Dried citrus fruits are a great thing that is used literally everywhere. Do you doubt it? Then name just one more product offhand that can be simultaneously adapted for decoration, aroma, cosmetic procedures, and the leftovers can be simply eaten. But the orange is definitely possible! But in order for the neat circles to remain intact and safe, they must be properly dried. Let's tell you how!
1. Dried oranges per night
Cut into even, pitted orange circles 3-5 mm thick and soak them in lemon water for 20 minutes to keep them bright. Turn on the oven at 70 degrees, and while it is warming up, put the citrus fruits on the wire rack. Leave them there overnight (about 7-8 hours) and you will get evenly dry oranges.
2. Express drying in the oven
It is possible to cope with the oven much faster, but a different temperature regime is needed. Place the circles on a baking sheet on a parchment or Teflon mat and place them in an oven heated to 150 degrees. Remember to use convection to evaporate the juice and circulate the air.
After 15 minutes, take out the oranges, turn them over to the other side and put them on 15. But do not overexpose this time, otherwise you risk frying the citruses, not drying them. After that, drop to 70 degrees and bake for another hour. By the way, if you don't have convection, just open the door a little.
3. Air drying oranges
Take a large flat dish, cutting board, or any other suitable surface and line it with parchment. Arrange the oranges in one layer at a distance and take them outside (if you live in your house) or just on the balcony. If it is warm and sunny outside, they will dry out in a few days.
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4. Drying oranges on a battery
If it's winter outside and the street doesn't help you in any way, use a radiator. Pierce a thick cardboard sheet with a screwdriver or an awl to circulate air from all sides. Spread out the oranges and place the pad on the battery for a couple of days. Turn the circles periodically, and in the end, simply transfer them to the table overnight so that they finally dry up.
5. Dried oranges with rime
An interesting relief, similar to hoarfrost or rime, can be made with ordinary gelatin. To do this, sprinkle them tightly with freshly chopped orange slices until they are laid out on a baking sheet. Place in oven at 80 degrees and turn every 20 minutes until dry.
Keep in mind that an orange in gelatin will not dry out like chips - it will remain slightly damp and sticky. You will need to dry the frost in the fresh air by laying out the citrus fruits on a waffle towel or lint-free rag.
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6. Drying oranges in a pan
Dab off excess moisture on orange circles with paper towels or microfiber. Put them in one layer on a skillet, first covering it with parchment. Put the slices on the stove on a slow fire and turn the slices constantly so that they do not burn or fry.
7. Drying oranges in the microwave
You will need a large flat and fireproof plate on which you will arrange the circles. Only at first, they traditionally covered it with parchment so that nothing would stick. Run the microwave in short cycles of 30-40 seconds and make sure that the oranges do not burn or flash.
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8. Drying oranges in a dryer
This is the simplest method with the best result, but it requires a special dryer (aka a dehydrator). But you just need to spread the slices, set the mode and leave everything for the night or day. With this drying, orange slices remain bright, dry evenly and retain their shape well. If your model requires it, rearrange the shelves in the process.
