now serving

Saw my first cherry blossom of the season today. (I’m fairly certain they’ve been out for a while, but were a little hard to spot through the torrential downpours known as “March in Seattle.”) Anyway, combined with the spring-forward clock adjustment this weekend, I know the season’s about to change for the better. And that always makes me think about cheery brunch tables set with yellow linens and crisp, white dishes. (I have no idea why I don’t host brunches in winter…but it doesn’t seem like a good fit.)

I know the stores are thinking about these lighter tablescapes, too, because I’ve been seeing clean, white serving platters EVERYWHERE. They’re perfect for showcasing colorful, juicy fruit salads…for arranging savory antipasti…or for plating a mound of creamy, spring-green risotto. What’s more, the cook-of-my-dreams, Ina Garten, a.k.a., Barefoot Contessa, loves them because they enable you to present an entire meal to your company on a single plate (think: chicken down the middle, roasted potatoes on one side, asparagus on the other).

Ina's latest and greatest cookbook. (Note the platter!)

For serving a square meal: Nautica platter; $39.99, www.bedbathandbeyond.com

It's hip to be square; $34; www.surlatable.com

A perfect platter--plain and simple; $20.79; www.target.com

 

White stuff, right price: $12.95; www.crateandbarrel.com

Honestly, anything Ina loves, I love…be it square, round, octagonal, or any other shape. Can you blame me?

Starting a new section today…called NewsFlash! This is where I’ll update you about finds I may have written about in previous posts (i.e. “that gorgeous bag from December is now on sale!”); announce contest winners; share reader ideas; and any other timely bits I manage to unearth. Look for these newsy updates throughout the week; I’ll refresh whenever there’s a great nugget to share with you.

 

 

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1 Comment
  • Janie Bunch

    Hey Hillary,
    I didn’t know Ina was your cooking goddess too! As for white serving pieces, they are so easy to collect on the cheap. I got a great oval serving bowl at Marshalls for $12.00 that I saw at sur la table for about $35.00. TJ Max also has good stuff.

    March 11, 2011 at 10:52 pm