Sunday, June 10, 2007

Orange Delight in Orange Cups, Orange Ice Bowl as Centerpiece and a Meme!



I have been carrying my emotional virtual-knapsack for quite some time, forcing you to read and making you traverse down my memory lane.….thought today I will leave the knapsack behind for sometime…..or is it a better way of saying, I am going through some sort of ‘blogger’s block’ and really don’t know what to write?? !! :)

Well, Susan of The Well-Seasoned cook and Cynthia of Tastes Like Home have tagged me to write my first Meme, The “IT” girl- 7 Random Facts About Me. It sounds easy but not for me!! Anyway, I will write some ME facts paired with some foodie facts as well:
  1. Gluttony.com – Yes, probably it’s the best name that suits me and I have been blessed with this name by one of our professors! In college, we used to have seminar and assignment discussions with our guide in the evening, after the college hours which used to extent till late evening; one day he offered us some cakes and there was one last piece left….everyone was reluctant to grab that piece except me and that moment he blessed me with the name “Aakrantham.com” aka gluttony.com :) In my defense, I was damn hungry that evening!
  2. Phobia.com – Maths phobia!!!! I still don’t know how I passed my Mathematics and Statistics exams. I was sitting in the first class of entrance coaching for the Masters program and unfortunately it was a mathematics class…..towards the end of the class, the coach came and asked softly, "do you have some maths phobia?" !!! Wonder how he figured out that in less than an hour……must be because of the strange look on my face!!! :P
  3. Best friend of chocolate lovers – because I don’t like chocolates : D
  4. An average cook and I do not own a single cookbook - the recipes I have blogged so far are collected from my family and friends….I am not very innovative when it comes to cooking….an average cook……if given a chance I will take a deviation en route to kitchen ….if Mummy is at home, one can never spot me anywhere near the cooking area…..I started taking cooking with some genuine interest only because of CJJ who loves to eat :)
  5. Cannot resist pizza ads –…for that matter, I cannot resist any food temptation…..!
  6. Scared of snakes - close my eyes even when I see a picture of ‘em….it’s almost a reflex action for me :(
  7. Do not like those red signals when behind the wheels :)
Let me tag Kitchenfairy, Pravs, Sandeepa, Sia, Susan and Trupti. Friends, take it up if you have time :)

Well, let’s come to our business….I mean, let’s talk about food. Every month when I get my monthly subscription of Martha Stewart Living, I smell the book first….then gently flip those glossy pages……enjoying the brilliant photos and admiring the work of food stylists…….and then slowly settle at my favourite section on the magazine, Good Things, where they give some simple but cool, fabulous ideas and it was on one of those pages I came across this refreshing idea of serving desserts in halved and hollowed-out citric/fruit cups. Another one that caught my attention was decorative ice bowls made with herbs, citric slices and edible flowers. And I always wanted to try this at home and hence I was quite excited when I found out that Orange was the chosen fruit for this month’s A Fruit A Month blog event and exactly around the same time, my friend SM who always shares crowd-pleasing recipes like, Mango Sorbet with Mango Sauce and Deviled Eggs-Indian style, recommended this particular recipe for Orange Delight. So that was one more reason to try out the citric/fruit cups idea :)


Orange Delight is a creamy dessert with a light tangy taste which may not make a very good ‘first impression’ at the first spoonful but from the second one, you will get hooked on to it. We couldn’t stop with just one cup :) Recipe follows:

Ingredients for Orange Delight: (Serves 6-8)
  • 1 1/2 cups of orange juice (I used Tropicana-no pulp)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp unflavored gelatin
  • 1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup of whipped cream
  • ¼ tsp orange rinds
  • Orange cups for serving (Optional)
Directions:
Soak the gelatin in orange juice and then stir continuously until it dissolves thoroughly. Whip the cream until it doubles in quantity and reaches a creamy consistency. Add sweetened condensed milk to the cream, and then pour the orange juice and orange rinds and mix well very gently. Chill for 8-10 hours and serve in orange cups or small dessert bowls.

