Caramelized Mandarin Slices

Ingredients

• 8–10 mandarins or clementines
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp butter
• Optional: ½ tsp cinnamon or a little orange zest

Method

1. Peel the mandarins and separate them into segments. Remove as much white pith and seeds as possible.
2. Heat oven to 375°F / 190°C.
3. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, honey and lemon juice. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the syrup slightly thickens.
4. Stir in the butter and vanilla.
5. Arrange the mandarin segments in a single layer in a baking dish or sheet pan.
6. Pour the warm syrup over the fruit and gently toss to coat.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning the pieces gently once or twice, until they’re glossy, tender and lightly caramelized.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes. The syrup will thicken as it cools.

For the glossy look in the photo: don’t let the syrup get too dark. You want the fruit softened and shiny rather than heavily caramelized.

Serve warm over vanilla ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, cheesecake, or oatmeal.