We can't think of anything more festive than the aroma of dehydrated citrus decorations in the air, and for that special touch of Australiana, we have included native eucalyptus gum leaves! As well being all natural and compostable when Christmas is over, these decorations are a fun activity to make with the kids during week one of their School Holiday break!
We can't think of anything more festive than the aroma of dehydrated citrus decorations in the air, and for that special touch of Australiana, we have included native eucalyptus gum leaves! As well being all natural and compostable when Christmas is over, these decorations are aINGREDIENTS/ MATERIALS:
-
5-6 oranges
-
2 packets of cinnamon sticks
-
1 bunch gum leaves with nuts
-
Natural coloured cotton or jute string
METHOD:
-
Slice the oranges into thin slices 4mm thick. Remove any pips and place them on 2 large baking trays lined with a sheet of baking paper.
-
Bake in the oven on a low heat at 120° for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. Keep an eye on them to prevent them from burning, you're looking for a nice golden orange colour and all of the orange flesh to be dehydrated. Half way through the cooking process flip them over so they dehydrate on the over side.
-
Remove them from the oven and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.
-
Use a skewer to poke a hole through the top of a citrus slice under neath the rind. Thread a piece of string roughly 30cm long through and tie a knot. Attach a cinnamon stick, gum leaves or gum nuts and knot again to secure it in place across the top of the citrus slice. Leave the two strings long for attaching to the tree in a bow.
Guide and photography by Bonnie Coumbe. Visit her site here & Instagram here.
N.B: This recipe is for the creation of decorative - not edible - dehydrated citrus decorations.
