caramel-dipped oranges with toasted almonds

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

MAKES: 4 servings

Sweet caramel, toasty and crunchy nuts, and juicy sections of orange make a quick yet satisfying dessert.

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Ingredients

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
3/4 cup sugar
2 oranges, peeled, sections separated

Instructions

Heat oven to 350º. Spread nuts on a baking sheet and bake, stirring once, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a 1-quart saucepan, gently stir together sugar and 1 tablespoon water until sugar is the consistency of wet sand. Cook over low heat, without stirring, until caramel is a light golden color, about 9 minutes. Remove from heat.

Carefully dip 1 side of 1 orange section in the caramel, then transfer to prepared baking sheet, caramel-side up. Repeat with remaining orange sections. Divide nuts among serving bowls. Top with orange sections.

January 2011