Creamy Orange Curd – A Perfect Topping for Crêpes
With the rain pelting on the attic window and the wind howling in the vents, I’m turning my thoughts to crêpes and orange curd. Never mind the weather, with two teenagers howling at each other downstairs, I’m hiding.
There’s no hiding that the French enjoy crêpes or thin pancakes at any time of year. But most of all, we all love when there’s a foodie celebration, right?
Just as we’re finishing the season of Galettes des Rois this weekend (it’s meant to be for Epiphany but galettes continue right to the end of January in Paris), the next “excuse” is to enjoy crêpes for La Chandeleur (Candlemass) beginning February. And if we’re not getting enough crêpes this week, then there’s always Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday later this month!
Our family loves just a simple sprinkling of sugar on them and a squeeze of lemon – or oranges. Oranges have this instant pick-me-up effect in the winter. It’s not just their warm comforting glow as you pierce a fingernail into its peel and tiny pores create miniature concentrated fountains that perfume the room; for me, they’re a cheery reminder of walking home from school on a wild and wet Scottish winter afternoon. To encourage us to walk up that hill, Mum’s words always did it with, “Come on, as soon as we get home we’ll have oranges by the fire”.
And so we feasted on oranges.
A real feast is oranges with crêpes. The French do it so well with their boozy Crêpes Suzette but at breakfast I love making simple orange crêpes from “Teatime in Paris”. If you’re enjoying plain classic crêpes then add a wonderful orange boost with this deliciously creamy orange curd. Imagine it also on fluffy brioche, on toast, or on all sorts of chocolate puddings. What’s more, it’s an egg yolk recipe for all of you macaron lovers!
Now, if only I could remember what Mum would do when my brother and I used to fight as giant teenagers – I can hear my lovely girls doing the same. Eh, let’s have some orange curd on crêpes by the fire? I wish it was that easy these days.
Holy crêpes, that looks good!
Hehe, thanks David.
Still having trouble printing out any of your recipes online. I bought your book and it’s great, but I like to print out the Yolk recipes to go with it.
Thanks so much for alerting us to the problem, Suzanne. I’ll contact my web guru, Cédric, to fix it. Glad you like the recipes!
Lots of good reasons to make crepes (which I much prefer over ordinary pancakes!). And with orange curd? Sign me up.
P.S. Had to giggle at the girls howling at each other!
Isn’t it funny how the grass is greener Liz? There are times I’m the only one in my family who would prefer the thick American pancakes at breakfast with bacon and orange! My family is so French. But slapping on this curd makes up for it.
You know, I’ve never had orange curd! I don’t like lemon curd, but the orange seems more appealing to me. I have the most gorgeous oranges on my tree, and never throw away the peel as it’s just too precious! I just may try this, Jill.
Oranges by the fire sounds good to me, too! We’ve got the fireplace ready to go as we’re actually expecting a storm tomorrow! Yippee!
Isn’t that funny. Neither had I tasted orange curd and just fancied trying it. I love lemon curd but somehow prefer the orange version in the morning. It’s still citrus without being too harsh on the palate first thing at breakfast! I hope you do make it – you’re so lucky to have oranges on your trees at home, Christina!