Sugared Herbs and Fruits

When there’s a special occasion or during the Holidays 🎄, most of us like to go an extra mile to make everything look prettier. It can be carving a tomato to form a rose, arrange crudité in a circle, twist some citrus, shave chocolate, place a gold leaf for color, use microgreens as a finishing touch, sprinkle some sanding sugar, and so on.
 
One that I like using as a garnish for plates, desserts 🍰 and even cocktails are Sugared Herbs and Fruits! The technique is incredibly easy! Using fresh produce, these give a touch of elegance to your creations. Without the passive time, it’s quick to do and you can involve your little ones to help…
 
To make 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 Sugared Herbs and Fruits, you need simple syrup and there’s a full episode on it so click here… Simple Syrup. Contrary to what many think, it doesn’t need to be brought to a simmer. As long as the sugar is dissolved… that’s what counts.
 
After the simple syrup has cool off in the saucepan, the chosen herbs 🌿 and/or fruits are infused in it. It’s important to coat them very well by flipping and pushing them down in the syrup. They are transferred to a baking sheet in a single layer lined with a wire rack and sit there to dry off for a good hour.
 
When time is up, they won’t be totally dry. Instead, they’ll be very sticky and that’s exactly what we want. The herbs and/or fruits are dipped and rolled in granulated sugar and back on the rack to dry out for another hour ⏰ before using them.
 
The best herbs to use for this application are rosemary, mint, basil, sage, lemon balm, thyme, but also edible flowers such as roses 🌹, magnolias, lavender, lilacs, hibiscus, peonies, fuchsias, squash blossoms, pansies, and more.
 
For the fruits, you need the ones with firm skins and texture like cranberries, blueberries, grapes, tangerines, cherries, apples 🍏, pears, pineapple, kiwi, plums, etc. Fruits like raspberries are not recommended for this application.
 
Sugared Herbs and Fruits make such a gorgeous presentation! This garnish is uncomplicated to make and will definitely enhance your table setting, baked goods, and even your cocktails 🍹. If there’s any leftovers, the herbs stored in an airtight container will last for up to 2 days while the fruits are anywhere from a day to 4 days, depending on their water content (juicier = shorter shelf life)
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here’s the Sugared Herbs and Fruits recipe…
• ½ cup simple syrup see Recipe
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Fresh herbs or fruits such as thyme, rosemary, mint, cranberries, blueberries, etc.

1- In a small saucepan over medium heat, make the simple syrup and remove from the heat to cool off, about 20 minutes.

2 – Dip chosen herbs and/or fruits and coat well, flipping them with tongs. Transfer them in a single layer to a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. Allow to dry for 1 hour.

3- In a shallow dish, add granulated sugar. Working with one at a time, dip herb or fruit until nicely coated on all sides. Put it back on wire rack to completely dry off for 1 hour before using.
 
Here are a few tips and tricks that can be quite helpful during the Holidays… 😀
– Homemade Sanding Sugar aka Sand Sugar
– Pearl Onions • Easiest Way to Peel
– German Gingerbread Spice • Lebkuchengewürz
– Remove Tarnish from Silverware in 10 minutes
– Seed a Pomegranate without the Mess
– How to Roast Chestnuts in the Oven
– Leftover Gravy Solution
– Toasted Flour ~ How to
– How to Set a Table; Casual to Formal
and for more handy kitchen tips and tricks 💡, click on this link… Recipe Category • Tips & Tricks
 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube