擺盆之道：點亮日常料理 Elevating Everyday Meals with Dish Presentation
一次朋友來我家短住，在他們準備離開的早上，我建議吃個簡單的早餐。一會兒後，他們發現桌上擺放的食品，遠遠超乎他們對「簡單早餐」的預期。其實我只是把一些從超市買回來的食品擺放得漂漂亮亮，令其看來好像很精緻的樣子。多年來，我一直探索不同的擺盆技巧，以提升餐桌的美感。
One time, my friends came to stay with us. As they were preparing to depart in the morning, I suggested a simple breakfast. After a while, my friends noticed that the table was adorned with a spread that surpassed their expectations. What I did was simply lay out a range of store-bought food items, but the presentation made it look like an extraordinary meal. Over the years, I’ve honed this skill dish presentation, employing various techniques to elevate the aesthetics of my dining table.
1. 用轉盆放食物 Serving Food on a Lazy Susan
那個讓朋友驚訝的早餐，是用購自IKEA的轉盤來擺放食物的。這個轉盤不僅提升了視覺效果，還提供了方便。轉盤上的各種小碟，客人只須轉動一下我盤便能輕鬆取用，不用來回傳遞食物。
The breakfast that left my friends astonished was served on a Lazy Susan from IKEA. This revolving platform not only enhances visual appeal but also offers convenience. With an array of small dishes laid out, each guest can effortlessly access their desired item without the hassle of passing plates around.
3. 用淺湯碟放湯或麵條 Serving Soup or Noodles on Shallow Soup Plates
告別傳統湯碗，轉用淺湯碟放湯或麵條，小小變化就能帶來不一樣的視覺效果。
Bid farewell to traditional bowls and embrace shallow soup plates for serving soups or noodles. This subtle alteration in presentation adds a dash of refinement to your dining table.
4. 用小果醬瓶放烚蛋 Serving Boiled Eggs on Small Jam Bottles
吃完了果醬，用瓶子做蛋托，既美觀又具創意。這些可愛的容器為餐桌增添了一絲趣味，令最平凡的烚蛋也變得特別。
Repurposing small jam bottles as egg holders not only showcases creativity but also enhances aesthetics. These charming vessels lend a touch of whimsy to the dining experience, elevating even the simplest of breakfast staples.
5. 三文治和多士戲法 Serving Sandwiches and Toasts with a Twist
簡單地調整一下擺放方法，可以將普通的三文治和多士變得很好看，例如把三文治的切口轉向外，或者把多士對角切開後才上碟。
Simple tweaks can turn ordinary sandwiches and toasts into eye-catching delights. By arranging sandwiches with their cut sides facing outward, and cutting toasts diagonally, you infuse refinement into everyday dishes.
6. 把熱香餅堆疊起來Stack up Your Pancakes
熱香餅配士多啤梨和藍莓本身就很好看。把熱香餅疊高，看來就更迷人。一個小竅門：先在熱香餅上淋一些糖漿，再放上藍莓，那麼藍莓就不會滾下來。你看這擺盆像不像酒店餐廳的佳餚？
Pancakes with strawberries and blueberries naturally look good, but I like stacking up the pancakes to make it even more visually appealing. A small tip: drizzle some syrup on the pancakes before topping them with blueberries to ensure the blueberries won’t fall over. The end result? A stunning presentation reminiscent of a dish from a hotel restaurant.
用不同的擺盆方式去提升用餐體驗，令每道菜都充滿創意，帶來喜悅和期待。有時，這些擺盆更會帶來出人意表的驚喜，例如一次把一碗麵轉個角度後，出現了這個「三膶腸」的笑臉，直教我和老公笑彎了腰！
I love exploring different ways of dish presentation to enhance the dining experience. Each dish becomes a canvas for creativity, sparking joy and anticipation. At times, unexpected delights emerge, like this amusing ‘thick-lipped’ face that appeared when a bowl of noodle was turned at an angle, bringing much laughter to our dining table!
