Crepes with Orange Caramel and Mascarpone

If you're planning on entertaining this spring, you're probably looking for some new recipe ideas to impress your friends with. If you want to offer them something sophisticated that doesn't require a crazy amount of effort, these Crepes with Orange, Caramel and Mascarpone might just fit the bill. You can make your own crepes or save some time by purchasing them ready-made in the grocery store. Do whatever works for you and don't feel the least bit guilty about it. The sauce for this dish comes together in a matter of minutes so you can assemble your crepes and serve your guests quickly without a lot of stress. The whole point of having friends over is to enjoy your time together. This recipe allows you to do that while making the occasion special. 

Yield: 4 Servings

Difficulty: Easy 

INGREDIENTS

2 oranges (blood oranges or "regular" oranges)

½ Cup pure maple syrup

4 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp Grand Marnier

8 very thin crepes, store-bought or homemade from your favorite crepe recipe

1 Cup mascarpone cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Zest the oranges and place in a small bowl. Peel the oranges with a small, sharp knife. Working over a bowl, cut in between the membranes to separate the orange segments. Place the segments on a small plate and the membranes in the bowl. When you're done separating the orange segments, squeeze the membranes to extract all of the juices and discard the membranes. Pour any residual juices from the plate into the bowl to add to the juice. Heat maple syrup in a large Swiss Diamond Fry Pan over medium heat. Add butter, orange zest and orange juice. Simmer the mixture over medium-low for five minutes. Add the Grand Marnier and simmer for two minutes more until the sauce slightly thickens. Place 1 to 2 crepes on each plate and add a dollop of mascarpone to each. Add the orange segments to the sauce and heat over low to warm the oranges. Spoon the mixture over the crepes on each plate and serve immediately.