Best 3 Cold Candied Oranges Recipes

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Cold candied oranges, also known as candied citrus, are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed on their own or used to add a touch of sweetness and citrusy flavor to a variety of dishes. The process of making cold candied oranges is relatively simple and only requires a few basic ingredients. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you can easily create this delicious and visually appealing dessert. Let's dive into the world of cold candied oranges and explore the best recipe to achieve perfect results every time.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

COLD CANDIED ORANGES



Cold Candied Oranges image

Slowly poaching fresh, firm seedless oranges in a light sugar syrup is a simple yet magical kind of alchemy. You still end up with oranges, yes, but now they are glistening jewels - cooked but juicy, candied but fresh, bitter but sweet - that make an uncommonly elegant and refreshing dessert after a heavy winter meal. These cold candied oranges keep up to a month in the refrigerator, and any that are left over can be delicious with thick yogurt in the morning, or beside a cup of mint tea in the afternoon. But in every case, they are most bracing and most delicious when super cold.

Provided by Gabrielle Hamilton

Categories     dessert

Time 2h

Yield 6 candied oranges

Number Of Ingredients 2

6 firm, juicy, seedless oranges with thin skins (recently I've been using Cara Cara oranges), no bigger than a baseball
6 cups granulated sugar

Steps:

  • Bring a stainless-steel pot of water to a boil. (It should be large enough to hold the oranges submerged.)
  • Wash and dry the oranges, and channel from stem to navel at 1/2-inch intervals, removing strips of peel while leaving the pith intact, until the oranges resemble those onion domes on Russian churches. (You need a good, sharp channeler, not a tiny-toothed zester for this one.)
  • Place the oranges and their long, fat threads of channeled peel into the boiling water, and reduce to a simmer. Cover the oranges with a lid one size too small for the pot, to keep them submerged. Let them blanch for about 25 minutes to remove the harshest edge of their bitter nature. They should swell and soften but not collapse or split.
  • Remove the oranges and zest from the simmering water with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Dump out the blanching water, and return the dry pot to the stove.
  • In that same pot, combine the sugar with 6 cups water; bring the sugar water to a boil over medium-high, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then allow to gently boil, and reduce for 10 minutes, uncovered. You want some water to evaporate and for the syrup to take on a little body.
  • Carefully place blanched oranges and zest into the sugar syrup, and reduce heat to a very slow, lethargic simmer. Cover oranges with a parchment circle cut slightly larger than the circumference of the pot (by 1 inch is enough), then place the too-small lid on top of the parchment on top of the oranges, to keep them fully submerged (and sealed under the parchment) in the sluggishly simmering syrup.
  • Cook the oranges in the syrup for about 45 minutes, checking on them frequently to keep the temperature quite slow and stable, until they take on a high gloss and appear vaguely translucent and jewel-like. (We have several induction burners that come with features that can hold a temperature, and I leave the oranges at around 170 degrees for most of the candying, sometimes with a little bump up to 180. But without a thermometer or an induction burner, just a visual slow, slow, slow bubble is a good cue.)
  • Cool oranges and peels in their syrup for a full 24 hours before serving. This kind of "cures" them. They get even better after 48 hours. First, you'll want to let them cool at room temperature until no longer warm to the touch, at least 4 hours, then refrigerate them until thoroughly chilled. The oranges last refrigerated for 1 month as long as they are submerged in that syrup.
  • Serve very cold. Eat the whole thing, skin and all, with a knife and fork. It's like a half glacéed fruit and half fresh fruit - refreshing, tonic, digestive and so great after dinner.

CANDIED ORANGE



Candied Orange image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 5h38m

Yield about 2 cups peel

Number Of Ingredients 3

6 thick-skinned Valencia or navel oranges
4 1/2 cups sugar, plus extra for rolling
1 1/2 cups water

Steps:

