The Culinary Connoisseur
Orange Origins
Oranges originated close to four thousand years
ago in Asia, in the region from southern China to India. Sweet
oranges were introduced into Europe around the 15th century by
various groups including the Moors, and the Portuguese as well as the
Italian traders and explorers who found them on their voyages to Asia
and the Middle East.
ago in Asia, in the region from southern China to India. Sweet
oranges were introduced into Europe around the 15th century by
various groups including the Moors, and the Portuguese as well as the
Italian traders and explorers who found them on their voyages to Asia
and the Middle East.
Orange trees began to be grown in the Caribbean
Islands in the late 15th century after Christopher Columbus brought
the seeds there on his second voyage to the New World. Spanish
explorers are responsible for bringing oranges to Florida in the 16th
century, while Spanish missionaries brought them to California in the
18th century, beginning the cultivation of this citrus fruit in the
two states widely known for their oranges.
Islands in the late 15th century after Christopher Columbus brought
the seeds there on his second voyage to the New World. Spanish
explorers are responsible for bringing oranges to Florida in the 16th
century, while Spanish missionaries brought them to California in the
18th century, beginning the cultivation of this citrus fruit in the
two states widely known for their oranges.
Before the 20th century, oranges were very
expensive and therefore they were not regularly consumed, but rather
eaten on special occasions. After California farmers began shipping
oranges across the country on the newly finished transcontinental
railroad, the prices began to drop. In addition, food manufacturers
invented methods for using orange by-products such as citric acid,
making them useful to other industries. Oranges were then consumed
on a wide scale, as they are today. Currently, the countries that are
some of the largest commercial producers of oranges include the
United States, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, China and Israel.
expensive and therefore they were not regularly consumed, but rather
eaten on special occasions. After California farmers began shipping
oranges across the country on the newly finished transcontinental
railroad, the prices began to drop. In addition, food manufacturers
invented methods for using orange by-products such as citric acid,
making them useful to other industries. Oranges were then consumed
on a wide scale, as they are today. Currently, the countries that are
some of the largest commercial producers of oranges include the
United States, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, China and Israel.
Oranges are one of the most popular fruits
around the world. While they are a tasty snack and a popular recipe
ingredient, for many Americans it is their juice that is most
associated with good health, having a reputation for being an
integral part of a healthy breakfast.
around the world. While they are a tasty snack and a popular recipe
ingredient, for many Americans it is their juice that is most
associated with good health, having a reputation for being an
integral part of a healthy breakfast.
Oranges are round citrus fruits with
finely-textured skins that are, of course, orange in color just like
their pulpy flesh. They usually range from about two to three inches
in diameter.
finely-textured skins that are, of course, orange in color just like
their pulpy flesh. They usually range from about two to three inches
in diameter.
Oranges are classified into two general
categories—sweet and bitter—with the former being the type most
commonly consumed. Popular varieties of the sweet orange include
Valencia, Navel and Jaffa oranges, as well as the blood orange, a
hybrid species that is smaller in size, more aromatic and has red
flesh.
categories—sweet and bitter—with the former being the type most
commonly consumed. Popular varieties of the sweet orange include
Valencia, Navel and Jaffa oranges, as well as the blood orange, a
hybrid species that is smaller in size, more aromatic and has red
flesh.
Bitter oranges are usually used to make jam or
marmalade, and their zest serves as the flavoring for orange liqueurs
such as Grand Marnier and Cointreau.
marmalade, and their zest serves as the flavoring for orange liqueurs
such as Grand Marnier and Cointreau.
You already know that oranges are an excellent
source of vitamin C but you may not realize the extent to which
oranges are important for good health. Vitamin C is the primary
antioxidant in the body, disarming free radicals and preventing
damage to cells, especially in the digestive tract. This is why a
good intake of vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of colon
cancer.
source of vitamin C but you may not realize the extent to which
oranges are important for good health. Vitamin C is the primary
antioxidant in the body, disarming free radicals and preventing
damage to cells, especially in the digestive tract. This is why a
good intake of vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of colon
cancer.
Oranges are at their peak between December and
April so now a good time to try adding oranges to your diet every
day.
April so now a good time to try adding oranges to your diet every
day.
A simple and delicious salad jam-packed with
vitamins!
vitamins!
5 cups broccoli flowerets, thawed if frozen
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 oranges, peeled and sliced in wheels
½ cup black or kalamata olives, sliced
1 orange, peel zested and juiced
5 scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Steam broccoli flowerets in covered saucepan
for 2 minutes only. Remove quickly and rinse with cold running water
until broccoli is no longer warm. Do not cook further. Place in
serving bowl and chill, covered.
for 2 minutes only. Remove quickly and rinse with cold running water
until broccoli is no longer warm. Do not cook further. Place in
serving bowl and chill, covered.
Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, combine
almonds, orange slices, olives, grated peel and juice from orange,
scallions, and remaining ingredients except for salt and pepper. Toss
gently and allow to stand at room temperature for about 15 to 30
minutes.
almonds, orange slices, olives, grated peel and juice from orange,
scallions, and remaining ingredients except for salt and pepper. Toss
gently and allow to stand at room temperature for about 15 to 30
minutes.
When ready to serve, pour marinated orange
mixture on chilled broccoli and toss very gently. Season to taste
with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve.
mixture on chilled broccoli and toss very gently. Season to taste
with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve.
Chicken breasts are coated and browned; then
they’re simmered in a scrumptious sauce made with orange, tarragon,
garlic, parsley and onion.
they’re simmered in a scrumptious sauce made with orange, tarragon,
garlic, parsley and onion.
4 half chicken breasts, skinned (about 2 lbs.)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 orange, zested
1 orange, juiced
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, crushed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 oranges, peeled, cut in half slices
fresh parsley, checked and chopped
Combine mayonnaise and egg in a shallow bowl.
Dip chicken in mayonnaise mixture, coat with flour.
Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in large skillet
and lightly brown chicken on all sides in oil. Add onion, orange
juice and zest, tarragon, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.
and lightly brown chicken on all sides in oil. Add onion, orange
juice and zest, tarragon, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and cover, continue cooking over
low heat 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender. Add
orange slices, heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
low heat 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender. Add
orange slices, heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
The nutty taste of brown and wild rice
is paired with fresh orange which gives this dish an extra burst of
flavor. Wild Rice with Oranges is great as a side dish or add
shredded cooked chicken and serve as a main dish!
is paired with fresh orange which gives this dish an extra burst of
flavor. Wild Rice with Oranges is great as a side dish or add
shredded cooked chicken and serve as a main dish!
1 package (6 oz.) brown and wild rice mix
2 oranges, peeled, separated into segments,
then halved
Prepare rice mix according to package
directions, cooking in unsalted water.
then halved
1/3 cup chicken or beef broth
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup each bite sized strips red and green
bell peppers
bell peppers
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
freshly ground pepper to taste
Prepare rice mix according to package
directions, cooking in unsalted water.
In a skillet heat a few tablespoons of chicken
broth. Sauté onion in broth 3 minutes, add bell peppers and more
broth if necessary, stir in orange zest, sage and pepper. Sauté 3 to
4 minutes more or until vegetables are tender.
broth. Sauté onion in broth 3 minutes, add bell peppers and more
broth if necessary, stir in orange zest, sage and pepper. Sauté 3 to
4 minutes more or until vegetables are tender.
When rice is done, stir in orange half segments
and vegetable mixture, heat through and serve.
and vegetable mixture, heat through and serve.