Decorative Marzipan Carrots Food

PETITE MARZIPAN CARROTS

Steps:

• Tint marzipan with orange and red food coloring, a drop at a time, to reach desired color. Divide into 12 pieces. (Cover with plastic wrap when not using.) Shape each piece into a ball, then roll into logs, tapering 1 end, to resemble carrots.
• Dip a paring knife into cocoa powder. Make tiny indentations in each carrot with cocoa-dusted knife to evoke the vegetable's texture. Carrots will keep, covered, for up to 1 week. Push fronds into top of each carrot before serving.

MARZIPAN DECORATIONS

Steps:

• Decide what object you want to make. Warm the marzipan by kneading it slightly. Form it into a small patty and place 1 drop of food coloring in the center. Fold the marzipan around the color and begin to knead it to blend the color in. shape and form into desired shapes.
• For a Bee: Color some of the marzipan yellow and some brown. Make tiny balls of each color and press then together to make the body. Then make 1 more round ball for the head and secure it onto the body. Make 2 little black dots on the head for eyes. Use toasted almond slices for the wings.
• For lemons and limes: Color some marzipan with green for the limes and yellow for the lemons. Shape them into balls then form points on the end. Texture the surface by pushing sandpaper or the fine side of a grater onto the surface to texturize it.

DECORATIVE MARZIPAN CARROTS

Steps:

• Divide orange marzipan into 24 pieces. Using your hands, roll each piece into a carrot shape. Using a paring knife, make crosswise grooves in each carrot.
• On a work surface lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar, roll out green marzipan to 1/4 inch thick. Using a small leaf-shape cookie cutter, cut out 24 leaves. On one side of each leaf, make 1/8-inch-long slices with a paring knife, and gently fan to create a fernlike effect.
• Using a toothpick, make a tiny hole (about 1/4 inch deep) in the top of each carrot. Gently push stem end of each leaf into a carrot with toothpick. Carrots can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper up to 2 weeks.