Dark Chocolate Dipped Candied Orange Peels

Ingredients:

3-4 Organic Navel Oranges

2 C Water

2 C Sugar, divided

8 oz Dark Chocolate

Directions:

Cut the top and bottom off each orange. Cut the remaining peels in 4 vertical pieces per orange. Remove peels from oranges and slice into 1/4-inch wide strips. 

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. 

Reduce heat to medium and cook orange peels in boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain water and rinse peels. 

Bring the 2 C of water and 1 C of sugar to a boil over medium heat. 

Add peels and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 45 minutes or until peels are tender. 

Drain peels well (liquid may be saved to use as orange flavored syrup) and toss in remaining 1 C of sugar. 

Place peels on a cooling rack and allow to dry for 24-48 hours. 

Once dried, melt dark chocolate by using a microwave safe bowl and putting dark chocolate in microwave at 50% power for one minute and stirring and repeating until melted and creamy. 

Dip or spoon melted chocolate onto orange peels. Place on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Refrigerate until chocolate is solid. 

* Adapted from http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/candied-orange-peel.html