Written by Cove Johnson Rabidoux
When it comes to food, we don’t just eat with our mouths; we eat with our eyes. A beautifully presented dish can elevate your dining experience, turning a simple meal into a memorable one. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, creating content for social media, or just spicing up an average weekday dinner, plating is key. So, here are ten tips to help you transform your dishes into delicious art masterpieces.
1. Choose a Black Dish
Choosing the plate is the first part of making an artistic dish. That's why you need to consider the color and size of the plates you use as they set the stage for the presentation. Black dishes, in particular, create a great contrast that will make the actual food stand out. So, whether it’s a bright yellow lemon, a rainbow fruit salad, or a bright green sauce, a black background enhances the visual impact of your dish.
2. Consider Portion Size
Less is often more when it comes to plating. Serving smaller portions allows you to space out the elements of your dish, giving it a clean and sophisticated look. Overcrowding a plate with garnishes, extra sauces, and random toppings can make it look messy and detract from the dish’s overall appeal. But, if you thoughtfully place each component on the plate, you not only create a balanced visual effect but it also encourages people to dig in. In general, you want to think about plating as if you are curating a mini piece of art.
3. Incorporate Edible Flowers
We have all seen those Pinterest photos of aesthetic-looking photos with edible flowers and fresh herbs. That's for a reason! Edible flowers are a surefire way to bring elegance to your dish. These delicate accents add both beauty and subtle flavor to your dish. That's why you should consider garnishing your plate with edible flowers. Some possible choices are pansies, marigolds, or hibiscuses. When choosing flowers, just ensure that they are safe to eat and also that they complement the flavors of the dish. For example, more peppery flowers will pair better with savory meals, while light and sweet flowers enhance desserts.
4. Make it Colorful
One of the most important elements of an artistic plate is color. Almost all aesthetic dishes feature a spectrum of colors. To achieve this, you should use a variety of fresh ingredients and balance bright tones----like reds and yellows----with darker shades. Not only does this technique make the plate more visually pleasing, but it typically also reflects the fresh and organic ingredients in your food. For example, a colorful salad of ruby-red beets, orange carrots, and spinach not only looks stunning but provides a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
5. Use Height
You might not think of height when plating a dish, but you should! Playing with height can bring dimension and interest to your plate. This doesn’t necessarily mean stacking your food into a precarious tower, but rather creating layers or using vertical elements to draw someone's eye up. For instance, you could stack slices of roasted vegetables, use a ring mold for a neatly layered salad, or even add a garnish like a crispy parmesan that makes your dish taller.
6. Add Lots of Fresh Fruit
It is also a good idea to include a variety of fresh fruit. While this may not be feasible for completely savory dishes, fresh fruit is great at adding dimension to a dish. Fruits add both a pop of color as well as a burst of natural sweetness. You could scatter the jewel-like seeds of a pomegranate over a bed of greens or add vibrant orange segments on top of a cake. What is also nice about fruits is that they can be sliced, diced, or served whole, depending on the dish. Overall, their shine and texture contribute to a polished look that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.
7. Drizzle Your Sauces
We all know how satisfying it is to gently drizzle sauce on our food. It doesn't just add some whimsy to a dish, but it is also practical as it ensures each bite gets some of the sauce. That's why you should see sauces are more than just flavor enhancers, but as an opportunity for creativity! Instead of spooning a blob of sauce onto the plate, use a squeeze bottle or spoon to drizzle, dot, or swipe it in a way that enhances the visuals of your dish. If you'd like to be even fancier, you can create a whimsical swirl for your desserts or parallel lines for a modern take.
8. Include Varying Textures
It's critical that you remember the texture of your food. No one wants to eat a soggy mess, which is why texture is as important visually as it is for the eating experience. Having a mix of soft, crunchy, creamy, and crispy elements adds depth to your dish and makes it more enjoyable to eat. For example, you could pair silky mashed potatoes with a crisp piece of fish, or you could balance a velvety chocolate mousse with crunchy caramel shards. This mix of textures creates visual contrast and makes your food taste more dynamic.
9. Wipe Down Your Plate
Once you're happy with your plate's design, it's vital that you wipe it down. While this is a small step, it is imperative. After all, no one wants to eat from a plate with finger smudges or lone pieces of hair. So, make sure you use a napkin or a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the edges after plating. This simple step ensures that the focus remains on the food itself. Remember, even the most beautifully plated dish can look completely unappetizing if there are smudges, fingerprints, or stray crumbs on the rim.
10. Practice
The final tip is to practice. Like any other skill, plating improves with practice. Therefore, you should take the time to experiment with different plating techniques, try new tools, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You should also be continually on the lookout for inspiration, whether from professional chefs, food bloggers, or even art and nature. Over time, you’ll develop your own unique style, and plating will feel as intuitive as cooking.
By implementing these tips, you can turn every meal into a visual feast that’s sure to impress your friends and family. Simply keep in mind that the goal isn't just to make your dishes look good but to enhance the entire eating experience. So grab a fun plate, drizzle some sauce, and get to practicing!
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