Crepes Suzette

Ingredients

• 5 navel oranges, juiced (about 1 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier (optional)
• 6 navel oranges, peeled and sectioned
• 1 orange, zested
• 1/2 cup grenadine
• Basic Dessert Crepes, recipe follows
• Vanilla ice cream

Directions

In a large skillet over high heat, bring the orange juice to a boil. Add the sugar, reduce to medium heat and simmer for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and add the orange liqueur and orange sections. Set aside.

In a pot, combine the orange zest and grenadine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes. Set aside.

Working in batches, gently place a crepe into the pan holding the orange juice and orange sections. Leave for 1 minute to absorb some juice.

Using a narrow spatula, remove the crepe to a warm serving plate. Roll the crepe into a cylinder. Spoon on some orange sections. Using a fork, pick some orange zest from the grenadine syrup and distribute it over the crepe. Top with vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.

Basic Dessert Crepes:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• Pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon rum or Grand Marnier, or 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 lemon, zest finely grated

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until the butter becomes brownish ? this gives it a nutty flavor. Don't let any of the butter turn black. Have a small bowl nearby so that you can pour off the butter as soon as it turns brown. Let cool.

In a large mixing bowl (alternately, use a blender to mix all ingredients together), blend the sugar, cake flour, and salt. Add the eggs and whisk well. Whisk in the oil and the brown butter. Pour in about 1/2 cup milk and whisk ? the mixture should form a thick paste. Pour in the remaining milk a little at a time while mixing and then add the rum (or Grand Marnier or vanilla bean), and lemon zest.

Heat the crepe pan over medium heat for about a minute. Cover the surface of the pan with clarified butter until it gets sizzling hot.

Ladle some batter onto the middle of the 8-inch crepe pan and immediately start swirling the pan to distribute the batter over the surface. Pour the batter so that it's very thin on the pan ? and remember, move the pan, not the ladle.

Cook the crepe for about 30 to 60 seconds (heat may vary) or until it's brown around the edge and dry in the center. Using a thin spatula (it resembles a long tongue depressor), flip the crepe quickly and cook for about 15 seconds.

Using the spatula, remove the crepe to a warm plate. Sprinkle the crepe with sugar. Repeat with the remaining batter. (After the first few crepes, you shouldn't have to add more butter to the pan.)

Yield: 6 to 8 servings