I like my erotic romance like I like my desert recipes: full of sweetness and a bit of bite. This easy recipe for candied orange peel provides a sensuous blending of flavors to hit your sweet spot every time.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 6 oranges (thick-skinned, such as navel or Valencia)
- 4 cups sugar (plus extra sugar for rolling)
- water
To make our way to the tasty result, we begin with a little knife play. Cut the tops and bottoms off each orange, and then score the orange into quarters, cutting through the peel and not into the fruit itself. “No juice” is your orange’s safeword: don’t cross it.
Next, peel the skin and pith down by quarter, leaving the orange intact for other tasty purposes, such as satisfying a bit of hungry anticipation as you cook.
Cut the peel into strips about ¼-inch wide, and then place in a large saucepan with cold water to cover them by an inch or so. Ramp up the intensity by bringing them to a boil over high heat. Pour off the water and repeat the process of blanching once or twice more. (The higher the blanch count, the mellower the flavor will be, a matter of sensual preference. You can also boil in a bit more water for 15 minutes to speed up the action.) When completed to your satisfaction, remove the soft peels and set aside.
Next, peel the skin and pith down by quarter, leaving the orange intact for other tasty purposes, such as satisfying a bit of hungry anticipation as you cook.
Cut the peel into strips about ¼-inch wide, and then place in a large saucepan with cold water to cover them by an inch or so. Ramp up the intensity by bringing them to a boil over high heat. Pour off the water and repeat the process of blanching once or twice more. (The higher the blanch count, the mellower the flavor will be, a matter of sensual preference. You can also boil in a bit more water for 15 minutes to speed up the action.) When completed to your satisfaction, remove the soft peels and set aside.
Whisk 4 cups sugar into 1½ cups water in the saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the peels and simmer until the peels get translucent, about 45 minutes. I strongly recommend getting a naked houseboy or buxom serving wench to watch the pot while you entertain yourself elsewise. But if you lack support staff, just stay nearby, stirring very gently and only as needed to separate the peels, while inhaling the sweet orangey aroma and thinking about dripping the cooled syrup over a lover and licking it off later. (Do be sure it’s cooled: drizzling simmering sugar syrup like it’s wax play is a dangerous no-no!)
| Drain the peels. Let them cool a bit before rolling in sugar and drying on a baking rack or waxed paper. Enjoy them at room temperature or refrigerated, either placed by a lover into your waiting mouth or served up special by you. They also make tasty swizzle sticks! | 
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