moroccan citrus salad & how to supreme an orange

by Stacy

A local Moroccan restaurant offers a simple dessert of orange segments, strawberries, and orange blossom water. It’s lovely and understated, and a perfect way to cap off a delicious Moroccan meal.

But when you’re invited to a fall potluck when strawberries are decidedly not in season, what’s a girl to do?

easy moroccan citrus salad

Instead of studding the lovely in-season oranges with cardboard sham berries, I opted for the beautiful pops of color from an in-season pomegranate. The contrast in textures and flavors worked brilliantly. It’s simple, striking, and the orange blossom water adds a mysterious floral perfume.

Then I had the following conversation at least 5 times:
What’s in this?
Oranges, pomegranate, and orange blossom water.
Ooh, what else?
That’s it.
Really? Just oranges, pomegranate, and ….
… orange blossom water.
Orange blossom water. Where…
Middle Eastern grocery stores. It’s about $2.50.
Ahh, thank you. So oranges, pomegranate, and orange…. blossom… water.

orange supreme

The only prep time involved is to supreme the oranges. This recipe was the first time I had done so myself, but a few oranges in and I was working much faster. Supremes are just citrus segments cut away from all the membranes, pith, and peel of the fruit for a cleaner presentation. Technically you could just peel and segment them, but this is prettier.

First, slice off the top and bottom of the orange so they are flat. I used my santoku, you could use a smaller knife so long as it’s sharp.

Then, slice away the peel and all white pith from top-to-bottom in a curving motion. Work your way around the orange.

orange supreme

You can do this with the orange on the cutting board if you prefer. I risked life and limb for these photos for you!

Once the orange is naked, line up your knife along the membrane between segments and slice toward the center. Repeat on the other side of membrane until you have clean slices.

orange supreme

Voila! Orange supremes.

Not sure how to seed a pomegranate? Got you covered.

Now sprinkle in a few drops of potent, floral orange blossom water, mix in some gorgeous pomegranate arils, and impress everyone at your next event with such a simple recipe.

[amd-recipeseo-recipe:1]

easy moroccan citrus salad

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

Aileen @ Pharmafoodie December 14, 2011 at 7:05 pm

I find supreme-ing oranges to be kind of fun, but find the term odd. I’m going to try your pomegranate technique – we just tried the water technique, which is very clean (your kitchen doesn’t look like a crime scene), but I’m not sure if you’re washing all the juices away? Pomegranates are strange but delicious fruits. It was fun to see the trees in Granata, Spain, which incidentally is the Spanish word for pomegranates.

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Stacy December 31, 2011 at 12:32 pm

Ooh, fun fact! I’ve also seen the method I used combined with removing the arils in a bowl of water. The little bits of membrane float, but then you have to strain everything. Six of one, half dozen of the other, so long as I get my pomegranate seeds!

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Nicole December 14, 2011 at 10:28 pm

Beautiful!

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Stacy December 31, 2011 at 12:33 pm

Thanks, Nicole. =)

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Rachel Johnson December 15, 2011 at 12:47 pm

It looks very tasty and refreshing. I need to find some orange blossom water!

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Stacy December 31, 2011 at 12:35 pm

After so many baked goods during the holidays, it’s a nice seasonal sweet treat. Enjoy!

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Emily December 16, 2011 at 2:35 pm

well doesn’t that just look and sound amazing! gorgeous pictures. :)
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Stacy December 31, 2011 at 12:35 pm

Thanks, lovely!

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Birch December 16, 2011 at 3:48 pm

I don’t approve of your knife safety.. children read this blog, you know!

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Mom December 16, 2011 at 5:18 pm

When I do the oranges, I use my serated grapefruit knife. That makes it MUCH easier to cut through the skins and section, and you can do it in your hand and not draw blood! Shall I teach Wren how to do it???

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Irina G (Fit Flexitarian) December 19, 2011 at 1:26 pm

I actually didn’t know what supreming meant, but I see that it’s SO easy! This salad also sounds really refreshing and yummy, too! I love the addition of pomegranate for that seasonal twist.

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Stacy December 31, 2011 at 12:37 pm

It takes a little time and warming up, but I find it rather zen. =)
It’s good with strawberries, too, but there are few things more disappointing than winter strawberries. =(

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Kim January 12, 2012 at 12:10 am

How have I NOT already left you a comment about these oranges? This was a winner. Hands down, the most elegant way I’ve ever had oranges. Thank you!

[K]

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