Description
Orange Slice Elegance offers a delightful twist on preserving citrus with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Home cooks can effortlessly create these golden, translucent delicacies perfect for garnishing desserts or enjoying as a delicate snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Fruit):
- 34 oranges (navel, Valencia, or blood oranges)
Preparation Ingredients:
- 1 wire rack
- 1 baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Optional Equipment:
- 1 mandoline slicer (optional)
- 1 sharp knife
Instructions
- Gently cleanse fresh oranges under cool running water, removing any surface residue or wax coating.
- Using a sharp mandoline or serrated knife, create translucent, precisely uniform circular slices approximately 1/8-inch thick, ensuring consistent width for balanced dehydration.
- Strategically position orange medallions on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing minimal space between each slice to facilitate even heat circulation.
- Configure oven rack in middle position and set temperature precisely to 200°F, creating an optimal low-heat environment for gentle moisture extraction.
- Carefully transfer prepared baking sheet into preheated oven, maintaining a consistent temperature for systematic dehydration process.
- Rotate baking sheet every 60 minutes, gently flipping orange slices to promote balanced drying and prevent potential uneven texture.
- Monitor transformation over 3-4 hours, observing slice edges for subtle curling and checking texture – slices should feel leathery yet flexible with no visible moisture.
- Remove baking sheet, allowing orange slices to cool completely at room temperature, which helps stabilize their dehydrated structure.
- Transfer thoroughly cooled citrus medallions into an opaque, hermetically sealed glass container, protecting them from light and humidity.
- Store preserved orange slices in a dark, cool pantry space, where they will maintain optimal quality for approximately two weeks.
Notes
- Slice oranges with a sharp mandoline or serrated knife for ultra-thin, consistent rounds that dry evenly and look professionally prepared.
- Pat orange slices gently with paper towels before baking to remove excess moisture and accelerate the drying process.
- Use low-sugar oranges like navel or Valencia for less sticky, more crisp dried slices that work beautifully in decorative arrangements or garnishes.
- Experiment with light sprinkling of cinnamon or nutmeg before drying to add subtle warming flavor that complements the natural citrus sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 34 hours
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 34
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg