The
Sugared Almond
The
sugared almond, a small traditional sweet of mediterranean origin,
is generally made up of an almond or chocolate core with a sugar
coating. The ancient Romans used it in the form of a simple almond
covered in honey. They served it during long banquets or at the
most exclusive and important weddings. Since then the sweet almond
has been a good omen, a promise of sure happiness.
Wedding Bomboniere
Bombonniere
is an Italian expression and the closest translation is sweet
favors. It's charming gift idea for the wedding guests, traditional
at Italian and Greek weddings and becoming very popular at Australian
weddings. It consists of five sugared almonds, usually enclosed
in a lace doily. You can also add a small token such as a bell,
butterfly, photo frame, wine flute, small teddy bear or anything
else that appeals to you ... even chocolate fudge. The five sugared
almonds represent health, wealth, happiness, good luck and fertility.
These gifts are usually given to all the ladies at the wedding,
either at the end of the celebrations or placed on the tables
near their place cards. It's a lovely, inexpensive way of saying
'thank you' to your guests for coming - and they receive a memento
of your wedding to take home. When ordering bomboniere, always
estimate for more rather than less. Once you have calculated the
number of guests you are catering for, allow at least five spares.
You may wish to keep a few bomboniere pieces for yourself as a
memento, and you will appreciate having a special store of gifts
to present to helpers like your hair and make-up artist, dressmaker
and florist. Depending on your reception decoration theme and
table settings, you may prefer to hand out your bomboniere gifts
with (or instead of ) your wedding cake. Traditionally it is your
bridesmaids' duty to hand out the cake bags following the speeches.
It's a good opportunity for them to get around and make sure everyone's
having a fabulous time. You'll be too busy dancing with your hubby,
dad, father-in-law, uncle and the list goes on.
If you're celebrating with a cocktail party, have the bomboniere
gifts (and the wedding cake bags) laid out on a table near the
exit. It is best to ask your attendants to present these gifts
on the table towards the end of the evening. As well as subtly
letting your guests know it is time to think about leaving, it
ensures your bridal party will be stationed near the exit to assist
you in farewelling your guests.
Chocolate
And Its Uses
Chocolate
is a blend of cocoa solids and cocoa butter to which varying quantities
of vegetable fats, milk and sugar have been added. The quantity
of added fat determines the hardness or softness of the chocolate.
A block of chocolate can de finely or coursely grated, chopped,
slivered and curled for decorating or coating the sides and tops
of cakes. Melted chocolate is malleable; it dries to a smooth,
glossy film. It flavours and provides texture, as well as setting
quality, to icings and fillings. Melted chocolate has many other
uses: it can be poured over cakes or fruits or marzipan and nuts
can be dipped in it. Chocolate leaves are made by coating real
leaves. Chocolate curls, know as caraque, are a widely used decoration.
Melted chocolate can also be set in a thin sheet, then cut into
shapes, for example squares, triangles or shapes using cutters.
The melted chocolate can also be piped in many ways.
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