Archive for the 'Dinnerware' Category
We were forced to thaw out and cook the frozen turkey because now that November is upon us, we’ll be getting more free turkeys from the supermarkets and we’ll probably need to freeze one until at least Christmas. Until a few moments ago it didn’t occur to me how great the turkey soup tasted because of the stainless steel flatware I was using.
For hours now that aroma has been taunting me from every room downstairs. When we eat something that bears little resemblance to how it smells we experience a disconnect, like somethings wrong. Even if the taste is good our mind tells us it isn’t authentic. That never happens with soup off a stainless steel spoon.
Unfortunately part of the human experience regarding anything delicate is how easily, and often, they can be broken. Our collection of dinnerware sets aren’t the same as when we acquired them. Something is usually missing from each set but because the rest of the set is intact we find it almost impossible to part with them.
Collecting dinnerware sets that are no longer full sets has advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage is where to store them. Another obvious disadvantage is when we require a set number of items and we’re one or two short. The advantage is just the opposite. On those special occasions when we have a small intimate gathering a special set can come out of hiding.
When elegance matters to the host or hostess we generally do what we can to adorn our tables with ornate candle holders, folded cloth napkins and a full place setting. The dinnerware set usually includes the cups and saucers for coffee and tea as well as the desert plates, salad plates and soup bowls.
Having complete sets is essential and we set a place for everyone regardless of age or eating habits. The flatware should all match including any steak or butter knives we’ll use. We all enjoy a formal dining experience even though it requires more planning and preparation.
With the holidays approaching and plans for many elegant meals, be prepared to impress your guests by the arrangement of your place settings. Creativity abounds for setting a beautiful holiday table and the resources to feed the imagination are almost limitless.
If we plan to serve a three course meal or more, don’t forget to place the stainless steel flatware in order of the courses to be served, starting from the outside. The soup spoon and knives are traditionally on the right hand of the plate while the salad and dinner forks are on the right. Dessert spoon and fork should be placed between the plate and glasses with the handle of the spoon toward the right, and the handle of the fork toward the left.
The very idea of a candlelit supper invites a romantic picture where our best dinnerware sets adorn an impeccably dressed table. Cloth napkins fan out from champagne flutes while cups, saucers and flatware surround each place setting.
When it’s time for an intimate setting we want our dinnerware sets in all their glory announcing the special moment. Although the meal might be one for the record book, the atmosphere will carry loving memories of the evening for years to come.
With constant reminders about environmental concerns we like to know we’re doing our part by removing the disposable items from our shopping list. For most people who are planning a party or arranging a gathering the automatic response is usually to stock up on disposable plates and plastic eating utensils.
Doing our part is all we can do and choosing to use flatware is something we can definitely do. We all appreciate when we’re at a public fundraiser and the meal is served with flatware rather than plastic. Keep communicating how much we appreciate it because we don’t know how many others will begin doing their part.
With an ever increasing awareness of the growing numbers of chemicals used in so many different products available to the consumer, we’ve made adjustments to what we allow in our home. I’m continually impressed by manufacturers that accomplish product development utilizing safe natural ingredients that work.
Where polished silver may have a place, care should be taken knowing that these utensils will be touching our food and entering our mouths. Stainless steel flatware has no such need for special cleaning or maintenance treatments. Whether washed by hand or machine this flatware will always look good and never interact with the taste of our food.
With the arrival of the fall colors we still have time to picnic and enjoy the beauty in the changes of the seasons around us. Planning can help us to compliment the beauty of our environment from the disposal of any trash, to limiting the amount of trash we bring.
A true picnic hamper can carry the dishes we need as well as the picnic flatware. Beyond that we can gather the cloth napkins and make a statement of appreciation to our planet. So enjoy the colors while they last and enjoy nature always.
Proper digestion is perhaps the most important part of nutrition. When we neglect the green salad before our meal it not only robs us of valuable vitamins and nutrients, but makes the entire process of digestion more difficult.
Since dinnerware sets come with matching salad plates or bowls we have a built in reminder just by setting the table with the complete set. Even if we forget to make the salad before hand, a well set table can spark our memory.
With all of the preparations necessary for a party, we often feel tempted to use paper and plastic to ease the burden of cleanup. Hopefully we’re moving away from a throw away society to a more environmentally friendly culture.
Still backyard barbeques and other large gatherings that may span more than one meal, may make it difficult to ensure we don’t run out of flatware and dishes. Some extra planning can ensure that we have a good count on the amount we’ll use. It’ll also prepare us if we’ll need to wash up before the final serving.