Sliced and dried citrus fruits provide a beautiful accent to serving plates for meals, mixed potpourris, or simply a garnish to a cocktail, drink, or place setting. They take a little time, but not much work. Heat your oven to the lowest setting, usually somewhere between 75 degrees F - 200 degrees F. Cook sliced pieces of fruit for 2-4 hours. It will vary depending on your oven and how thin you cut your citrus slices. Flip fruits over on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil every hour. Once the slices are not juicy any longer, remove from oven and let sit for a day or two. That's it! The fruit pictured above took me about 3 1/2 hours at 200 degrees and then sat open air for 2 days. I cut up 1/4" - 1/2" wide slices of red grapefruits and lemons. You could also do this with naval oranges, blood oranges, limes, tangerines, etc.
FYI: First image above reflects the fruit pre-baking, second image shows post baking (the same afternoon), and the third image is the final result three days later.
I love the idea of attaching the fruit along with a name tag onto glasses for a cocktail party. So, that is exactly what I did. The cups can double as a place card at a formal seating arrangement or bar and also be gifted as a parting favor to guests. The glass mugs were $2.99 from Michael's, not bad! To get the look, simply thread about a yard of baker's string though a small cut out circle from oak tag and two fruit pieces, then tie all items around the tops of glass mason jar mugs. I used a sewing needle to help poke the string through the paper and the fruit. Refer to images below for the how to.
Enjoy your festive garnish and glass. xo RCN
