Mouse Garnish

Here is a carved  version of a mouse.  This is a garnish that will definitely wow your dinner guest.  It is quick and easy to make and the bright yellow adds a splash of color to any dish.    If I can make this anyone can!  So go ahead and show off  your amazing carving techniques and make a mouse garnish!  

Here is what you will need per serving:

•  2 To 3 mouse shaped lemons.  You might need the extra lemons because of bloopers.
• 1- 2  Nicely shaped cabbage leafs
• 1 Small cheese wedge  (Swiss would make a splash.)
• 1 Cucumber
• Several springs of parsley 
• 1 lemon wedge
• 1 Carrot
• Pepper corns

A list of tools:

• Paring knife
• Potato peeler
• Cutting board or plate
• Skewer

Instructions for cutting the bottom of the mouse:

• Follow the picture and cut the bottom of the lemon to form a solid place to set the body of the mouse.
• Reserve the cut off piece for the ears.
• Place the lemon cut side down.

Instructions for the ears:

• Eye ball where you think the ears should be.
• Carefully carve a line all the way across the head as shown in the pictures with the knife.  
• Go across it again making it slightly wider so the ears will slip in the crack.
• Carefully carve the ears into an ear shape.
• Place the ears in the crack as shown in the picture in the next step.

Instructions for carving around the eye:

• Using the skewer carefully mark where the eyes will be.
• Carve a small hole large enough to stick a pepper corn in so they will stay in place.
• Place a pepper corn in each eye.
• The ears should look like the picture here.
• Carve the tail as shown in the picture.
• Poke a hole in the back of the mouse with a skewer.
• Place the carved tail into the back end of the mouse so the tail is straight up and slightly curled.

I am sorry I did not get pictures of some of the steps.  

 

Instructions for carving the vegetable garnish:

• With the skin on the cucumber take the potato peeler and make a few swipes lengthwise.
• You will need several thin slices to make the garnish for the mouse.
• Carefully roll the cucumber into a roll and fan it out slightly to form a pretty shape.
• Make a few carrot slices as well.
• Roll the carrot slices loosely to add to the garnish arrangement.

Instructions for arranging the plate garnish:

• Place a cabbage leaf in the top left corner of the plate.
• Place the mouse in the cabbage leaf as shown.
• Arrange the carrot and cucumber slices on the plate as shown.
• Cut 1 small lemon wedge.
• Cut 1 small cheese wedge.
• Using the skewer make holes in the cheese.
• Place the cheese like the picture.
•  Arrange the parsley on the plate as shown.
• Place the lemon wedge into the parsley.
• You can make a carrot flower to place there also.

Here is the link on how to make the flower:   Step 7  https://www.instructables.com/id/Bunny-Garnish/

I am pleased with the outcome of the mouse.  It will take a couple of tries to make the mouse but if I can make this anyone can make it.  It was quick, easy, and a lot of fun.  It made the plate look very pretty.  I will be making these for my guest in the future.  

Thank you for visiting and please do stop in again and have . . . . . 
Sunshiine