A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO MAKING PRETTY PLATES

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO MAKING PRETTY PLATES (u should probably save this) See the guy below? He always makes such picturesque food. His plates are a carefully crafted symphony of colors and shapes, arranged to amplify the flavors, not distract from them. It's hard not to be jealous of this guy... Are you guys talking about me? I don't know you guys leave me alone Well don't be. Comparison is the thief of joy. Plus, this guy probably sucks in a bunch of other ways. He probably smells like egg or is allergic to peanuts. Let's focus on YOU. My life is not a joke. You think carrying this around is funny? The reason that guy's food is so beautiful is because he knows how to garnish. All the cool kids know how to garnish. And in a few slides, you will too. "This kid's a loser!" "He has no idea how to garnish!" "He couldn't tell a chive from a scallion!" "He'll never know the beauteous wonders of multiple flavors and textures crescendoing in symphonic expression!" If you choose to garnish, it should add to your dish visually, texturally, and flavorfully. If you can't identify a purpose for it, don't add it! So here are four main reasons to garnish :) GARNISHING 1. Crunch 2. Freshness 3. Acidity 4. Fattiness Isn't this math class? What a waste of tax dollars. Adding Crunch Examples of dishes that love crunch: roasted veggies, salads, rice bowls, casseroles, soups... Toasted Nuts Very fall/wintery feeling. Adds saltiness, roasty flavor, and some bitter complexity. Usually best roughly chopped. The wallies and pecallies are also excellent when candied. Peanuts Pistachios Pecans Walnuts Almonds Fried Alliums Add nice saltiness and decadence. Garlic chips are very garlicky, so don't go overboard. Onions Shallots Garlic Crushed Potato Chips In what world would these not be good on stuff... It has the same functionality as all the above stuff. Toasted Breadcrumbs These don't always have to be baked on top of something. Delicious when toasted w/ garlic. Adding Freshness Examples of things that love freshness: fish, meat, oily foods, starches, citrusy dishes, creamy dishes... Tender Herbs Don't be shy with these guys, they're quite beautiful, but if you use enough they can really add some lightness and pizazz to a dish. Herbs are not just for show! Parsley Cilantro Chives Scallions Dill Citrus Zest Citrus zest adds a lovely aromatic quality to a dish. It is not sour, and it tastes like the essence of its fruit. Don't be afraid to add orange zest to savory dishes! Lemon Orange Lime Microgreens These work with pretty much everything tbh. Radish Maybe nature's most beautiful veggie garnish. Thin Sliced Chilis Can bring nice heat that will offset lots of fat. Adding Acidity Examples of things that love acidity: fish, meat, oily foods, carbs, roasted veggies, buttery dishes... Fruits Fruits add sweetness but also acidity, which is key when you're serving fatty or decadent dishes. Any of the following will add beautiful color and complexity to most dishes. And if you're skeptical, think of like jam on a cheese board. Preserved lemons are strong, so cut small and taste before adding. Orange Supremes Pomegranate Seeds Preserved Lemon Pickles Pickles are a great way to add acidity to a dish without having to mix it into the whole thing. Their texture do an excellent job of cutting through what might otherwise be a monotonous or one-note dish. Onions Chilis Adding Fattiness Examples of things that love fattiness: roasted veggies, starches, salads, lean meats, fish, soups... Cheeses These cheeses are excellent non-melting options. Crumbled or grated on top of a dish, they will add saltiness, richness, and umami to pretty much anything. When is cheese... a bad thing? Parmesan Queso Cotija Feta Blue Cheese Goat Cheese Creamy Whites Team cream! Anyone else? These will add tanginess as well as richness. The mouthfeel will really elevate something like a roasted veg. Try smearing some on the bottom of a dish like a resting zone then plating on top of it. Lastly, but most importantly, use the full fat versions. It makes all the difference flavor wise. Yogurt Labneh Creme Fraiche Bacon Bits Need we say more? Go crazy with these. Chili Oil Adds complexity and spice, more versatile than you think. Olive Oil Don't underestimate what a drizzle can do for you. The easy quick only new fun way to change your life. Download on the App Store GET IT ON Google Play Like Duolingo, but for cooking zest