Category: Garnishes
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Baby Stroller Fruit Display
So, I took matters into my own hands. Actually, I took matters into the capable hands of my youngest daughter, Davida. And, of course, I wasn’t disappointed. Davida carved a watermelon into this baby stroller complete with a nectarine baby sipping his bottle. It was not too complicated to prepare and it really created a…
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Simple No-Cook Salmon Appetizer
There are times that a simple no-cook appetizer is the way to go. Like, when there are six Yom Tov (holiday) meals in a row and you’re looking for a new creative way to serve an appetizer with minimal effort. The upcoming Shavuos holiday comes on the heels of a Shabbos, calling for six consecutive…
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Simple Cranberry Sorbet
I’ll share a secret with you. My Purim seuda (feast) menu is designed around the chametz (leavened products) that I must use up before Pesach (Passover). This year, I found myself with lots of frozen challah, hence the stuffed chicken breasts and meatballs. I found that I had three bags of fine egg noodles, and thus yerushalmi kugel was…
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Simple Celery Ribbons
I am fascinated with garnishes, especially simple garnishes constructed from ordinary ingredients. After all, simple garnishes put the wow into a dish. This one is fast and simple, using just celery and cold water.
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Simple No-Bake Sorbet cakes
Desperate times call for desperate measures. A few weeks ago, I had finished preparing a simple Shabbos menu when we found out that we were about to have a houseful of Shabbos company. I had plenty of real food, but I needed to create an impressive dessert…quickly and with ingredients already on hand.
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Individual Sushi Salads
Sushi salads eliminate most of the fussiness of rolling sushi. I can choose the proportions of each element in the sushi salad, favoring more vegetables and fish than rice and nori.
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Frosted Candied Grapes
We are taught that parents are to give their children special foods and gifts in order to engage them at the seder. So, why not combine the elements of tradition and whimsy in creating these adorable and delicious candied grapes?
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Pomegranate Truffles
There is something about pomegranate seeds that are oh, so delicious and create such a taste and texture sensation. The soft outside and the pop in your mouth juiciness is something so unique and so wonderful. The bright red color is reminiscent of a red heart and what better ingredient to pair with pomegranate seeds than…
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Frosted Sugar-Coated Cranberries
My sister-in-law, Suzy, is an excellent and adventurous cook. My kids always look forward to Suzy’s signature salads and we know that we are in for a treat whenever we are invited to Itzy and Suzy’s house. Even when Suzy just prepares a “simple” meal, we are always impressed by her delicious dishes. Years ago, we…
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Simple Radish Flower Garnish
A simple vegetable garnish can really make an appetizer, serving dish or hors d’oeuvres platter look spectacular. I like to create garnishes with simple ingredients and ordinary tools. This radish flower garnish is a simple one to create and can be used in dozens of wow ways. I demonstrate this garnish with a red…
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Simple Kiwi Flower Garnish
A simple, yet beautiful garnish adds elegance and whimsy. This one is so simple and only takes 30 seconds to prepare. It uses the whole kiwi with no waste and needs only a small paring knife as a kitchen tool. It would make a gorgeous centerpiece for a fruit platter, fruit pie or as a…
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Fruit Salad: It’s All About that Boat
I recently sent over fruit salad for a refreshing summer dessert in honor of our friends’ simcha (happy occasion). The fruit salad was so simple to prepare. I just sliced the pineapple, using an all-metal pineapple corer and slicer and I used a melon baller to create uniform spheres of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. For a contemporary twist, I often opt…
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Patriotic Chocolate Bark: Simple and Pareve
Chocolate bark is one of the easiest dessert creations. It takes moments to prepare, is a canvas for creativity and can be served in a myriad of different ways. This one is perfect for a patriotic July 4th celebration. It is a combination of chocolate, nuts, sprinkles and colorful fruit. It can be served whole to…
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Simple Chocolate Bark with Flowers and Dried Fruit
Chocolate bark has become one of my favorite simple and beautiful dessert embellishments. This week, I created a sweet and delicious bark that was sweet, bright and beautiful with some surprisingly savory ingredients, as well. I melted a combination of white and milk chocolate and added fresh pansies from my flowerpots, mint and rosemary from…
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Simple Mini Cheesecakes with Gorgeous Garnishes
Shavuos is on its way! Cheesecake is one of the staples of the upcoming holiday of Shavuos, since we are commanded to eat dairy foods at our festive meals (Countdown to Shavuos: Floral Inspirations and Dairy Recipes) on Shavuos. This year, Don and I are still on a low-carb diet. We didn’t want to…
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Chards of Colorful Chocolate Bark: Whimsical and Delicious
Chocolate Bark is so versatile and beautiful. The finished product can be elegant, playful or whimsical, depending upon the ingredients selected. The background can be any type of chocolate, dairy or pareve. The embellishments can be any combination of sweet or savory to create beautiful colors, tastes and textures. I have tried so many different…
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Scallion Confetti Curls: A Simple Garnish
Garnishes put the wow into a dish. This one is fast and simple. Cut green part of scallion into three to four inch sections. Slice narrow and long ribbons with a sharp paring knife. Separate scallion pieces into thinnest slivers possible using knife or by hand. Drop the green onion slivers into ice water and submerge…
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Simple Chocolate Bark with Flowers and Dried Fruit
I love thin and delicious chocolate bark embellished with all my favorites. It is a simple dessert and also makes a perfect garnish for a simple cake or mousse. It is the perfect accompaniment to Simply the Best Flourless Chocolate Cake As your bark background, you can use your favorite chocolate: white, milk or dark. The…
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Edible Ginger Candy Spoons
I love ginger in all shapes and forms. I use ginger as a spice in many dishes. I love ginger ale, candied ginger and pickled sushi ginger. Whenever we eat sushi, I become the lucky recipient of everyone’s pickled sushi ginger and I love it. I especially love ginger with my tea. For a recent…
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A Simple, Delicious and Beautiful Flourless Fruit Tart
When I entertain, I love to serve a fruity dessert. Few can resist a dessert topped with fresh fruit. Berries are in season and this Pesach (Passover) fruit tart can be made with your favorite assortment of berries and fruit. I made mine using a combination of frozen blueberries, strawberries and cranberries. I topped mine…
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Rainbow Carrot Curls: A Wow Garnish
Trader Joe’s sells bags of organic rainbow carrots. The carrots come in all hues of the rainbow: dark red, white, bright yellow and the “ordinary” orange carrots. It is a small splurge, but well worth it in the “wow” factor. These carrots are low in calories and powerful in vitamin A and antioxidants. Rainbow carrot…
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Curly Scallion Garnish: Simple and Wow
Vegetable garnishes can take a plated appetizer or serving platter from simple to wow. I like to create garnishes with ordinary ingredients and tools. There are so many garnishes that can be created using simple tools that you already own. This garnish elevates a simple scallion (green onion) to a wow garnish with the use of…