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food

Gorgeous Garnishes your hostess will appreciate…

November 20, 2018 By splendid 4 Comments

It’s hard to think of the “final touch” when one hasn’t even heated up the oven yet. But whether you’re the host or a guest this Thursday, preparing a few simple garnishes in advance will allow you to finish the platters with ease come Thanksgiving Day. Sprigs of herbs and slices of citrus fruits make a beautiful, fresh~looking background for any dish.

If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, now would be a great time to curate a few herbal bouquets as you are out and about. If you are a guest, why not offer to bring along the garnishes for your host or hostess and adorn the platters for them? They will love you for giving them one less thing to worry about.

My first resource was the garden, where I clipped piles of hearty herbs and leaves. If the garden is bare, store bought herbs can be “freshened up” in glasses of water in the refrigerator overnight.

From the garden or the store, the stems should be trimmed to similar lengths (your fingers will become fantastically fragrant) before placing the herbs in glasses of water for nice hydrating drink to keep the leaves looking plump. I love having bouquets of herbs amassed on the kitchen counters, they look so fresh and festive.

Sprigs of soft Sage,

spiky Rosemary,

shiny Bay Laurel,

delicate Thyme,

and bright citrus leaves combine to make a beautiful background for any meal.

The trimmed herbs can be used to create a “garland” around the edge of a platter. To create a garland, place a sprig on the platter, then lay your next sprig on top of the first, so that the leaves cover the original stem. Continue working your way around the platter until it is encircled with greenery.  Fill in any bare spots with more sprigs of herbs until the garland looks thick and evenly full.

To add a zest of color, layer on some citrus. Thick slices, halves and quarters of limes and satsumas look lovely with this blend of greens.
Nestle the pieces in between the leaves. Show some of the peel as well as cut edges.
A well dressed platter like this is a perfect place to display a main course.  Smaller plates and bowls can be dressed with just a few leaves and pieces of fruit. The stems of the herb sprigs can be tucked under the food.

If you are a guest for Thanksgiving and want to bring a garnish kit – it couldn’t be easier. Follow the steps above for trimming your sprigs and giving them a nice long drink. Then, just before departing for the party, pack the herbs into zip lock bags.
Slices of citrus can dry out, so it is best to slice the fruit within an hour of when the meal will be served. Bring along a bag of citrus. To be completely prepared, bring along a small cutting board and sharp knife (then you won’t have to ask the busy hostess for one).

 

 


Filed Under: food Tagged With: citrus garnish, fresh garnishes, fresh herb garnish, fresh hostess gift, garnish Thanksgiving trays, garnishes, hostess gift

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Comments

  1. The Simply Luxurious Life says

    November 24, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    What a great idea! And the smell is probably amazing. Sage to me can be a decoration all its own. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Emily. Right now, we have snow and while it feels like it should be Christmas, it is making the Thanksgiving week very cozy. All the best. xo

    Reply
    • Emil ie says

      November 21, 2018 at 8:01 am

      Thank you, belated shannon. IF i to have to choose one herb it Would be thyme. I am so thank for your blog, your podcast and our cyber friendship. Ialways learn so much from you. If you ever come to seattle to promo your book, please let me know, i’ll rally my troops!

      Reply
  2. Sarah says

    November 21, 2018 at 5:25 am

    Lovely!!!!

    Reply
  3. Emil ie says

    November 21, 2018 at 8:02 am

    Thanks sarah!

    Reply

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