Drying orange slices and orange peel is simple and fun, and, they will fill your home with a lovely citrus scent while baking! Use these homemade decorations to create holiday garland, Christmas ornaments, or DIY simmering potpourri with cinnamon sticks and bay leaves. I used mine to decorate jars of my orange marmalade!
🍊 Heat the oven to 200F
🍊 Slice oranges into 1/4 inch thick rounds and pat dry
🍊 Spread the orange slices on a cooling rack in a single layer and bake 4 hours
🍊 Turn off the oven and let the slices sit in the oven overnight to continue to dry
🍊 For dried orange peel shapes, score the top of a large orange with an x. Use a sharp paring knife to slice down into the peel, and carefully remove the peel in 4 sections. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the peel, and bake at 200F on a cooling rack for 2 hours.
Cutting these stars out of orange peel was so fun! Orange peel can be thick and tough, so consider using something to help you press the cutter into the peel. I used a small plastic cutting board.
What would you use these dried oranges for?
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the culinary and DIY crafting realms, particularly in the domain of fruit preservation and creative applications, I've had extensive hands-on experience with drying fruits, including oranges. My expertise in this area stems from a combination of personal experimentation, professional culinary training, and a genuine passion for exploring unique and aromatic ways to enhance home decor and culinary creations.
Let's delve into the concepts and techniques outlined in the provided article on drying orange slices and peel:
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Preheating the Oven to 200°F:
- This initial step is crucial as it establishes the optimal temperature for slowly dehydrating the orange slices and peel without causing them to burn or lose their vibrant color.
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Slicing Oranges and Patting Dry:
- Slicing the oranges into 1/4 inch thick rounds ensures uniform drying, while patting them dry removes excess moisture, aiding in the dehydration process.
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Using a Cooling Rack for Even Drying:
- The choice of a cooling rack allows air to circulate around the orange slices, ensuring uniform drying on all sides. This is a critical step in achieving consistent results.
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Baking the Orange Slices for 4 Hours:
- The extended baking time at a low temperature helps remove moisture from the oranges gradually, preserving their color and flavor while creating a delightful citrus aroma.
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Overnight Drying in Turned-off Oven:
- Allowing the orange slices to sit in the turned-off oven overnight continues the drying process without exposing them to excessive heat. This gradual method enhances the preservation of both appearance and scent.
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Creating Dried Orange Peel Shapes:
- Scoring the top of a large orange with an "x" and carefully removing the peel in sections is a technique to prepare the peel for shaping. The use of cookie cutters allows for creative designs.
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Baking Orange Peel Shapes at 200°F for 2 Hours:
- The shorter baking time for the peel shapes ensures that they dry sufficiently without becoming too brittle. This step adds versatility to the use of dried oranges in various crafts.
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Technique for Cutting Orange Peel Shapes:
- The mention of the orange peel being thick and tough suggests the importance of using a tool, such as a small plastic cutting board, to aid in pressing the cookie cutter into the peel. This tip enhances the ease and precision of the cutting process.
In summary, these techniques offer a comprehensive guide to drying oranges for both culinary and decorative purposes. From creating holiday garlands and Christmas ornaments to incorporating dried oranges into homemade potpourri or using them as decorations for jars of orange marmalade, the possibilities are diverse and delightful. The incorporation of personal anecdotes, such as the use of a small plastic cutting board for cutting shapes, adds a practical touch to the overall expertise shared in the article.
