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Orange pudding

Orange tart with rough puff pastry dusted with icing sugar on blue and white plate. Slice of tart covered in cream on small blue and white plate with silver spoon. Three oranges. Small pale blue and white jug of cream. White embroidered tablecloth.

The sweet orange originated in China during the third century BCE. Eventually it made its way to the Middle East by way of the Silk Road and then to Europe when it was introduced to southern Spain (Al-Andalus) during its occupation by the Moors. By the sixteenth century oranges, although a luxury, were widely consumed especially by the wealthy who cultivated them in specially built ‘orangeries’ on their estates. Along with other fruits and sweetmeats they were sold by young women in the Elizabethan and Restoration theatres who also often provided more personal services along with their fruit. The term ‘orange girl’ therefore became synonymous with prostitution. When the theatres were restored along with the King in 1660 the orange girls also returned. Before becoming an actress, and then one of the most favoured mistresses of Charles II, Nell Gwyn could be found, at the age of 13, selling oranges at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This orange flavoured custard tart is based on that of Hannah Wooley in her recipe book, The Cook’s Guide (1664).

Equipment

  • 23cm tart tin
  • Weighing scales
  • Measuring jug
  • Sieve
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • Cling film
  • Rolling pin
  • Electric hand whisk
  • Food processor
  • Saucepan

Preparation method

  • Grease the tart tin with butter.
  • To make the pastry sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.
  • Cut the butter into very small chunks, add them to the bowl and stir them in.
  • Add the cold water and bring together to a wet dough with a lumpy consistency.
  • Cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. 
  • Place the dough on a floured work surface and shape into a rectangular block.  
  • Roll the dough to a rectangle three times longer than it is short, keeping the edges straight and even.  The rolled-out pastry should have a marbled effect from the lumps of butter.  
  • Roll the dough to about 20 x 50cm, keeping the edges straight and even. The rolled-out pastry should have a marbled effect from the lumps of butter.
  • Fold the top third down to the centre, then the bottom third up and over that.  
  • Give it a quarter turn and roll out again to the original sized rectangle.  
  • Repeat the folding, turning and rolling out 3 more times or until the marbling effect has disappeared.  Fold once more and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. 
  • Remove the dough from the fridge and place on the lightly floured work surface.
  • Roll out the dough to 2mm thick and line the tart tin.   
  • Place the tart tin in the fridge for 20 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas 3.
  • To make the filling, place the orange rind in the saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer until the rind is tender.  
  • Strain the orange rind and place in the food processor and whizz until you have a puréed mush.  
  • Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat together with the electric hand whisk until light and fluffy.  
  • Beat the eggs in, one at a time.
  • Add the cream, orange ‘mush’ and grated orange zest and beat to a smooth mixture.  Spoon into the pastry case.
  • Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the filling is set.  
  • Check after half an hour to make sure the top of the ‘pudding’ isn’t burning. If it is, place a piece of kitchen foil over the top. The top should be a golden brown.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature before removing from the tart tin and dusting with icing sugar.   

Pastry making: For tips and step-by-step instructions, see my guide on making rough puff pastry.

Stuart

Serves:
8
Prep Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the rough puff pastry

  • 200 g plain four
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 200 g very cold unsalted butter
  • 75 ml cold water

For the filling

  • Rind of one large orange
  • 120 g caster sugar
  • 120 g butter, softened
  • 6 large eggs
  • 150 ml double cream
  • Grated zest of one orange

To serve

  • Icing sugar

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Orange pudding
Serving Size
 
141 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
557
Percent of Daily Value*
Fat
 
43
g
66
%
Saturated Fat
 
26
g
163
%
Cholesterol
 
247
mg
82
%
Sodium
 
354
mg
15
%
Potassium
 
112
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
36
g
12
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Protein
 
8.2
g
16
%
Calcium
 
52
mg
5
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Keywords

Oranges