Preparing the Orange cups:
After squeezing out the juice from halved oranges, instead of throwing it in the trash, collect and keep them. Remove all the pulp left and clean the inside neatly and sprinkle some sugar on the insides and refrigerate them and fill these cups with Orange Delight and chill before serving to your guests.

Note: One of our friends has tried replacing the canned/bottled orange juice with fresh orange juice and the taste was not very impressive and hence bottled orange juice is recommended for better results.

Orange Ice Bowls

You need:
2 stainless steel bowls (One should fit inside the other with ½ inch to 1 inch between them)
Orange slices
Some green herbs (optional)
Ice cubes and water
Tape

How to: Put some ice cubes on the bottom of the bigger bowl and place the smaller bowl on top of that. Slide in some orange slices on the sides and green herbs, if any. You may use a skewer to arrange the citric slices and herbs, if it is difficult to manage with hands. Fill in water between bowls to ½ inch from top. Tape the rims, so the bowls stay together and the ice bowl, when frozen, has a smooth surface. Freeze overnight and then let it stand in the room temperature, on a dish towel, for around 15-20 minutes or until the bowls separate easily. Take the top bowl and then invert the bottom bowl to remove the ice bowl. Freeze until the guests arrive and then place it on your table, with a dish towel underneath to catch drips.

This decorative bowls can be used to serve your must–be-chilled foods like Champagne, salads, cocktail shrimps etc. If you are serving any other condiments that should stay dry, place a glass bowl inside the ice bowl and serve the condiments. A simple but great idea to delights your friends and guests :)

These are my entries for this month’s AFAM, hosted by a passionate cook and a fellow blogger, Sharmi of Neivedyam

There is another very interesting blog event, Centerpiece of the Month, hosted by Janelle of Talk of Tomatoes. Orange Ice Bowl is my contribution to this excellent idea of hers, encouraging the fellow bloggers to come up with novel and unique centerpieces every month.

* The idea of using Citric/fruit cups and Ice bowl is adapted from Martha Stewart Living

Luv
Shn

No part of the content ( articles, photographs, recipes) of this blog may be reproduced without my written permission.Copyright © 2007-2010 Kitchenmishmash.blogspot.com. All rights reserved.

62 comments:

  1. Oh Shn enjoyed reading your meme :)You certainly are not an average cook.
    The orange dessert and the ice bowl both are looking so beautiful and the dessert is yum. That ice bowl center piece idea is too good.

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  2. Lol girl, how many red lights have you gone through? :D
    That ice centerpiece looks too good, but a little too complicated for me, and u call yourself an average cook!!!!! :D

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  3. Shn,
    Even I am scared of snakes:).
    Both the entries are lovely and colorful. Great work, gal!

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  4. Nice to know about you. The post is really delightful. Very innovative and creative. Photos really talks. Good job. Admire it. Viji

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  5. Yeah shn, how many tickets have you gotten so far? LOL
    I am scared of snakes too.. Even reading those two lines you wrote about snakes, made me keep my legs up on the chair..hehe thinking that there might be one under my table. See, I don't even need to see a picture.
    Orange cups and ice bowl look so pretty. Nice ideas to surprise the guests. :)

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  6. You are amazing... i wonder where that average cook fits in :D
    Ice bowl looks beautiful..so does the orange delight.
    ayyo enne tag chethu... me too have maths phobia !! :D

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  7. 'emotional virtual knapsack' - nice phrase. You probably don't know your own strengths and that's why you're calling yourself an average cook - even if that were true, most of the taste and appeal lies in the presentation anyway, and you seem to have mastered that!

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  8. Hi you have a lovely blog. And this recipe looks really so yummy

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  9. What a beautiful pic... Neat presentation!

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  10. I am Nirmala and a regular reader of your blog. These orange delights and Orange ice bowl are a delight to the eyes. Its really wonderful. You are too creative but too modest to say that u're an average cook ;) Great idea!
    I recently started my own blog. Give a visit passionatetrials.wordpress.com

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  11. Wow wow wow! The orange delight and ice bowl are just excellent. You are a wonderful cook - also very creative and artistic! :D

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  12. Gosh you are no average cook with what you display here! I must say that is too much humility ;):).

