Oriental Decorations

Present stir-fries, salads and buffet dishes with these striking vegetable decorations. They can be made in advance, but keep them in iced water until required for a crisp, fresh appearance. Use a thin, sharp knife to ensure an expert finish.

Make crosswise cuts in a thick ribbon of courgette, leaving one long edge intact. Roll up and stand, cut-edge up.

Make four angled cuts around the sharpened tip of a carrot to form petals. Twist off flower and repeat.