Orange Crème Fraîche Recipes

FENNEL SOUP WITH ORANGE CRèME FRAîCHE AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
• Wash leek , then cook with garlic, fennel seeds, and 1 teaspoon salt in 3 tablespoons oil in a heavy medium pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add potato, fennel, and water to leek mixture and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Toss bread cubes with remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a shallow baking pan. Bake, stirring once or twice, until crisp and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return to pot and season with salt and pepper.
• Chop 1 tablespoon fennel fronds and whisk together with crème fraîche and zest.
• Serve soup with orange crème fraîche and croutons.

SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH LOBSTER AND ORANGE CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Mix cream, sour cream, 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger and orange peel in medium bowl to blend. Let stand until thickened, about 3 hours. Cover crème fraîche and refrigerate.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in large pot over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add sweet potatoes and sugar and toss to coat. Arrange sweet potatoes on 2 baking sheets. Roast until very tender and starting to brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in same pot over medium heat. Add leeks, celery and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger and sauté until leeks begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add roasted sweet potatoes and sauté 2 minutes. Add 10 cups broth and orange juice. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until leeks and celery are very tender, about 20 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree soup in processor. Return soup to pot. Thin with more broth, if desired. Season with salt and pepper. (Crème fraîche and soup can be made 2 days ahead. Cover separately; chill.)
• Remove lobster meat from shells. Slice into 1/3-inch-thick medallions. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add lobster; sauté until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls. Spoon small dollops of crème fraîche atop soup. Draw skewer through crème fraîche to form design. Arrange lobster atop soup. Sprinkle with parsley.