make your own edible centerpieces consumable art for your table
TRANSCRIPT
Make Your OwnEdible Centerpieces
Consumable art for your table
When you are planning a party or celebration, how important is
the food?
Most social gatherings include a meal or refreshments.
Holidays and celebrations are often closely associated with food traditions.
Can you name some holidays or special celebrations and their associated foods?
Valentine’s Day – chocolate
Independence day – cookouts, picnics
Halloween – candy
Thanksgiving - turkey & dressing
Birthdays - cake with frosting
Christmas - cookies
An edible centerpiece can be a festive alternative to high fat, high sugar, high
sodium treats.
Getty Images, used with permission
MyPyramid.gov recommends that adults following a 2000 calorie reference diet consume 4 servings (2 cups) of fruit
daily.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, used with permission.
Most Americans consume less than half the recommended amount of fruit each day.
You can obtain a personalized plan at MyPyramid.gov
A diet rich in fruit may reduce the risk of developing:
strokecoronary heart diseasetype II diabeteskidney stonescertain cancers, such as mouth, stomach, and colon-rectum
The following slides will show the procedure for making an edible
fruit centerpiece.
1. Select supplies and ingredients
Equipment List
sharp knives wooden skewers melon baller kitchen shears cutting boards flower shaped metal cookie cutter
Supplies and equipment, cont.
Supplies and equipment, cont.
Choose firm fruit that does not turn brown when exposed to air
GrapesFresh pineapple
StrawberriesCantaloupe
Orange wedges
Which of these would not be a good choice for use in an edible arrangement?
Supplies and equipment, cont.
Supplies and equipment, cont.
Suitable containers should have deep sides and be:
Food safeWaterproofOpaque
Avoid using clear containers, as skewers will show through the glass.
Supplies and equipment, cont.
Baskets should be lined with food grade plastic to waterproof.
Supplies and equipment, cont.
2. Wash produce
Wash fruit, lettuce, and kale under cool running water and gently pat dry.
Scrub cantaloupe with a clean, firm brush under running water.
Prepare produce, cont.
3. Prepare the base
Place a chunk of iceberg lettuce in the bottom of the container
Cover with kale to create a leafy background
Prepare Base, cont.
4. Prepare cantaloupe balls and wedges
Prepare Cantaloupe, cont.
Insert melon baller into cantaloupe and rotate 360 degrees to make melon balls.
Prepare Cantaloupe, cont.
5. Prepare Pineapple flowers
Pineapple Flower Procedure
6. Prepare grape and strawberry skewers
Place strawberries on short skewers or
toothpicks
Place several grapes on skewers
Prepare Skewers, cont.
7. Assemble centerpiece
Push skewers through kale and into iceberg lettuce base below in circular rows.
Assemble, cont.
Add pineapple
flowers and grape
skewers.
Assemble, cont.
8. Cover and refrigerate
Wrap finished arrangement in food grade plastic and refrigerate until serving.
9. Serve
Just two or three skewers from the arrangement will equal one ½ cup
serving of fruit.
It is simple and fun to encourage more fruit consumption with a pretty fruit
display. Make one for your nextcelebration.
Getty Images, used with permission.
The End
This program has been supported by the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education Support Fund, 2010
References:MyPyramid.gov, U. S. Department of Agriculture
The Health Value of Fruits and Vegetables, Iowa State University Extension, July 2000
Make Your Own Edible Centerpieces was developed by Robin Fisch M.S.