**Unveil the Art of Culinary Elegance: Citrus Reduction for Plate Decoration**
In the culinary realm, presentation plays a pivotal role in elevating a dish beyond mere sustenance to an exquisite work of art. Citrus reduction, a versatile technique employed by culinary maestros, transforms ordinary citrus fruits into vibrant and flavorful accents that adorn plates, adding a touch of sophistication and visual appeal. This article presents a collection of citrus reduction recipes, each offering a unique flavor profile and aesthetic charm. From the zesty tang of lemon to the vibrant hue of blood orange, these reductions add a burst of color and a symphony of flavors to any dish. Whether you seek a classic lemon reduction to enhance the delicate flavors of fish or a vibrant grapefruit reduction to enliven a dessert, this article has a recipe to suit your culinary desires. Embrace the art of plate decoration and transform your dishes into masterpieces with these delightful citrus reductions.
FISH IN PARCHMENT WITH CITRUS REDUCTION
Provided by Martie Duncan, Food Network Star Season 8 Finalist
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Zest half a lemon. Juice the lemon and 1 lime. Slice the remaining lemon and lime into very thin slices.
- Place a few lemon and lime slices in the center of each parchment square. Place a fish fillet on top. (The citrus will help to keep the fish from burning on the bottom.)
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1 teaspoon each lemon and lime juices, and drizzle over the fish. Top each piece of fish with a few slices of lemon and lime. Tightly fold the parchment paper into packages and make sure they are sealed well.
- Put the packages on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Put the remaining citrus juices in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce by half, stirring frequently. Add the sherry vinegar, honey and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Mix the parsley, garlic and lemon zest together with a slight pinch of salt and pepper for the garnish.
- Place each parchment packet on a plate with a rim. Carefully tear or cut open the parchment packets and drizzle the fish with a teaspoon of the citrus reduction and garnish with the parsley and lemon zest mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 197, Fat 2 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Cholesterol 63 milligrams, Sodium 226 milligrams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fiber 1 grams, Protein 34 grams, Sugar 1 grams
CANDIED CITRUS PEEL: MAKE YOUR OWN LEMON, ORANGE OR GRAPEFRUIT CANDY AND GARNISH
Steps:
- Cut each piece of fruit into 8 wedges, then remove the flesh from the skin. Cut each peel into strips.
- Put the strips into a small pan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Drain the liquid then repeat with fresh water, however this time, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Now, drain the liquid again, but reserve it in a measuring jug. Put the strips of peel in a bowl. Add 100g (1/2 cup) sugar to each 100ml (3 1/2 ounces) of water, then pour into a pan over low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the strips and simmer for 30 mins until the peel is translucent and soft. Allow to cool in the syrup, then remove with a fork and arrange in a single layer on a wire rack to dry. You can place the rack in a warm oven for half an hour, but I didn't do this.
- Next, dip the strips of peel into a bowl of sugar, a few at a time, then place on parchment or waxed paper and allow to dry for at least an hour.
- Keep the candied peel in an airtight tin or container lined with baking parchment. It will keep for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 8 calories, Carbohydrate 2 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 0 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 0 grams fat, Fiber 0 grams fiber, Protein 0 grams protein, SaturatedFat 0 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 2 strips, Sodium 1 grams sodium, Sugar 1 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams unsaturated fat
FONDANT GLAZED PETIT FOURS
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment whip the egg whites until stiff but not dry. In a mixer fitted with a whip attachment cream the butter until smooth. With the mixer running, slowly add the sugar and mix. Add the vanilla and almond extract and mix well.
- Sift the flour 3 times with the baking powder (this is to lighten the cakes). Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix. Add 1/2 of the milk to the butter mixture and mix. Add another 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix. Add the remaining milk and mix. Add the remaining flour and mix until smooth. Fold in the egg whites.
- Pour the batter into a parchment lined jellyroll pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake until firm to the touch 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan then chill.
- To make the fondant: Whisk the corn syrup into the hot water until dissolved, then whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in lemon extract. Divide into smaller bowls and color with food coloring, adding color until you achieve desired shade.
- To make the petit fours, cut the cold cake into small squares, rectangles, and circles using small cookie cutters. Place the cakes on a wire rack over a pan to catch the drippings, inverting them in order to have the golden layer on the bottom. If the fondant has become stiff, just whisk until smooth again. If the fondant is has not become to stiff, proceed to the next step. Either dip the cakes into the fondant and place on the rack to drain or ladle the fondant over the cakes, making sure all sides are coated. Once they are set, they should be coated again. Let dry, then with melted chocolate or colored fondant, pipe thin decorative lines or use silver dragees.
- Notes about the recipe: There are many options for these darling little cakes. You can split the cake in half horizontally and spread it with jam, you can spread jam on the top and stick down a thin layer of rolled marzipan or do the simplest plain version like I did here. You can also tint the fondant different pastel colors.
GLAZED CITRUS ROUNDS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 2h40m
Yield about 24 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon citrus zest and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, then beat in the lemon and orange extracts. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture and beat until a soft dough forms.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Freeze at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the cookies straight from the freezer, 1 baking sheet at a time, until the edges are set and the bottoms are lightly browned, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons citrus juice and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon zest in a medium bowl until thick and smooth. (Add 1 more tablespoon citrus juice if the glaze is too thick.) Spread on the cookies; transfer to a rack and let set, about 1 hour.
GAND'S CITRUS REDUCTION FOR PLATE DECORATION
Entered for safe-keeping, from Chef Gale Gand of Lake Forest, Illinois. Use this to paint plates decoratively before placing dessert on top.
Provided by KateL
Categories Lemon
Time 16m
Yield 1/3 cup
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer on low until reduced to a thick syrup.
- Chill before using.
Tips for Making a Perfect Citrus Reduction for Plate Decoration:
- Choose the Right Citrus: Use fresh citrus fruits with a vibrant color and a juicy interior. Meyer lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and limes are all great options.
- Zest Before Juicing: Before juicing the citrus fruits, zest them first to extract the flavorful oils from the peel. This will add depth and complexity to the reduction.
- Use a Heavy-Bottomed Saucepan: A heavy-bottomed saucepan will help distribute the heat evenly and prevent the reduction from scorching.
- Cook Over Medium-Low Heat: Simmer the reduction over medium-low heat to allow the flavors to develop slowly and intensify.
- Reduce by Half: The goal is to reduce the citrus juice by about half, which will concentrate the flavors and thicken the consistency.
- Stir Occasionally: Stir the reduction occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
- Season to Taste: Once the reduction has reached the desired consistency, season it with a pinch of salt and sugar to balance the flavors.
- Strain Before Using: Strain the reduction through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids and ensure a smooth consistency.
Conclusion:
A citrus reduction is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can elevate the presentation and taste of many dishes. With its vibrant color, tangy flavor, and glossy texture, it's a perfect way to add a touch of elegance to your culinary creations. Whether you're drizzling it over grilled meats, seafood, or desserts, or using it as a dipping sauce for appetizers and snacks, a well-made citrus reduction will surely impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
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