Gateau a L'orange

This was Mama's go to recipe to impress. I hope you enjoy it as much as her guests did. This recipe is over 50 years old and is being typed from her notes. Please note that you will need two envelopes of Knox gelatin. Not sure of the ounce measurements so ignore the ounce measurement below.

• Ready In: 24 hrs 50 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4ounce) envelopes plain gelatin
• 1⁄4 cup cold water
• 1 1⁄4 cups  fresh orange juice
• 2  tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4  eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups  superfine sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  tablespoons  grated  orange rind (no pith)
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 1  angel food cake
• 1 (7 ounce) can mandarin oranges, soaked in
•  apricot brandy
• 1  cup  slivered almonds, lightly toasted

Directions

1. Soften the 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup orange juice.
2. Set aside.
3. In the top of a double boiler mix 1 cup orange juice, 2 Tbsps lemon juice, 1 cup sugar and 4 beaten egg yolks, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3 Tbsps orange rind.
4. Stir constantly over boiling water unti it thickens a bit and looks smooth. (It will not get very think so don't cook too long).
5. Add the gelatin and stir until disolved.
6. Set aside to cool.
7. Beat 4 egg whites with 1/2 cup sugar until stiff.
8. Set aside.
9. Whip 1 cup whipping cream until firm.
10. When the orange mixture is cool and just beginning to set around the edges beat with a rotary beater until smooth and a little fluffy.
11. Fold in the egg whites and then the whipped cream.
12. In a large wet bowl (you could line with plastic wrap) pour the mixture and press the cake into it. (Mama would halve the cake and tear the cake the remainder into pieces and fill the hole of the angel food cake).
13. Press down. It may be necessary to plate on top to keep it compressed.
14. Let set completely in the refrigerator.
15. Unmold on a cake plate.
16. Garnish with the madarin oranges and slivered almonds.