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.

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.