These easy hacks give any dish a restaurant-quality presentation your guests will remember.
Whether you're planning an intimate dinner party with close friends or a grand feast for a crowd, one thing’s for sure: the food is everything. As Giada always says, you eat with your eyes first, so why not make your dishes look just as divine as they taste? From vibrant garnishes to elegant plating techniques, there are countless ways to elevate the appearance of your dishes that are a lot easier than you might think.
Think of these tips as building blocks; use one on its own or combine them for a truly spectacular, restaurant-quality meal that will wow your guests before they even take the first bite.
Finish With Olive Oil
Giada always keeps two kinds of olive oil in her kitchen: cooking oils and finishing oils. The latter are strongly flavored oils with prominent spicy or grassy notes thanks to lots of the phenolic compounds that make olive oil so good for you. These compounds degrade when heated, so they should only be used after cooking. Drizzle a finishing oil over dishes like pastas and steaks to give them a tempting, glossy sheen while also adding another layer of flavor.
Garnish With Microgreens
You may have seen these tiny, vibrant greens at the farmers market and wondered just what, exactly, they’re for! These edible young seedlings of vegetables and herbs add a burst of color and fresh flavor, and they’re super nutrient-dense. Choose microgreens that compliment the flavor dish you’re serving—some tasty options include cilantro, broccoli, and basil. Just a handful of microgreens can transform your plate into a restaurant-worthy presentation that delights the eyes and the taste buds. We recommend pairing microgreens with proteins like meat and fish for a vibrant color contrast.
Toast Breadcrumbs for Pasta
One of the easiest tools to elevate a simple pasta dish is an unassuming ingredient that’s probably in your cabinet right now: breadcrumbs. When toasted in olive oil till golden brown, they add a delightfully crunchy textural contrast to soft pasta, and they taste delicious! You can amplify their flavor by adding garlic to the toasting oil or stirring in chopped parsley or grated lemon zest once it’s off the stove.
Use Egg Wash and Coarse Sugar
When making pies, biscuits, scones, or other pastries, give them a quick brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with coarse demerara sugar as the last step before they go in the oven. The egg wash gives baked goods a shiny, golden-brown finish, while the sugar adds a satisfying crunch and a beautiful, sparkling touch.
Dust your Desserts
Ever notice how restaurant desserts are almost always dusted with a snowfall of cocoa powder or powdered sugar? Even a simple slice of pie becomes instantly elegant with this simple step, which softens the bare plate and makes the presentation look more thoughtful. Dust tiramisu or chocolate mousse with cocoa powder, and tarts like Giada’s Chocolate Apricot Crostata with powdered sugar.
Sprinkle With Flaky Salt
Just like olive oil, salt isn’t just for cooking—investing in a flaky finishing salt like Maldon is a brilliant way to give dishes a final boost of flavor. A sprinkle of flaky salt can enhance just about any culinary creation, from proteins and veggies to chocolate desserts. Instead of tasting noticeably salty, the crystals will amplify the flavor of the dish while adding a subtle, pleasing crunch.
Drizzle on Balsamic
Whether over a fresh Caprese salad, grilled vegetables, or even strawberries and ice cream, the rich, tangy-sweet flavor of a high-quality balsamic adds a sophisticated touch. Authentic, barrel-aged balsamic from Modena is an investment, but you’ll only need to use a tiny drizzle at a time. For a crowd-pleasing finish to your next dinner party, drizzling some sweet-tangy dark cherry balsamic crafted by chef Massimo Bottura over vanilla gelato for a grownup ice cream sundae.
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