Poached Blood Oranges In Clementine Ratafia Food

POACHED BLOOD ORANGES IN CLEMENTINE RATAFIA

Steps:

• To make the ratafia: halve and juice the clementines. Remove the pulp. Thinly slice the peels of 5 clementines. In a jar, combine the clementine juice, peel, vodka, cinnamon, coriander and 7 ounces sugar. Stir, then refrigerate, shaking once a day for the first few days to dissolve the sugar. Store for 2 months (that's not a typo), then strain through cheesecloth. The ratafia may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 years.
• Cut 5 pounds of blood oranges into 1/3-inch-thick slices, discarding the ends. Juice the rest of the oranges until you get 6 cups of juice. Layer blood-orange slices and remaining sugar in a container. Pour in blood-orange juice and lemon juice. Refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, transfer slices and juice to 2 large pans. The fruit should be just covered with juice. If not, add a little more juice. Cover with parchment paper. Place over low heat and very slowly bring to a simmer. Simmer until the peel is tender, 30 to 60 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put 10 sterilized 8-ounce canning jars and lids on a baking sheet and place in an oven preheated to 225 degrees. When orange slices are done, remove jars from the oven. Add a little cooking syrup to the bottom of a jar, then lay in 3 orange slices and pour in 1 tablespoon of clementine ratafia. Fill the jar to the top with more slices and cooking syrup. Add another tablespoon of ratafia. Clean off the rim and tighten the lid. Repeat with the remaining orange slices. (Leftover ratafia may be served as an after-dinner drink with a wedge of clementine.)

ITALIAN POACHED ORANGES

Steps:

• Strip the zest from the oranges with a vegetable peeler, making sure not to peel away any of the white pith. Cut the zest into 1/8-inch shreds with a sharp knife. Place shredded zest in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over low heat. Drain zest, discard cooking water and place zest in a bowl; cover zest with cold water and set aside.
• Combine the sugar and the water in a medium saucepan, bring it to a boil and cook the syrup until it thickens slightly about 3 minutes.
• While the syrup is cooking, peel the oranges to expose the flesh. Lower the heat on the syrup and cook the oranges 1 or 2 (they should be submerged in the syrup--if not, switch to a smaller saucepan) at a time for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the oranges from the syrup with a slotted spoon and place in a serving bowl.
• Add the shredded zest to the syrup and cook the zest for two minutes, or until the zest is translucent. Remove the zest from the syrup and scatter over the oranges. Chill the oranges and sprinkle with orange liqueur just before serving.