    I'm in love with the orange center piece

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  13. Emotional virtual knapsack!! Cute phrase :) The centrepiece looks good. I did see oranges, pineapples etc used for serving at a wedding in mumbai, they are pretty. If you are an average cook, a lot of us will have to hide in shame!! :)

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  14. wow...how creative..and that centerpiece is too good to believe...:-)...

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  15. How gorgeous shn! Absolutely beautiful.I don't have any space in my freezer to make that but I will try.
    I had a black snake relaxing in my dining room AC vent 2 yrs ago and was trying slither out of the kitchen door to the deck.I leaned over to open the door and he just went out!:))

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  16. who told you that you are not innovative? hey, don't be so modest.. with all the wonderful food presentations you make! i can say how artistic you are!
    enjoyed the post!

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  17. Hey you don't have to leave your "emotional knapsack" we wait for your weekly dose of nostalgia and love the stories...so please bring it back

    What can I say about the presentation, amazing. With your kind of stuff...you are too modest to call yourself "average"

    About the MeMe, I did a similar in Feb time frame, so I don't think theres any point in doing it again...you see 7 more points about me and you will know I am your nxt door neighbour :) If you want to see the old one...this is it
    MeMe

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  18. hey Shn, First of all, Thanks a lot for such a beautiful and creative entry. I am Jaw dropped!! both the dishes are real awesome and very, very beautiful. will make both of them for some party sometime.
    and the MEME was very cute. I hated maths like hell. landed up doing IT major.:)
    Btw didnt receive your email!!

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  19. Shn..ur presentation is as usual simply superb..one look at it & anyone wud want to try it..!

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  20. You are an extremely talented woman. Look at those pics and the creations.

    Now this meme :) I'm with you on Nos. 2 & 3.

    # 4 - average?! you have got to be kidding me.

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  21. Lovely dish mish mash!
    orange is my favorite..ur pics got me mouth watering!

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  22. OMG.....U r great.....The ice bowl is excellent....

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  23. Shn, you are not average; you are modest. Big difference. You wowed me with your mango sorbet, now these orange cups, and every recipe in between. I would, however, be afraid to drive in the front seat with you. ; )

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  24. Wow!!! That is sooo picture perfect...awesome presentation...the ice bowl has really caught my eye...

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  25. I share your math phobia! Just thinking about geometry makes me shudder.

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  26. Absolutely beautiful, Shn! Average, I don't believe it for a minute :)

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  27. It is always tempting the way you present the dishes..Nice to know about you, great cook! Not average..

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  28. Hi Shn,
    Wonderful delight and Meme...I loved the presentation very much....

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  29. now where do i get two steel bowls?:) lovely photos and meme!

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  30. colorful and great presentation indeed :)
    cool i say ;)
    www.talimpu.com

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  31. gorgeous pictures...you need to work as a food photographer!

    cute meme....will write it soon! thanks for the tag.

    trupti

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  32. wonderfull presentation Shn, hats off to your patience in making both the delicious and gorgeous looking delights.

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  33. WOW.....What a great work.........Very nice presentation with creative idea.....Ice bowl looks beautiful.........you are extremely talented.:)
    Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  34. i have loved your 'backpack' of memories!

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  35. average cook????? you????? then hw should i call myself? brillient idea of making that ice bowl. absolutely loved it. and girl, i love to read ur "emotional virtual knaosack":)
    enjoyed reading ur MEME:) one thing i loved as a subject was maths and stats:) kept me busy for most of the time and my mom was very pleased with me;) thanks for tagging me. will write my MEME sometime soon:)

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  36. oh wow!!!! how innovative!!! they look really good... Enjoyed reading your meme too :)

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  37. Definitely not an average cook!!
    Both entries look amazing!!

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  38. wow, after these delights, how can you even think about average cook? I come by to your blog to oggle at your delicious recipes!

