No, there are no chrysanthemums in this salad; the name comes from the fun way you cut an orange and serve the salad. It sounded so cool I just had to try this orange cutting technique from the book Christmas on the Farm: A Collection of Favorite Recipes, Stories, Gift Ideas, and Decorating Tips from The Farmer's Wife. You may be asking yourself, "Christmas on the Farm, it's August!" Well, as we creatives know, it's never too soon to start thinking about the holidays. And the stores would agree. I was in one of the big box craft stores yesterday and the Christmas stuff was out! So not to be out done, leave your answer to the question,
"Have you started thinking about the holidays yet?"
by midnight, August 10th, 2011 and you could be the proud new owner of a copy of Christmas on the Farm: A Collection of Favorite Recipes, Stories, Gift Ideas, and Decorating Tips from The Farmer's Wife.
I didn't have an orange around but I do have a lemon tree so I went out back 40 feet and picked one.
Following the directions in Christmas on the Farm: A Collection of Favorite Recipes, Stories, Gift Ideas, and Decorating Tips from The Farmer's Wife, I cut thin strips in the lemon 3/4 of the way down. Well, mine might have been a bit more, I would go not quite as far next time. Here it is still with the lemon in the peel. I then pulled the center out. I grabbed a flower from the yard just to take a pretty picture as I don't have the salad fixin's around, but what I was thinking I could do was put lemon sorbet in it. Then again, it's morning, and if I did that then it would mean I would then have to eat the sorbet, and not that I'm beyond eating dessert first, but I shouldn't be spoiling my lunch as Mom would say! :)
Click on this page from Christmas on the Farm: A Collection of Favorite Recipes, Stories, Gift Ideas, and Decorating Tips from The Farmer's Wife for the full chrysanthemum salad recipe and directions on how to carve up an orange into a chrysanthemum-shaped serving dish.
A Collection of Favorite Recipes, Stories, Gift Ideas, and Decorating Tips from The Farmer's Wife
by
Lela Nargi
Editor Lela Nargi is the author of Around the Table: Women on Food, Cooking, Nourishment, Love . . . and the Mothers Who Dished It Up for Them and several other Farmer’s Wife cookbooks. Visit her online at www.lelanargi.com or lelanarginews.blogspot.com.
How beautiful! My brother is a chef and his presentation of food is just as wonderful as the taste. Me...I only admire those with this gift - no real cooking skills here other than...plain old, plain old. So, I totally appreciate what you've done here!
Posted by: annie! | August 03, 2011 at 07:34 AM
This is a super cute presentation. And planning can never begin too early!
Posted by: Andrea M | August 03, 2011 at 10:56 AM
I love Christmas!
Posted by: Shelley Bonefas | August 03, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Very cute idea for a salad. Yes, I have already thought about Christmas. Like you said, us crafters need to start early! I'm also posting this on my blog as I post all contests I enter on there.
Posted by: Karen Diebolt | August 03, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Never is to early to start thinking about Christmas, I just start my Christmas cards. I would love to win this book like to make new recipes for my favorite season.
Posted by: Ana Maria | August 03, 2011 at 12:28 PM
No! I have not been thinking about the holidays as more than a passing what are we going to do this year? (as we will be home) I was thinking about knittjng some dishtowels as gifts too. Better get started.
That is a great idea for salad, and the book loos super cute.
Posted by: Gwendolyn | August 03, 2011 at 12:29 PM
This book would be perfect for me... as I have already started thinking about Xmas (just as every year) but will probably not be doing anything until November!
Thanks for the chance!
linedupuy(at)hotmail(dot)fr
Posted by: Line | August 03, 2011 at 02:08 PM
I am always thinking about Christmas. Each year I try to make at least on Christmas item a month (I don't alway manage but I try). I'm in Christmas secret sister swap at the moment that lasts six months, so all in all Christmas is alive and well in my house right now.
Posted by: Rosemary | August 03, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I think about the holidays year-round, especially when it comes to gift buying... I pick up stuff whenever I see something I think my nieces and nephews would like. I also think about meal planning and logistics for the next Christmas starting December 26... if not earlier! :) Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to win!
Posted by: isabel | August 03, 2011 at 04:19 PM
I have been thinking about the holidays but not in a good way. I don't think Christmas will be very fun this year.
Posted by: Sondra | August 03, 2011 at 04:41 PM
Since it's currently the same temperature as the surface of the sun (!) where I live, I've had a hard time gearing up. The question did pop into my mind yesterday of where will we put the Christmas tree since we're in a new house this year.
Posted by: Becki | August 03, 2011 at 05:36 PM
I love the christmas holidays and i have been really looking forward to them this year!!!
This year i hope to have the family over to my house for lunch :O i have never hosted a christmas lunch before so i need all the help i can get lol lol lol
Posted by: Bianca | August 03, 2011 at 05:53 PM
I live in Florida, it's too hot yet to even think about the holidays. Around October I'll consider thinking about them!
Posted by: Janice | August 03, 2011 at 06:03 PM
I love this idea, and your lemon is beautiful! I use my Christmas cookbooks and idea books year-round. We used to do lots and lots of entertaining, and there are always so many good and festive recipes and ideas in holiday books that can be adapted for other celebrations, and even used day-to-day. I never save good books like these only to use at holiday time. This book looks excellent! I'm off to check it out some more...
Posted by: Barbara Hagerty | August 03, 2011 at 06:33 PM
You did a great job on your lemon carving! It looks really pretty.
I have started on my Christmas projects but I need to keep the pace if I want my all handmade pressies.
Book looks fab! Love that style of book. I have several similar but none dedicated to just Christmas!
Posted by: Lynda Taylor | August 03, 2011 at 07:24 PM
This book looks great! And yes, working on Christmas around here too!
Posted by: Nancy | August 03, 2011 at 08:44 PM
I really am a farmer at heart only that I live in the city. I like the orange salad what a fun idea!!
Posted by: Ann Bertling | August 04, 2011 at 05:03 AM
LEMON CARVING! wow you did great!
Posted by: ning fathia | August 04, 2011 at 05:08 AM
It's hard to think about Christmas when it's so stinkin' hot....but I know it will be here before I'm ready. This looks like a great read!
Posted by: Laura | August 04, 2011 at 05:24 AM
No I haven't thought about christmas yet but this is a great way to get started.
Posted by: MaryMac | August 04, 2011 at 05:27 AM
No not yet too many other things to think about before the holidays arrive. like birthdays new babies weddings ect.
Posted by: Caroline | August 04, 2011 at 06:13 AM
I have thought about the Holidays...I help make Christmas Stockings to fill and give away to children who are taken into protective custody in the months of November and December, have just started, just a few done.
Posted by: Joan | August 04, 2011 at 06:13 AM
OMGoodness! I'd love to win this book. I'm kind of old-fashioned in the way I think and would love relish this. I don't start doing things for the holidays until around October though! Thanks SO much for a chance to win! Found this giveaway through Craft Gossip!
Posted by: Kelly Massman | August 04, 2011 at 06:59 AM
No,I have not started thinking of Christmas. Summer goes by so fast so I'm enjoying the warm days while they are here.
Posted by: Elaine R | August 04, 2011 at 07:20 AM
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I start getting excited when the Christmas in July specials start coming out. I've already ordered my Christmas scrapbooking paper. This looks like a wonderful book to sit down in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. I live in the mountains, so it won't be long before the cool weather starts.
Posted by: sqwaregirl | August 04, 2011 at 07:44 AM