Monday, August 15, 2011

Party Tip: Ice Bowl

         

If you are throwing a summer shin dig, big or small, a great way to make a statement with your food display is by making an ice bowl to hold your food.  It is extremely easy, you can make it any size you need, you can decorate the bowl with any edible or safe flowers, fruit slices or decorations, and it makes a big impact.

Of course, you want to keep the bowl on a summery platter or plate to catch water as it melts, and you don't want to display it in full sun.  If you put any moist food items inside, you want to put a pretty lettuce lining inside so the food doesn't stick to the bowl as it is dished (think of the "tongue on a frozen pole" effect).

Here are the easy steps to make your own:


You need to get stacking bowls.  Your ice bowl will be the size of the larger stacking bowl.

Fill the larger bowl with water (about 2/3 full)

Place the smaller bowl inside and weigh it down so it sits inside and displaces the water--I used more water in the small bowl to weigh it down.
Place in your freezer until the water is starting to freeze and get thick.

Pick an edible or safe decoration to sit inside the ice.  Ideas:  Fruit slices, edible plants or flowers, thematic decorations.
Stick the decor down the sides between the bowls and spread them all around in the icy water.

After 24 hours, take the bowls out of the freezer and remove the smaller bowl from the top (it usually twists right out, but you might use warm water for a SECOND to loosen it).

Twist the ice bowl out of the larger bowl (again, if needed, QUICKLY run warm water on the bottom of the bowl to loosen the ice).

Ready for a summer food table!

So summery and fresh!  Have fun!

I linked this post to:

The Girl Creative
Tip Junkie handmade projects
Todays Creative Blog

9 comments:

  1. What a great idea. But what happens as it melts? I noticed you have a plate underneath, does it just take forever to melt?

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  2. Fantastic idea! With Halloween around the corner, I have to share what my grandmother used to do at the HUGE Halloween bashes she used to throw. . .she'd mix cherry or strawberry koolaid and add enough milk to make it flesh colored and fill rubber gloves with the mixture, tie off the end and freeze. She'd add this to the punch along with some dry ice! The dry ice gives it the cool smokey effect plus it carbonates the punch in the process!

    ~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
    www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com
    See my kitchen in Romantic Homes!

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  3. You are so smart! I can't believe this genius idea never popped in my head. I will definitely be using this sometime in the near future :)

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  4. What an adorable idea! I love the simplicity of it, yet the gorgeous outcome! Great job!

    By the way, I am having my first link party tomorrow, I would love to have you link up--
    http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/

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  5. Beautiful! My mom has made these in the past and I totally forgot how fun and easy they are. Thanks for the reminder!

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  6. Fantastic idea! Absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing!!

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