25 Ways to Use Oranges

By: Contributor

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Oranges are available year-round, but during winter (when citrus is in season) they give us the little burst of tropical elements and vitamin C that we need to stave off cabin fever and colds alike. So while you’re sifting through these recipes and deciding which ones you need to make immediately, put on the Beach Boys and channel your inner tropical paradise.

  1. Crepes Suzette with Vanilla Ice Cream and Orange Butter Sauce is a classic combo. Crepes should be paper thin, so just use a small ladle of the batter in a smoking-hot pan — it may take a few tries to get them looking perfect, but even mess-ups will taste good with some ice cream.
  2. Quick-cooking Grilled Pork Tenderloin a la Rodriguez with Guava and Orange-Habanero Mojo (pictured above) will be a winner with the whole family. Habaneros normally hit around 200,000 on the Scoville scale, which means they’re super-hot — don’t touch your face or eyes after chopping!
  3. A quick blender ice cream cools down Tyler Florence’s Orange Cream Mimosa. Substitute the Champagne with sparkling cider or ginger ale for an under-21-friendly libation.
  4. Orange zest can be just as important as the fruit itself, as it gives off a strong fruity-floral flavor without the sweetness from the juice. Experiment with orange zest in everything from marinades to salad dressing to desserts like Toasted Coconut and Orange Icebox Cookies.
  5. Nothing chases away the winter blues like fiery San Diego-Style Blue Corn Salmon Tacos with Orange-Habanero Hot Sauce.
  6. Dip cut oranges in sugar, then grill to caramelize for marinated Spicy Jerk Wings with Sugared Oranges.
  7. Orange and Chocolate Zeppole are rolled in orange zest sugar after frying for ultimate deliciousness.
  8. Weekend flavor for a weeknight time frame: Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Rosemary Balsamic and Orange Sauce.
  9. Blanch orange zest to remove the bitterness in a simple dessert of Oranges with Amber Caramel and Candied Zest.
  10. Bobby Flay’s Orange French Yogurt Cake with Marmalade Glaze has a triple threat of orange with zest, marmalade and liqueur.
  1. Orange, Red Onion and Fennel Salad gets a savory kick from olive oil-cured olives.
  2. Use leftover candied orange zest from No. 9 on this list for Laura Calder’s Orange Almond Cake, or try out Alton Brown’s super-simple Aunt Verna's Orange Cake.
  3. Movie night will never be the same after Michael Chiarello’s Chocolate-Orange Brown Butter Flavored Popcorn.
  4. Sticky Toffee Date and Orange Pudding. Yep, Nadia G. went there.
  5. Orange supremes (segments) are a great trick to have in your bag. Slice off the top and bottom of an orange, then slice off the remaining skin and pith. Using a paring knife, follow the membranes of the orange to remove individual segments. Try out this method with Orange Panna Cotta.
  6. Schiacciata is a Tuscan flatbread topped with goodies. It's sweet and savory and delicious all over. Try out Dried Fruit Schiacciata with Rosemary, Orange and Anise.
  1. Lighten up with Giada’s prosciutto-spotted Spinach Salad with Orange Vinaigrette.
  2. Nothing says “classy boozy brunch” like a Mandarin Orange Champagne Cocktail, which is sweetened with canned Mandarin oranges.
  3. Simple Pink Grapefruit and Orange Terrine is a jiggly gelatin dessert for grownups.
  4. Spice up Meatless Monday with Kidney Bean Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Oranges, which comes together in less than an hour.
  5. A mini muffin tin is the only equipment you need to make Giada’s Individual Orange and Chocolate Cheesecakes.
  6. Amp up a bottle of wine with orange peel and coriander seeds with Laura’s Orange Peel Wine. Use the back of a knife to scrape off any white (bitter) pith before adding to the wine.
  7. It’s like carrot cake, but individual portions for easier consumption: Carrot Cookies with Orange Buttercream Icing.
  8. If you still shy away from beets, start off nice and easy with a Roasted Beet Salad with Orange and Creamy Goat Cheese Dressing.
  9. Instant espresso brings out the chocolate flavor in Giada’s Espresso Chocolate Mousse with Orange Mascarpone Whipped Cream.
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