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  39. My God!They are absolutely gorgeous!Ya someone who prepares a grand vishu sadya,then takes all the pains to click pics,write and post the recipe is an average cook right;)

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  40. Visual treat!! U are no avg. cook! u r gr8!!
    Hey even i am dead scared of snakes (or anything slimy!eewww!!)

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  41. OMG Lady .......This is excellent ...orange dessert ....excellent plating ...

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  42. Hey friends,She is just fooling all u friends,especially those who near to her place.She is a excellent cook.If u have doubt pls visit her place...."Engane okke parangalalle aarum angotte varathe irikku alle??Mole vela Kaiyil irikkatte"...Akrantham.com ...hahaha..Maths Phobia..hihi..Dear ur Pics are really nice ,3rd one is excellent...Ayoooooo de oru pambe purakil...hahaha..pedipicheeeeee ..
    enne tag cheythathinde shiksha..engane estapetto??

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  43. I made "apple bowl",inspired by yours..he he..posted now..no comparisons ok???he he

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  44. Wow they look so beautiful...lovely post and a great job done.

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  45. terrific idea..i mean the idea of using orange cups..

    btw i still carry the label of aakrantham.com!!

    nice entry..it was pleasant surprise to know that there are other people who smell books!!

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  46. great post,,,,very creative and foll lovely colours...I love it...thanks for sharing

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  47. Archana,I am really flattered to see many of you declining my claim to average cook...but I am one :) Thanks for your lovely words...try that bowl...its quite easy :)

    Sig, too many :))) Glass bowl is not at all challenging, check out Bharathi's comment for me and her post on apple ice bowl...she took less than 5 mts only...u can deft'ly do it, my friend...i remember seeing some cocktail shrimp dip recipe in yours, you can keep your shrimps in this bowl...will look attractive :)

    Swapna, Thank you :)

    Vcuisine, try one of them...both are easy...thanks :)

    RP, LOL :)) If you are that scared, read Asha's comment...she was sharing one of my weirdest, scariest nightmares !!! Hope you will try those cool ideas...share the photo too after trying them :)

    Pravs, so one more thing common , huh ? :) Waiting to read your Meme ...let us read your darkest, deepest secrets :))

    Sra, so much of appreciation, cant take it dear :) May be you re right....many a time I really dont know what I want...so this may be one of those cases...Anyway I just meant to say that I am not one of those who comes up with new dishes....:D

    Srivalli, Thank you and let me welcome you to Mishmash! :)

    Suganya, Thanks so much :)

    Nirmala, Thank you for all those sweet words and encouragement...I will surely check out your blog...all the best :)

    Anh, look at you...you re the one who 's so creative and artistic with food...I just admire your food styling :)

    Anjali, come over to my place...stay with me for a month...then lets decide if it's too much or humility or reality :))

    Jyothsna, yes, infact many of the veggies and fruits add a great deal of beauty as centerpieces....btw, nobody has to hide here..if yes, I will join that group :)

    Santhi, thank you very much, nice to have you here :)

    Asha, you scared me!!! :( you just shared my weirdest, scariest nightmares with me....:((((

    Nanditha, hmm...i was trying to say I am not all that innovative or artistic when it comes to mixing up and whipping up things :) Am sure you will get to taste my cooking soon...then you come and comment :)

    Sandeepa, I really dont what to tell you when I see your continuous encouragement and support...every time i think twice before releasing my nostalgia and one of such comments boosts up my confidence, giving a relief that atleast some are taking the patience to go through what I write...'thanks' is not the word to express what I feel ! I did read your meme...hehhe, how I wish you were my next door girl :)

    Sharmi, oh sweetie even IT is not my friend :) yes...yes do try it for your parties....and let me know how your guests responded :)

    Deena,so you will try it ? :)

    Cynthia, ok...let's say I am good at experimenting with others' idea and not spoiling their work of art? Howzzat ?:)

    A little light,if orange is your favourite, then this dessert is for you...its so addictive...trust me and try it !

    Sukanya, thank you :)

    Susan, ROFL...you did crack me up..:)) had a good-good laugh dear :)

    Sunita, so why not give it a try....a small project for your li'l ones...howzzat?

