Floral Ice Bowl

Name: Floral Ice Bowl
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 floral ice bowl (6 inches in diameter and 3 inches high).
Ingredients: Assorted herbs and edible flowers such as mint, chamomile, pansies, nasturtiums, etc. or colorful silk flowers and leaves; 1-quart and 2-1/2-quart freezer-proof glass bowls; Ice cubes; Freezer tape; Wooden skewers

Bowl folks over at your Easter gathering with this frozen serving bowl from our Test Kitchen. I can be made days in advance and kept frozen until ready to use.

Ingredients

Assorted herbs and edible flowers such as mint, chamomile, pansies, nasturtiums, etc. or colorful silk flowers and leaves
1-quart and 2-1/2-quart freezer-proof glass bowls
Ice cubes
Freezer tape
Wooden skewers

Directions

If you are using herbs and edible flowers, wash blossoms and leaves and pat dry. If you are using silk flowers and leaves, wash them gently in warm sudsy water, rinse and let air-dry.
Fill the 2-1/2-qt. bowl half full with water. Arrange herbs and flowers or silk flowers and leaves to completely cover surface of the water. Place the 1-qt. bowl on top of flowers so there is about 1 in. of space between the bowls. Fill the 1-qt. bowl with ice cubes. Place freezer tape across both bowls to hold them in place.
Place the taped bowls in the freezer for 30 minutes or until ice crystals form on top to the water.
Using a wooden skewer, place additional herbs or leaves and flowers between the sides of the bowls. Return bowls to the freezer.
Checking periodically on the bowls, continue to add and reposition flowers as the water freezes. Freeze overnight.
Remove freezer tape and ice cubes. Fill the 1-qt. bowl with lukewarm water, then remove it. Dip the 2-1/2-qt. bowl in warm water and twist to loosen. Remove the ice bowl and return to the freezer until ready to use.

Editor's Tip: How to Make a Floral Ice Bowl
1. Place the 1-qt. bowl on top of the flowers in the 2-1/2-qt. bowl; fill the 1-qt. bowl with ice cubes. Place freezer tape across both bowls to hold them in place. See How-To Illustration»
2. After freezing the bowls for about 30 minutes, place additional herbs or leaves and flowers between the sides of the bowls with a wooden skewer. See How-To Illustration»

Originally published as Floral Ice Bowl in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2001