Cheese, processed from the milk of cattle, is among the most nutritious food and serves as a good gift for your special ones. The most notable benefits of cheese is its long shelf life, which makes it the perfect option for a gift basket. It is available in a wide variety, like cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, cheddar, bleu, roquefort, meunster, brie, camembert, mozzarella, Gouda and American, colby, and Jarlsberg, each differing in flavor and texture and knowing the types of cheese and what's your recipient's favorite let you choose easily when planning to make a fruit basket. If you are not sure which flavor of cheese your beloved one loves the most, opting for some milder varieties is wise.
A cheese gift basket does not necessarily include only the cheese, you can add meat, crackers, chocolates, and breads, wine and cheese go hand in hand and conveys you feelings towards your recipient. Here, you need to ensure which wine goes well with the type of cheese you choose, if you have no clue about it you can always rely on internet. After you buy cheese, wrap it properly and store it in an ideal place. Cheese is used in various dishes, you can help the recipient in optimal use of it by including a recipe book with the gift basket.
Showing posts with label gourmet gift baskets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gourmet gift baskets. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
How to Make a fruit platter
Fruits are a great desert and a nutritious snack. Fruits have also been served as delicacies for hundreds of years. This article will take you through the finer points of making a fruit platter for any function.
Making a fruit platter is fairly easy. Pick out fresh fruits and place them in a beautiful pattern, making it look attractive and delicious. Here are some tips to make your fruit platter look great and taste better:
* Keep the Serving bowl or plate a simple one, usually using a white one is great, glass platters look great and with the proper combination of lighting and design they can make the table look much more attractive as well.
* Serve the fruits fresh, select ripe fruits with a rich, wash and wipe them before adding them to the fruit platter.
* It is advisable to use melons, apples, berries, grapes, plums apricots and kiwi as they do not spoil easily and can be kept in open air for a long time as they remain fresh, without losing their taste or aroma.
* When using apples, slice the apples into quarters and dip the individual pieces into a mixture of water and lemon juice. This will stop them from browning without affecting the taste.
* Don’t put in fruits like bananas, pears or peaches, as these will spoil easily when exposed to air.
* If you decide to use Kiwi, peel the skin off and then cut it into rounds. Sprinkle water lightly onto the dish to make it seem fresher.
* Buy berries one day in advance at most. This is because berries ripen very quickly and may spoil if you keep them too long.
* Fruits like pineapple and melon however should be brought about 3 days in advance. They will reach peak ripeness in this time and will hence taste great.
* Keep grapes in groups of 8-10 so that it is easy for the guests to serve themselves a bunch instead of taking too much or fidgeting with individual ones.
* Once the arrangement of the fruits is done sprinkle water all over it. Garnish the platter with mint leaves and other ingredients.
* Serve the platter fresh and cold.
I sincerely hope that you found this article on fruit platters helpful. Remember to be original in the pattern of arrangement. Guests will be attracted by looks as well as quality in any event.
Making a fruit platter is fairly easy. Pick out fresh fruits and place them in a beautiful pattern, making it look attractive and delicious. Here are some tips to make your fruit platter look great and taste better:
* Keep the Serving bowl or plate a simple one, usually using a white one is great, glass platters look great and with the proper combination of lighting and design they can make the table look much more attractive as well.
* Serve the fruits fresh, select ripe fruits with a rich, wash and wipe them before adding them to the fruit platter.
* It is advisable to use melons, apples, berries, grapes, plums apricots and kiwi as they do not spoil easily and can be kept in open air for a long time as they remain fresh, without losing their taste or aroma.
* When using apples, slice the apples into quarters and dip the individual pieces into a mixture of water and lemon juice. This will stop them from browning without affecting the taste.
* Don’t put in fruits like bananas, pears or peaches, as these will spoil easily when exposed to air.
* If you decide to use Kiwi, peel the skin off and then cut it into rounds. Sprinkle water lightly onto the dish to make it seem fresher.
* Buy berries one day in advance at most. This is because berries ripen very quickly and may spoil if you keep them too long.
* Fruits like pineapple and melon however should be brought about 3 days in advance. They will reach peak ripeness in this time and will hence taste great.
* Keep grapes in groups of 8-10 so that it is easy for the guests to serve themselves a bunch instead of taking too much or fidgeting with individual ones.
* Once the arrangement of the fruits is done sprinkle water all over it. Garnish the platter with mint leaves and other ingredients.
* Serve the platter fresh and cold.
I sincerely hope that you found this article on fruit platters helpful. Remember to be original in the pattern of arrangement. Guests will be attracted by looks as well as quality in any event.
Designing knockout vegetable plate
Just like how fruit platter forms a healthy diet similarly assortment of vegetables on a plate can form a complete diet for your family and guests. A vegetable plate is considered to be a healthy treat and it is always advised to prepare some extra veggie trays to avoid disappointment. Vegetable plates can be designed according to the theme of the party.
Adding rich colored vegetables can give an inviting look to the platter. Vegetables can either be boiled or kept raw depending on the vegetable you are planning to use. For instance carrots can be sliced and arranged as in where condition. While preparing vegetable dish it is recommended that you wash them in warm water by scrubbing them gently with your hands. Any dirt or insects can be removed in this stage itself. Since mostly chemicals are used in the growth process of the vegetables it is safe to rinse them thoroughly to get rid of chemicals.
The vegetables can be cut to desired size convenient for the people to eat. Long pieces are preferred for certain vegetables like carrot and celery both of which can be eaten either cooked or raw. Various sauces can be used as dips. Usage of fresh vegetables is advised while preparing a vegetable platter. First decide on what vegetables you will be using on the platter. Based on the season and availability you can pick a few varieties to decorate the platter. Seasonal vegetables will be cheaper when compared to vegetables that are out of season.
Most vegetables are green in color yet you can find colorful vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, capsicums in green, yellow and red, beetroot, red cabbage and the like. These can make your vegetable platter colorful. While designing a vegetable platter ensure that you use the right amount of vegetables based on how many guests you would be serving. Ensure that the plate does not go empty. Adding more options can make it an enjoyable addition to your party menu.
Cut vegetable based on the size of the platter. First place the whole vegetables on the platter to check if it will suit the plate. Once you find that it can fit perfectly then decide on how to arrange them. Uniformly slice the vegetables, of course you can go for different shapes depending on what vegetable you are slicing. Placing elongated slices of vegetables with a dip in the center is one of the common placement arrangements on a vegetable plate.
Adding rich colored vegetables can give an inviting look to the platter. Vegetables can either be boiled or kept raw depending on the vegetable you are planning to use. For instance carrots can be sliced and arranged as in where condition. While preparing vegetable dish it is recommended that you wash them in warm water by scrubbing them gently with your hands. Any dirt or insects can be removed in this stage itself. Since mostly chemicals are used in the growth process of the vegetables it is safe to rinse them thoroughly to get rid of chemicals.
The vegetables can be cut to desired size convenient for the people to eat. Long pieces are preferred for certain vegetables like carrot and celery both of which can be eaten either cooked or raw. Various sauces can be used as dips. Usage of fresh vegetables is advised while preparing a vegetable platter. First decide on what vegetables you will be using on the platter. Based on the season and availability you can pick a few varieties to decorate the platter. Seasonal vegetables will be cheaper when compared to vegetables that are out of season.
Most vegetables are green in color yet you can find colorful vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, capsicums in green, yellow and red, beetroot, red cabbage and the like. These can make your vegetable platter colorful. While designing a vegetable platter ensure that you use the right amount of vegetables based on how many guests you would be serving. Ensure that the plate does not go empty. Adding more options can make it an enjoyable addition to your party menu.
Cut vegetable based on the size of the platter. First place the whole vegetables on the platter to check if it will suit the plate. Once you find that it can fit perfectly then decide on how to arrange them. Uniformly slice the vegetables, of course you can go for different shapes depending on what vegetable you are slicing. Placing elongated slices of vegetables with a dip in the center is one of the common placement arrangements on a vegetable plate.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Chocolate dipped strawberries
Variety is the spice of life and this holds good to every aspect of living. Food is one aspect of life that is incredibly eclectic and never fails to grab the attention of people. It is natural for all of us to seek variety in food as well. Apart from the staple meal that we eat from time to time, we also look to satiate our taste buds with different variety of food items such as chocolates, which are not only tasty, but also give a sense of pleasure when eaten.
One such delicacy is Chocolate dipped Strawberries. Chocolate lovers consider chocolate as a part of their lives. They depend on chocolates through their happiness and sadness! Strawberry is an exotic fruit that has a distinct taste and is loved by many. The combination of the two make for a heavenly snack – Chocolate dipped Strawberries. Chocolate dipped strawberries make for an ideal snack that gives the goodness of the fruit and the taste of chocolate. They can be gifted for small parties along with wine or be made for birthdays and special occasions. Preparation of chocolate dipped strawberries is quite a simple task.
The ingredients required for this would be, strawberries, chocolate – both dark as well as white chocolate. The strawberries chosen should be ones that are ripe and taste sweet and with their stems intact. The first step is to melt the chocolates in hot water to make the syrup. Mixing them well will make sure that there are no lumps. The next step is to dip the strawberry into the dark chocolate syrup. The excess syrup can be removed by shaking the fruit and these chocolate dipped strawberries can be placed on parchment paper and allowed to dry.
Once the chocolate dipped strawberries dry, a fork can be dipped into the white chocolate syrup and that can be applied on the strawberries in a pattern of choice. These will give a beautiful look to the fruits. There are several other methods of preparing chocolate dipped strawberries, such as using both syrups proportionately or using just one syrup according to taste and the look needed. This is a simple recipe, which utilizes very little number of ingredients and does not take up too much time for preparation. The final product is a combination of two of the best gifts endowed upon us by nature, loved by one, loved by many.
One such delicacy is Chocolate dipped Strawberries. Chocolate lovers consider chocolate as a part of their lives. They depend on chocolates through their happiness and sadness! Strawberry is an exotic fruit that has a distinct taste and is loved by many. The combination of the two make for a heavenly snack – Chocolate dipped Strawberries. Chocolate dipped strawberries make for an ideal snack that gives the goodness of the fruit and the taste of chocolate. They can be gifted for small parties along with wine or be made for birthdays and special occasions. Preparation of chocolate dipped strawberries is quite a simple task.
The ingredients required for this would be, strawberries, chocolate – both dark as well as white chocolate. The strawberries chosen should be ones that are ripe and taste sweet and with their stems intact. The first step is to melt the chocolates in hot water to make the syrup. Mixing them well will make sure that there are no lumps. The next step is to dip the strawberry into the dark chocolate syrup. The excess syrup can be removed by shaking the fruit and these chocolate dipped strawberries can be placed on parchment paper and allowed to dry.
Once the chocolate dipped strawberries dry, a fork can be dipped into the white chocolate syrup and that can be applied on the strawberries in a pattern of choice. These will give a beautiful look to the fruits. There are several other methods of preparing chocolate dipped strawberries, such as using both syrups proportionately or using just one syrup according to taste and the look needed. This is a simple recipe, which utilizes very little number of ingredients and does not take up too much time for preparation. The final product is a combination of two of the best gifts endowed upon us by nature, loved by one, loved by many.
Show how much you care with fresh fruit platter
No time to design a fruit platter for your party, there is no need to worry! Ready to deliver fresh fruit platters are available. These are simple means for a hassle free dinner party. Instead of pondering over various options of arranging a fruit platter, the easiest and the safest bet would be to order a fresh fruit platter from the experts and relax. When it comes to fruit platters the options are endless. You can order a platter depending on your party theme or based on the season. If it is business party add cheese and wine to the fresh fruit platter they will definitely make it a great combination. For kid’s party try chocolate, ice cream and cakes with the fresh fruit platter. Kids will love this combination.
Fresh fruit platters can be made colorful to complement the food on your table. Instead of sweets and cakes you can use fresh fruits as an alternative to make your menu nourishing. People who are suffering from various ailments can feast on a fruit platter avoiding fatty and high calorie food items. They will be thankful to you for adding fresh fruit to your carte du jour. Using bright colored fruits can attract children, you can arrange fruits of various colors in the form of a rainbow and this will draw the attention of the guests. There are no limitations in terms of color while dealing with fruits, strawberries for pink, blueberries for blue, apples for red, oranges for orange, peaches for yellow, green grapes for green, purple grapes for purple, green apples for green and the list never ends. Choose whatever colors you want to blend and complete your fresh fruit platter.
Themed fresh fruit platters are also in popular demand. Tropical fruit tray can include bananas, mango, papaya and coconut can be used to garnish them. Temperate fruit tray can consist of apples, peaches, pears, cherry, etc. Mediterranean and subtropical fruit tray comprises of figs, grapes, dates, pomegranate, mulberry and the like. Apart from this you can decorate your fruit platter with themes like oceanic, citrus and berries.
Adding dips in a fresh fruit platter is another healthy combination. Using cheese dips, chocolate dips, sauce dips, fresh cream are common. These dips facilitate easy chewing and can enhance the taste of the fruit. Spreading fresh fruits on cookies, pizzas are in style. The concept appears trendy and will be cherished by all.
Fresh fruit platters can be made colorful to complement the food on your table. Instead of sweets and cakes you can use fresh fruits as an alternative to make your menu nourishing. People who are suffering from various ailments can feast on a fruit platter avoiding fatty and high calorie food items. They will be thankful to you for adding fresh fruit to your carte du jour. Using bright colored fruits can attract children, you can arrange fruits of various colors in the form of a rainbow and this will draw the attention of the guests. There are no limitations in terms of color while dealing with fruits, strawberries for pink, blueberries for blue, apples for red, oranges for orange, peaches for yellow, green grapes for green, purple grapes for purple, green apples for green and the list never ends. Choose whatever colors you want to blend and complete your fresh fruit platter.
Themed fresh fruit platters are also in popular demand. Tropical fruit tray can include bananas, mango, papaya and coconut can be used to garnish them. Temperate fruit tray can consist of apples, peaches, pears, cherry, etc. Mediterranean and subtropical fruit tray comprises of figs, grapes, dates, pomegranate, mulberry and the like. Apart from this you can decorate your fruit platter with themes like oceanic, citrus and berries.
Adding dips in a fresh fruit platter is another healthy combination. Using cheese dips, chocolate dips, sauce dips, fresh cream are common. These dips facilitate easy chewing and can enhance the taste of the fruit. Spreading fresh fruits on cookies, pizzas are in style. The concept appears trendy and will be cherished by all.
How to make a fruit basket?
Fruit baskets are ideal gift options, as they are inexpensive and making them does not require a lot of effort and they add a personal touch too. Fruit baskets can be gifted for small parties such as a tea party or a house party. Fruits are nature’s gift to mankind. Apart from being a good source of health, they also come in different shapes and colors, which make them really attractive.
We must have all come across paintings or still life photography, which depict different kinds of fruit baskets. This just goes on to prove that fruit baskets have an aesthetic appeal. Now how can one make a fruit basket? The procedure is quite simple.
The obvious and main constituents of a fruit basket are fruits. Choosing fruits should be done carefully. It is best to choose fruits from a grocery store which stock the best quality produce. And such fruits do not have many bruises and cuts on their skin. The fruits chosen can be either common fruits such as apples and oranges or exotic ones such as strawberries, cherries etc. Along with fruits, the basket can also be filled with other things such as chocolates, nuts, confetti, beads, cheese or wine, depending on the need and the taste. The basket can also include a note if needed.
The basket used for making the fruit basket should be one that can hold the weight of the fruits. The basket can be either made of cane, glass or ceramic. Decoration of the basket takes enough importance. The basket can be decorated with satin ribbons, and the base can have a fine cloth stitched or stuck to it.
Once the materials are ready, the basket can first be filled with a layer of packaging grass. Upon that, hard, big fruits such as apples and oranges can be stacked symmetrically; then ripe, softer fruits can be arranged. The arrangement will take a shape depending on the shape of the fruit basket. In the end, the fruit basket can be covered with a neat cellophane paper to give that finished, look.
Some useful tips: Include a layer of packaging material between each layer of fruit, make sure there is no moisture, do not stuff the basket with too many fruits and make sure there are absolutely not single rotten fruit in the bunch. If you find it difficult to put it up together, you could always order a fruit basket online. Internet has revolutionized our lifestyle and there are host of orchards and fruit companies that have significant presence in this space and they even offer a wide range of assorted fruit baskets with premium accompaniments. It is all just a click away.
We must have all come across paintings or still life photography, which depict different kinds of fruit baskets. This just goes on to prove that fruit baskets have an aesthetic appeal. Now how can one make a fruit basket? The procedure is quite simple.
The obvious and main constituents of a fruit basket are fruits. Choosing fruits should be done carefully. It is best to choose fruits from a grocery store which stock the best quality produce. And such fruits do not have many bruises and cuts on their skin. The fruits chosen can be either common fruits such as apples and oranges or exotic ones such as strawberries, cherries etc. Along with fruits, the basket can also be filled with other things such as chocolates, nuts, confetti, beads, cheese or wine, depending on the need and the taste. The basket can also include a note if needed.
The basket used for making the fruit basket should be one that can hold the weight of the fruits. The basket can be either made of cane, glass or ceramic. Decoration of the basket takes enough importance. The basket can be decorated with satin ribbons, and the base can have a fine cloth stitched or stuck to it.
Once the materials are ready, the basket can first be filled with a layer of packaging grass. Upon that, hard, big fruits such as apples and oranges can be stacked symmetrically; then ripe, softer fruits can be arranged. The arrangement will take a shape depending on the shape of the fruit basket. In the end, the fruit basket can be covered with a neat cellophane paper to give that finished, look.
Some useful tips: Include a layer of packaging material between each layer of fruit, make sure there is no moisture, do not stuff the basket with too many fruits and make sure there are absolutely not single rotten fruit in the bunch. If you find it difficult to put it up together, you could always order a fruit basket online. Internet has revolutionized our lifestyle and there are host of orchards and fruit companies that have significant presence in this space and they even offer a wide range of assorted fruit baskets with premium accompaniments. It is all just a click away.
Innovative fruit basket for unique people
Everyone loves one fruit or another. Fruits are healthy and provide the necessary vitamins that your body requires. Fruits are seasonal and hence fruit baskets are also designed depending on the season and the availability of fruits. There are different types of fruit baskets and they can be classified into fresh fruit basket, sliced fruit basket and dry fruit basket. If you are not aware of the recipient’s likes and dislikes then it is a safe bet to rely on fruit baskets. No one has the heart to waste fruits and therefore you can be sure that they will be consumed. If you have the patience and an eye for decoration then you can buy seasonal fruits and arrange them in a fruit basket. But if you are busy and lack creativity then it is best to order one from a store. You can decorate the basket with same type of fruits or buy colorful fruits and assemble them in a basket. A basket of fruit mixture is popular and is liked by all.
What are the common fruits that can be decorated in a basket? Apples, pears, oranges are sturdy fruits that stay fresh for longer duration. You need to pick the fruits depending on where the fruit basket is sent. If you are planning to personally handover the fruit basket then you can try grapes, bananas, cherries and the like. This is because you can be sure that they will be consumed as soon as they are arranged. When you are sending a fruit basket by parcel service then it is advised to use fruits that can stay fresh longer.
Creative thinking has crept into fruit basket industry also, that is why it is common to see nuts, jellies, candies, etc also becoming part of fruit baskets. If you find dressing the basket with fruits alone monotonous then you can try variety of supplements that go well with them. Adding a bottle of wine to the fruit basket also makes it innovative.
Dry fruit baskets are more ideal for long journey. They last longer though on the expensive side. Here again you have an array of choice. Freshly cut fruit baskets are more commonly used for wedding reception or parties. The dinner table is decorated with just cut fruits and arranged in a basket; this can be used as a centerpiece for the party table.
There is no end to fruit basket ideas and it all depends on your creativity and organizing skills.
What are the common fruits that can be decorated in a basket? Apples, pears, oranges are sturdy fruits that stay fresh for longer duration. You need to pick the fruits depending on where the fruit basket is sent. If you are planning to personally handover the fruit basket then you can try grapes, bananas, cherries and the like. This is because you can be sure that they will be consumed as soon as they are arranged. When you are sending a fruit basket by parcel service then it is advised to use fruits that can stay fresh longer.
Creative thinking has crept into fruit basket industry also, that is why it is common to see nuts, jellies, candies, etc also becoming part of fruit baskets. If you find dressing the basket with fruits alone monotonous then you can try variety of supplements that go well with them. Adding a bottle of wine to the fruit basket also makes it innovative.
Dry fruit baskets are more ideal for long journey. They last longer though on the expensive side. Here again you have an array of choice. Freshly cut fruit baskets are more commonly used for wedding reception or parties. The dinner table is decorated with just cut fruits and arranged in a basket; this can be used as a centerpiece for the party table.
There is no end to fruit basket ideas and it all depends on your creativity and organizing skills.
Making chocolate dipped strawberries
Oh my god! You just remembered that today is your 1st year anniversary and you promised your girlfriend something special! What do you do??? Movie? Planned that. Cozy dinner for two? Arranged. Still you need something that screams “Done by me for the special occasion”. Well how about chocolate dipped strawberries? Yeah that might work.
But if you are worried that you might ruin it because you are kitchen klutz, then don’t. It’s a surprisingly simple dish that produces outstanding results and is guaranteed to impress that special someone. Chocolate covered strawberries are a perfect gift for any occasion.
Apart from tasting heavenly delicious they look just wonderful. With a bit of creativity you can create the most wonderful looking work of art. It almost would be a pity to eat this magnificent creation, if it wasn't for the absolutely exquisite taste.
This is a dish that absolutely everyone can make. Many of the required items you should already have on hand if you own a kitchen and those items that you do not have are most likely to be the perishables.
Fact this recipe is so simple soon she will be begging you to make them quite frequently!
Ingredients:
2 cups (11-1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
12 large strawberries with stems, rinsed and dried
It's important that the strawberries be completely dry before dipping to prevent the chocolate from discoloring.
Preparation:
1. Line baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
2. Melt chips with shortening in top of double boiler over hot, not boiling, water, stirring constantly.
3. Dip about half of each strawberry in chocolate. Remove excess chocolate by scraping bottom of strawberry across rim of pan. Place strawberries on prepared baking sheet. Let stand until set.
4. Store in refrigerator in airtight container between layers of waxed paper.
Stir chopped dried fruits, raisins or nuts into any remaining chocolate; drop by tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
Variation Melt 8 ounces white chocolate or pastel confectionery coating. Dip bottom of dipped strawberries, leaving a portion of the milk chocolate coating showing.
(I always thought that making chocolate covered strawberries is for real cooking professionals. But this is something even I could whip up!!)
But if you are worried that you might ruin it because you are kitchen klutz, then don’t. It’s a surprisingly simple dish that produces outstanding results and is guaranteed to impress that special someone. Chocolate covered strawberries are a perfect gift for any occasion.
Apart from tasting heavenly delicious they look just wonderful. With a bit of creativity you can create the most wonderful looking work of art. It almost would be a pity to eat this magnificent creation, if it wasn't for the absolutely exquisite taste.
This is a dish that absolutely everyone can make. Many of the required items you should already have on hand if you own a kitchen and those items that you do not have are most likely to be the perishables.
Fact this recipe is so simple soon she will be begging you to make them quite frequently!
Ingredients:
2 cups (11-1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
12 large strawberries with stems, rinsed and dried
It's important that the strawberries be completely dry before dipping to prevent the chocolate from discoloring.
Preparation:
1. Line baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
2. Melt chips with shortening in top of double boiler over hot, not boiling, water, stirring constantly.
3. Dip about half of each strawberry in chocolate. Remove excess chocolate by scraping bottom of strawberry across rim of pan. Place strawberries on prepared baking sheet. Let stand until set.
4. Store in refrigerator in airtight container between layers of waxed paper.
Stir chopped dried fruits, raisins or nuts into any remaining chocolate; drop by tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.
Variation Melt 8 ounces white chocolate or pastel confectionery coating. Dip bottom of dipped strawberries, leaving a portion of the milk chocolate coating showing.
(I always thought that making chocolate covered strawberries is for real cooking professionals. But this is something even I could whip up!!)
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