Sugared Oranges

Independence Day is that all important celebration of the birthday of the United States of America. It's the day our forefathers declared this country independent from the United Kingdom. It's certainly not a holiday when you should be cooped up in the kitchen! So, make up these Sugared Oranges and get out there to celebrate.

12 lg Oranges
200 g Sugar (7 oz)
3 tb Grand Marnier or Cointreau
2 tb Grenadine syrup
Peel the zest from the oranges in long strips, taking as little of the pith as possible.

Cut the zest into very, very fine julienne strips.

Remove the pith in vertical strips to expose the flesh of the oranges. Then, holding the oranges over a strainer with a bowl beneath to catch all the juice, cut each segment away from the membranes that divide one from another, and from the central core of pith.

Squeeze all the discarded membranes to extract every drop of juice, if any flesh remains on them, and add it to the already collected juice.

Blanch the julienned zest in bouling water for 1 minute. Refresh in cold water and drain in a sieve.

Put the sugar into a large, wide saucepan and cook over a moderate, steady heat until the sugar melts and becomes a light golden color.

Add the collected orange juice and, stirring to mix well, cook until the liquid has the consistency of a light syrup.

Add the julienned zest to the sysrup, as well as the liqueur and the grenadine syrup. If a scum forms, remove it with a spoon as if you were making jam. Bring it briefly to the boil.

Add the orange segments and shake the pan well so that they all absorb the syrup. They should be hot, but they should not be allowed to cook. Set the pan aside.

Add another drop of liqueur to the pan. Arrange the segments on four plates to look like stars. Coat them with the sysrup and decorate with the julienned zests.

Hhhmmm…I just can't keep my hands off of these Sugared Oranges