1/4 c Unfiltered apple juice
1 ts Kudzu; OR cornstarch
1/4 c Fresh orange juice
1/4 c Maple syrup
1 tb Grated orange peel
1 ts Pure vanilla extract
IN SMALL SAUCEPAN, combine apple juice and 1/4 cup water; dissolve kudzu in
mixture. Bring mixture to slow simmer over medium heat, whisking
constantly, about 5 minutes. Mixture will be cloudy at first, but will
clear after a few minutes.
Whisk in orange juice, maple syrup, orange peel and vanilla extract. Cook
for 4 more minutes, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook,
whisking, until mixture is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and
let cool slightly.
KUDZU, or Kuzu (koo-d’zoo) is a white starchy powder made from the root of
the kudzu plant. Used for thickening soups, sauces and puddings. Kudzu has
a very chunky textures: crush it up a bit with your fingers to measure it
accurately. It should be dissolved in cold water or other liquids before
geing added to a hot liquid to avoid clumping. Use in place of cornstarch.
Yields
16 servings