How to Make an Edible Arrangement
The term "edible arrangement" refers to an array of food that is displayed in such a way that it also serves as a centerpiece for the table. Kabobs made from fruit are a particularly attractive type of edible arrangement because they are bright, colorful and lend themselves to seasonal themes. For instance, a summer edible arrangement might be made from berries and melons while a fall arrangement could use apples, grapes and dried cranberries. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Container
- Iceberg lettuce head
- Whole pineapple
- Flower-shaped cookie cutter
- Whole cantaloupe
- Melon baller
- Gum drops
- Bamboo skewers
- Grapes
- Large strawberries
Instructions
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1
Cut the head of lettuce in half or smaller, depending on the size of your container. Stuff the lettuce wedges into the container, packing them tightly. The lettuce provides a stable medium to poke the skewers into.
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2
Cut the ends off a whole pineapple. Slice the fruit into rounds that are approximately a quarter inch thick. Place the flower-shaped cookie cutter in the center of each pineapple slice, and press down to cut out the shape.
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3
Cut the cantaloupe in half, and scoop out the seeds. Rotate the melon baller through the flesh of the melon, and make as many melon balls as you have pineapple flowers.
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4
Push a gum drop through the sharp end of a bamboo skewer. Position it approximately 1 1/2 inches from the end. The gum drop acts as a stopper to prevent the fruit from sliding down the skewer.
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5
Place one pineapple flower on top of the gum drop and one melon ball on top of the flower. Continue making flowers until all of your pineapple has been used. Arrange the skewers in the container by poking them into the lettuce.
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6
Slide a gum drop approximately 5 to 6 inches down on the skewer, and place enough grapes on the stick to cover it. Make an odd number of grape skewers, and arrange them around your pineapple flowers.
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7
Place more gumdrops on skewers, pushing them approximately 2 inches from the top. Slide one strawberry on each skewer with the pointed end of the berry facing up. Poke the berry sticks into your arrangement as needed.
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8
Cover gently with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until it is time to serve.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a cookie cutter that is small enough to fit neatly inside your sliced pineapple so that you do not have to peel the fruit.
Find skewers of different lengths to add variety of height to your edible arrangement.
Choose gumdrops that are colored similarly to the fruit you are pairing them with if you want them to be less noticeable, or choose contrasting colors to make the candy a more vibrant part of your arrangement.
For a tropical look or to make fruit look "snow covered," brush a light layer of yogurt over the fruit after it is skewered, and roll it in flaked coconut.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
