Nutty Orange Platter Recipes

Steps:

• I like to begin the platter with a base of ripe, colorful, sliced melons and pineapple--for example, cantaloupe, honeydew, Galia, or Cavaillon melons, plus the new "golden" pineapples. Peel the outside of a whole melon, cut it in half through the stem end, and scoop out the seeds. Place the melon halves cut side down on a board, and slice them straight across into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Fan each half-melon out slightly and arrange it on the platter. Next, cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, peel the outside, and use a sharp knife to remove the "eyes." Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise and remove the core by cutting a "V" down the center of each half. Again, place the pineapple halves, cut side down, on a board and slice them straight across into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Fan the slices out and arrange them next to the melon on the platter.
• Once the base is set, you can add any kind of fruit that's available. I like to have one thing that is taller than the rest, such as a large bunch of grapes or a decoratively cut papaya, to give the platter height. Then I add raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and fresh figs in casual but organized groups. The platter can look like a bowl of M&M's if there are too many colors scattered with no order. Visually, your eye needs to have a focal point and to be able to see each type of fruit. After all the fruit is arranged, I add flat green leaves around the outside of the fruit, to set off the colors. Use lemon and galax leaves from your florist, or fig leaves and grape leaves from your garden. Make sure they are pesticide-free and well washed.
• Any kind of fruit will work well on this platter. For special occasions, add persimmons, kiwi, passion fruit, Queen Anne cherries, fresh apricots, and mangos. Choose whatever is colorful and seasonal.

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large frying pan. Add the pistachio nuts and cook for a few mins until toasted, turning and shaking the pan frequently to prevent them from burning. Sprinkle over the sugar and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Turn out on to a plate and leave to cool (about 5 mins), then roughly chop.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the bottom off each orange, then carefully cut away the skin and pith, following the curve of the fruit. Cut into slices. Arrange on a plate with any juices. Serve with the nuts scattered over and the yogurt or crème fraîche to dollop on top.

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large frying pan. Add the pistachio nuts and cook for a few mins until toasted, turning and shaking the pan frequently to prevent them from burning. Sprinkle over the sugar and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Turn out on to a plate and leave to cool (about 5 mins), then roughly chop.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the bottom off each orange, then carefully cut away the skin and pith, following the curve of the fruit. Cut into slices. Arrange on a plate with any juices. Serve with the nuts scattered over and the yogurt or crème fraîche to dollop on top.

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.
• Place about 1 tsp cream cheese in center of each biscuit.
• Fold biscuit in half over cream cheese and seal edges by pressing together.
• Dip biscuits in melted butter.
• Then dredge in sugar mixture.
• Place bisquits, curved side down, in a single layer in a bundt pan sprayed with Pam.
• Space biscuits evenly and do not stack.
• Place any remaining biscuits around center of tube filling any spaces.
• Drizzle any remaining sugar and butter over biscuits.
• Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.
• Immediately invert onto serving plate.
• Combine powder sugar and orange juice, stirring well; drizzle over warm cake.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, pecans, and zest; set aside.
• Score and cut the cream cheese into 20 equal pieces, approximately 3/4 teaspoons each. Separate the biscuits.
• Place about 3/4 teaspoon cream cheese in the center of each biscuit. Fold each biscuit in half over the cheese, pressing the edges to seal.
• Dip the biscuits in melted butter, then dredge in the granulated sugar mixture. Place the biscuits, curved-side down, in a single layer in the hollows of a lightly greased 12-cup bundt pan, spacing them evenly (do not stack). Place any remaining biscuits around the tube, filling any gaps. Drizzle any remaining butter over the biscuits, and sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Immediately invert the cake onto a serving platter.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar and orange juice, stirring well; drizzle the glaze over the warm cake. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Dip half of each orange slice into chocolate; roll dipped edges in nuts and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add a few pieces of candied ginger.
• Let stand until set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 month.