Citrus fruit is abundant in winter. I was lucky enough to have a friend with a cumquat tree that was laden with fruit, so I have prepared several jars of brandied cumquats for friends this Christmas. As this fruit does go out of season, we have also added an alternative recipe using oranges, below.
Ingredients
- 500g fresh cumquats
- 1½ cups Slim Sweet™ Monk Fruit sweetener
- 1 ¼ cups brandy
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tspn vanilla extract
Method
- Prepare your sterilised jars.
- Wash and dry your cumquats really well. It is important to prick each one several times with a fine skewer or thick needle, so that the sweetened brandy can penetrate through the skin.
- Mix the brandy with the Slim Sweet™ Monk Fruit sweetener. This will not be completely dissolved, so stir again before pouring over the cumquats.
- Place cumquats, cinnamon and vanilla extract into a sterilised jar; pour over enough of the combined sugar and brandy to cover cumquats completely. Seal.
- Stand the jars in a cool, dark place for at least 2 months before using. Tip the jars upside down every few days to help dissolve the Slimsweet Monk Fruit sweetener.
- Delicious served with whipped cream or decadent homemade icecream , sugar free of course. You can drink the cumquat brandy as a liqueur.
Tip
STERILISING JARS
Wash jars and lids in hot soapy water, rinse well and place lids upside down on a wire rack to dry. Place jars on paper lined baking tray right side up. Place in cold oven and turn heat to 120°C/100°C fan-forced. Heat for 30 minutes. You can also place clean jars and lids upside-down in a dishwasher and put through a wash-dry cycle without detergent. Use the jars hot from the dishwasher.
Brandied Oranges
Ingredients
- 6 oranges, preferably organic
- 150ml water
- ½ cup Slim Sweet™ Monk Fruit sweetener
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ¾ cup brandy
Method
- Prepare your sterilised jars.
- Wash and dry your oranges really well. Pat dry. Peel the zest of 2 of the oranges and set aside to add later.
- Peel the other 4 oranges and remove every trace of pith from all 6 oranges. Slice the oranges and arrange in the sterilised jars.
- Place the water, Slim Sweet™ Monk Fruit and cinnamon sticks into a small saucepan, and bring to the boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
- Add the reserved orange zest and brandy to the syrup and stir well. Cut each cinnamon stick into 3 – 4 pieces with a sharp knife and return to the pan.
- Pour the syrupy liquid over the oranges until they are completely covered and seal the jars. Place in a cool, dark place for at least a month before using.
- Delicious served with whipped cream or decadent homemade icecream , sugar free of course. You can drink the orange brandy as a liqueur.