Introduction: Mouse Garnish

By I support Smirnoff here
About: I am married with two children. Spring, summer, and fall are my very favorite times of the year. I enjoy working in the yard, sewing, cooking, quilting, gardening, and creating. I do this to keep my sanity.
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!  

Step 1: Supplies

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

Step 2: Tools

A list of tools:
  • Paring knife
  • Potato peeler
  • Cutting board or plate
  • Skewer

Step 3: Cut the Bottom of the Mouse

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.

Step 4: Carving the Ears

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.

Step 5: Carving the Eye Sections

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.  

 

Step 6: Carving the Vegetable Garnish

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.

Step 7: Arrange the Mouse on the Plate With the Vegetables

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/




Step 8: Sunshiine's FinalThoughts

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