Cute orange shells enclosed with delicious orange flavored ice cream – a perfect way to beat the heat with the kids..!
I am a softie for presentation. Any kind of food dressed appealingly is a WOW for me. Looking good just cannot be ignored. You eat primarily with your eyes, smell the aroma with your nose, feel the texture with your touch and taste the food with your tongue. And that is the ultimate truth of food.
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Looking good is not always restricted to your plate. The ambience of the room you eat in, the courteousness of the people serving you, the cleanliness and the plating of the food on your plate as well as the music playing softly in the corner, all contribute to making dining an exemplary experience. But the question always remains, how difficult is it to dress up your dinner plans?
Dinners can be a romantic dinner for two, a small informal/ formal gathering or a large gathering of people. For any of these gatherings choose a theme for the occasion and select your menu accordingly. Decide on the color combinations and flower arrangements that complement your theme.
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Courtesy Google
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DO NOT SKIMP ON THE CENTERPIECE
Choose a centerpiece that adds to the artistic value of the table by giving it depth and creating a focal point for the dining table, a visual spectacle. Candles are a never fail aspect of fine dining. Be it tall tapering candles or chunky asymmetrical candles, colorful candles can be arranged decoratively in the room or on the table. Candles should be arranged so that the tallest one is in the center and the smaller ones are placed outward toward the edges. This arrangement gives your table a sophisticated look.
Flowers make great centerpieces and can be used in numerous ways. You can place flowers in beautiful vases or decorative bottles around the room. Alternately cut the stalks off the flowers and float them in a small bowl or individual glasses of water. Bring in an aura of classy simplicity by placing single stalks of bright colored flowers in spare drinking glasses. They make a simple yet pretty table decoration. For an eco-friendly look create an inexpensive centerpiece of seasonal fruits in a beautiful ornate fruit bowl. However care need to be taken that the centerpieces are not so tall that the diner on one end cannot see the diner seated on the opposite side of the table.
Similarly care needs to be taken when choosing your cutlery and tableware. Choose styles and colors that match with your table cloth and the theme of the evening. Different runners and colorful napkins are a good way to experiment. Fold the napkins creatively, making use of ribbons and napkin rings to secure them elegantly. If you are having a large party, gather the napkins and cutlery into individual sets
and secure them with a ribbon. This makes it easier for the guest to pick them up. Jazz up the party by deciding the seating order of the guests; invest some time in making decorative name cards. This will make each person feel special and add an extra zing to the seating arrangements and conversations.
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Courtesy Google
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GET ON WITH THE FOOD
The stage has been set for the perfect dining experience. The audience awaits the star of the evening, beautiful, tantalizing delectable food. The host always chooses the menu with care. The best food will be served with the best drinks. Care needs to be taken that the food served is fresh and warm to eat. Presentation of the food on the plate is of utmost importance. There are numerous ways of garnishing food. Let us try to better understand some of these ideas.
A welcome drink is a must for all parties. If you are serving punch or fruit juices to your guest, dress up the glass with a slice of fruit and a cocktail stick. Drop a few pitted berries or cherries in a tall glass and top it up with a clear drink like lemonade, soda, ginger ale or water. This is a very elegant presentation and will be well appreciated.
Lemon is a very versatile garnish for food. It can be sliced or diced and placed strategically on the plate to make it look good. Try the Triple lemon twist garnish for added effect. Slice a lemon into thin rounds. Make a slit from the edge to the centre of each slice. Now twist the lemon along the slit to make a lovely curl.
Herbs and spring onions make a very versatile garnish. Tie and few herbs in a bunch and place it beside a roast chicken. You can also slice them up and sprinkle them over the dish. A sprig of mint / coriander leaf placed in the dish can make the difference between a boring and appetizing dish.
Desserts are the most awaited dish on the menu. Turn simple desserts into exciting treats by serving them on white dessert plates. Pour a stream of chocolate sauce around the plate and sprinkle a few berries around to complete the look. Have you tried serving layered desserts in long stemmed glasses?Are they not a pretty sight to see? Spend some time making some chocolate curls or caramel dipped
nuts. They all help spruce up your dessert.
Dining is an art. An art that can neither be explained nor taught, an art that has to be experienced and experimented with, an art that is not born but acquired. So dress up your table and pretty up your food and get ready for a cozy cuddle or an appreciative gathering. And rake in the praises.
This unique recipe makes use of a simple garnish, but the effect is exemplary. Try this fruity summer dessert for a conversation starter amidst kids and adults alike.
