|
Mandarin recipes to try: salads | mains | desserts For more great recipes using in season items check out Sophia's posts on Heirloom Apples, Butternut Squash and Figs The amazing variety of mandarins available at the market today has reached distracting proportions. Just when you find your personal favorite, a new hybrid comes along promising to be even more flavorful. For almost a century, citrus breeders at University of California, Riverside, and other institutions in the citrus belt have been working on perfecting the mandarin and many of its offspring, including the sweet navel orange. The modern orange, actually, is a cross between a mandarin and a pommelo. And the crossover between mandarins and tangerines is very confusing. The easiest way to remember is: a tangerine is a mandarin, but not all mandarins are tangerines.
Mandarins originated in Southeast Asia centuries ago, and its tree and offspring have traveled the world since. Scientists love them because they can be successfully bred, which is why there are literally hundreds of varieties available. Industry marketers and distributors play up their "cuteness" factor and capitalize on the fruit's size and sweetness. Those in the citrus industry also keep scientists busy developing new breeds, especially hybrids that have extended seasons and can remain on the tree for longer periods of time. Many of the most popular mandarins have trademark names such as "Cuties". Other popular varieties include Satsuma, Honey, and Royal. Tango is a new hybrid that's poised to capture the market and generate interest due to its flavor and juiciness. Some regions of the country carry one variety over another. Trust your farmer or produce vendor when shopping for varieties and don't be afraid to ask specifics like which are seedless or extra juicy. For me, the best part of a mandarin is its fragrance. There is nothing like the flavor and smell of freshly zested mandarins. Their juice is also a special treat and can be described as floral and nicely balanced between sweet and tart. Because mandarins are one of the most convenient fruits to eat on the go, they are often overlooked in the kitchen. Don't be surprised if canned mandarins come up when you search for recipes containing mandarins. Instead, use words like tangerine or specific varieties like Satsuma when searching and you will be surprised with the amount of creative recipes available. It's easy to be swayed into purchasing mandarins in large netted bags and boxes. This is fine as long as they will be eaten within a few days. I prefer to hand-select all of my citrus, even tiny mandarins, because how they feel in your hand tells you a lot about their juice content. A heavy citrus will almost always guarantee a juicy citrus. Select mandarins that feel heavy in your hand. Gently squeeze the fruit to ensure that there aren't any soft spots or hollow pockets. Their skin should be firm and the fruit should be fragrant. Store in the refrigerator for up to a couple of weeks. Enjoy the recipes below compiled from Project Foodie. They offer a wide variety of cooking options and incorporate all parts of this delicious and modern fruit. Salads | |  | Tangerine, Watercress And Blue Cheese Salad | | Ingredients: finding ingredients... | My Rating: | | More Actions: | | cooking notes close notes | foodie tags close tags | share close share | | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | |
|
| |
| |  | Shaved Carrot, Fennel, And Tangerine Salad | | |
| |
| |  | Couscous and Shrimp Salad with Tangerines and Almonds | |  | |
| |
| |  | Morrocan Tangerine and Olive Salad | | |
| |
Main
| |  | Tangerine Beef With Scallions | |  | |
| |
| |  | Roast Chicken With Tangerines | |  | |
| |
| |  | Pork Tenderloin Stir-Fry With Tangerines And Chili Sauce | |  | |
| |
| |  | Pan-Roasted Scallops With Mandarins And Chickpeas | | |
| |
Dessert | |  | Tangerine Semifreddo With Salted Almond Brittle | |  | |
| |
| |  | No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake With Tangerine Compote | | |
| |
| |  | Mandarin Orange Ice Cream With Sesame Brittle | |  | |
| |
| |  | Chocolate Tangerine Roulade | | |
| |
| |  | Candied Tangerine Peel | | |
| |
| |  | Tangerine Caramel Sauce | | |
| |
Misc | |  | Tangerine and Lemon Marmalade | |  | |
| |
| |  | Grilled Asparagus With Tangerine Mayonnaise | | |
| |
|
On February 1, 2011, 3:54 pm spm said:
Not many recipes combine cheese and citrus. This one is bold and works.