Use a masher or hand blender to give the soup a quick pulse. Separately heat cream with vanilla pod. For serving dredge brown sugar, caramelise and serve. Hence it’s important to always pick completely ripe citrus fruits. Adding orange zest, lime and lemon grass to his creations, be it desserts or mains have been one of the highlights of his eclectic menu. Internationally, we find renowned chefs like Laurent Tourondel, whose restaurant Laurent at London’s uber chic Cafe Royal Hotel is the talk of the town, encourage the use of citrus flavours in their menus to bring lightness and freshness to the food.Here are some of his tips for selecting citrus fruits:In case of oranges in particular, look for brown spots on the skin because they indicate a good quality orange. Often we use the term citrus fruits rather loosely. Add the chopped veg and, fry gently for five minutes, stirringoccasionally. Have a test and see if it needs a little more salt or lemon. The fruit rind should be clear of any blemishes, cuts or scars. Just one medium orange has all the vitamin C you need in a day," says Payal Kothari, integrative nutritionist and life coach. Citrus fruits also have huge doses of other vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly, including B vitamins, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and copper. Only mandarins including tangerines and clementines should have a looser peel — that’s what makes them so easy to peel. "Fresh, just-squeezed lemon or lime juice does wonders for a pan sauce.Cut the aubergine slices in a criss-cross pattern on one side. The rind should be evenly firm around the entire fruit. They are enjoyed for their sour and tangy taste that stimulates the taste buds.. Also, never ever add the juice to a still cooking sauce. Sprinkle the aubergines with some fresh coriander and serve with a wedge of lemon.Add the oil to a large pot and put on medium heat.As you serve the soup, add some pickled pumpkin pieces, (roasted pumpkin seeds) and pumpkin oil to each bowl.ROASTED AUBERGINES WITH CARAWAY AND LIME Recipe courtesy: Anjali Pathak, Flavour Diaries Ingredients: 2 large aubergines, cut lengthways into thick slices2 tablespoons olive oil½ teaspoon turmeric powder½ teaspoon caraway seeds¼ teaspoon black pepper, coarsely crushedSea salt, to taste1 large red chilli4 cloves garlic, in their skins1 tablespoon fresh coriander, roughly chopped½ lemon, cut into wedgesMethod:Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.Whilst cooking with citrus fruits it’s important to follow these expert tips:"Ensure you use just a squeeze of a citrus fruit while working with dairy, if you squeeze in too much the cream sauce will curdle.CITRUSY CARROT AND PUMPKIN SOUP Recipe courtesy: Jeon, Sea Princess Hotel, MumbaiIngredients:w ½ pumpkinw 4 carrotsw 1 applew 1 onionw 1 orange juicedw 4 tbsp olive oilw ¼ cup waterw 3 cups vegetable brothw 1 tbsp curry powderw 1 cup sour creamw ½ lemon juicedw ¼ cup pumpkin seedsMethod:Chop the pumpkin and carrots into rough cubes.Chop the apple. Of all citrus fruits, lemons and limes contain the most citric acid, with about four grams of 100 grams of fruit, and add a zing to curries and soups.Add the pumpkin seeds, curry powder, apple and ¼ cup water and fry for another two minutes. "Citrus fruits also help with vitamins and minerals and natural sugars which keep other supporting organs functioning well," Kothari adds.Finally, add the cream and give it a good stir. Avoid citrus with soft, tender spots or wrinkled skin. Always smell the fruit, the stronger and sweeter the smell, the better the fruit.Do you love that sour burst of flavour of freshly squeezed lime? Who doesn’t? Lemons and oranges, grapefruits and tangerines, Satsumas and Keffir lime are all delicious fruits belonging to the citrus family. Weight plays an important role in selecting a fruit, choose the one heavier than the others around it. In the corner of the baking tray put the chilli and garlic cloves and drizzle the rest of the olive oil. To finish the soup off, add a pinch of salt and pepper and lemon juice. Knowing that ripeness is not the main issue, your goal when selecting citrus should be to find the freshest, sweetest and juiciest fruit," suggests Chef Jerson Fernandes, Executive Chef, Hotel Sea Princess, Mumbai. If you’re watching your calorie intake, citrus fruits are a good choice. Brimming with juice and flavour yet low in calories, they are not just perfect in desserts, smoothies and juices, but work well in main courses and savoury dishes too. Avoid discolouration and a bitter flavour by only adding the juice after you remove the sauce (or stew, or soup, or whatever) from the heat," adds Jerson. Mix both milk and cream. You may see some green on the rinds, but this colouring is more a function of growing conditions than ripeness.They’re low in calories, yet their water and fiber contents help fill you up. Slit the chilli down the middle and carefully remove the seeds, or you can leave them in if you like your dishes hot. All the other citrus fruits we find in stores and markets today are actually products of crossing these original species. Mean-while whisk egg yolks with castor sugar, add the milk and cream mixture to eggs and give it a good whisk. Let it refrigerate.Add the stock, orange juice and let it all simmer for 10 minutes. Lay them on a greased baking tray. Strain the mixture and pour in the serving dishes. Choose the ones with the biggest holes.NUTRITIVE PROPERTIES OF CITRUS FRUITS"Fruits especially citrus fruits like lemons, oranges etc. Pick a sweet orange by examining the navel (the belly button of the orange).Citrus fruits share the same kinds of pulp, thick rinds and are widely known for their distinctive flavour, vivid colour and mega vitamin C content.Lemon Grass Crème Brûlée An easy to make dessert with ingredients from your home larder, the infusion of Kaffir lime adds a zing to this all-time classicIngredients:300 ml cream300 ml milk200 gm castor sugar100 gm lemon grass1 Kaffir lime leaf (available at grocery stores)50 g brown sugar1 egg Method:Boil the milk and put in bruised lemongrass and torn lemon leaf, let it infuse. Roast in the oven for 35-45 minutes until they are soft and golden brown.Dice the onion. So do you know which ones actually belong to this family? Citrus fruits originate from only three branches — mandarin orange, pummelo and citron. are brimming with Vitamin C, fiber, and loads of anti-oxidants that heal the body on a cellular level.Sprinkle some sea salt. Bake at 150° degrees for 50 minutes on a water bath. So how do we imitate the experts?SELECTING, COOKING"Citrus fruits are one of those fruits which do not continue to ripen further once picked no High titanium iron matter what you do. Drizzle most of the olive oil and sprinkle the turmeric powder, caraway seeds and black pepper. The heaviest one will be more juicy and flavourful.Slice the roasted chilli and remove the skins of the roasted garlic. But if you’ve ever added it to a sauce too early, you know how funny it tastes when it cooks