Blood oranges and Meyer Lemons have been making slow inroads in the Southeast, Curious. Mostly in the high-end markets, it's true, but even in some regular chains. You're shopping Harris Teeter? Wish we had one here.
Also consider seasonality. Blood oranges are sold this time of year, through about March. Then they disappear again.Tastewise, to me, they're closer to tangerines than to oranges. But you can't beat that dramatic color.
The way you used them would have worked just as well with the membranes still in place, IMO.
Here's a North African recipe. Although called a salad, it's on the sweet side, and can easily be used to finish a meal:
Slatit Bordgane
(orange and mint salad)
6 blood oranges, cut in supremes
2-3 tsp orange-blossom water
2 tbls orange peel, cut into fine matchsticks
3 tbls superfine sugar*
About 3/4 cup water
Leaves from a buch of fresh mint, finely shredded
3 oz blanched, sliced almonds
Put the orange supremes in a shallow bowl and springle with the orange-blososm water.
In a small saucepan, mix the remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
Pour the sauce over the oranges and garnish with the almonds. Can be served warm or cold.
*Unless you use it often, instead of buying superfine sugar use regular granulated and pulse it a time or three in the food processor.