4 Tips to Take Your Plates from Simple to Elegant
Chefs are fond of saying, “You eat with your eyes first”. That’s because we know that enjoying a good meal is more than just taste and smell. How the food is presented can make even the simplest of meals seen elegant. But did you know that most of us have the basic tools needed to wow our family and friends right in our own kitchen?
Here are 4 tools you probably have (or can easily get) that will make a big difference in how you and your guests enjoy your next home-cooked meal!
1. Ramekins – Fill a 4 oz. ramekin (or a measuring cup) wiped with oil with your rice or potatoes, gently tamp down with a spoon and turn over on the plate. Remove the ramekin and garnish with an ingredient from your meal or something that complements it such as strips of roasted red pepper or sundried tomatoes, a sprig of herb or a slice or two of olive.
2. Squeeze Bottles – Fill a squeeze bottle with your favorite oil, vinegar or sauce. Once you plate your food, use the bottle to strategically place dots, squiggles or shapes to highlight your dish. Don’t go overboard – a little goes a long way!
3. Toothpicks – If your dish has a sauce, put the sauce on the plate and use the toothpick to make creative designs. Just place the tip of the toothpick in the sauce and drag in the direction you want to make the design.
4. Your Hands -Hands and fingers are important tools in the kitchen. Instead of using spoons, forks and tongs to plate your food, use your hand (make sure they are clean of course) to artfully place food on a plate. For example, shrimp can be placed on a plate to form a circle or slices of meat can be fanned on a plate.
When plating food, the important thing is to have fun. Use your imagination, don’t be intimidated and keep experimenting. Practice on your family during the week, and by the time you host your next dinner party, you’ll be able to plate like a pro!
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Share your pics with us! We’d love to see how your plating creations turn out, so snap a pic and email us at enewsletter@
