Orange trees grow almost like weeds here in the Algarve, except when I try to grow one of course! However, driving through the Algarve countryside it grieves me to see the amount of oranges that are just left to rot on the trees or on ground where they fall – what a waste! Still, hopefully by Christmas I may have a few home-grown oranges of my own which will certainly not be left to rot.
Always on the look out for unusual recipes I rediscovered this recipe in some old recipe notes I’d made years ago. It’s low-calorie and low-fat, so probably I was on a diet at the time! Adding mint, and a fresh lemon juice and vinegar dressing gives these simple sliced oranges a really unusual twist.
Ingredients
2 large oranges
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint
Dressing
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
Caster sugar
Preparation
Peel oranges and remove pith. Cut oranges across the diameter into thin slices. Place into serving dish in layers sprinkling a little fresh mint on each layer.
Dressing
Mix lemon juice and wine vinegar. Add salt, pepper and sugar to personal taste.
Pour dressing over oranges and garnish with sprigs of mint.
Mint and orange go surprisingly well together, but it is the dressing that gives this salad a real “zing”. Mr. Piglet was not to sure as I served it for his dessert. Perhaps I should serve as a starter?
Related posts: Iced Oranges
I would like a nice tried and tested recipe for bolo da laranga (orange cake)if anyone can help, please…
or please share your favourite recipes which use fresh oranges!
Piglet in Portugal 
I’ve never thought of having mint and orange but it does look tasty – and refreshing.
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One thing I miss about living in Portugal was picking fresh oranges and lemons.
Sitting under the shade of a tree having a freshly squeezed lemon over the sardines and a nice juicy orange to finish off lunch, what more could you ask for.
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This looks so healthy and tasty, PiP, I would never have thought of this combination.
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Looks and sounds delicious. Yum! 🙂
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Sounds lovely. Thanks for that – will give it a go.
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Let us know how you get on?
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Sounds good! Will try it with the vinegar and with the cinnamon and sugar as soon as I can get my hands on fresh oranges. The ones on my tree are still green and small.
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Hi Mara,
The cinnamn does sound an interesting combination!
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Refreshing! Thank you!
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The Algarve is known for its abundant orange production. What a pity people leave fruit on their trees or let them fall on the ground and rot! I need to try this salad, but until I taste it I don´t know if I would eat it as a dessert because of the vinegar…
Give this Whole orange cake a try, it´s moist and tasty. http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Whole-Orange-Cake-L2555.html
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Hi Sami, give it a try! Like the look of the recipe will give it a try.
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We love this salad and make it a lot. And sometimes as dessert we serve it with sugar and cinnamon….yummy!
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Hi Chica, it’s quite quirky not sure if I should serve it as a sort of starter, as part of a salad or as a desert. I made it again recently skipped the vinegar and lemon, and added blueberries. Delicious!
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Thanks, I will most definitely try this out 🙂
I searched for orange cake recipes for you, but haven’t tried them out myself. Good luck!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/orange-cake/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/beat-and-bake-orange-cake/detail.aspx
http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/dessertsandcookies/r/orange_cake.htm
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-orange-cake
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Hi Marion, thanks I will check them out!
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