Baked Mandarins with Vanilla

(Makes 8 serves)

Ingredients

• 585g (8) mandarins
• water
• 120g sugar
• 185ml (3/4 cup) water
• 1 vanilla bean (split in half lengthwise)

Method

Place mandarins into a medium-sized pot and cover with water.  Bring to the boil, and gently boil for 5 minutes.

Drain mandarins and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and gently boil for 5 minutes.

Drain mandarins and cool.

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Cut each mandarin (including peel) in half horizontally and arrange snugly, with cut side down, in a non-reactive gratin dish.

Place sugar, water and vanilla bean in a pot set over medium heat.  Stir till sugar is dissolved then bring to the boil.

Pour syrup with vanilla bean over mandarins, place in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn mandarins over and cook for a further 15 minutes or till skin is soft and liquid is thick and syrupy.

Chill halves, covered, for at least three hours or overnight.

Serve mandarins whole, putting tops and bottoms together. Serve at room temperature and encourage guests to eat the flesh and skin.