If you’re like me and you have a sweet tooth the size of Tasmania, there are times that it makes sense to have a dessert with a bit less sugar AND keep your sweet teeth happy. This dessert ticks all the boxes.
The spiced oranges are made with red wine, orange juice, cinnamon sticks and Natvia, a sugar free sweetnener made from Stevia and bits from melons and grapes. A few years ago I grew some stevia, just because I could, and before I popped those little tips into my mouth I would have never said a leaf that looked like that could taste sweet. I would have lied. I stood there in the garden eating leaves!
When the folks at Natvia contacted me and asked me if I’d create a dish using Natvia, I could give away $100 worth of Natvia products as a giveaway. I’m nothing if not up for any challenge. I wanted to do a dessert but I wanted it quick and easy and these oranges do that just fine. Not only that, they taste great.
Everyone loves an orange right out of its jacket but the wine and cinnamon make it very special indeed. It just looks elegant sitting on a plate. Each orange is peeled with a sharp knife to remove all the pith and then sliced horizontally into 3 pieces. It makes eating a whole lot easier.
The spiced sauce is so simple. 2 cups of any red wine — maybe a claret or burgundy but any sweetish red wine will do. 1 cup of unsweetened orange juice and 2 cinnamon sticks. That’s it. Boil the sauce for a couple of minutes and while that’s boiling you peel the oranges.
Cool the sauce for about 10 minutes, add the Natvia and then pour the sauce over the oranges and place in the fridge to cool. Bingo. It’s dessert. AND… there’s no sugar in there. Guilt free and happy is a good way to end the meal.
Hubs did say, “Maureen, a bit of ice cream would be great with some of this sauce drizzled over the top,” and I think I’d agree but that would put this in the not so sugar free. Honestly, he’d eat ice cream or cream on toast so you might not agree.
I haven’t tried ice cream with Natvia yet. That’s on the list! They also have a drinking chocolate that I’m going to play with next. Maybe that’s my ice cream.
Now, if you don’t know anything about Natvia (I didn’t) here is some information you might find helpful.
1) Made from 100% Natural Ingredients. Natvia is made from the freshest tips of Stevia plants blended with a naturally occurring nectar found in melons and grapes.
2) Natvia does not contain aspartame, sugar or saccharin.
3) Natvia is low in calorie. 95% fewer calories compared to sugar – only 0.6 calories per serve!
4) Natvia is low in carbohydrates and is fructose free.
5) Natvia has a clean, sweet flavour with no unpleasant aftertaste.
6) Specially crafted for coffee and tea.
7) Great for cooking and baking.
8) Available in Coles and Woolworths nationwide.
9) Distributed to over 23 countries internationally.
10) 8000 cafes Australia-wide are using Natvia.
I know all of these reasons are good to know but what’s important to me is how it tastes. Yes, I like that it doesn’t have aspartame, sugar or saccharin but it has to fit in with the orgasmic taste and I have been really pleased with it. We all thought the sweetness of the spiced oranges was perfect.
I just love the idea and the presentation of this dessert Maureen
It looks so elegant
I love fresh desserts like this. I think oranges are underused in the dessert category so it’s nice to see one here!
I cannot enter the giveaway, but wanted to say I’ll keep an eye open for this product. My husband would agree that a bowl of dulce de leche ice cream, triple the size of the orange would be a perfect “side” for your dessert… moi? I will go the simple route, for the love of my thighs! 😉
This so doesn’t look sugar free Maureen! 🙂 It has that glisten just like sugar -you did a great job! 😀
Come on up and I’ll make one for you. I’d even use the good port. 🙂
I wouldn’t guess this was a sugar free dessert. Beautiful job!
What a wonderful dessert. I love it!
Thanks very much for stopping by!
Great dessert. I love the combo of oranges and red wine — I think I might use port. Definitely a dessert that’s particularly nice in the cold weather you’re having. The Natvia sounds interesting; I’ll have to check it out. Thanks.
I considered port, don’t laugh, the only port we had in the house was very expensive. The hubs looked at me and said, “you’re going to use my favorite sipping port for a blog post?” To which I replied, “uh, of course not.” heh I think port would be great but I’d use less of it than 2 cups.
