Transport yourself to the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany with MaMa Florence's vibrant Mandarin Orange Parfait. This delightful dessert is a celebration of fresh, seasonal flavors, combining the bright citrus notes of ripe mandarins with creamy layers of Italian indulgence. Light, refreshing, and effortlessly elegant, this parfait is the perfect finale to any meal, bringing a taste of Italian sunshine to your table. Whether you're looking for a simple yet impressive dessert for a dinner party or a delightful treat to brighten your day, our Mandarin Orange Parfait recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Pass the freshly-squeezed mandarin juice through a sieve to remove the citrus bits and seeds. Soften the gelatin in a small bowl of cold water. Remove gelatin and squeeze to reduce excess liquid. In a small sauce pot, gently heat milk until warmed (but not scalding or boiling). Place the gelatin and allow to dissolve.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks and the sugar. Once they have been well-mixed, add the heated milk. Once blended, add the mandarin juice. Blend well, cover with plastic wrap.
In the meantime, whip the heavy cream until cream holds stiff peaks. Remove from refrigerator - the consistency should be like a thick cream. Fold in the whipped cream gently to incorporate air into the mixture. Fold cream into the mandarin cream blend moving in a bottom-to-top motion.
You can fill either one single parfait mold, or individual molds. Once filled, place in refrigerator again, and allow to cool and solidify to the correct consistency.
To remove from the molds when ready to serve, immerge the mold into a container of hot water (only the lower part of the mold) and flip over onto serving plate. You can help the parfait detach from the mold by running a butter knife (or a knife with a rounded edge/tip) inside the edge of the dessert and the mold walls.
You can serve with any desired garnish, from a fresh citrus coulis to a dusting of crushed cashews - or a completely different accompaniment - whatever your personal preference.
The MaMa Florence Mandarin Orange Parfait is more than just a dessert; it's an experience. The harmonious blend of sweet and tangy mandarins with the smooth, creamy layers creates a symphony of textures and flavors that is both satisfying and invigorating. Easy to assemble and visually appealing, this parfait is a testament to the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients. We hope you enjoy bringing a little piece of Tuscan sunshine into your kitchen with this delightful recipe. Buon appetito!