Culinary Techniques: Candied Citrus Peel

Garnishing Tools

• Garnishing tools are essential for creating professional-looking dishes
• Different tools are needed for different jobs, depending on the size and type of ingredient
• Jackhammers should not be used for small tasks
• Stirring spoons are not suitable for delicate garnishes like melon balls

Garnishing Techniques Using Tweezers

• Tweezers are used to plate and decorate food
• Tweezers improve the presentation of delicate dishes like flowers or sugar decorations
• Different types of tweezers are used, depending on the items being handled.
• Using tweezers allows precision and control when arranging small items
• Small decorations are best handled with fine-point tweezers
• Delicate flowers, sugar, and other decorations should be handled with offset tweezers
• Long, straight tweezers can help you easily cook foods
• Short, straight tweezers are best for decorating delicate plates

Decorating Brushes

• Decorating brushes create precise and uniform strokes
• Standard pastry brushes are suitable for most garnishing, but paintbrushes work better for delicate tasks

Plating Wedges

• Plating wedges create designs with sauces and purees
• These tools help to create professional-looking plate presentations

Apple Cutter/corer

• Apple cutter/corers are wheel-shaped tools used for cutting vegetables like carrots and apples

Spatulas

• Spatulas add finishing touches to plates and decorations

Moulds

• Moulds are used to create shapes and patterns for garnishes

Spoons

• Spoons are designed for plating sauces and dressings

Hand Grater

• A grater with different sections (fine and large shreds) is ideal for different tasks

Small Cookie Cutters

• Small cookie cutters (or hors d'oeuvre cutters) are used to create shapes

Knives

• Chef's knives, utility knives, and paring knives have various suitable sizes and uses for different tasks and ingredients

Melon Baller

• Melon ballers are useful tools for creating melon balls

Scissors

• Small scissors are great for cutting small items like veggie tops
• Kitchen shears or poultry are for more challenging cuts

Skewers and Toothpicks

• Skewers and toothpicks serve multiple roles in food presentation

Squeeze Bottles

• Squeeze bottles add decorative drizzles to plates

Cues for Bright, Colorful Garnishes

• Foods like pears, apples, and bananas quickly change color after being cut
• Preserving their vibrant colors before serving is important
• Lemon juice helps maintain appearance and prevent color loss

Maintaining Garnishes

• Blanching fresh vegetables maintains color and freshness, by using boiling water
• Quickly plunge produce into ice water to stop the cooking process
• Thoroughly dry garnishes to avoid spoilage and make them last longer

Storing Garnishes

• Keep garnishes away from air and heat
• Protect garnishes with airtight coverings like plastic wrap whenever possible
• Some garnishes can be prepared ahead of time; others should be made just before serving
• Refrigerate for keeping garnishes safe for a while
• Store ingredients as per their normal requirements

Citrus Garnishes

• Lemons can be used to make decorative garnishes like knots, scored slices, citrus loops, and candied peels
• Fruits at their perfect ripeness look the best

Candied Citrus Peel

• Thin strips of candied citrus peel are perfect garnishes for diverse dishes, like espresso or cakes
• Preparation involves washing and drying the fruit thoroughly, then cutting the peel
• Removing the white membrane is an important step before the garnishing process

Preparing Candied Citrus Peel

• Place peel strips on a cutting board and scrape the cut side using a paring knife if needed
• Scrape the white membrane off the peel
• Cut peel into thin strips
• Mix equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan on medium heat until it becomes translucent

Finishing Candied Citrus Peel

• Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes until peels become translucent
• Place a strainer over a bowl, then spoon the peels into the strainer to drain
• Add additional sugar for even coating; then, place them on a paper for the final drying process

Test your knowledge on the process of preparing candied citrus peel and the necessary tools for effective plating and garnishing. This quiz covers essential cooking skills, from simmering times to the best cutting instruments. Sharpen your culinary expertise with these practical questions!