Sweet orange salad

Makes: 4|Cooks In: 30 mins|Difficulty: Easy

“This sweet citrus salad is a joy to see and quite a taste sensation. I like to think of it as a base to which more elements can be added, such as pineapple or ice-cream, but with the contrasting elements of sweetness and chilli-heat, it is equally good just as it is.”

Ingredients

3 oranges
2 pink grapefruit (or 1 pink and 1 standard grapefruit)
150 g caster sugar
juice of 1 orange
juice of 1 lemon
1 ⁄2 teaspoon finely chopped chilli
1 ⁄2 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
5 cm piece lemongrass stalk, split in half

Method

Step 1

Use a sharp knife to peel the oranges and grapefruit. Carefully slice away all the pith and cut into manageable slices – they shouldn’t be too thin.

Step 2

Place the sugar in a small saucepan with enough water to just cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer until it forms a light blond syrup. Remove from the heat and add the orange and lemon juices. Be careful that it doesn’t spatter and burn you.

Step 3

The sugar will harden, but will dissolve again as you stir. When the syrup has cooled a little, add the chilli and ginger. Once it has cooled completely, add the lemongrass and leave the syrup to infuse.

Step 4

Pour the cold syrup over the sliced fruit and leave to marinate for a few hours in the fridge. Serve chilled or at room temperature, as preferred.

Step 5

Serve chilled or at room temperature, as preferred.