Food presentation…it’s something I know about, something I’ve studied, something I appreciate, but something that is often on the low end of my meal making priority list.
Seeing these elegant touches reminds me that when I take a few extra minutes a simple snack of grapes not only nourishes the stomach, but delights the senses.
Cheese becomes a masterpiece, not just a morsel.
As vegetables begin growing in abundance, I commit to retrieving my garnishing tools and using them. Instead of simply cutting our carrots, I’ll dust off our crinkle cut knife, and show my family that it’s not just company that deserves it.
Sharing meals around the table is one of our family priorities. The conversations exchanged and the spirits encouraged are what makes that time memorable, but it sure doesn’t hurt to create prettier food. That will just complement the tone which I want remembered years down the road.
So what about you?
Do you save the “pretty” food for company?
How about browsing through your drawers this week and finding one small way you make a difference at the dinner table. I’ll let you know what I did…
What are you cooking up for Tasty Tuesday? Every week, I find a few new dishes to try and it’s been a blast clicking on all these great image links.
(Today, I’m sharing a giveaway at Kimba’s...go check it out. )
Yes, often times I only “dress up” dishes for company. A good reminder to make every meal special. 🙂
I don’t usually have time for “dressing up” food. I wish I did…I always envy those who can create art on a plate!
Kristin @ Adventures of a Betty Crocker Wanna-Be
Although I don’t often dress up the food, we always use cloth napkins, tablecloth, and real dishes, which makes every meal feel a little more special.
I think food presentation is incredibly important and I love dressing up food both for us and for company. Your post really made me smile as it reminded me of my Mom’s crinkle cut knife for carrots. It was originally my Grandma’s and I don’t know what happened to it in the end, but as a kid those crinkle cut carrots were my favourite healthy snack. My Mom also used to make me open faced peanut butter sandwiches with grated carrot for hair and raisin faces on them. Thanks for bringing back some lovely memories 🙂
I definitely need to work harder on presentation. I get so excited about the taste that I forget eye appeal. 🙂
Yeah
Hate to say it but usually the presentation usually gets set aside for special occassions!
I love pretty food, and it’s a great encouragement for children to try new things. I just haven’t gotten very good at photographing food yet.
Just last week, I “presented” (disguised?!) leftover pizza by using a flower cookie cutter to cut Italian cheese and pepperoni flowers and also cut leaves with a knife! It did make the food look so much yummier!
I’m glad you know what you are doing! I need to learn a thing or two about food presentation!
I so appreciate food that is as beautiful as it tastes! I just don’t dress it up as often as I should. Thanks for the reminder!
Oops – not sure if mine posted correctly. I see a pic, but not text under it. Hopefully the pic will say it all. 🙂 Looks like some awesome recipes to check out today – can’t wait to visit. And thanks, Jen, for the reminder to “garnish” life liberally!
I’m sorta in between with the dressing up food. I don’t overly go out of my way to make the food dressed up but I do enjoy pretty food!
I love using things from the garden to “dress up” a plate. I also like to use pretty dishes. My mother taught me not to save the china for company.
I pulled out placemats for a family meal the other day! It was especially fun since I had ones with the kids’ names on them that they hadn’t gotten to use yet!
I hate to admit it – but I don’t usually take the time to make my food pretty. I’ll do better at this now that you brought it to my attention. I honestly am just proud to get it on the table these days! 😉
Jennifer
Nice tips on presentation. Have a great day!
I have a “thing” for pretty serving dishes and have only recently started using them for my family too, not just for when we have people over.
I think I gained about twenty pounds looking at the picture previews of all the links! So many delicious looking dishes.
Loved all the tips. Thank you so much for hosting.
well, i wish i were cooking something for tonight so i could link up, but i’ve got it good…dinner’s coming to me!! a few of my friends and i do an amazing dinner swap…but i’m cooking for thursday, just don’t have any pics, yet. i’ll have to take some of what i make and then remember to link up next week! and like you…i’m all about some fun!!! 😉
Hello Jen! I love the new picture linky! I agree: presentation is everything. If I cut some vegetables in a fun way, my kids are much more likely to eat them. Thanks for hosting!
I admit that I don’t do a lot of food presentation with just the family; however, I do with company. You are right though that our families shouldn’t feel like we go all out for just company. I might even break out the china for this challenge, too. 😀
I love food presentation. Why not make it fun and pretty to eat! Thanks for the links!
To me, dressed up food always tastes so much better 😉 Thanks for hosting!
Shame on me – I haven’t been doing much food presentation for my family. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh and I forgot to say that I am loving the linky pics – it does get me to click on more links. I just tried some on my Chocolate Friday and it’s so much more fun seeing all the yummy pics!!
I don’t normally cook for anyone else because I’m a poor college girl, but I think when I have a family, I will try to have one fancy meal a month or every other month and will try to get the kids involved so they see how much work it is to make a very nice meal and how little time it takes to devour it all.
Ah, you’ve got me here! I’m terrible about not paying attention to how things look. It’s been too long since I stopped and really paid attention to food presentation. And you’re right: of course my family deserves it! Thanks for the much-needed kick in the pants. 🙂
Sadly, yes. I save dressy food for company. On the few occasions I do take the time to dress it up, I’m met with the question “Who’s coming for dinner?” LOL
It depends on what the meal is. It also depends on my mood. It also depends if my boyfriend is home for dinner or if it is just me and the kiddo. I guess it just.. ALL DEPENDS. But generally, food presentation is important to me, though I don’t really do fancy in general.
So I was making a strawberry pie and decided to make it extra special last night – http://lampuntomyfeetlifeinpictures.blogspot.com/2010/04/365-110-strawberries-dipped-in.html I served it on china although when I took it out of pan on plate it didn’t come out as pretty, so I didn’t take a pic.
I love your website, and I can’t wait to visit it again, and again. I love to cook and I just purchased and posted, “Trisha Yearwoods” new cookbook. It is awesome.