Crystallized Lemons Food

CRYSTALLIZED LEMONS

Steps:

• Use a zester to remove the rind from lemons in long strands, or alternatively, use a vegetable peeler to remove skin. Or you can cut around the lemon to get a spring like effect.
• Line a baking tray or a plate with baking paper and sprinkle on some granulated sugar. Then set aside, ready for placing the lemons on.
• Add the lemons, water and sugar into a saucepan and place over a medium heat, stirring, until all of the sugar has dissolved. Bring it to the boil and reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and use a fork to scrape out the lemon zest onto the baking tray or plate lined with baking paper and sugar. Spread the lemons evenly and turn them over so that they get an even coating of sugar.
• Leave to stand for 5 minutes and then they will be ready to use.

CANDIED LEMON, ORANGE OR GRAPEFRUIT PEEL

Steps:

• With sharp knife, score the skin of the fruit (use only one type for a batch) into quarters,then peel it off with your fingers, keeping the pith attached.
• Lay each quarter of skin on a cutting board and cut to make uniform strips from 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide, according to your preference; you should have about 3 cups of strips.
• Cover peels with water in saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute,then drain, cover with water again and repeat two times (total of three times).
• Then, cover again and simmer the peel for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In the saucepan, make the syrup with sugar, water and corn syrup. Boil for about two minutes, then add the peel.
• Simmer briskly stirring occasionally, until the syrup is considerably reduced, then watch closely.
• The point of decision:.
• If you want a tender candied peel, cook until perhaps 3 tbsp syrup is left, and drain the peels (you can save the syrup).
• Medium-firm, leave only a spoonful of syrup, then drain.
• For candy-like crisp peel, watch closely until the syrup is on the point of hardening and has almost vanished.
• Arrange the peel on a bed of sugar on a jelly roll pan at whatever stage you have stopped cooking. Straiten the strips while hot if you want them symmetrical, or crumble them if you like a kinky tangle.
• Sprinkle more sugar over the strips and toss them occasionally as they cool.
• When cool enough to handle, put the strips onto cake racks and let them dry. The consistency of the finished candy will depend partly on the point at which the cooking stopped, but also on how long the strips are left to dry. They will keep indefinitely if candied 'hard'; not quite as long if left translucent and flexible. The choice is yours.

OVEN CANDIED LEMON SLICES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275*F.
• Liine a 15x10x1" baking pan with parchment paper(or wax paper).
• Cut 2 small lemons crosswise into 1/8-1/4 inch thick slices.
• Arrange in a single layer on pan.
• Sprinkle lemon slices with 1/4 cup sugar.
• Bake in at 275*F. 45-50 minutes or until lemons are almost dry and covered with a sugary glaze. While still warm, loosen slices from paper to prevent sticking.

CANDIED CITRUS PEEL

Steps:

• Cut the fruit into 8 wedges, then cut out the flesh, leaving about 5mm thickness of peel and pith. Cut each wedge into 3-4 strips.
• Put the peel in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 mins. Drain, return to the pan and re-cover with fresh water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 30 mins.
• Set a sieve over a bowl and drain the peel, reserving the cooking water. Add 100g sugar to each 100ml water you have. Pour into a pan and gently heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the peel and simmer for 30 mins until the peel is translucent and soft. Leave to cool in the syrup, then remove with a slotted spoon and arrange in 1 layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Put in the oven at the lowest setting for 30 mins to dry.
• Sprinkle a layer of sugar over a sheet of baking parchment. Toss the strips of peel in the sugar, a few at a time, then spread out and leave for 1 hr or so to air-dry.
• Pack the peel into an airtight storage jar or rigid container lined with baking parchment. Will keep for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dry place.
• To make into a delicious gift, melt the chocolate in a small bowl. Dip the candied orange peel into the chocolate to half-coat them, shaking off the excess. Put them on baking parchment to set, then pack into small cellophane bags tied with ribbon or pretty kitchen string.

CANDIED LEMON SLICES

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut lemon into 12 paper-thin slices; discard seeds and ends of rind.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, and add lemon slices; stir until softened, about 1 minute. Drain, and immediately plunge slices into ice-water bath. Drain.
• Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium skillet, swirling to dissolve sugar. When liquid is clear and bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low. Add lemon slices, arranging them in one layer with tongs. Simmer (do not let boil) until rinds are translucent, about 1 hour.
• Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let stand until ready to serve. Lemon slices can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day.