Moroccan Orange Salad with Cinnamon and Orange Blossom Water
Local name: سلطة البرتقال بالقرفة
In short: Peeled orange slices dressed with orange blossom water, cinnamon and a little powdered sugar, chilled until cold. A light finish to a heavy meal. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
In Morocco, a plate of sliced oranges with cinnamon often ends a big lunch, especially after a tagine or couscous. The oranges are peeled thoroughly so no white pith remains, cut into rounds, and dusted with cinnamon and a spoonful of orange blossom water. Chilled, they taste clean and fragrant. It takes about fifteen minutes plus chilling, and the better the oranges, the better the salad, so make it in winter when citrus is at its best.
Instructions
- Cut a slice from the top and bottom of each orange. Stand it on a board and cut away the peel and white pith in strips, following the curve of the fruit.
- Slice the oranges crosswise into rounds about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick, removing any seeds. Lay them overlapping on a platter.
- Sprinkle the orange blossom water over the slices and dust with the powdered sugar.
- Shake the cinnamon over the top through a small sieve, drawing neat lines or a lattice if you like.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. Dust with a little more cinnamon and add mint leaves just before serving.
Tips
- Choose juicy, sweet oranges and taste one before adding sugar, since good fruit may need none. Blood oranges make a striking version.
- Orange blossom water is strong, so measure it carefully. If you do not have any, use a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt instead.
Questions and answers
Can I make orange salad ahead of time?
Yes, up to 6 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge and dust with fresh cinnamon just before serving so the color stays bright.
Where do I find orange blossom water?
Look in the baking or international aisle, or in Middle Eastern shops. A small bottle lasts a long time and is also used in many Moroccan pastries.
Is Moroccan orange salad a dessert or a side?
In Morocco it is served at the end of a meal as a light dessert. It also works as a refreshing side with grilled meat or fish.
How long does it take to make Moroccan Orange Salad with Cinnamon and Orange Blossom Water?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Moroccan Orange Salad with Cinnamon and Orange Blossom Water?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 33 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 26 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
