Whether you’re about to meet your future in-laws for the first time or you’ve been nominated to host a work dinner at your home, sometimes it is necessary to be highly creative when making gourmet dishes. If you can’t afford to buy a dozen lobster tails, a creamy artichoke crab dish can work just as well in its place. You can serve up really yummy, international, eclectic, gourmet, or even avant-garde dishes on a tight budget, with no one being the wiser. At the Electric Smoker Center, you can do all the research you need on indoor and outdoor smokers, as well as the tools you will need to prepare full-course meals. Keep reading to find four unique ways that you can turn basic food staples into works of art.
1. Choose Your Plates Wisely
To ensure that your guests will be eager to try your meals, serve up everything on the proper plates. Stick to smaller portions put in the center of each plate and be creative about how you present your dishes. Serve salads in a separate bowl so that your hot dishes don’t cause the lettuce to wilt. Add small amounts of gravy and sauce with your dishes so that guests can control the intensity of each meal’s flavors.
2. Use Garnishes Creatively
Even if you only plan to put a small sprig of parsley on the side of your dishes, you have to be sure to include some kind of garnish. Your garnishes can be edible or simply added to introduce a bit of color. You can make a plate of food look more balanced with the addition of a garnish of some kind near the edge of the plate.
3. Try Different Food Preparation Methods
If you have a meal that you have perfected over the years, why not try to prepare it in a new and unique way? This is where electric smokers can come in handy. Instead of just grilling a beautiful piece of fish, put in inside of your electric smoker, along with some fresh tomatoes, onions, and capers, and create a whole new gourmet meal. Lightly char a head of romaine lettuce and make a Caesar salad with robust and non-traditional flavors.
4. Find the Perfect Seasonings
Just like certain food and wine pairings taste scrumptious, you need to discover what herbs and spices make simple foods pop. For example, a simple guacamole recipe tastes divine when you add lots of freshly chopped cilantro, squeeze fresh lime juice on top, and include a heaping amount of diced red onions. A simple soft cheese spread will have your guests raving when you sprinkle some rosemary, thyme, and oregano on top. Serving up chili con carne? In addition to putting a dish of fresh habaneros and jalapenos on the table, freshly ground red pepper can add some kick while sour cream can help to cool your delicious dish down.
Just as you would probably put out your finest china when attempting to make a good impression on dinner guests, you should think outside the box when it comes to meal preparation and presentation. Avoid spending money trying to make meals that you can’t pronounce let alone create. Just stick to what you know to whip up an affordable gourmet dish.