With Thanksgiving nipping at our heels, it's a good time to remember all the things that help make a meal a great meal. Here's one I learned from both my mother and my husband: warm plates make a huge difference.
I'll admit that I don't warm the plates every time I serve someone food, but when it feels special, I always try to give them a little kiss of warmth. Here are a few ways of doing it.
- Put them in the oven at its lowest setting (150° F on most US ovens) - if you have a toaster oven and the plates fit, use it. It will use less energy to heat up. This is my mom's system.
- Run them under some really hot water then quickly towel dry them just before plating a meal. This is Maxwell's preferred method which I don't think is the most effective, but he likes the flair of the hot water and the crisp white towel taking its licks at each plate.
- Use an electric plate warmer: think of it as a plug-in tower of hot pillows for your plates. My mother-in-law has one of these in a green jacquard pattern similar to the one pictured above. It is something I will always associate with her.
- If you're already using the oven to cook something for the meal, stack the plates on top of the oven between the burners. Rotate the stack now and then so the bottom plate doesn't get too toasty and the top one doesn't get jipped on the heat. This is what I end up doing most often.
• Plate Warmer, $49.95 at Sur La Table
Related:
• Terra Cotta Bread Warmer
• Should Food Always Be Served on a White Plate?
I think this is nearly vital when serving pasta or other starches like polenta or mashed potatoes, or soups/stews/braises. I usually use the oven method; we've got a Denby set that is oven safe so I don't worry too much about the temperature.
I've been teased about this by my friends, but I know they appreciate it in the end. :)
view sjbreeze's profile
some dishwashers also have a plate warmer setting
view sebnmg's profile
Or put a few drops of water on the plate(s) and zap briefly in the microwave
view mikeinkansascity's profile
if it's just the two of us, I put them on the burner that's above the heat escape for the oven. More than that, I wait until the overn has cooled a little from whatever has been cooking and stick them in there for a few minutes. Haven't had one crack yet.
view truenic's profile
I like to put the dishes in the dishwasher and fast forward to the heated dry cycle for a few minutes.
view kimg924's profile
i'm not sure "jipped" is a term that should be used... just a thought--
view stephiez's profile
Stephiez, unfortunately your concern is misplaced. The word is "gypped", and there's no historical evidence that the term came from the word “gypsy."
view Doctrine's profile
i dont get the whole plate warming benefit. can someone please explain to this noob?
view Madinat's profile
Madinat, heating a plate is akin to warming a teacup before you put the tea in it. It keeps the food warmer longer.
view kimg924's profile