FoodHub

Dear Simon I've got a bottle of Cointreau in the cupboard left over from Christmas. Can I cook with it? Heather, Masterton

Dear Heather,

Absolutely. I love it in an orange sauce, which is very easy to make. Simply melt caster sugar in a pan until caramelised, then add freshly-squeezed orange juice and a little lemon juice and zest.

Don't worry if the sugar goes hard. Turn the heat down and simmer until the sugar melts again, then add Cointreau. Boil for a couple of minutes, add a couple of knobs of butter and stir until thickened.

Use the sauce on crêpes for a delicious dessert, or with roast duck. If you're feeling brave and want to flambé the sauce, add the Cointreau before the butter and set it alight.

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