzipan to plug any holes in the cake. Now glaze the cake with a thin layer of marmalade. Dust your work surface with a little icing sugar, then roll out the marzipan in one direction, keeping the pressure even and turning a ¼ turn every few rolls.
• When large enough (about 40cm in diameter for a 20cm cake), roll the marzipan onto the rolling pin and lift onto the cake. Smooth the top with your palms and continue down over the sides of the cake, smoothing out any folds as you go. Trim with a knife where the marzipan meets the board, then leave to dry overnight.
• How long does homemade marzipan keep? Although homemade marzipan contains raw eggs, the amount of sugar, and lack of moisture, prevents bacteria growing when left at room temperature, so your cake should last for 1-2 months iced. The most important thing is that you don't scrimp on drying time - once you've covered your cake in marzipan it should be left to completely dry out for up to 3 days, before you then cover it with icing. If you want to make marzipan before you are ready to cover your cake, then wrap it well in cling film and keep in a fridge for up to a week - as wrapped in a ball it will still contain a little moisture. As it contains raw eggs it shouldn't be given to anyone in an at-risk group, including pregnant women, the elderly, the unwell and the very young. You can make a cooked marzipan, which carries no risks. It is a little softer, and harder to work with, but a good substitute if you are at all worried.

HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Sift the sugars and ground almonds together, then stir in the orange zest. Beat together the egg and egg yolk, and stir into the sugar mixture.
• Knead briefly to make sure the marzipan is well mixed, and easy to work with. If it is too dry, add a little orange juice. If it is too wet, add some more icing sugar.
• Place the cake on the cake board and use small balls of marzipan to plug any holes in the cake. Glaze the cake with a thin layer of apricot jam or shredless marmalade.
• Dust the work surface with a little icing sugar and roll out the marzipan in one direction, keeping the pressure even and turning a 1/4 turn every feel rolls.
• When it's large enough (about 40cm for a 20cm cake), roll the marzipan onto the rolling pin and lift onto the cake. Smooth the top with your hands and continue to smooth it over the sides of the cake. Trim the marzipan where it meets the board and leave it to dry overnight.

HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Combine almond flour and confectioners' sugar in a food processor; pulse until evenly mixed. Add almond extract and rose water; process until combined. Add egg white; process until a thick dough forms.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

GERMAN HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Place almonds in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for a few minutes until cool enough to handle. Slip the almonds out of their skins one by one, leaving the remaining almonds in the warm water. Drain almonds in a colander.
• Place almonds and confectioners' sugar in the food processor fitted with a metal blade and process to a paste. Add cold water, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time, if the paste is too dry. Scrape the sides a few times to ensure even processing. Add a few drops of almond extract towards the end of the process. Process marzipan until it is smooth and no longer grainy. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place.

SPICY ORANGE ZEST BEEF

Steps:

• Combine beef, orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, hot chili paste, brown sugar, and garlic in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Strain beef in a colander set over a large bowl, allowing beef to drain thoroughly, about 5 minutes. Reserve marinade.
• Stir water and cornstarch into the bowl of marinade. Whisk until cornstarch is dissolved, set aside.
• Spray skillet with cooking spray and place over high heat. Cook beef for 1 minute without stirring; cook and stir for an additional minute.
• Stir in light parts of green onion and orange zest; cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in marinade and green onion tops; cook and stir until beef is no longer pink inside and sauce is reduced and thick, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste.