| Imaginative Floral Decorations |
From "Party at Home"
episode PAH-204 |
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When you're hosting a dinner party, chances are you will decorate the table with flowers. Theresa Loe, the author of The Herbal Home Companion, goes a step further and uses flowers inside, under and alongside the dish. She receives her decorating inspiration directly from nature and enjoys using edible flowers and herbs to add a special touch to her table. (Note:) If you consider trying these unique ideas, be sure to use flowers that are clearly labeled as edible, and check with your florist to verify that no pesticides were used. Loe's favorite edible flowers are sage blossom, pansies and nasturtiums (figure A), and some of her favorite herbs are sage, oregano, and the pretty leaves of salad burnet. Herb and Flower Pasta Ingredients: Wonton/eggroll wrappers (in freezer section of gourmet markets)
1 tsp. cornstarch
3 Tbs. cold water
Pastry brush
Rolling pin
Cookie cutter
Fresh edible flowers
Fresh herb leaves Preparation: In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch (this will be the glue that holds the wonton wrappers together). Use a brush to coat one wonton wrapper with the water/cornstarch mixture. Place a few flowers and herb leaves on the wonton in a decorative fashion (figure B). Brush a second wrapper with the cornstarch mixture and place atop the first. Use a rolling pin to seal the wrappers and smooth them out. Cut the square wrappers into shapes with the cookie cutter (figure C). Cook just like regular pasta in boiling water for about 2 or 3 minutes. Serve hot with a pesto or herbed-butter sauce, or serve cold in a garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing. For added floral pleasure, Loe demonstrates how to create a garden plate for each place setting: - Place one clear dinner plate on tablecloth.
- Arrange colorful flowers, leaves and herbs on the plate.
- Place another plate on top of the flowers and herbs (figure D).
Accent these place settings with a flower tucked into the napkin to give your guests a sense of the light, bright and beautiful evening ahead.
RESOURCES :
Easygoing Entertaining: The 'Harry's Wild About You!' Cookbook
Model: 0942084861
Author: Harry Schwartz
Surfside Publishing
(November, 1994)
Guests Without Grief: Entertaining Made Easy for the Hesitant Host
Model: 0684818841
Author: Paula Jhung
218 pages
(April 1997)
Flowers: The Book of Floral Design
ISBN: 078945954X
Author: Malcolm Hillier
468 pages
American Edition
(September 1, 2000)
DK Publishing - Main Office
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
Decorating With Dried Flowers
ISBN: 051756923X
Author: Malcolm Hillier
Harmony Books / Crown Publishers, Inc. / Random House
Website: www.randomhouse.com
B. Smith's Entertaining and Cooking For Friends
Model: 1579651615
Author: Barbara Smith
(1995)
Artisan Publishers
Muskogee, OK 74402
Phone: 918-682-8341
Fax: 918-682-1263
Email: info@artisanpublishers.com
Website: www.artisanpublishers.com
GUESTS :
Theresa Loe
Author
c/o Country Thyme Productions
PO Box 3090
El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: 310-322-6026
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