Christmas Green Orange Dust

Garnishes are very important to the gourmet cook and by adding a tiny touch to the simplest plate turns it into a masterpiece of design.  If you want to make your presentations special, make a powdery dust of candied orange peels.

It’s really quite simple.  Gather together:

6 oranges, mine were a little green

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup water

4 drops green food coloring

Using a potato peeler, peel the oranges into thin strips. Place the peels in a medium-size saucepan and add the sugar, water and food coloring. Cook on high until the liquid begins to boil. Turn down to medium and cook until the syrup begins to thicken, 10-15 minutes.

Lift the peels out of the saucepan with a slotted spoon and spread them out on a cookie sheet lined with Pam-sprayed foil. They should not touch one another. I used 2 forks to ease them apart. Bake in a 325 degree oven until dry but not brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool at room temperature.

Grind them in a spice mill or coffee grinder until powdery. Store in a tightly sealed Jar. The dust retains it flavor for several weeks.

Now that you have your dust, you will find many ways to use it to enhance the look and taste of any dish. Dust your broiled, sauteed or roasted meat, fish or poultry. Dust the tops of your cookies or cakes, bread puddings or Jello. Sprinkle a little dust over your salads, vegetables or cereals.

Why not encircle the rim of your beautifully presented dinner plate with a light sprinkling of Christmas green orange dust? Your plate will look like a wreath.

Dust make an interesting and fun gift when it’s presented in a tiny bag tied with a Christmas bow and gift tag labeled “Christmas Green Orange Dust made especially for you”.

If you really want to make an impression, create some yellow lemon dust and dust your next Lemon Meringue Pie!