Sunday 6 April 2014

Candied Orange Peel



I always feel frustrated when I come across recipes that call for candied orange peel because I don't have any. Seeing that orange is the theme for this month's LTU, I decided to have a go at making my own candied orange peel.


It is actually not that difficult at all. What you need is orange peel, water and sugar. Boil the orange peel in three changes of water and then simmer it in the sugar solution until the liquid is thick and syrupy. When the orange peel become translucent, transfer them to a tray to cool or roll them in castor sugar. Then let them dry naturally. Simple?


It takes about 1 hour to simmer the orange peel in sugar syrup. So it does take a bit of your time. Other than that the whole process is rather simple. Once dried, store the orange peel in an airtight container.


So now I can go ahead and try those pesky recipes that call for candied orange peel :)









Candied Orange Peel
Recipe source : Adapted from Confessions of a Bright-Eyed Baker

Ingredients :
- Orange peel from 3 oranges
- Enough water to cover orange peel  in a saucepan
- 1.5 cups sugar

Method :
1. Wash the oranges and dry them.
2. Cut the top and bottom off the oranges and score the skin into quarters.
3. Remove the skin (peel and pith) and cut into strips about 1/4" wide. Store the oranges in a plastic bag for later use.
4. Put the orange peel strips into a saucepan and cover with water.
5. Place on stove and bring to a boil. Drain the water and repeat this process twice more.
6. Add water to cover the orange peel and add sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring mixture to a boil.
7. Lower the heat and maintain a steady simmer for about an hour until sugar mixture becomes thick and syrupy. Every now and then swirl the pan to coat the orange strips in syrup.
8. At the end of the process, the orange peel should be translucent and there will be very little syrup left in the saucepan.
9. Remove the peel to dry on a cooling rack or roll in sugar to coat. Let dry and store in airtight container.



Photobucket

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY and hosted by Ann of Anncoo Journal.

37 comments:

  1. Love it that you made your own candided orange. One small bag costs a lot at the baking store and I often skip recipes because I don't wish to buy one bag for the sake of using a few pieces.

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    1. Hi Mich! I haven't seen this sold anywhere. Maybe at specialised bakery shops. At long last I made these and can start using them soon.

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  2. Ummm...this one, I think I'll pass. Not into such things.

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    1. I thought you would say that. hah...hah...

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  3. Phong Hong, Good job. I've never thought of making candied orange at home. I think is good to make some as I always have a lot of orange skins after juicing.
    Thank you sharing this post to LTU.

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    1. Ann, it was your LTU event that motivated me to finally try it out. So it is thanks to you!

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  4. oh something different today, no more cakes that make me drooling but this candies orange peels are special and look so appetizing.. can be refreshing with the zest especially during the hot weather lately huh?? hmmm, I'm thinking.. can also do this with pomelo or lemon peels right?? :)

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    1. Hi SK! Yes, we can do this with lemon peel. I don't know about pomelo but I think also can. It is quite nice as a snack but mine still has a slight bitter taste from the pith.

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  5. Oh, this is just lovely, this not only good for baking in cakes but also good at light munchy snack for me.

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    1. Hi Mel! This one can also use as a decoration on cakes.

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  6. Hi Phong Hong, I didn't know it's that easy to make our own COP. Will definitely make this. Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to your recipes using candied orange peel

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    1. Hi Kimmy! I have to wait another two weeks to make the orange cakes. Next two weekends I will be without water :(

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    2. OMG, no water... I must consider myself lucky - no water rationing. BTW, I made this today cos' I made orange marmalade. It's good. Next time when I make mixed nuts mooncake, I don't have to buy 'keat paeng'. TQ.

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  7. Nice! Homemade ones are definitely much better than commercial ones. Can't wait to see what you are going to bake with them next!

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    1. Thanks! In two weeks time I hope to bake something with it. No water for the coming two weekends. boo..hoo..hoo,,,

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  8. Brilliant idea...hahaha...thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks, Jozelyn! I am happy I made the candied orange peels :)

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  9. Hi Phong Hong,
    I have been meaning to make my own candied orange peel for so long....but really lazy!
    You have done a great job with making your own, they look wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce! They are easy to make. But have to stand at the stove to keep watch. The end result is worth the wait!

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  10. Hi Phong Hong, wow.... I sure love this. Yours look good. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Have a wonderful week ahead,regards.

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    1. Hi Amelia! This is something I have wanted to do for some time. And I finally did it!

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  11. These are so simple to make.. But before I read the descriptions and based on your first picture, wah, so kelas, man !! The peels look so hi-class la, the way you arrange it, fuyoh, chantek !!! Macam kat hotel..
    Reminds me of marmalade.. I thought it's a wet kinda thing.. Good to munch during itchy mouth.. If me, I would cut into small pieces, put into a container together with a spoon, each time I walk pass by, I will scoop a few spoons into my mouth.. Easier to eat..
    So by now, munch finish jor mei?

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    1. Thank you, Louiz! Wah, got look high class kah? Heh..heh...I still kept them in the fridge, belum eat them yet. But yes, very nice to munch because they are sweet and have that nice orange taste. But still got a bit of bitter taste from the pith. I am going to make orange cakes using these peels but only can do two weeks time. Next two weekends got no water.

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  12. Oh, good one!!! can use these orange peels to make cake or dessert!
    Pandainya Phong Hong :)

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    1. Esther, I want to make a cake which uses candied orange peel. Esther lagi pandai leh!

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  13. Just in time! I have this bag of orange waiting to be eaten and now I can eat the peel as well.

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    1. What a good opportunity! Yes, do make these candied orange peels :)

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  14. Hi Phong Hong,

    I love the way how you made these candied peels. Very clever... Did you use them to cook or bake other recipes or just chewing them on its own... They must be giving you very nice sweet orange breath :D

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! I am keeping them to bake an orange cake. Fingers crossed I can bake this weekend :)

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  15. Hi Phong Hong, it looks so easy to prepare. Most of all, they look so tempting and appetizing too! Must give this a try one day. Thanks for sharing and regards :)

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    1. Hi Ivy! Yes, very simple preparation and you can use it for cake decoration too.

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  16. Hi Phong Hong, I crave your amazing and yummy candied orange peel. I can imagine the lovely aroma throughout your kitchen. Haven't made a huge batch of my own yet...although I did make a few pieces a while back for cake decoration, but nothing like these pretty ones. I sure would love to munch on a few right now! Hugs,

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    1. Hi Elisabeth! I was very tempted to munch on them but I am keeping them for an orange cake. And besides, they would be nice to use as fancy cake decoration. And, oh...how about dipping them in melted chocolate? Yes...will do that! :D

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  17. Heard this one is good for cough , right ? *cough cough cough*

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    1. Yes, ah? I thought it was the one where you steam the orange with salt. I wanted to try that when I was having cough but somehow I was afraid it might taste horrible. So tak jadi :)

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  18. Hi Phong Hong,
    Home made candied orange peel!! Love it!
    I guess your house was filled with sweet and nice orange aroma while you are cooking this!
    Thanks for sharing this to LTU:)
    mui

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    1. Hi mui mui! Yes, the aroma of oranges was so nice! Glad I tried this.

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