Do you like orange marmalade? It’s never been one of my favorites but I was sure that John’s dad would love it. He’s Australian and his father was Scottish – surely he’d be tickled pink with homemade marmalade, right?
John bought some really pretty oranges for breakfast juice and we took one sip and our tongues twisted in knots. Holy cow it was sour. John thought we should toss them away because nobody was going to drink that without a half kilo of sugar in it.
I remembered making marmalade from seville oranges ages ago and decided to give marmalade a try. I got out my trusty mandoline and sliced the oranges and started cooking. I followed the directions and when it the time was up, into the jars it went.
It didn’t look impressive and I didn’t think it tasted all that great either but I left it to cool and went back to work. Later that evening I tasted it again and thought John was right, give it a toss but I put it in the refrigerator anyway.
In the morning I emptied all three jars of marmalade back into the Thermomix with a bit more sugar and recooked it. Since I hadn’t liked the largish pieces of orange rind very much when I tasted it, I cooked it on a higher speed until the rind was in tiny slivers. I kept tasting and pushing some around on a chilled plate and when I was happy, I got fresh jars, filled them and into the refrigerator they went.
Some of the photos are before and some after. I was going to toss the first pictures but I liked the photos.
Well, imagine my surprise the next morning at breakfast when with a flourish that would match Dame Edna’s, I placed my beautiful marmalade on the table and asked Rob if he’d like some on his toast.
“I’m not all that fond of orange marmalade, Maureen,” he said.
I nearly collapsed! I’d spent hours making this as a surprise and he didn’t even like it.
“I’ll try some just because you made it,” was his next sentence.
I probably shouldn’t have said okay because nobody should be forced to eat what they don’t like but I’d worked hard on that marmalade and it was good.
“Oh, this is good. This is very good. I don’t like marmalade but this is good. I like that it doesn’t have those big pieces of orange peel in it. Can I have some more?”
Yes! It was a winner.
I used my trusty Thermomix but making marmalade in a pot on the stove is just as easy. It just takes a bit longer. Okay a lot longer. You do have more control over the size of the rind that way.
Do you like orange marmalade or would you only make it if you had oranges too sour to squeeze and drink?
- 4 large oranges
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 200ml water
- 500 grams sugar
- I didn't follow the TM cookbook directions - here's how I made mine.
- Put a plate in the freezer.
- Slice oranges thinly with a mandoline.
- Remove pips and stack slices and cut into quarters
- Add the water, lemon and oranges and cook 10 minutes at 100 degrees on speed 3
- Add sugar and cook for another 20 minutes.
- Add some marmalade to the plate that's been in the freezer and if it is the consistency you like, pour into sterilized jars.
- If not, cook another 5 minutes.
I will disappoint you, I am sure, but I don’t care for any type of jam or preserves. I actually like to cook with them, but the idea of spreading jam on a piece of bread is not appealing to me. I think it’s because I did not grow up enjoying this type of concoction. Pies, cakes, jams, they were not part of my childhood, so I never quite developed a real passion for them.
but I know Phil would love if I made a batch! 😉
Nothing you could say would disappoint me. Many of us were brought up in differing cultures and I think that’s what makes life better for all of us. We always had jams and desserts. I think my dad could have lived on them and he never weighed more than 128 pounds. Did I get those genes? No!
G’day and oh no, I cringed when I read Rob did not like marmalade Maureen, true!
I am not a fan of marmalade, but based on your photos and recipe, you might convert me now too!
Cheers! Joanne
Me either but this stuff is really good. That’s the best thing about making your own because you can make it just the way you like it.
I like orange marmalade very much! We just don’t make enough of that or jams or jellies – a real weakness. One of these days we’ll probably start, then it’s Katy bar the door! Anyway, this looks great. With really sour oranges I’d also be tempted to make one of those marinades for Cuban roast pork – totally love that stuff.
Me either but I’m going to change that. I’ve set aside one jar of preserves to cook with and I’m looking forward to peaches next.
Great looking marmalade!
Thanks!