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ORANGE BOMBS
- 6 large oranges
- 1 Liter Vanilla ice cream slightly softened
- 1/3 cup Orange juice concentrate, chilled
- Zest of half an Orange
- Orange food color , a pinch
To Prepare
- Cut the top 1/3 part of each orange. Using a knife remove as much flesh from the orange without tearing the skin. Reserve the flesh to make orange juice later some other time.
- Place the softened ice cream and all the other ingredients in a bowl and mix well till combined.
- If the ice cream starts to soften too much, return to the freezer for 10 minutes and them mix again till combined.
- Place the orange shells on a baking tray. Spoon in the ice cream into the shells till it is almost full. The ice cream will expand on filling. Freeze for two hours.
- Remove the bombs from the freezer and wrap them in plastic wrap. Return to the freezer.
- Take the bombs out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving so that they soften slightly.
- Garnish with orange blossoms and chocolate leaves.
- For an adult version add a dash of orange flavored alcohol and jazz up the bomb.
This is my entry to the following event -
- Bon Vivant Moments(Fruits ) hosted by Sumee.
- Summer Spirits by Tomato Blues
- Lets cook with Fruits by Tickling Palates
- Scream Ice cream by Daily Cuppa
- Showcase Desserts by Divya’s Culinary Journey
- Ice creams by Sameena
this recipe is super delicious. nice pictures
Thanx Kanan.. very nice of you to comment…!
Easy way of making ice cream & great presentation:-)
Join me(Erivum Puliyum)
in the following ongoing events-
Show me Your HITS -Iron Rich Foods
EP Series-Ginger or Pepper Corns
Thanx Julie…!
Seems so refreshing and perfect for the summer ! Interesting tips as well !!
Yes it is delicious… kids especially love the novelty of eating out of an orange.!
Damn gorgeous looking orange bombs, fantastic..Btw loved ur write up about dining..
THank you.. just sharing some tips… afterall entertaining is a never ending feat.!
this is a bomb alright ! yum;nice post
Thanx Priya..!
Hi Anzz, your orange bomb look so awesome. I exchange my coconut bun with your dessert, hahaha
Love your presentation, very pretty and classy.
Thanks for sharing all the tip, really appreciate it.
Have a nice day, regards.
For sure,I am in love with your coconut bun… I know not what it is between South Indians and coconuts… haha… Thanx..!
lovely Anzz !! beautiful and super easy BOMB!!!
Thank you dear, the presentation makes it stand out, and a real fave with the kiddos..Q
super cool orange bombs!……..love the presentation and simply love the write up…great going.
Thanx Simran.. Happy to see you here..!
Very interesting name.. Attracted me to read the post immediately.
Well written and love the recipe..
Thanks for linking it to the event..
looking really awesome….thanks for linking it to my ongoing event ‘Scream ice Cream’
PLeasure is all mine. HAppy hosting..!
These are too good
Yup, do try it some time…
Simple but with great appeal!
So true…!
Lovely write up and fantastic idea of dinner and the orange bombs are crown of this post..really looking very very yummy and delicious…….lovely clicks tooo..
Thanx Chitra, your words are really motivating…!
loved the name dear …n love your presentation…looks so good !!!
Thanx dear, a summer cooler for kids,they enjoy this kind of presentation..!
Awesome n gorgeous……….suitable name for the recipe…….:)
Sure is a bomb.. Thanx Faseela..!
Lovely presentation. Btw nice name too.
). THnx for linking up these delicious fruit bombs.. Orange is all time fav flavor in anything for me.
The pleasure is all mine. HAve a great time hosting ..!
this is just awesome..love it
Tasty Appetite
Thanx Jay..!
Nice blend of orange
Presentation is too tempting …
Ongoing event
“Bake-Along”
“Let’s Party-Desserts”
Thanx Surabhi..!
throw me a bomb or two, wouldn’t mind when my taste buds will explode..
Congratulations dear! Beautiful writeup, thank you for sharing such great information! Orange bombs looks fantastic!
Thanx Ambreen, mighty kind of you..!
Great presentation Anzz and a must try dish…looks too tempting!
Thanx Anamika..
I’m not sure if I already commented on this post, but I read it again and I love it each time. I really liked all the suggestions you have mentioned here, and I feel without all this knowledge I kinda did some justice to my Valnetines Day dinner…and now I’m tempted to do another such dinner or brunch
Do stop by my space when time permits…
Regards,
Manju
http://manjuseatingdelights.blogspot.com
Popped over to women’s web to say hi to you
Love the bombs 
Thank you dear… very nice of you..!
Read your write-up. Thumbs up!
Thanx Nisha..!
Awe..thts really cute & innovative!!! Interesting tips as well. Thanks for sharing
Anzz…
Awesome write up,dear..jus loving this recipe,too..
Thanx Deeps ..!