Spiced Oranges And Dates Recipes

ORANGE DATE FROSTING

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, condensed milk, orange juice concentrate and orange zest, until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioners sugar until a spreadable consistency is reached.
• Frost cake and decorate with dates.

FROSTED ORANGE DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, 1/2 cup butter, water and dates. Cook, stirring frequently until dates have softened and the mixture is well blended. Remove from heat. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the date mixture, then mix in the 1/4 cup orange juice, milk, eggs and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. To make the frosting, combine the confectioners' sugar, 1/3 cup butter, cream cheese and orange zest. Beat until smooth. Gradually mix in the remaining orange juice a tablespoon at a time until the icing is spreadable. Spread over the bars when cool. Cut into squares.

SPICED ORANGES AND DATES

Steps:

• Add the water and sugar to a saucespan. Stir over heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the peel from one orange. cloves, ginger, star anise and cinnamon stick pieces. SImmer 10 minutes or until a syrup forms. Remove from the heat.
• Slice the oranges into thick rounds. Remove the pits from the dates and cut the dates into halves. Add the oranges and dates to the sugar syrup. Set aside for 20 minutes.
• Spoon the fruit onto one large platter to serve -- or into serving bowls. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top.
• Serve with yogurt or custard.

ORANGES IN SPICED HONEY

Steps:

• Zest one of the oranges and set the zest aside. Working with one orange at a time, cut a 1/4 inch off of the bottom and top of an orange. Stand the fruit cut-side down on a cutting board, and working from top to bottom, cut away the peel and pith. Working over a bowl, cradle the orange in one hand and cut along both sides of each membrane through to the center, releasing the segments into the bowl. (If you can't get whole segments, that's okay.) Squeeze the remaining membrane over a second bowl to release any juices; add the juices that have collected with the orange segments. Repeat with the remaining oranges.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a medium skillet. Stir in the cinnamon stick and a pinch of cayenne and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the orange juice, zest and honey and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, swirling occasionally, until the liquid thickens to a glaze, about 7 minutes more. Add the orange segments and cook until just warmed. Remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Spoon over toasted waffles, pancakes or French toast.

SPICED ORANGES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 4 cup glass measuring cup combine the brown sugar, heavy cream and light corn syrup. Set aside in microwave until later.
• To cut oranges into supremes: remove rind and pith. Over a bowl to catch the juices, cut in between skins to release supremes. Squeeze juice from skins over supremes and toss with a bit of cardamom to taste. Set supremes in 4 dessert bowls.
• When ready to eat microwave brown sugar mixture, uncovered at full power for 2 minutes. Whisk to blend, and cook 1 minute more until a bit thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Immediately pour over oranges and garnish with pistachios. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for a week. To soften, microwave 30 seconds to a minute, uncovered.

SPICED ORANGES

Steps:

• Place orange slices in a large stainless-steel saucepan; cover with cold water. Simmer until skins are tender, about 1 1/4 hours.
• Remove oranges with a slotted spoon; place in a colander to drain. Discard water.
• Combine sugar and vinegar in the same saucepan; stir over low heat. Bring to a boil. Add spices; simmer 10 minutes.
• Add oranges and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes, or until skins are translucent. Cool.
• Layer oranges in sterilized jars, cover with syrup, and seal. The oranges can be used right away, but the flavor will be improved by waiting 4 to 6 weeks.

MACERATED ORANGES WITH DATES AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Section the oranges by slicing off peel and cutting away each section from the membrane. Place in a medium-size serving bowl. Add orange blossom water and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Serve the dates and nuts on a platter alongside the bowl of chilled oranges.

SLICED ORANGES WITH DATES

Steps:

• Arrange orange segments or slices on a serving platter.
• Arrange dates on top of oranges.
• Sprinkle with toasted almonds.
• Drizzle with rose water.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Garnish with mint leaves before serving.
• NOTE: Rose water is a distillation or rose petals and can be purchased in Middle Eastern grocery stores.
• It has an intense flavor and fragrance of roses.
• It has been used for hundreds of years in the Middle East.