Small Bites…Adventures in Downsizing

By Jan Kinzel

Smoke and mirrors…well, actually, just mirrors. In a small space, well-placed mirrors help to create an illusion of increased space and/or depth perception, enhancement of a focal object, disappearance of solid walls and furniture and even serve as serving trays! A mirror placed behind a hanging light, such as a chandelier, gives twice the light making the space seem much larger. Turn light to a dim setting for lovely ambiance. In kitchen cabinets, glass shelving placed in front of a mirrored back gives the illusion of twice as much depth to the cabinets and reflects the images of your lovely dishware. In my small space this treatment replaced my huge Thomasville China cabinet and hutch. Because they are built in to two existing niches, they take no extra floor space. In using mirrors, be sure to check what they will be reflecting – no coat racks in the corner or toilet when the bathroom door is open.

At the home improvement stores, boxes of mirror tiles are available. They are inexpensive and can be used in creative ways to enhance table settings. Glass stores will cut and bevel mirrors for a very reasonable price and they can be sized to order. Place the squares diagonally down the center of your table and lay blinking white mini-lights on them. Place food items in clear or colored glass among the lights. The table comes alive! For a more gentle table, use non-blinking lights or votive candles. Serve food on vanity mirrored trays on a buffet table with candles – perfect together and very sparkly. Trifle bowls work so well as serving pieces in settings such as these.

TRIFLE BOWL RECIPES 

Sparkling Orange Cranberry Christmas Punch 

Prepare an ice ring ahead by placing fresh whole cranberries, orange slices cut into half-moons and cut in half again along with a few mint leaves in a ring mold and pour Sanpellegrino Aranciata Sparkling Orange Beverage over the fruit . Freeze until solid – preferably overnight. To serve, place ice ring in trifle bowl and pour ½ gallon chilled cranberry juice cocktail over the ring. Add 1 small can chilled Sunkist orange soda. Serve in glass punch cups or clear plastic cups. Set punch and cups on a mirror tile.

Christmas Egg Nog in a Trifle Bowl 

Purchase your preferred brand of eggnog plus two extra quarts. Freeze the two quart containers of the eggnog. To present the drink, cut one quart of frozen eggnog in half. Remove from carton and place one or both halves in a trifle bowl. Pour ½ gallon chilled eggnog over the frozen one. Add other frozen eggnog logs as needed to keep the drink chilled. Set the trifle bowl on a mirror tile and place a nutmeg grater and some fresh whole nutmegs in a holiday dish beside the eggnog along with Christmas glasses, mugs or plastic cups.

Christmas English Trifle 

Cook 2 packages of Bird’s custard mix according to directions and chill. Cut a purchased pound cake loaf into 3-inch cubes and drizzle lightly with cherry juice from frozen dark cherries. Layer with the custard, tablespoons of red-raspberry jam placed randomly over the cake cubes, kiwi slices, dark cherries (frozen, thawed and drained) and mandarin orange sections. End with a topping of Kool whip and a sprinkling

of a tablespoon each of orange zest mixed with Turbinado sugar crystals. Garnish with mint leaves. Set with martini glasses, red plastic spoons and holly napkins on a mirrored tray. Add a short string of

mini-white lights to the tray for more sparkle.

Stained Glass dessert 

A day ahead, make 3 separate containers of red, green and orange Jell-O with half the water. Chill overnight. Make a standard graham cracker crust and press into the bottom of a trifle bowl, allowing some to come up the sides an inch or so. Reserve a tablespoon of the crumbs for the top of the dessert. Cut the 3 colors of Jell-O into 1 inch squares and unmold.

Heat 2 small cans pineapple juice in a saucepan. Add 1 large box lemon Jell-O and dissolve completely. Add 6 ice cubes to cool the mixture and allow it to thicken. Whip 1 pint of heavy whipping cream with 1/3 cup sugar until stiff peaks appear. Combine with chilled pineapple mixture – carefully with a wire whisk. Carefully, with a large spoon, stir in the 3 colors of Jell-O squares. Turn onto the crust in the trifle bowl, top with reserved crumbs and chill. The colored Jell-O squares create a beautiful stained glass appearance on the sides of the clear glass bowl.

TIP: Brighten the holidays with lots of lights and mirrors creating a warm and welcoming environment for the whole season. 

Let your light so shine…and glorify your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16