What to do with: Oranges

Jazz up any plain cake with a syrupy orange glaze and add interest to your salad with orange segments.

The low-down

Availability: Year-round, depending on variety. New Zealand navel oranges are in season now.

Buying: Choose firm oranges with unblemished skins.

Storing: Oranges can be stored in or out of the fridge in cooler weather.

Preparation: Wash and dry well, and use as required.

Ideas for using oranges

• Orange syrup is delicious over plain cakes or muffins. Cook orange juice with sugar until it’s reduced to a syrup, then pour over cake while still warm.
• Make orange and poppy seed muffins by adding orange juice and flesh to your favourite muffin recipe.
• Make a winter fruit salad with orange slices, dried figs soaked in orange juice, persimmon slices and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with low-fat vanilla yoghurt.
• Add slices of orange to a salad with rocket leaves, toasted walnuts, feta cheese and a vinaigrette made with orange juice.
• For another delicious muffin variation, replace the milk used in a basic muffin recipe with orange juice. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to counter any acidity.