Iced Oranges – Piglet’s “Foodie Friday” Recipe Challenge

The weather here in Portugal, over the last few weeks, has been bright and sunny with temperatures up to 20C. The warm weather is an early reminder that my “tractor tyre” midriff currently concealed, but still lurking under the layers of winter clothes, needs urgent attention. Oh no, I need to focus on the dreaded “D” word!.

Looking for inspiration I found a great recipe for “Iced Oranges”. Not only is it simple to prepare and absolutely delicious – it is fat-free!

Ingredients

Serves 8
5oz/150g granulated sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
4fl oz/120ml water
14 oranges
8 fresh bay leaves to decorate (or mint if this is more readily available)

1. Put the sugar in a heavy-based saucepan. Add half the lemon juice, then add the water. Cook over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to boil and boil for 2-3 minutes until the syrup is clear.

2. Slice the tops off eight of the oranges to make “hats”. Scoop out the flesh of the oranges and reserve. Freeze the empty orange shells and “hats” until needed.

3. Grate the rind of the remaining oranges and add to the syrup. Squeeze the orange juice from the oranges, and from the reserved flesh. There should be 1¼pints/750ml. Squeeze another orange or add bought orange juice, if necessary.

4. Stir the orange juice and remaining lemon juice, with 6 tablespoons/90ml of water into the syrup. Taste, adding more lemon juice or sugar as desired. Pour the mixture into a shallow freezer container and freeze for 3 hours.

5. Turn the orange sorbet mixture into a bowl and whisk thoroughly to break up ice crystals. Freeze for 4 hours more, until firm, but not solid.

6. Pack the mixture into the hollowed-out orange shells, mounding it up, and set the “hats” on top. Freeze until ready to serve. Just before serving, push a skewer into the tops of the “hats” and push in a bay leaf (mint) to decorate.

Enjoy!

Recipe taken from “The Fat-Free Cook Book”

I am looking for more fat-free desserts and lunches…any ideas please?