Julia Childs Candied Citrus Peel Recipes

CANDIED CITRUS PEEL: MAKE YOUR OWN LEMON, ORANGE OR GRAPEFRUIT CANDY AND GARNISH

Steps:

• Cut each piece of fruit into 8 wedges, then remove the flesh from the skin. Cut each peel into strips.
• Put the strips into a small pan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Drain the liquid then repeat with fresh water, however this time, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Now, drain the liquid again, but reserve it in a measuring jug. Put the strips of peel in a bowl. Add 100g (1/2 cup) sugar to each 100ml (3 1/2 ounces) of water, then pour into a pan over low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the strips and simmer for 30 mins until the peel is translucent and soft. Allow to cool in the syrup, then remove with a fork and arrange in a single layer on a wire rack to dry. You can place the rack in a warm oven for half an hour, but I didn't do this.
• Next, dip the strips of peel into a bowl of sugar, a few at a time, then place on parchment or waxed paper and allow to dry for at least an hour.
• Keep the candied peel in an airtight tin or container lined with baking parchment. It will keep for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dry place.

CANDIED CITRUS PEEL

Steps:

• Using a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the fruit, leaving the bitter white pith.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the peel into strips, according to intended use. If you want to use the candied peel on cakes or tarts, cut it into matchstick strips; if candying to dip in chocolate, cut the peel into larger strips.
• Place the strips in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, drain, and refresh under cold running water.
• Return to the saucepan, add the sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over moderate heat until the liquid has evaporated and the peel is bright and shiny.
• Spread peel on a sheet of foil to cool, separating the strips.
• Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. The candied peel will keep for up to 6 months.

JULIA CHILD'S CANDIED CITRUS PEEL

Steps:

• With a vegetable peeler, carefully remove the zest from the lemons without getting any of the white pith included. Cut them into julienne strips 1 1/2 inches long and less than 1/8 inch wide.
• In 1 quart of water, simmer the zests for 6 minutes, then drain and rinse in cold water. Set aside.
• Bring the 1/3 cup water to a simmer in a saucepan and add the sugar, stirring until completely dissolved.
• Cover the pan tightly and, as Julia says, "boil for a moment or two, until the last drops of syrup to fall from the end of a metal spoon form a thread." (This part of Julia's recipe is, I understand, a little vague. Yet sometimes cooking requires the actual experience to really know, and perhaps this is one of those times.).
• Remove saucepan from the heat, stir in the peel and let steep for an hour.
• Use in the "Fresh Lemon Sherbet" recipe or store in the refrigerator in a covered jar where it will keep for weeks.
• Makes one batch of candied zests for the 12 servings of sherbet.