Step 1: Colour and contrast
When plating your dishes, it is important to use different colours, sizes and textures. Therefore, ensure a good balance when choosing your ingredients. Contrasting colours attract attention and make your dishes visually appealing. For example, the red colour of carpaccio looks best in combination with green lettuce. Also, consider which colour, size and shape of plate best suits your dish.
Step 2: The foundation
After you have decided which ingredients will be on your plate, it's time to lay the foundation. The foundation forms the base of your dish, and you can create it in various ways. For dry ingredients such as powders or herbs, it is best to use a plate stencil to create unique shapes. A plating bottle, on the other hand, is ideal for presenting thinner sauces, dressings or oils. Make it easy for yourself with a turntable and draw drops, circles or lines freehand. If your sauce is thicker or you have a smooth puree, use a scraper for a beautiful pattern on your plate.
Step 3: Go for height
Now that the foundation is set, you can start building the rest of your dish. When plating, think in terms of layers, textures and shapes. Stack different ingredients on top of each other or lean them against each other. Transform your risotto, steak tartare or thick puree into round towers with the help of plating rings and make perfect oval balls of your pudding, mousse or ice cream with quenelle spoons. Work in layers and build your dish from bottom to top. Be careful not to overdo your construction; after all, you don't want your dish to collapse on its way to the table.
Step 4: Finishing touch
The final step for perfectly plating your dish is the finishing touch, or garnish. Complete your dishes by sprinkling some herbs, grating some cheese, or adding some extra sauce. Use tweezers to precisely place ingredients such as cress, pomegranate seeds, or edible flowers. Finally, make sure your plate is clean, and then it's time to serve your dish!
With the help of these four steps, you can transform any dish into a work of art on your plate. The Plate-It tools help you achieve maximum effect at the table with minimal effort in the kitchen. So, dive into the kitchen and start experimenting! We are curious about the results. Tag @braadbaas on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok and show us. 🙌
