Presentation is everything. It’s important to realize that the delicious meal you are about to serve is more than a tasty combination of good food. Its appearance is just as vital to the pleasure you and your guests experience as are the dishes you’ve prepared to your eating enjoyment.
For example, ensure you have a nice variety of colours, such as red tomatoes, orange carrots, green cucumber slices, rich brown gravy and a splash of green from your peas or broccoli which will greatly add to the enjoyment of the meal. Without visual appeal, it could be a boring and unattractive repast.
The use of garnishes can brighten up a meal too. To a salad add a few carrot curls, created by peeling off thin strips with a peeler, securing them in a circle shape with a toothpick, then chilling in water in the frig where they’ll turn into tasty little curls. Remove the toothpick before serving. And a handful of chives or a couple of sprigs of parsley are guaranteed to brighten up any serving dish, as is sliced red onion. You can brighten up beverages by freezing small bits of fruit into ice cubes, seedless green or red grapes, or small strawberries, for example. Try dropping whole cherries, cocktail olives, or lemon slices into your guests’ beverages and see how pretty the drinks you serve will be! And a cranberry and fizzy soda punch will be attractive too.
When cookingpasta, try adding a teaspoonful of turmeric or curry powder to the water. You’ll add a great earthy flavour while brightening up the dish with a rich yellow colour. Serve the pasta on a platter with fresh-cut herbs and finely-diced tomatoes sprinkled around the perimeter and a basil leaf in the centre. Serving your meal on white dishes gives a nice neutral background to the ingredients so their colours can truly be appreciated.
Serving devilled eggs? Sprinkle paprika on top for a delightful garnish. A clever arrangement of apple slices with their red skin intact can top off a big dish of mashed potatoes. You can cut them up ahead and brush with lemon juice to keep their whiteness intact. Be sure to have a melon baller and cookie cutters in your cupboards to add flair to any number of menu items, such as cheese slices or pats of butter.
Your table setting offers a chance to make a great impression too. For Christmas, choose red cloth or recyclable paper napkins and tablecloths or placemats or you might prefer a festive table runner. Inexpensive graceful candle holders can be obtained at a discount department store in which to put green or gold tapers. Have scented candles scattered throughout the room, adding a cinnamon or forest aroma to the ambience. Gaily dressed Santa Claus or snowmen can be placed as a centre piece on your dining room table and on side tables in the family and living rooms. For Thanksgiving, a scattering of ornamental gourds, available at your local supermarket, as well as pumpkins and squash, and a sprig of wheat will bring the beautiful fall season into your celebrations. Orange and brown napkins and placemats will decorate your table.
Watch the many flyers arriving in your mailbox and advertisements in magazines to get ideas for a delightful and cheery holiday season. You can make this a year to remember with your extra special decorating touches.