I love the photo of this! I also Love marmalade.. you come up with the greatest ideas and recipes this is awesome! Thanks Maureen
Orange marmalade is one of my favorites and I don’t mind the pieces of peel in it as long as they aren’t too big, but the peel doesn’t have to be in there. I just love marmalade! Great recipe!
The second cooking saved it and I’d make it again in a heartbeat.
As much as I love marmalade and jams, I don’t make it too often at home. This looks really good. Fresh home made ones are the best.
Me either and we should both feel ashamed. 🙂 LOL
My father adores marmalade – and sadly, I’ve never made him any. This must change…
At least you won’t go through all that work only to hear, ‘I don’t like it.’ LOL
Maureen,
I love your Australia-speak! “Remove pips”. What do you do with Gladys Knight? 🙂
I need to make marmalade after reading your post. We’ve got lots of oranges in our backyard grove.
I hate it when my outer Australian shows 🙂 If you have free oranges you have no excuse!
I did not even realised that pips was an Aussie colloquialism. Really? doesn’t every English speaking person call them Pips?
I am making this marmalade now with blood oranges. I didn’t read the instructions properly and added sugar at step 5. Oops. I will let you know how it turned out.
I love orange marmalade. LOVE it. I also love a good kumquat marmalade when I want to switch it up.
I do tend to cook mine down about 45 minutes.
Fun to swing over hear via Movita. cheers…wendy
PS – I also like your presentation – must pin that to my board of reminders to make. Great holiday gift:)
Hi Wendy and thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment. I’ll return the favor. I love Movita and her assorted family and friends. 🙂
You are so funny – I love “Step 1.” I’ve never made orange marmalade and will have to get some oranges to give it a try. 🙂
It’s lots easier than I thought. 🙂
I’m with Rob, don’t like the big pieces of zest. But I do love marmalade with little sliver of orange goodness. So happy your marmalade isn’t going to go to waste, I love little peripeties like this!
We’ve nearly eaten a whole jar. I only made 3. I think the next one will be peach. 🙂
I don’t eat orange marmalade plain too often but instead use it when cooking chicken or blending it in with other ingredients to make a sauce. In that way I do use it often. Creating my own batch would be wonderful and this does sound easy and your photos are beautiful! I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
I can SO relate, Vicki and before this if I wanted some for a recipe, I’d just buy a jar and toss out what I didn’t use. 🙂
I’m not a fan of orange marmalade either but coincidentally I JUST made crepe suzettes with a little jar of bought marmalade and the sauce was so tasty I wondered if I could make a jar or two of the marmalade myself so I could do it again. 🙂
I agree with you FIL that the big strips of orange peel, especially when they’re very bitter, are off putting but the smaller bits would make it much better.
Oh… crepes suzette – I think we can have some tonight!
I love marmalade as a layer in a tart or in a chocolate cake! This one looks so yummy. I might have to give it a try!
I love the idea for the tart but chocolate cake and orange marmalade is tough for me to get my head around. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by, Lillian!
Have to say I’m not a huge fan of marmalade but I do like the look of yours and what a great way to save the oranges from the bin!
That’s exactly how I was, Claire. I would always choose something else before marmalade and eating that when there was nothing else in the house. 🙂
I love marmalade, but sadly I do not make any instead buy from the store. One of these days. Yours look just gorgeous.
I’d made some in my 20s so that tells you how long it’s been for me. I think after that amount of time you return to a marmalade virgin. 🙂
Love marmalade but never made it, buy from the store. Saving this recipe and one of these days I will surprise myself.
Your photos ARE gorgeous…so glad you were able to use them with this successful recipe 🙂 I do like marmalade…and agree with Rob about the smaller pieces of rind. I know I’d love yours!
So, when will you be here for breakfast? 🙂
I need to make marmalade soon, it is my dad’s favourite!
This is delicious!
Cheers
CCU
He’ll love you even more 🙂
Love marmalade. Never knew till reading some of these comments there were people in the world who do not. Sad. But good for me….more marmalade for me! This looks and sounds like a great recipe.
