A great way to use orange peels is to make chocolate covered orange peels at home. Orange peels are first boiled in water and then boiled in sugar syrup to make candied orange peels. Candied orange peels are then dipped in melting chocolate. Chocolate can be melted in microwave or in instant pot as double boiler. Chocolate covered orange peels make a pleasant holiday gift!
Juice the oranges and remove the pith and scrape the white portion as much as possible
Slice the orange peels in about 1 cm strips
Boil the orange peels in water for 12 minutes and then discard the water
Boil for the second time for another 12 minutes and discard the water.
Boil 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to make a sugar syrup.
Boil the orange peels in the sugar syrup on medium low flame for about 45 minutes. It will have a nice shiny glaze. Some syrup will remain at the bottom of the pan.
Place the orange peels on a cooling rack and let it dry for about 8-10 hours
Making chocolate coated orange peels using microwave
Defrost the chocolate chips for 60 seconds in microwave, mixing every 15 seconds. Mix well until smooth
Dip the orange peels in the melted chocolate and coat well using a fork.
Place the chocolate covered orange peel on a wax paper for drying. It will dry in 10 - 15 minutes.
Making chocolate coated orange peels with instant pot as double boiler
Put 2 cups of water in the instant pot liner
Turn the saute mode on normal setting for 10 minutes
Place a stainless steel or a glass bowl over the instant pot liner.
Put melting chocolate wafers in the bowl and mix it with a spatula until it is melted and smooth
Turn the saute mode to low (if water starts boiling, then turn off instant pot by pressing cancel)
Dip the candied orange peels in the melted chocolate and coat well using a fork.
Place the chocolate-covered orange peel on wax paper for drying. It will take about 10 - 15 minutes to dry.