Focus on Colour
Colour makes such an impact in our lives, it is all around us wherever we look. Colour can affect our emotions, it can cheer us up or drag us down. We agonise over the ideal shades to paint our walls and what colour clothes are the most flattering but how often do you think about the colour of your food?
Television programmes often try to shock people into changing their unhealthy eating habits by showing them a table full of the food that they would normally consume during one week. Whilst this is usually to make them realise how much they usually eat, what is more shocking is the colour of the food. More often than not the table is an unappetising swathe of brown - chocolates, crisps, biscuits, pies, pastries and fried foods. There is no wonder they look so miserable!
But, there is no reason why food has to be dull. Luckily for us, nature has provided a whole palette of different coloured foods for us to choose from. And it can't be a coincidence the most colourful of these foods are also incredibly good for us too, bursting with essential vitamins and nutrients. So, an easy way to add some colour to your meals is to simply incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables and herbs.
This week, allocate one meal and create a delicious main course, and dessert if you have time, with the main focus on the colour of the food. But don't sacrifice the flavour!
Think about the food you are planning to serve and ask yourself the following questions:
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Do all the colours work well together?
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Does the dish need another colour adding to liven it up?
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Are there too many colours?
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Are there too few colours?
Then afterwards think about what the finished dishes were like. Did you, and any others eating with you, find them more enjoyable both to look at and to eat?
If you'd like to find out more about colour and food, click on the link.
Griddled Pineapple with Strawberries & Basil
Per Serving
Ingredients
1 Thick Slice of Fresh Pineapple, with the skin & core removed*
1/4 Tsp Agave Nectar
4-6 Basil Leaves + extra for decoration
A Small Handful of Strawberries, quartered
* Biscuit cutters are brilliant for cutting out circles of pineapple and the tiny ones also make a neat job of removing the core from the centre of the slice.
To prepare
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Heat a griddle and sear both sides of the pineapple.
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Whilst the pineapple is cooking, cut or tear the basil leaves into thin ribbons and place in a bowl with the agave nectar. Using the back of a spoon crush the basil into the syrup.
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Add the strawberries and coat with the basil syrup. Although there isn't a large quantity of syrup, the juice will seep from the strawberries into the syrup.
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It's difficult to give an exact quantity of basil as the strength of flavour varies. So, just trust your own judgement, taste the syrup and stir through some more shredded leaves if you want a stronger flavour.
To serve
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Place a slice of pineapple on a plate and spoon over the strawberries.
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Decorate with a sprig of basil.
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Serve as it is or with some thick natural yoghurt.
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Food Preparation & Food Presentation Guides
Colour ~ Texture ~ Shape/Form ~ Less is More ~ Garnishing
Serving Styles ~ Plating Techniques ~ Plating Styles
Importance of the Visual Appeal of Food
Why Attractive Presentation Makes Food More Enjoyable
