In order to surprise guests and households with an original and stylish setting of the festive table, you can serve cold snacks, desserts or drinks in dishes made of ice. Ice vases, plates or glasses, adorned with elegant decor, will not only add a pleasant coolness to the served dish, but will also make an indelible impression on everyone present.
The tradition of setting the table with ice dishes is not new: in the old days in Russia, during the big holidays, they served sturgeon aspic, putting it on ice trays decorated with intricate carvings. Nowadays, the fashion for dishes made of ice is set by a number of large European restaurants, using such an unusual serving not only for Christmas and New Year's parties, but also in the hot season.
How to decorate ice dishes
The decor of fresh flowers, leaves, berries or slices of bright fruits gives a special beauty and uniqueness to ice dishes. It is important to remember that only non-poisonous plants are suitable for making serving items: edible berries, rose petals, chamomile flowers, nasturtium, jasmine, dandelion, basil leaves, mint, clover, etc. The decor of lime, lemon and orange, cut evenly, looks very nice circles.
Preparatory stage
Leaves and flowers are thoroughly washed with running water, dried, divided into separate petals, or left intact. A little boiled cold water is poured into the bottom of a container of the desired shape and a thin layer of fruits, berries, flowers or leaves is placed on its surface.
To make the vase or plate strong and stand longer at room temperature, it is recommended to freeze the water sequentially: after the water freezes at the bottom of the container, you can add the next portion and additional decorative elements.
Making an ice vase
After the first layer of water freezes, another container, smaller in diameter, is placed on the bottom of the dishes and using tape, a piece of plasticine or electrical tape, the edges of both containers are connected to fix their position.
The remaining portion of water is carefully poured into the gap between the edges and, using a wooden skewer or the tip of a knife, leaves, flowers or fruit slices are evenly distributed along the walls. To obtain a stable result, it is necessary to hold the workpiece in the freezer for at least 12 hours.
When the ice vase is ready, a little warm water is poured into the upper container, which makes it easier to separate the workpiece from the mold. The vase is wrapped in foil and placed in the freezer - the foil will prevent the icy bottom of the dishes from sticking to the walls of the freezer. Place the dishes in a vase just before serving, placing the ice-cold dishes on a nice plate or small tray to protect the tablecloth from water leaks.
