Spiced Oranges and Dates

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 4 oranges, peeled with the pith removed
• orange peel- from one orange, cut into thin strips
• 4 whole cloves
• 4 slices fresh ginger
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken
• 8 fresh dates, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

Directions

1. 1

   Add the water and sugar to a saucespan. Stir over heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the peel from one orange. cloves, ginger, star anise and cinnamon stick pieces. SImmer 10 minutes or until a syrup forms. Remove from the heat.

2. 2

   Slice the oranges into thick rounds. Remove the pits from the dates and cut the dates into halves. Add the oranges and dates to the sugar syrup. Set aside for 20 minutes.

3. 3

   Spoon the fruit onto one large platter to serve -- or into serving bowls. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top.

4. 4

   Serve with yogurt or custard.