  • Cut tops and bottoms off of the orange and score the orange into quarters, cutting down only into the peel and not into the fruit. Peel the skin and pith of the orange in large pieces, use the orange for another recipe. Cut the peel into strips about 1/4-inch wide. Put the orange peel in a large saucepan with cold water to cover, bring to a boil over high heat. Then pour off the water. Repeat 1 or 2 more times depending up how assertive you want the orange peels to be. (Test kitchen liked the texture of a 3 time blanch best, it also mellowed the bitterness. But it is a matter of preference.) Remove the orange peels from the pan.
  • Whisk the sugar with 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 9 minutes (If you took the sugar's temperature with a candy thermometer it would be at the soft thread stage, 230 to 234 degrees F.) Add the peels and simmer gently, reducing heat to retain a simmer. Cook until the peels get translucent, about 45 minutes. Resist the urge to stir the peels or you may introduce sugar crystals into the syrup. If necessary, swirl the pan to move the peels around. Drain the peels, (save the syrup for ice tea.) Roll the peels in sugar and dry on a rack, for 4 to 5 hours. Return to the sugar to store.
  • Cook's Note: One way to use orange peels is to stuff a dried date with a piece of orange peel and almond, then dip the entire thing into dark chocolate.

COLD CANDIED ORANGES



Cold Candied Oranges image

Categories     Orange

Number Of Ingredients 2

6 g firm, juicy, seedless oranges with thin skins (recently I've been using Cara Cara oranges), no bigger than a baseball
6 cups granulated sugar

Steps:

  • Bring a stainless-steel pot of water to a boil. (It should be large enough to hold the oranges submerged.)
  • Wash and dry the oranges, and channel from stem to navel at 1/2-inch intervals, removing strips of peel while leaving the pith intact, until the oranges resemble those onion domes on Russian churches. (You need a good, sharp channeler, not a tiny-toothed zester for this one.)
  • Place the oranges and their long, fat threads of channeled peel into the boiling water, and reduce to a simmer. Cover the oranges with a lid one size too small for the pot, to keep them submerged. Let them blanch for about 25 minutes to remove the harshest edge of their bitter nature. They should swell and soften but not collapse or split.
  • Remove the oranges and zest from the simmering water with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Dump out the blanching water, and return the dry pot to the stove.
  • In that same pot, combine the sugar with 6 cups water; bring the sugar water to a boil over medium-high, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then allow to gently boil, and reduce for 10 minutes, uncovered. You want some water to evaporate and for the syrup to take on a little body.
  • Carefully place blanched oranges and zest into the sugar syrup, and reduce heat to a very slow, lethargic simmer. Cover oranges with a parchment circle cut slightly larger than the circumference of the pot (by 1 inch is enough), then place the too-small lid on top of the parchment on top of the oranges, to keep them fully submerged (and sealed under the parchment) in the sluggishly simmering syrup.
  • Cook the oranges in the syrup for about 45 minutes, checking on them frequently to keep the temperature quite slow and stable, until they take on a high gloss and appear vaguely translucent and jewel-like. (We have several induction burners that come with features that can hold a temperature, and I leave the oranges at around 170 degrees for most of the candying, sometimes with a little bump up to 180. But without a thermometer or an induction burner, just a visual slow, slow, slow bubble is a good cue.)
  • Cool oranges and peels in their syrup for a full 24 hours before serving. This kind of "cures" them. They get even better after 48 hours. First, you'll want to let them cool at room temperature until no longer warm to the touch, at least 4 hours, then refrigerate them until thoroughly chilled. The oranges last refrigerated for 1 month as long as they are submerged in that syrup.
  • Serve very cold. Eat the whole thing, skin and all, with a knife and fork. It's like a half glacéed fruit and half fresh fruit - refreshing, tonic, digestive and so great after dinner.

Tips:

  • Choose the right oranges: Select firm, ripe oranges with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid oranges with bruises or soft spots.
  • Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will make it easier to cut the oranges into thin slices without tearing them.
  • Blanch the oranges: Blanching the oranges in boiling water helps to remove the bitterness from the peel and makes the slices more pliable.
  • Use a simple syrup: A simple syrup made with equal parts sugar and water is the easiest way to candy the oranges. You can also add other flavorings, such as vanilla extract or cinnamon, to the syrup.
  • Candy the oranges in a single layer: This will help to ensure that the oranges cook evenly.
  • Let the oranges cool completely: Once the oranges are candied, let them cool completely before storing them. This will help to prevent them from sticking together.

Conclusion:

Cold candied oranges are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed in many different ways. They can be eaten on their own, used as a topping for desserts, or added to salads and other dishes. With a little patience and effort, you can easily make your own cold candied oranges at home. So next time you're looking for a sweet and tangy snack, give this recipe a try.

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