creative jewish mom

Fruit Carving 101: Carved Cantelope Fish

Isn't my carved cantelope fish just the cutest? I have to admit, when we were about to carve this little fish in my fruit carving class a few weeks ago I was really quite sceptical, but once I saw the results, well, I just want to make some more! My son's bar mitzvah is just a week after Rosh HaShana, and he was born 2 days before the New Year, so I'm hoping he'll agree to some carved fish on the buffet table! The only thing is that I'll have to carve my fish from pumpkin, as there won't be any centelope in sight......could be great too, and I'm even going to experiment carving the fish a few weeks ahead and freezing them! Really hoping that works as I certainly can't see myself carving a bunch of fish and trying to get everything else done, well on teh other hand that would be just like me, but I'm trying to change my sleep deprived ways. Okay, enough babble, on to the instructions for carving this little fish!

Fruit Carving 101: Cantelope Rose Garnishes

When I look at this little spread of carved fruit that i made in my fruit carving class a few weeks ago it just screams Rosh HaShana to me, which of course isn't a bad thing at all as the Jewish new year is really just around the corner. If you live in Israel there may not be any cantelopes around come Rosh HaShana, but that doesn't mean you can't whip up some beautiful garnishes for your holiday table, you just need to apply the ideas I'm sharing with you to something that is in season. Got it?

Vegetable Carving 101: Simple Carved Radish Garnish

Radishes always look great as part of a spread of salads, and now I'll honestly tell you that a few simple carved radishes thrown into the equation is truly stunning! And best of all radishes keep really well in cold water in the fridge, so you can make these little radish flower garnishes days ahead of when you'll actually need them. And that my friends is truly a great thing, as I can't see my self whipping up carved veggies on the spot, I'm much prefer to pull them out of my fridge and garnish away! Okay, ready to carve a radish? Lets get started!

Vegetable Carving 101: Simple Cucumber Fan Garnish

Isn't this cucumber fan garnish that also loos like a honeysuckle flower lovely? You can make one of these in just a few minutes, and then use it to add a beautiful touch as a garnish on a plate of salad or even fish of some kind. I made mine into a single flower, but you could certainly make a bunch and form a crown or a fanned circle with them, just for starters! Okay, lets get carving!

Vegetable Carving 101: Watermelon Rind Leaves Garnish

 Are you ready for a little watermelon carving that is totally simple with gorgeous results? Give these watermelon rind leaves a try, and you'll never look back, believe me, they are truly fantastic! I love the fact that the carving is made using something that anyway gets thrown out, and that these leaves can be made ahead, and kept in the fridge in water. I just put some in the freezer to see if that will work too, as I really want to use some of these leaves for my son's Bar Mitzvah, and there won't be any watermelons in sight then! I'll let you know how the freezing works, check back with me in a month!

And in the mean time, lets learn how to make some of these leaves!

You'll Need:

• A melon baller
• a U or V shaped carving tool (optional, I didn't use one here)
• a nice sharp knife, preferably a carving knife as shown below to make it much easier

How To:

Cut leaf shaped silhouettes. Carve veins with a carving tool or do it with a sharp pointed knife. Make small cuts around the perimeter of the leaf if desired. And that is it! I was thinking of making a philodendron leaf but ran out of watermelon rind, hopefully next time!

 

 Lovely right? The perfect way to serve a little refreshing dessert, and surely a great trick to have when you want to make your guests feel extra special!

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