How To Make Candied Citrus

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Peel the fruit

Use the peeler to remove the zest from the lemon. Try to remove as little of the fleshy white pith as possible. Repeat for both the orange and the lime. Until all the fruits peel has been removed.

Step 3: Slice the citrus peel

Carefully cut the lemon peel into long, thin slivers. Repeat this with the orange and then the lime peel.

They can be cut into larger strips if you prefer, but will take longer to cook.

Step 4: Blanch the peel

Put the cut strips into a saucepan of cold water and bring it to the boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove some of the peel's bitterness then strain into a sieve. This process is called blanching.

Step 5: Make the syrup

Slice along the length of the vanilla bean without cutting all the way through. Then carefully open it up and scrape out the pulp with the blade of the knife. Place both the bean and the pulp into a saucepan.

Add 300 ml of water and the sugar.

Step 6: Cook the peel

Place the saucepan on a high heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil and add in the peel. Give it a quick stir and turn down the heat.

Simmer in the syrup for approximately 15 minutes, until soft and translucent. Finally, transfer it into a bowl to cool.

Step 7: Serve

It is now ready to serve. When drained, use it to decorate cakes or any desserts. Stored in a sealed container, it will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.