Beetroot Beauties…

Beetroots are so beautiful naturally, that anything you make out of it will look beautiful.

I was planning to make these beetroot flowers for quite some time now….somehow,it just went on delaying. Today when I went to buy my regular veggies I saw some nice and fresh Beetroots. Freshly arrived veggies look so beautiful! I picked up two big Beetroots and one big Radish-to make the leaves.

Beetroot is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, manganese and fibre, it contains less calories and no fat. Research and studies show that it may also reduce the risk of Cancer. It is very good for pregnant women as it contains lots of folate. Although, there is a common myth that beetroot is good for blood. It is very low on Iron, so it will not help prevent anaemia.

Roses? Nah….! Look carefully!

I’ve seen not many kids like eating Beetroot, though as a kid I used to love it for the simple reason that it gave me pink lips! I am happy that these experiments of mine are teaching my kids to appreciate and enjoy the veggies.

I have also used Radish in this arrangement. Radish is a great source of vitamin C and is rich in minerals like sulphur, iron, and iodine. It is very commonly used in the North Indian households on a daily basis for salads and paratha’s. The leaves of Radish, are also used to make sabzi.

My Suggestions for making this arrangement…

• Select big and round beetroots
• Radish also should be big, fat and firm.
• Keep the Radish leaves and Beetroot flowers separately.
• Also while arranging, make sure not to stain the leaves, arrange the flowers first and then the leaves.

Vegetable Candle Center Piece

If you have planned a candle light dinner and you run out of candles….here is a suggestion from me!

Few days back,  we had invited a friend couple of ours, for dinner. All my cooking was done before time (which is quite rare, I always run behind time when I have guests over!), when I was re-checking the menu, I realised I had not made the Salad…..Thankfully I had a couple of hours on hand before they could arrive. After all the cooking,I was pretty much bored of cutting the salad….that too, in the same old way! Took a look at the vegetables available and made this Center Piece cum Salad.

The Candles are made out of Radish, Flames from Carrot, Flowers from Cucumber,Tomato Peel, Yellow Bell Peppers, Leaves from Capsicum.

I suggest:

• Except the Tomato flowers, keep all the cut vegetables in ice water, so that they remain fresh and firm.
• Use small sized bell peppers for making the Flowers, as they tend to expand when kept in ice water.
• Use a non-toxic ink pen to draw shapes on the vegetables, so that the vegetables are edible.
• You can also draw shapes using a tooth-pick.
• The candles and flowers are tucked in an Oasis Brick, which is easily available at any florists’.
• The brick is re-usable, so next time you receive a bouquet, don’t throw away the small green brick you see at the base of your bouquet.
• ALSO MAKE A PLATEFUL OF CUT SALAD, JUST IN CASE YOUR GUESTS REFUSE TO EAT THIS ONE!!

Tomato Blossoms.

Indian food culture is as colourful as its people. Not only there is variety in the food but also the way it is served.

I was born and brought up in Maharashtra. Traditionally, in Maharashtra, people sit down on the floor forming  a line and the food is served to them. This is known as the “Pangat”.  Even today, on the occasions like Wedding, Munj (Thread Ceremony) or even regular family get togethers, food is served in “Pangat”. The “Pangat” is always decorated with “Rangoli”, because it is believed that rangoli is considered to be auspicious.

Here I have made a floral rangoli around a plate. The flowers are made from Tomato peels, and the leaves are made from capsicum.

Another Suggestion with the same flowers and leaves…But here I have used some small leftover candles from my daughter’s birthday party, cut them into small pieces and placed them on the base of the tomato.

Some more ideas with the same Flowers and leaves…

 

Things to keep in mind while making this arrangement:

• Use fresh and firm tomatoes.
• Use a sharp knife and start peeling from the top,so that you get a base for your flower.
• Never keep these flowers in ice water.
• It is OK if the peel is uneven, it will give a better effect of petals. So don’t get panicky if you don’t get the peel correct & even.
• If you are using candles, be careful and make sure you do a rehearsal, because Tomatoes and Candles put together can really behave funny at times.
• You can make the flowers 2-3 hours prior to your party, keep them in an air tight container & store it in the refrigerator.
• These Flowers will remain fresh for 5-6 hours.

Baby’s Day Out!

I have always admired Fruit and Vegetable carving. Whenever I see a carving done, I tend to stop and think as to how it was done. Must say it takes a lot of patience to create even a small flower out of a tomato! I have heard a lot of people complaining about the fruits or vegetables getting wasted afterwards, but I beg to differ. Once they are allowed, my kids love eating up the “flowers” or “Swans” or “Peacocks”! The excitement in their eyes and the shriek in their voice is totally worth it.

The “Baby Cradle” was my first attempt at Fruit Craving. Making it, was a lot of fun because, a few friends of mine had happily volenteered to assist me.