Tomato Garnishing

Tomato Tulips

Photography by Dan Engongoro

Directions:

1. Place grape tomato, stem side up on a cutting board.
2. Slice tomato down the center, but do not cut completely through.
3. Slice the tomato again in the opposite direction,repeating step 2. You should now have 4 sections that resemble the petals of a flower.
4. With a sharp knife,carefully slice away the membranes and seeds of the tomato.A thin layer of meat should remain on the skin. Allow the petal to fall open.

For each butterfly you will need:

• 1 slice of tomato
• 1 scallion(pre-checked)

1. Slice tomato slice in half.
2. Place on plate so that the rounded side of tomato halves are touching each other.
3. Starting from the center of the scallion,slice the scallion in half in the length,thereby creating the butterfly antennas.
4. Place antennas in the center of the tomato and trim scallion accordingly

Directions:

1. Wash a bright red tomato for each tomato rose.
2. Peel the tomato thinly with a sharp serrated knife,starting at the top and proceeding around  in a continuous circle.You will be left with a long strip,approximately 3/4" wide.

4.Place the tomato roll on the plate.Loosen the rose to form a pleasing rose design. Add a lemon or mint leaf to further enhance the design

 Tomato Vase

You will need:

• Campari tomatoes, plum tomatoes or tomatoes on the vine
• Radish sprouts or any curly lettuce

Directions:

1. Cut off a small piece of the stem side of the tomato to create a flat bottom.
2. With a small spoon,carefully scoop out the membranes and seeds of the tomato:some meat should remain on the skin.
3. Fill the cavity half way with your favorite salad dressing (optional).
4. Place leaves in "planter".

This article by Esther O. originally appeared in Mishpacha Magazine.