Cardamom-Orange Oeufs à la Neige

Oeufs à la neige, or “snow eggs,” are tender poached meringues floating on a perfumed custard. It’s an old-fashioned dessert but really one of the best. Though light and airy, the meringue has texture, like biting into hundreds of little channels and pockets of air held together by the thinnest membranes—not unlike snow—and the spoonful of custard is by contrast creamy, cold, and unctuous. Oeufs à la neige make the perfect finish to many meals, but especially those pungent ones with