[1] These “flowers” are simply polka dots pulled together with a toothpick (see the video below; photo courtesy Gardenia | NYC). [2] Any food that isn’t made in a sauce can be decorated (photo courtesy Shalit Foods). [3] Keep your favorite sauces in the fridge, ready to squeeze (photo courtesy Pure Joy Concepts). [4] You can buy sauces or make them (photo courtesy Melissa’s).
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When you get your food at a good restaurant and the chef has made beautiful chevrons, flowers or hearts from the sauce, are you impressed?
If so, know that some of these are so easy, that all you need are a couple of squeeze bottles and a toothpick or skewer to make them at home.
In fact, the hardest thing to do is to decide which sauces to use with your dish.
So watch the video below, or plenty more on YouTube under “sauce decoration.”
Start with polka dots of sauce before moving into more complex designs.
Look for the color impact as well as the flavors when you select sauces.
The lists below are just guidelines. You can use whatever goes through a squeeze bottle (but steer clear of sauces with inclusions—bits of dill, mustard seeds, etc.).
SAVORY SAUCES
Aïoli (garlic mayonnaise) or other flavored mayonnaise
Alfredo (parmesan) or other cheese sauce
Barbecue sauce
Cream sauce (plain, basil, curry, ginger, tomato, wasabi, etc.)
Hoisin or plum sauce
Horseradish sauce
Lemon sauce
Mustard sauce
Ranch sauce
Sriracha sauce
Vegetable coulis*
Yogurt-based (e.g. garlic-yogurt sauce)
SWEET SAUCES
Berry coulis*
Butterscotch/caramel sauce
Chocolate/white chocolate/mint chocolate sauce
Cinnamon sauce sauce
Coffee/mocha
Custard/crème anglaise
Honey or maple syrup
Kiwi coulis
Lemon or other citrus sauce
Mango coulis
Sweetened condensed milk
Yogurt-based (e.g. honey-yogurt sauce)
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*Coulis (COO-lee) is a sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits (i.e., no seeds remain).
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