Tutorial - My Halloween Jack 'O' Lanterns

Family Fun that everyone will enjoy.

Here's an easy & fun way of turning your oranges into the perfect yummy little Jack 'O' Lanterns for your next Scary party or Halloween Night.

(This recipe comes from Woman's Day kid's Cooking book &

 I have adapted it to give it that jack 'o' lantern look)

You'll need:

> 4 Oranges

> 1/2 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)

> 3 teaspoons gelatine

> 1/2 cup just boiled water

Adjust quantity as suited.

Step 1. Cut the tops of your oranges off approximately 1/4 of the way down. This will create the lid & the body of your little Jack 'O' Lanterns.

Step 2. Juice & strain your oranges halves & quarters into a jug.  Being careful not to rip or tear the skin of your orange. (I like to strain my juice twice just to make sure I've got not hidden pulp).

Step 3. Scrape flesh from the skins, again being careful not to tear the outer skin (I have a little tear in the photo above oops!!! ).   Place the skins in a bowl & cover with boiling water. Stand for 1 minute before draining & rinsing under cold water.  Place on a wire rack & drain.

(My little tip that works well for me: rinse under running water whilst removing the last of the pulp/flesh. I find this easier for getting it out without tearing the skin & then follow with the draining on the wire rack).  

Step 4. In a small saucepan, combine your freshly squeezed orange juice & sugar. Stir over a low heat until the sugar dissolves.  Once sugar has dissolved bring to the boil over high heat. 

Reduce heat to low & simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 5. Place your orange halves & quarters in the recess of your muffin pan.

In a small jug, using a fork, whisk  gelatine briskly into the just boiled water until dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Blend gelatine mixture into orange mixture in pan.  Pour into orange skins.

Step 6. Chill for 3 hours or overnight until set.

Step 7. Carving your Jack 'O' Lanterns Face.  Taking a small sharp paring knife, start cutting out your Lanterns eyes by making small triangular incisions. Being careful not to cut to deeply. You want to make sure you only take out the skin & not your yummy jelly inside.

Step 8.  Continue carving out your sweet little Jack 'o' Lanterns until you've made his complete face. (Remember to make sure you are flicking the orange skin carving outwards & not pushing them back into the jelly.

My little guy is happy now he has a mouth.

Step 9. When carving his mouth, it's easier to make a series of 3 triangular peaks along the top & then one long continuous straight cut along the bottom.  But of course the ideas are limitless & are up to your own imagination. 

  

Ta Dah.....Our finished little guy.

Instead of the orange jelly, you could also try orange sorbet. Follow the above methods, & instead of adding the jelly, pop in a few scoops of your favorite ice-cream or sorbet & then place in the freezer until ready to serve.  

Your kids are going to love these & the adults wont mind trying one either...

 Enjoy 

Kiddilicious xx