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Valentine’s Day Garnish Ideas with Color and Flavor
Valentine’s Day Garnish Ideas with Color and Flavor: But not Just for Valentines Day!
Edible garnishes might be small, but they can really amplify a plate presentation. We are going to talk briefly about the two categories of garnish: edible flowers and microgreens.
Edible flowers are a beautiful way to add a huge pop of color. Use them whole as an elegant finish to a glass of champagne, a mimosa, or a cocktail. Another idea is breaking apart the flower petals into edible confetti and sprinkling on salads, entrees, or desserts. Serve your guest a beautiful breakfast with a sprinkle of flower petals on an omelet. While edible flowers are great for Valentine’s Day, they are also perfect New Year’s menus, weddings, and pastry presentations.
Many edible flowers are known to be delicate. If you need something sturdy, edible orchids might be exactly what you are looking for. They are the perfect mix of beauty and hardiness. The most common edible orchid is the Dendrobium variety, and the flower petals are more robust. These are the edible flowers that are ideal for off-premise dining or a banquet. Their striking color is a fantastic garnish.
Microgreens are a great way to punch up the flavor and look of your plates, and the variety of colorful mixes is endless. The first growth of beets, cabbages, onions, herbs, and other edible crops are harvested as microgreens when they are about a week old. They are tiny, with small tender leaves and soft edible stems that can taste very similar to the “grown up” versions, and may in fact be packed with nutrition.
Some microgreens will have creative names, for example Bulls Blood, and can be vibrantly colored—lending themselves as perfect and simple colorful garnishes. Microgreens can be added to salads, sandwiches, or they can be used as a garnish. Since they can taste like their fully grown versions, you can add specific varieties to suit your flavor needs.
Have you heard about Hearts of Fire Sorrel, aka Red Veined Sorrel? Dan Snowden at FreshPoint Central Florida says, “It works great with fish and shellfish, adding a bright, acidic note redolent of rhubarb.”
These are just a few Valentine’s Day Garnish ideas to add color and flavor to your plates. Check with your FreshPoint location to find out what unique Valentine’s Day items are available. Some items listed are not available at all locations, and some are special order.
Note: Not all flowers that are edible are food safe. We recommend you buy edible flowers from a reputable company with food safety practices in place.
Contact your representative about adding edible flowers or microgreens to your next order. If you are not a customer, find out how to become one today!
Article submission by Lisa Pettineo.
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