Candied Orange Slices Dipped In Chocolate Food

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CANDIED ORANGE SLICES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water.
• Heat mixture until sugar dissolves completely and mixture starts to boil.
• Remove from heat, pour into wide, shallow Tupperware, and cool completely.
• When syrup has cooled completely layer your sliced oranges in the syrup, pushing them down until all are mostly covered.
• Cover container to seal and place in refrigerator overnight (I've left them for as long as two days before candying.)
• Preheat oven to 170 degrees F. (You can have some variation here - please see notes.)
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Nest a wire cooling rack on top of the parchment.
• Place your oranges on the wire rack. (The wire rack allows the drying to come from top and bottom so that they oranges can dry evenly).
• Place oranges in oven. If you have a convection feature on your oven, turn it on. Leave the oven cracked open about 2 inches.
• Dry oranges for 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours, rotating pan every 30 minutes, and flipping oranges every hour to maintain uniform drying.
• You will know that the oranges are done when they are pliable and dry to the touch.
• Let oranges cool completely.
• Temper your chocolate over a double boiler (here are some handy tempering instructions) or heat chocolate morsels in microwave in 15-30 second increments at 50% power until melted.
• Dip 1/2 of orange into chocolate and place on waxed paper.
• If desired, sprinkle fleur de sel (or other coarse salt) over top of chocolate.
• Let cool until set.

CANDIED ORANGE SLICES DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Cut the oranges in half lengthwise, with the cut side down slice the oranges crosswise into 1/4-inch slices, (you will have 1/2 of a slice of orange:DO-NOT peel),discard the ends.
• In a 10-inch saute pan combine the water and the 3 1/2 cups of sugar, stir to blend, then bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Add the orange slices, separating them, and simmer them gently for 1 hour uncovered; peroidically dunk any floating slices.
• Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Remove the orange slices, with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to let drain and dry for 24 hours; NOTE; I dryed them in my oven set for for baked goods, or if oven has a pilot light, this worked great if it is a damp day.
• After drying the slices, toss them in the granulated sugar and reserve them, do not stack them as they will stick together.
• While you are coating the orange slices with the sugar, have the chocolate melting slowly in the top of a double boiler over 120 degree water: Chocolate can be melted in the microwave.
• When all the chocolate is melted and creamy and registers 100 degrees on an instant themometer, remove the top section from the double boiler.
• Add the 2-ounce of chocolate and gently stir until the thermometer reads 88 degrees to 91 degree, then remove what remains of the chunk of chocolate.
• Now dip the orange slices 2/3 of the way into the chocalate; gently scrape off excess chocolate against the side of the pan.
• Place the orange slices on a sheet of wax paper to set.
• Work quickly with the slices if the chocolate becomes to thick for dipping, place it over the 120 degree water again until it reaches 88 to 91 degrees.

CANDIED ORANGE SLICES WITH DARK CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Next, slice the Cara Cara Oranges into 1/4" slices removing any seeds.
• In a wide, large skillet combine granulated sugar and water. Bring the skillet to a boil and continue continue to whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Next, add the orange slices to the skillet and lay in an even layer. Bring the skillet to a simmer. Let the orange slices simmer for about 1 hour uncovered or until they become transparent.
• Once the orange slices have become transparent, place the slices on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let the orange slices dry for at least 24 hours uncovered. They will still feel a bit sticky but that's okay.
• Next, place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and melt on high for 10 to 15 second intervals. Once melted, dip half an orange slice into the chocolate and place back on the parchment paper to set. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Repeat process until all orange slices have been dipped. Wait for about 15 minutes until the chocolate hardens to serve.

DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED CANDIED ORANGE PEELS

Steps:

• Cut oranges in half. Juice the halves.
• "Gut" the orange halves of all pulp & pith.
• Slice the halves into strips or triangles (I do triangles).
• Blanch orange peels so they will retain their colour.
• Candie the orange peels: aproximately 1/2 cup water & 1 cup sugar per 3 oranges; bring all 3 to a boil then immediately reduce heat to a simmer; simmer until all liquid has been absorbed by the oranges; STIR FREQUENTLY!
• Toss the candied orange peels in sugar to lightly coat, then spread in one layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in a low temperature oven (200 to 250F) until orange peels are sticky but not wet.
• COOL.
• Melt dark chocolate in a double-boiler and proceed to dip the candied orange peels in the chocolate and lay on waxed paper in a cool, dry place to set. A cold cellar is ideal. If you have a garage, there is good in colder climates.
• ***One of the best things about these candies is that you can spread out making them over a week or two! Refrigerate orange peels after each step in an airtight container.
• ***Use oranges with very thick peels. I find sunkist oranges are very good to use for that reason.