I didn’t even need to read the details on how healthy it is … this orange presentation is stunningly lovely and, knowing your standards, I’m sure the taste is amazing. Best of luck with your give away. I’m in Canada so not in the running but it’s fun to be involved in sharing goodies with your readers. 🙂
I was waiting for you to post these beautiful desserts. They are gorgeous and elegant! Although I do agree with your husband about the ice cream I think these would make the perfect winter dessert when oranges are at their flavor height. I find something very festive and romantic about spiced oranges….
Such a cute dessert, and I love the serving cups!
Oh be still my heart!!!!
These look delicious and guilt free!
Oh, I like the sound of these!
I have started to use Stevia in my tea (with honey, of course) and like it! What a creative, healthy dessert. During Christmas, my parents have a tangerine (clementine) tree that is always full of sweet tangerines, and we always add some spices to them for a nice dessert. I will have to try something like this when I visit them! 🙂
first of all great giveaway and I am in for sure and secondly those oranges look amazing. The spice with the tang- i love it and the pictures are breathtaking!
Maureen, that is a recipe for me, less sweet is always better! 🙂 Love your presentation, brilliant!
That dessert looks delicious as well as beautiful!
Thanks a lot for coming by!
I might just have to get myself some of that stuff.
I love the bowls you’ve used here they make the dessert look even more delicious. What a great way to get a daily does of fruit and vitamin C!
You’ll laugh but I got those bowls from the Salvos store in Caloundra one day while waiting for John to pick me up after a physio appointment when I couldn’t drive. I wandered through (not putting my head down as I was told) and found these 4 bowls for $2 !!! for all 4. 🙂 I got in the car and he said, “what’d you buy?” When I said, “bowls from the Salvos,” he just rolled his eyes.
I love the look of these oranges 🙂 And I have tried their drinking chocolate – I think it’s under my ‘product reviews’ if you’re interested (although you’re probably best just trying it and then you’ll have your own view!) and use it semi-regularly as a topping as well as a drink.
I’m in love with this dessert my friend, I can’t believe there is no sugar involved!!!
Usually ice cream is all I desire but your dessert could convert me! 🙂
Thanks for hosting this giveaway as well! It sounds so cool! Off to check out the taste competition as well thanks for the link!!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
very cool! I never heard of Natvia but it sounds wonderful! Your oranges are gorgeous and make such a unique dessert!
I’ve never heard of Natvia and I’m really happy you have introduced me to it. Your oranges poached in red wine, cinnamon, orange juice and of course, Natvia, look amazing. What a delicious guilt-free dessert. I’ll share this on FB xx
What a lovely way to end the meal…the spiced oranges sound so good.
what a lovely dessert! they look gorgeous!
I, too have never heard of Natvia…learn something new every day! What a beautiful presented dessert. It looks perfect for these hot summer days!
Such a refreshing dessert! I really like fruity desserts and these spiced oranges are a feast for the eyes and i bet a feast for the mouth too!!!!
I’ve been eating entirely way too much sugar lately. This looks like a perfect dessert to thoroughly enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
What a fun giveaway and such a beautiful recipe! Those spiced oranges look picture perfect.
What a fun giveaway, Maureen! But I’m after a bowl of your spiced oranges first! They look amazing! Orange and cinnamon were truly meant to be!
Sounds like a lovely healthy dessert.
Love your glass dessert bowls.
LL
I remember when you shared this picture on FB, it seriously looks like a pic out of a magazine! I love the flavors that are combined…..BUT I have to agree, I think ice cream would rock with that treat for sure:-) Lovely, Hugs, Terra
Oooo am I too late fir the give away? I’d love a chance to win some Natvia 🙂 your posts are inspiring, as always.
My first visit to your blog – so much to see and read! It is lovely and this dessert sounds perfect. I’ll be back
Hi Tricia, I love your approach as I always try to save room for dessert! Off to pay you a return visit!
Hey Maureen!
Seriously sugar free? Now I really need to know what they taste like, accoding to the flavors I can imagine it already, so I bet they are as delicious as they look!
What fantastic photos! You are so talented. It’s a joy to read your blog. Sincerely!
Denise! You are so kind I can’t stand it. Let’s be best friends. 🙂