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All about Platters
By admin | January 8, 2009
Platters – Platters come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular shapes are round, oval, rectangular and square. There are many decorative shapes or sculpted shapes, where the Platter may be the shape of a heart, or a gingerbread man, as two examples.
The size for Platters usually start at 12” in diameter, and can be as large as 24”. The large platters can look spectacular, but they can be a storage problem, for most top kitchen cabinets cannot hold plates or platters larger than 11 ½” inches. Bottom kitchen cabinets are approximately 22” deep, but the width will vary by the cabinet. Oval platters are usually easier to store than round or square ones. But if you find a round or square platter that you love, don’t hide it in a cabinet, but display it front and center on a shelf.
One of the more glorious aspects of Platters, is that a Platter is a large item. The expanded area of the Platter often allows the designer of a dinnerware pattern to create a beautiful decorative piece for the dinnerware pattern, that is also a very functional serving piece. Highly decorated Platters are often displayed on shelves or on tables as home decor items.
On the other hand, there are a group of designers that feel that a Platter is made to serve food, and since the food would cover up a center decoration, they design Platters with a decorative rim design, and leave the center rather plain for which the food to sit upon. There are pros and cons to either point of view, but with this variation of design outlooks, you have the option to choose a platter that suits you!
Are you serving warm or hot food for your dinner or party? Here’s a tip to help keep your food warm, IF your platter is made of stoneware, porcelain or bone china. Set your oven to warm, and place your Platter in the oven for approximately 10 minutes. The stoneware, porcelain or bone china platter will absorb and retain the heat for a period of time, and help keep the food warm. Remember, if you heat your Platter in the oven, the Platter will be HOT. Use hot pads or kitchen mitts to pick up the platter, and put the Platter on a trivet made for holding warm food. Do NOT put the hot / warm Platter on your table or counter without protecting your table or counter!!
To add fashion and variety to the look of your table or buffet, purchase platters of different shapes and sizes in your pattern, rather than 2 platters of the same shape and size. And have fun using platters as both a decorative item and a serving piece!
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