Presentation is Everything

I have found that an ordinary recipe, sweet treat or centerpiece can become special with very little effort. 

This is a simple recipe.  Slices of mozzarella cheese were cut with a star cookie cutter.  The cut out part was placed as a bottom layer. Sliced tomatoes were placed off center on the slices.  The stars are on top of the tomatoes, basil leaves are scattered and fresh grated Parmesan cheese tops it off.  Drizzle with Italian dressing.  Olive Garden sells their dressing and is perfect for this salad.  The shape of the cookie cutter can be adapted to the occasion or holiday.  Serve this dish chilled.

I like to use this large flat bowl for salad.  You can layer the ingredients and don't need to toss them.  It makes a prettier presentation than things mixed in a deep bowl where the smaller ingredients tend to settle at the bottom of the bowl when tossed.  The ingredients are fresh spinach, dried cherries, sugared pecans and Gorgonzola cheese.  Paul Newman's Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing is not too overpowering and compliments this salad perfectly.  You can substitute fresh raspberries for the cherries if they are in season.

This frozen salad was dressed up with fresh spinach leaves on the white plate, adding color.  You can use parsley, mint or any fresh green for contrast with this type of recipe.

After dinner mints are served by a whimsical rabbit.  Use unusual dishes, containers and accessories.  The unexpected is always fun.

Napkin rings add a special touch to a table.  They can be a color coordinated ribbon, raffia, ceramic, wood or anything you can slip a napkin into.  These are Rosenthal china and have a little dish attached.  I have added Easter straw and candy kisses. Napkin rings can easily be made out of paper towel tubes; cut the tubes into 1 1/2 inch circles, coat with glue and cover with fabric or pretty paper.  Coat with Mod Podge.  You can also decorate the napkin rings by gluing on beads, dried or silk flowers, etc.  My mother-in-law had a collection of mismatched silver napkin rings.  Each family member had a different one.  They can be found in thrift and antique stores.

This centerpiece is in a rustic wooden box with a leather handle that was a "find" at a discount store.  The flowers were $7 at the grocery store.  The box was lined with a large baggie and oasis to hold the flowers in place.  The tapestry place mat underneath was found at Walmart.

Even cookies can be creative.  This is a sugar cookie recipe that I shared for Valentine's day.  It gives the impression of variety even though it is one recipe.  I used square and round cutters and used a vanilla frosting that I divided into three flavors: vanilla, chocolate and peanut butter.  On the peanut butter frosted cookies is a piece of a Hershey candy bar.  Some of the chocolate frosted have chunks of white chocolate on them.  Nuts, sprinkles and chocolate chips were used on the others.  A packaged brownie mix was added to the plate for more contrast.  Although there was only one cookie recipe, it looks like a lot of work. My favorite boxed brownie mix is Betty Crocker's Ultimate Fudge Brownie mix (I add one cup of chopped nuts).

Tip:  If you have children, they will have fun helping "customize" the cookies.

Note that the plates used for serving are all different.  I love to find things I can use at thrift stores, Tuesday Morning, T J Maxx, Ross and Stein Mart.  The secret to mixing dishes and making it work is to buy things that blend with colors you use on your table and kitchen/dining area.