TIP OF THE DAY: Spices & Dried Herbs As Plate Garnishes

[1] Chef Eric Levine adds a ring of flavorful spices around a circle of salad. [2] At Obicà, a Neapolitan-focused restaurant, Chef Erind Halilaj adds a dramatic spice stripe over butternut squash ravioli. [3] They’re not spices, but crumbs, used here by Chef Daniel Eddy of Rebelle, are lovely garnishes. [4] Spice blends make tasty…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Easy Valentine Heart Garnish

Even if you’re going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day, you can use today’s tip to garnish something. Use dried herbs, spices or other ingredients to make heart-shaped designs on your foods.   GARNISH THESE SWEET FOODS Cake or other dessert Pancakes or French toast Toast Anything flat   Use One Of These Toppings Cinnamon…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Plate Painting For Your Dessert

If you patronize fine restaurants and order dessert, you’ve probably noticed the “plate painting” that turns a piece of cake, tartlet or other pastry into a piece of art. But it’s not just for baked goods: Custard, pudding, even fresh fruit can also benefit from an artistic touch. In most cases, the plate is painted…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Use grocery store items to decorate your Thanksgiving table. Photo courtesy Foragers Market | Brooklyn.   Some people like a flower centerpiece for their table. Others take out the silver candelabra. We’ve done both, but realized that they can interfere with sight lines across the table. They’re also very 20th (and 19th) century. So in…
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TIP OF THE DAY: American Bruschetta & Beet Swath

This beautiful plate from Gardenia restaurant in New York’s Greenwich Village is a composition of grilled mackerel, butternut squash and endive, garnished with baby greens dressed in vinaigrette and a dollop of pesto. But what really stood out to us is what we’ve named “American bruschetta,” a square of crustless white toast, topped with pickled…
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