Gluten-Free Orange Creme

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh orange juice (about 4-5 oranges). Save the halves of the oranges if you want to serve the creme in them later.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 envelope (about 2 1/4 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
• Fresh orange slices, for garnish (optional)
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Pour 1/2 cup of the orange juice into a small saucepan and place it over medium heat.
2. Add the sugar and orange zest to the saucepan and stir until the sugar has dissolved (it won’t need to boil, but should be hot for the sugar to dissolve).
3. In a separate pot, sprinkle the gelatine over 1/4 cup of the orange juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom, then heat for the gelatine to dissolve completely.
4. Add the hot gelatin/orange juice mix to the hot 1/2 cup of the orange juice mixture and stir until the gelatine/juice mixture until it is completely mixed through.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool until it starts thickening, stirring often (if you want to speed up this process, rest the pot in an ice bath).
6. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Cool the whipped cream until you are ready to combine it with the orange juice mixture.
7. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cool and slightly thickened orange juice mixture until well combined (make sure to not do this too early, otherwise it will separate).
8. Divide the mixture among 4 serving glasses, fill into the orange halves you saved.
9. Place the glasses or orange halves in the refrigerator and let them set for at least 2 hours or until firm.
10. Once set, remove the orange creme from the refrigerator.
11. Garnish with fresh orange slices and mint leaves, if desired.

This gluten-free orange creme is a refreshing and creamy dessert with a burst of citrus flavor.