Orange Custard
from Above & Beyond Parsley... Food for the Senses

1-1/2 cups sugar
5 large eggs
3 egg yolks
1-1/2 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Grated zest of 2 oranges

Place 3/4 cup sugar in a heavy skillet. Stir with a wooden spoon over medium-high heat until caramelized. Pour immediately into a 2-quart baking dish.

Combine eggs and egg yolks with remaining sugar and beat vigorously with an electric mixer. Stir in orange juice, cream, salt and orange zest.

Pour over caramelized sugar into the baking dish and place in a larger pan. Add water to larger pan to reach 2/3 up sides of baking dish. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

To serve, spoon into dessert bowls with some of the caramelized syrup in each.

Serves 6