Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. -John Muir

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Dark Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peels


Last Friday I sprained my ankle.  Now, this really would not have been that big of a deal if it weren't for the fact that this is the 4th time I have sprained the same ankle in less than a year.  And I was super frustrated because that means no running, no climbing and a visit to the doctor complete with x-rays.  To put it lightly it has been a week of melt-downs.  It is, in fact, way better than the month I had 3 concussions and got a 300 dollar ER bill, but it just seemed like everything I did was destined for disaster.  And then Tuesday night I decided I needed to bake something to feel better.  Since everyone seems to be obsessed with Girl Scout Cookies I decided to make some from scratch.  I found a recipe that involved more use of my microwave than I have used in 8 years and so I dove in... this was a mistake, a complete and horrible mistake.  I ended my evening on the kitchen floor crying.

Redemption came the next night when I decided, screw you microwave, I do not understand you, bring on a few hours of work for an oh so amazing reward.  This is the type of food I am good at making.  And Wednesday night I went to bed with a smile on my chocolate smeared face.


What you need:
4 large naval oranges
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 bag of Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips (okay fine, any brand will do)
season 1 of M*A*S*H on dvd *

* optional


Slice the ends off and peel the oranges.   Cut the peel into thin strips.  Place orange peels in a pot and cover with water.  Bring water to a rolling boil and then strain the peels. Rinse and Repeat (no really, boil the peels a second time and drains the water from the pot).  Add one cup water and one cup sugar to the pot over medium heat.  Stir until a syrup forms.  The liquid should be at a low simmer.  Cover the pot and let it simmer for one hour.  Proceed to eat an orange while watching M*A*S*H. 


After one hour has passed your entire kitchen with smell like orange :) Remove the candied orange peels from the pot and place them on waxed paper or a rack where they can cool.   Watch another episode of M*A*S*H.  Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Dip candied orange peels into chocolate and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Place this cookie sheet in the freezer or refrigerator until chocolate hardens.


I understand this recipe seems very time intensive, but I think it is very simple and worth trying because it is truly on of the most delicious things I have ever made and I am not just saying that to make up for being a gimp.  

I assure you if you've had a bad day or a bad week these treats will put a smile on your face.

3 comments:

  1. These look great, do you think they would ship well? I have an abundance of oranges and need some ideas for Valentine's Day.

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  2. I think as long as it is cold outside they will ship well. The only difficulty would be a warm climate where the chocolate would melt. These should keep well in an airtight container. Let me know how they turn out.

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  3. This is the best - and only - low sugar orange peel recipe! All the other recipes use an ENTIRE cup of sugar per orange! I'm like...do we really need to pile an entire cup of sugar on each orange? Thanks for sharing a recipe with way less sugar! This one I will try. :)

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