It’s just oranges and sugar – what’s not to love 🙂
WOW!
You had to go to a great deal of trouble… it is lucky he ended up liking it!!
I love marmalade, the more tart the better 🙂
Maureen I saw your pics on FB and my mouth started watering immediately. The marmalade must be home made and it must be good, as I’m sure yours is xo
I have to say I hated marmalade but as I grow older, it seems to be growing on me!
I AM old but it didn’t grow on me until I made my own and tweaked it til it tasted good to me. 🙂
How funny – thank goodness he gave it a go so your efforts could pay off! I don’t like marmalade in theory, but yours might sway me too 🙂
Good on you for making marmalade. I grew up on it so it’s no big deal for me. I’m aware Americans aren’t used to marmalade and find it quite bitter. It’s so great that Rob loved it, despite saying he doesn’t like marmalade. My other used to make marmalade and it was wonderful – I must see if I can find her recipe (failing that – I’ll use yours!) xx
Maureen, I am thoroughly impressed!! I would not know the first thing about making a marmalade…. and you did such a beautiful job!! Great way to use those sour oranges. 🙂
I love using marmalade in savory dishes… so I always have it around.
Up until a year ago I had never been a huge fan of marmalade. Then I spent some time on the Sorrentine Coast in Italy where I tried homemade mandarin and limoni marmalades and have been hooked ever since. I think it makes a big difference to make it yourself.
I’ve had to laugh out loud when I read John doesn’t like marmalade after your troubles to make it, but looks like you’ve done a wonderful job with it. I love marmalade (or any jam, or sweet thing for the matter), but only make it with oranges remaining from making vin d’orange, which is not very often.
That’s kinda funny, I have to say though frustrating to make a special surprise and have them say they don’t really like it. Been there, done that! But Orange Marmalade is quite particular and I never can decide whether I love it or don’t. The bitter sweet combo is so intriguing and sometimes it is just what is needed. But for John? Swirl spoonfuls of it in brownies. Now THAT is good! I might just try your recipe…
Gorgeous photos Maureen! Especially that first one! I’m not a marmalade fan either, but yours looks fantastic.
I wasn’t either but I probably still wouldn’t like the ones from the store.
Hmm never been a huge fan of orange marmadale, to be honest. That said, your homemade ones look fantastic and I’d definitely make a couple of jars for the kitchen 🙂
I have no regrets.. one jar is nearly gone!
Just goes to show persistence pays off!! I’m not really into jam or marmalade unless they come sandwiched between sponge and cream. Lovely photos Maureen.
I once made a marmelade with orange and lemon, i made it not because it too sour to eat but simply because it’s too of it in our kitchen….
your marmelade looks awesome, the photograph is georgeous too !
I love orange marmalade especially when it is freshly made. i dont know if many people have tasted home made and thats probably why they think they dont like it
Interesting. Maybe that’s why Rob likes this one 🙂
I love jams but not jelly. Or jello. Or anything wiggly it seems! I like marmalade OK but I think the flavor of the pith might be my downfall; that bit of bitterness? A friend made some for me and it’s not getting used; I should try melting it and adding more sugar; great idea!
I found when I whizzed it and added a touch more sugar and recooked it – I love it.
Your marmalade is such a pretty color, I’d love to spread it on homemade bread!
It’s delicious on crusty sourdough bread!
I love marmalade and your recipe has enticed me to make my own instead of store bought stuff. Can’t wait to try it today.
Hi. Do I leave the skin on the orange for this recipe?
yes
Giving this a go as I speak but just a warning if you are doing this in the Thermomix. Put it on speed 3 as instructed, went to get jars, came back and my new TM6 had almost walked itself off the bench. Saved it just in time. Knew not to leave it unattended while it is kneading but didn’t think marmalade would cause it to go walkabout. Speed 2.5 stops it from walking.
I’m so sorry! Mine is an old 31 and I didn’t have any issues. So glad you saved the day.
Im new to this, when you cook again for 20 mins, what temperature and speed please??
no changes!