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In Celebration of Serving Dishes

Ranked #17,012 in Home & Garden, #287,771 overall

Quit Serving out of Cooking Pans!

I'm on a mission to make your dinner table prettier.

For most of my 15-year marriage, I've been the one that has cooked dinner for my family. One way I tried to be efficient was by putting the food on the table in the same pan it was cooked in. Let's face it - it's easy. Not only do you save a minute or two getting food onto the table, but you aren't getting extra dishes dirty. My husband still serves food this way on the evenings that he cooks or helps me, and I'll tell you - it's hard for me to convert him to using serving dishes. But, I'm determined. I *will* win. This lens is about my own conversion away from pots-for-serving-food, and I will show you some pretty options to make your table less utilitarian and more pleasurable to eat at.

At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not
too well, and talk well but not too wisely.
~W. Somerset Maugham

My Own Conversion to Using Serving Dishes

(or, keeping the pans off of the table)

One day, I was shopping at a department store, and found some really cute and simple plain white bowls. They were larger than my Pfaltzgraff bowls we use for cereal and other "bowl" meals, and I bought two, thinking they would be perfect for a big meal-sized salad. One night, while serving dinner, I noticed that my potholders were not only a little dirty, but two of them had spiral-shaped scorch marks from my electric stove. Yeah, I know. Don't ask.

They were ugly and dirty, and I just really didn't want to use them to put a saucepan on the table, so I reached for one of my big-salad bowls and scooped the whole pan of rice into it. I added a large serving spoon, and I made a mental note of how much better the table looked. Mind you, I'm not at all like my mother. My table does not have a pretty floral centerpiece, nor do I use placemats. Just the simplicity of plates, silverware, and the food in serving dishes (instead of ugly pans!) really pleased me, and I decided that from now on, I will never place an ugly pan of pasta sauce or a cookie sheet of french fries on the table again.

I went back to the store and bought 2 more of the big-salad sized bowls, and I saw that they had even larger bowls that were the same depth. I grabbed two of them as well, figuring I can use them for rolls, meat, or larger pans of pasta/rice. Now, every time I shop, I'm on the lookout for pretty dishes I can use for serving food. I've discovered there are some great deals on the internet, so I will present some of my favorite finds here.

Serving with Style

Dinner Serving Dishes

Elegantly simple dishes - plain glass, ceramic, and even wood - are great for dressing up a table compatible with any style of decor. Let the focus be on the food, not the dish.

Pfaltzgraff Country Cupboard 9" Bowl

This Classic White dinnerware pattern features antiqued embossed flowers. Perect for every day use. Full collection of accessories to coordinate.Dinnerware is dishwasher and microwave safe.
Pfaltzgraff Country Cupboard 9-Inch Vegetable Bowl

Pfaltzgraff Country Cupboard 9-Inch Vegetable Bowl

Amazon Price: $29.00 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

1 Pfaltzgraff Country Cupboard 9-Inch Vegetable Bowl
Clay - Dolomite
Embossed White Flowers, with antiquing
Dishwasher safe, store dry

A crust eaten in peace is better
than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
~Aesop

Creative Serving Ideas

Whether for a dinner party or an intimate evening meal, serving soup in a mug is a great way to keep warm on a chilly day, especially when the soup is as hearty and wholesome as this wonderful chicken soup from Napa & Co.

A VERY Great Deal on Serving Utensils

Part of having a pretty dinner table is having nice serving utensils. I've had this set of "Flight" serving utensils for several years, and I love them. I saw them on Amazon and was *amazed* at the great price, and I strongly recommend having two sets (I know there are times when I need more than two serving spoons - especially on "make-your-own-burrito night"). At this great price, there is no reason not to have two sets, particularly if you entertain.
Oneida Flight Serving Spoon Set

Oneida Flight Serving Spoon Set

Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Check out this set on Amazon, but note that the image doesn't match the pieces described (i.e., in the description, the set includes a cold meat fork, gravy ladle, slotted spoon, etc., none of which are shown in the image). I have the entire set that is pictured, and some of the pieces that are described in the description, and either way, both sets are great in my opinion.

The Simplicity of Glass

V. H. Goldmohur writes, "This is a good bowl set. I use it all the time in my kitchen. The shape is sophisticated and the size is perfect for mixing batter as well as for tossing salads. The bowls are sturdy and heavy and won't chip or crack easily."

Another Amazon reviewer, Gertrude B., writes "EXCELLENT! I searched and searched for these bowls. They are featured on several FOOD NETWORK programs but not on their shopping service. I believe that there is a 4th smaller size(maybe 2 cup). Would like to find this also. These bowls are good for prep also and nice enough to go right to the table."
Anchor Hocking 3-Piece Contemporary Serving Bowl Set

Anchor Hocking 3-Piece Contemporary Serving Bowl Set

Amazon Price: $40.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

This 3-piece serving bowl set from renowned Anchor Hocking is understated, so the contents take center stage. Included in the set are 2-, 3-, and 4-quart bowls crafted of durable glass in contemporary styling. Dishwasher safe, the set is covered by a 1-year warranty. It makes a great gift for any kitchen enthusiast or hostess

Delish! 

Black dishes: Sleek and Sophisticated

COLORcode Serving Bowl, Black Truffle, Set of 3

COLORcode Serving Bowl, Black Truffle, Set of 3

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

COLORcode dinnerware and bakeware products are durable restaurant grade items actually used and tested in real restaurants . Vitrified china with lead free glaze is dishwasher, oven, microwave and freezer safe. Thermal shock tested, can go directly from freezer to oven. Durable so you will have them for many years and great looking so you will be proud to display them in your home. Colors and shapes were designed to be mixed and matched so get creative and have some fun.

Everyone Needs White

If you don't buy any other serving dishes, at the very least get a couple of plain white ones. Plain white dishes are great for any season or occasion, and in my book, are completely necessary. They fit well with any decorative style, and plain white dishes will never go out of style.
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Which Way Do You Roll?

So, do you serve dinner out of the pots and pans that the food was cooked in, or do you serve out of dishes made for the sole purpose of serving food? Do you serve food one way, but would like to change to the other? Leave your comments and let us know how YOU do things at your home!

Pans or Serving Dishes?

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Dinner is usually served right out of the pan.

lbrummer says:

I hate to admit that many of our meals are the out of the pan kind. Only company meals seem to earn the bowl treatment. I've got to change my ways-----your bowls look soooo much better. Thanks

Posted August 28, 2011

I'd rather use a pretty serving dish.

NicholeB says:

As you can see from this lens, I much prefer serving dishes on my table, rather than cooking pans. However, in real life, the cooking pans still sometimes double as serving dishes!

Posted August 27, 2011

 

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NicholeB

Hi, there!  I'm a Mom and FT Student, and my interests are as varied as my lenses.   I'm working on a few lenses that aren't quite ready... more »

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