I was one of those children who would pick out the sourest, most mouth puckering and sharpest of sweets. Sherbert wasn’t quite tart enough for me and so rhubarb and custard sweets were my saviour when all the sour apple ones had gone. They soon became my favourite; when you were turning the sweet over in your mouth you never knew if you were going to get a burst of sour or a shot of sweet. Although I do enjoy one of these sweets occasionally I have moved on to a more grown up version.
This is the very first of the English forced rhubarb I could get my hands on. It was nestled amongst a load of potatoes, swedes and cabbages; poking its pink feet out asking to be picked up. Admittedly my first thought was crumble but on my travels I walked past a sweet shop and my thoughts turned to rhubarb and custard.
I had a couple of blood oranges knocking about at home and I thought they would add a sumptuous citrus note to the rhubarb. Because I bought the rhubarb so early in the season it was pretty pricey but luckily two stems works out to be about the perfect amount for two. I only needed one blood orange because they gave a lot of juice. I have to confess I bought some fresh custard for this, I think it’s pretty good if you want an easy pudding like I did.
Alida says
Wow this is lovely! I will add it to my list. Thanks for sharing
Elpiniki says
Looks great! Nice presentation too!
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
This is beautiful and I can’t believe you can get rhubarb now! Isn’t it funny how colors of food seem predominantly grouped in specific season? I appreciate you being so aware of your food you’d note the absence of this color in your diet. I cannot figure out what is in the glass of the first photo? It’s beautiful and I wondered if you froze some of this in layers. Would love to know!
CulinaryCache says
This looks delicious, beautiful recipe. I used blood orange in a cake recipe (to be posted later) and love the flavor, a little more tang than standard oranges. Great post!
Peggy says
This sounds incredible! I love the simplicity of it, but the complexity of flavors is amazing =)
Emma says
Gorgeous, bright, inspired dessert.
Pennie says
How lovely and truly British! Anything with rhubarb wins my vote. Do you make your own custard or use store bought?
Ruth Reynoso-Sance says
It definitely sounds amazing! Your description of the dish really caught me 🙂 Rhubarb is something I have no knowledge about, I have to try it!
Culinary Collage says
I’ve seen so many great recipes recently using blood oranges…this one looks really good…yum!
Nava.K says
I have to agree with you that with simplicity out came a wonderful dessert. I am not sure on rhubard but blood orange I suppose it I look out for it can be found.
I have this love for sweet and sour combination and sure will dig into this lovely dessert you have made.
firefoodie says
What a lovely post, and so pretty! And yes please… bring on the spring. Anthony 🙂
Tiffany says
I am in love with blood oranges right now! This is so lovely! 😀
Jill Colonna says
This looks amazing and just at the sound of it, my mouth is puckering, too. I also loved these tart sweets – remember soor plooms? Now you’ve got me on the hunt for rhubarb – too good!
Julie at Burnt Carrots says
This looks delicious! I’m embarrassed to say last summer was the first time I’d ever tasted rhubarb! I just loved it and ate it (probably more than my weight) throughout the entire summer!
Jay says
lovely recipe …very tempting..
Tasty Appetite