These juicy spiced oranges go beautifully with angel food cake or serve them on their own. This flavor of this compote improves with time so make it a day ahead or the morning of your party. Serve chilled in a clear bowl so the colors show through.

Makes 10 servings, about 1/2 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 50 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

8 small oranges, preferably seedless
2 cups water
5 tablespoons sugar
1 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 star anise

1. Use a 5-hole zester to remove zest from oranges into long, thin, spindly strips (see Variation). Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the zest to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a small strainer (reserve the cooking liquid). Rinse with cold water; separate and drain on a paper towel.
2. Stir sugar into the reserved cooking liquid; bring to a simmer. Cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise; scrape the seeds into the sugar water and add the pod along with cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise. Continue to simmer until the sauce reduces to 1/2 cup and thickens slightly, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3. Meanwhile, slice off an end of each orange so they stand upright steadily. In careful sculpting slices, remove all the remaining peel and white pith from the oranges with a very sharp knife. Slice the peeled oranges into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Remove any extraneous pith or rind and any stray seeds.
4. Discard the vanilla pod and whole spices. Stir the zest into the sauce. Layer the orange slices in a serving bowl, spooning the sauce between layers to distribute the zest evenly throughout.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 61 calories; 0 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 1 mg sodium; 140 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (70% daily value).

TIP: Variation: If you don’t have a 5-hole zester, use a vegetable peeler to remove long strips of the outer skin (zest) of the orange. Cut the zest into thin slivers.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

This was unbelievably tasty. I did not have star anise so I added 1/2 tsp. crushed fennel seed to the syrup while reducing. I also added grapefruit (2) since I only had 4 oranges. What a burst of flavor between the spices and the citrus!! I served it with the ginger cake, but the fruit could take center stage without the cake.

Mickey, Lousiville, OH

I was disappointed - expected more of a spicey flavor and a bit sweeter. Didn't have anise so put in an oz. of Ouzo while cooking sauce. Would have liked some Orangy Whipped "cream" with the Gingerbread also. Leftovers: maybe put in food processor with some cranberries? Now that flavor would really burst!

Stevie, ny