    Revathi, Thank You :)

    Susan, oops...lets not even talk about that part :)

    Linda, thank you ...:)

    Seena, so I am successful enough to tempt you, huh? Wonder what I should do to make you try this ? :D

    Usha, Thank you dear...nice to see you around here :)

    Mallgirl,set of 4 , for less that $5 at Walmart :)

    Anusharaji,thanks :)

    Trupti, oye....that was too much :) Waiting to read your Meme :)

    Roopa, trust me, not much patience required...check out Bharathi's comment for me and then her blog....you will learn how easy it is :)

    Kajal, you can do it...it will be too easy for you...try for yourself !

    Cinderelly, ohh...thank you...it means a lot :)

    Sia, You should call yourself a GREAT cook :) ohh..so u re one of those....those intelli kids who love to work on their math assignments :)

    Ramya, Thank you dear:)

    Gini,thanks so much :)

    Mandira, hey...i do the same with ur blog too....thanks for the encouragement :)

    Sumitha, ok...then you call me 'hard-working' blogger :) ammachi-yodu anweshanam paranjittundu ketto..:)

    Manasi,if u re scared of snakes, then probably you should read Asha's comment...she scared me :D

    Deepa, thank you...try it next time :)

    Kitchenfairy, oho...ente kallatharam puratheduthu alle...eni eppo entha cheyya!! :)) sathyam paranjalum aarum viswasikkilla ennu paranja enthu cheyyana !!! :)) ethu vayichu kure chirichootto :)

    Bharathy, yours came out really good girl...and I was so happy that someone tried out and now I have referred many to your site, just to tell them how easy this is :)

    Prema, thank you :)

    Mathew, now since you said that I guess, i should take copyright for aakrantham.com :D Smelling the books, hmm...one of those weird things right...but i like that :)

    Dilip, thank you Sir:)

    Thank you all, for showing so much of support and encouragement...but I still maintain my claim on the 'average' part :D

    Shn

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  48. Wow! that's so cool. Very impressive! I gotta try it out. Your write ups so far are so good.... and no doubt your recipes and presentations are fantastic too shn.

    I too disagree with your claim that you're an average cook. No way!

    Rg.

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  49. What a fun Centerpiece! Such a great imagination.

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  50. Your presentation just blew me away!!! You are by no means an average cook. I m gonna give the Orange delight a try definitely, The icebowl centerpiece looks a tad too difficult for me. I hated maths too.... thats why i took up chemistry and biology:)

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  51. I love the idea of doing up the deesert in the orange itself..looks very pretty too.
    The ice bowl is completely mind blowing.
    Swati

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  52. wow!!amazing! ur decorations r excellent!

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  53. Hi! I tried this recipe and it tastes good. I just found the sweetness to be less. So I had to add a few spoonfuls of sugar. Anyway, great recipe... Thanks!!! :)

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  54. Hi Shn, I happenend to visit your blig just by chance, and I am today a regualar visitor :). The presentations are superb!!( unlike other blogs) , the flashback,the authentic recipes, all prove that u are a super cook. Thanks for sharing your skills with others too.. Great Job and please give us more..........

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  55. Shn, the bowls bowled me over, not as gorgeous as urs, I attempted one being inspired from you on floral one! Do chk at liesure -date 15 Sep, '08 post.

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  56. I used to make this back in my schooldays in Switzerland. It was one of those few things that came out good because I didn't burn it.

    Thanks for giving the route map to this forgotten delight.

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  57. I made this dessert, but it didn't set well. So, shd I add some more gelatin. The taste was awesome. Thank you for all the lovely recipes.
    Divya

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  58. Divya, if it didnt set well, i guess then it's the gelatin..was it an old one? yes, try using more....

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  59. Can I use agar agar instead of gelatin? If yes , how much?

    Thanks in advance..
    Inds

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  60. The orange delight looks wonderful..what a beautiful presentation. I wanted to try it...i have a doubt. Is the ingredient frozen whipped cream thawed or the whipping cream in a carton? Thanks!

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  61. Thank you, that was extremely valuable and interesting...I will be back again to read more on this topic.

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