
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). A nice dessert.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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take one quart of water, the juice and pulp of two lemons, one coffeecupful of sugar
When boiling hot, add four tablespoonfuls of cornstarch
Let it boil fifteen minutes, stirring all the time
When cold, pour it over four or five oranges that have been sliced into a glass dish
over the top spread the beaten whites of three eggs, sweetened and flavored with vanilla
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Cornstarch thickens the lemon syrup by swelling and gelatinizing when heated, creating a glossy, pourable sauce that clings to the orange slices. The fifteen-minute boil ensures complete starch gelatinization and cooks off the raw cornstarch flavor. Beating egg whites incorporates air proteins that unfold and form a stable foam structure, creating a light meringue topping that contrasts with the citrus below.
The lemon-cornstarch sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. The oranges can be sliced and arranged in the serving dish up to 4 hours ahead. Add the meringue topping just before serving for best texture and appearance.
This dessert is best served the day it's made. If needed, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, though the meringue will begin to weep and deflate. The lemon sauce may separate slightly; stir gently before serving.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The lemon-cornstarch sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. The oranges can be sliced and arranged in the serving dish up to 4 hours ahead. Add the meringue topping just before serving for best texture and appearance.
This dessert is best served the day it's made. If needed, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, though the meringue will begin to weep and deflate. The lemon sauce may separate slightly; stir gently before serving.