inspiration365: Looking Good Enough to Eat

September 29, 20132 Comments

Think of a pile of fluffy pancakes dripping in butter and maple syrup; a bowl of bright berries with chopped, fresh mint; a plate of pasta with grated parmesan and fresh basil leaves.  All of these images are the first step in creating a desire for and enjoyment of the food.

We eat first with our eyes.  It’s how you choose what you will eat from a buffet, or why just seeing an image in a magazine or cookbook can start a craving for a certain food.

If you ever hear complaints of “I don’t like that food,” or “I don’t want to eat that,” you can increase the odds of your children trying a dish by making it more fun and visually appealing.  Studies show that children are most attracted to plates that have a greater variety of color than what appeals to adults.  Presentation matters to children as well as adults — especially shapes and garnishes.

Be creative, colorful, and have fun!

3 Ways to Make it Look Delicious!

1.     Use color:

• Use multi-colored fruits and vegetables.  For example, serve slices of bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, and green) with orange carrots and a dipping sauce.
• Purple and green cabbage for salads and sides.
• Sliced red and green apples for snacks and dessert.
• Green and purple grapes.
• Multi-colored beans, lentils, rice, or grains for soups, sides, and mains.

2.     Vary Textures:

• Top creamy mashed potatoes with crunchy fried shallots.
• Serve crisp roasted broccoli with smooth, saucy spaghetti.
• Pair chewy chili with crunchy green salad.
• Cut a grilled cheese sandwich into cubes and serve on top of tomato soup.

3.     Use patterns and shapes for children:

• Use cookie cutters or a paring knife to cut vegetables, tofu, or cheese into small shapes for garnishes on the plate.
• Arrange food into a shape, face, or animal.
• Put dressing or sauce into a squeeze bottle, and use it to write or draw on the plate.
• Create a colorful pattern of fruit, or of cubed food on a skewer (with the sharp end cut off) or popsicle stick.

For more ideas on creating fun and inviting foods see the USDA’s MyPlate.