January 19, 2011

The Broiled Clementines Experiment {Powernap}

Broiled ClementinesThis is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.

Today’s Powernap Situation: Too many Clementines, what to do?

The only problem with Clementines is that there are so many in each bag. I mean, really, I don’t need 3 dozen fruits for three people. However, my daughter loves Clementines so I buy the big bag anyway and force my husband to take some to work while I gulp down equal amounts with every meal. I found this strategy of eating them in mass quantities is the best way to guarantee none will have a chance to rot and be thrown out. I hate wasting good food. I’ve baked with Clementines before but find that recipes usually only call for two or three of them. Not enough to make a significant dent in my bowl. Plus, it means adding more sweets to my day, not necessarily the healthiest way to enjoy fruit.

Last week I was staring at a near full bowl of Clemmies (my daughter’s name for them) knowing we were leaving on a trip in less than 48 hours. I wondered, could I slice them in half, sprinkle them with sugar and broil them like I did with oranges and grapefruits for a quick nutritious dessert? Would their juices caramelize enough that I could use some to make a delicious caramelized citrus vinaigrette?

While my daughter was at school I set to work slicing and sprinkling. I lined a baking dish with Clemmies, cut side up, sprinkled them with some raw sugar, because I think that tastes best, and popped them under the broiler until the sugar melted. About 4 minutes. Then I pulled them out quickly, dove in with a fork and was thrilled with what I tasted. The Clemmie juices had concentrated to the point that they were almost syrupy. After gobbling a few halves straight-up I used the rest of the Clemmies for the amazingly sweet juice. I squeezed some juice into a bowl and whisked it with olive oil, salt and pepper to create a scrumptious winter salad dressing for dinner that evening. I added a teaspoon to seltzer to make a yummy fizzy soda, and saved some to drizzle over the pound cake I planned to make the next day for our trip. All in all, the experiment was a great success. I am really glad to report that because not all of my experiments turns out as planned. I would’ve been bummed if they’d burned to a crisp and I’d wasted all that good fruit!

Recipe

Broiled Clementines with Raw Sugar

Ingredients

12 Clementines, cut in half
3 Tablespoons raw sugar, or more

Instructions

Turn the broiler onto high and line a baking dish with the halved Clementines, cut side up. Evenly sprinkle the fruit with the raw sugar. Make sure there is a single layer of sugar on top of each piece of fruit. Use as much sugar as necessary. Pop the fruit under the broiler and WATCH CAREFULLY. Do NOT leave the oven for even a second. The minute you see the sugar sugar melt and the juices start to bubble up out of the Clementine retrieve the fruit from the oven and allow to cool before eating.

Naptime Notes

Naptime Recipe Serving ideas

The juice is amazing! Eat the fruit just as it is. Squeeze the juice into salad dressing, seltzer or as a syrup over a simple yogurt cake.

Naptime Stopwatch

5 minutes prep time, x time for broiling

Naptime Reviews

Even my daughter enjoyed the Clemmies in this new, unfamiliar to her, form. Success!

5 Responses to “The Broiled Clementines Experiment {Powernap}”

  1. Lizthechef says:

    Terrific idea – our navel orange tree was pruned last year and now has literally hundreds of oranges. I’m going to try your recipe!

  2. JSteven3 says:

    I’ve used them in making homemade jello – Fanny Farmer has a great recipe. It’s easy, fun and SO much better than the boxed stuff!

  3. Aggie says:

    What a unique way to eat clementines! We have been eating them by the crateful! :() SO good!

  4. […] and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the […]