Spiced Oranges and Dates

**Jubes**'s Note:

Fresh oranges and dates in a spiced syrup. Recipe modified from a Woolworths Fresh Magazine recipe. I love fresh dates and this makes for a great fresh fruit dessert. Great served with fresh Greek yogurt or custard. You can add some orange liquer to make this extra special (add with the water and sugar). To toast your almonds- add them to a dry pan and heat them until fragrant and toasted. keep turned or tossed as they will toast quickly. Vegan suitable if served without the custard or yogurt

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup water
• 4 oranges , peeled with the pith removed
• orange peel- from one orange , cut into thin strips
• 4 whole cloves
• 4 slices fresh ginger
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick , broken
• 8 fresh dates , pitted and halved
• ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Add the water and sugar to a saucespan. Stir over heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the peel from one orange. cloves, ginger, star anise and cinnamon stick pieces. SImmer 10 minutes or until a syrup forms. Remove from the heat.
2. Slice the oranges into thick rounds. Remove the pits from the dates and cut the dates into halves. Add the oranges and dates to the sugar syrup. Set aside for 20 minutes.
3. Spoon the fruit onto one large platter to serve -- or into serving bowls. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top.
4. Serve with yogurt or custard.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

GREAT, GREAT COMBO OF FLAVORS! Used 8 large & juicy navel oranges along with Medjool dates (Yes, I doubled the recipe)! This was served on the side along with an 'addition of your choice' ~ vanilla yogurt, a store-bought vanilla custard, frozen vanilla yogurt, slices of zucchini bread & slices of a date & carrot loaf that I'd made! So many choices, so much indecision, but before the evening was over ALL the combinations were made AND ENJOYED! Definitely a keeper for me! [Tagged, made & reviewed in Maky My Recipe tag]