In Thailand, fruit carving is a traditional and highly cultivated art. The decoration of food and correct use of serving dishes is of utmost importance in Royal Thai Cuisine. Thus no account of Thai food can be complete without mention of the importance given to food and meal presentation. The ingenuity of all Thai palace crafts and cooking lies in the artists' attempt to create natural and realistic masterpieces.
The Thais are very artistic and have a deep appreciation for beauty as evidenced by classical Thai dancers elaborate costumes and temple architecture. Thus, the pleasing presentation and decoration Thai food is innate to the culture. It is an yet another Thai adaptation of a foreign art, Japanese Mukimono, which is the art of fruit and vegetable peeling.
In Thailand, fruits such as melon and pineapple are carved into boats and bowls to grace buffet tables. Vegetables including carrots, pumpkins, scallions and radishes are transformed into roses and carnations. Mythological figures are carved in ice in glistening impermanence in Bangkok four star hotels. Tiny ginger roots are carved into detailed shapes of flowers, crabs and shrimps and preserved for years. Pineapples, papayas and various fruits are carved in traditional designs and hallowed out to become containers for fruit salads, fried rice or sauces.
"Salads, fresh vegetable dishes and fruit presentations become works of art, transforming humble harvests into incredible edibles. Banana leaves are fashioned into baskets and cups for food and used as platters. When assembling a platter of raw vegetables for a party, the Thai will carve them into flowers, leaves and even fish and crab shapes. With occassional discreet application of food coloring the whole array will then be assembled with the loving care and artistry implicit in formal flower arrangement." (Source: Original Thai Cookbook, Jennifer Brennen, p.56, copyright Perigee Trade 1984)
Serving food attractively is an art that has been practiced for centuries. Cookbook author Marie Wilson comments, "The appearance of Thai food is most important and is always commented upon by the Thais as much as taste." Here at the Temple of Thai we hope to present a few simplified fruit carving techniques for Western kitchens that both novices and experienced carvers can recreate.
Mukimono - The Art of Japanese Fruit and Vegetable Carving
Mukimono's origins begin in ancient times when food was served in unglazed clay pottery. These rough platters were covered with a leaf before the food was plated. Artistic chefs realized that the cutting or folding of the leaf in different ways created a more attractive presentation. And so Mukimono began. But it did not become popular until not until sixteenth century. During this period, when Edo (Tokyo) became the new capital, Mukimono gained official recoginition. Street artists created clever garnishes upon request. From those beginnings the art has developed into a most important part of every Japanese chef's training. (This information taken from the now out of print: Japanse Garnishes, The Ancient Art of Mukimono, by
Yukiko and Bob Haydok,
Henry Holt and Company NY, original copyright 1980,
Owl Edition copyright 1989)
Carving Books & Tools
Find vegetable garnishing ideas in our fruit carving books and videos. Get the necessary professional carving tools and garnishing knives. Here you will learn simple garnishing techniques for gourmet garnishes. Welcome to the Temple of Thai!
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