More Food Garnishing Ideas

As I've already mentioned, the possibilities of decorating with food are endless.

Here are some easy and quick ideas for garnishing a vegetable platter, along with a recipe for dip to go with it. Tools required are a ridged knife and a flower-shaped (or other) cookie cutter.

Take a ridged knife and slice a peeled, organic carrot. Set aside.

Take an organic cucumber and cut into thin slices. Cut each slice into flower shapes with a cookie cutter.

Now, alternating the carrot and cucumber slices, lay down in a nice row, shaping the arrangement to suit the platter and available space.

If you want to get really, really fancy, the sky's the limit! The Chef's Depot website (picture courtesy of Chef's Depot) offers professional quality tools to go as far as you your imaginations will take you.

I got this lovely set of top quality garnishing tools on eBay last year at a really great price - and I still have yet to use even half of them. I've found there are certain favorite garnishes that I like to make over and over.

Not surprisingly, they are the simpler and faster ones. Still, I look forward to increasing my repertory in the future.

Here's the raw dip recipe that I always make to bring with a raw vegetable platter, because I have yet to find anyone who doesn't love it, regardless of how carnivorous they might be.

Shay's Ranch Dressing and Dip
Shay is the chief Chef at Hallelujah Acres in Shelby, North Carolina
Taken from "Hallelujah Acres Special Occasion" cookbook

1 cup Grapeseed Vegannaise (or homemade "mayonnaise")
1 TBL Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp Honey
1-1/2 tsp dried Chives
2 tsp either Chinese 5 Spice or Oriental Seasoning
1/4 tsp Onion Powder

Just stir everything together til it's nicely mixed, and let it marinate at least a few hours or overnight. It will go very quickly!

This makes a small amount, so you may want to double it. The Vegannaise is expensive, so if you can, make your own nut-based "mayonnaise". I'll give a recipe out soon for one.

Til next time, enjoy!

Phyllis Towse