If you’re including a special cheesecake, consider taking the extra step of thinking about the presentation of your dessert. We get pleasure from our food with our eyes, in addition to our taste buds. Always play around with your own thoughts, but these are a handful of ideas to get you started.
New York Style Cheesecake: This is what most people would think of as the basic, plain or “unflavored” cheesecake. Frankly, it is anything but unflavored! However, its flavor will adapt well to nearly all additions. Well, maybe not broccoli! I suggest that you should consider complimenting the rich flavor of this versatile cake by placing a healthy amount of hot caramel topping around the plate.
Strawberry Cheesecake: Place a a bit of whipped cream atop the cake. In the center of the whipped cream, place the largest, reddest strawberry you can find. Be certain to let the leaves on the berry.
Turtle Cheesecake is already a smyphony of colors, textures and tastes. Instead of seeking a counterpoint, which might disturb the balance, drip a semicircle of chocolate syrup around one side of the plate and semicircle of caramel around the other side.
Pumpkin Cheesecake, a holiday season favorite, is even smoother than the more traditional pumpkin pie. Cut a festive hole in some paper–tree shaped or a five pointed star. Center the paper over the top of the slice. In the hole, gently shake cinnamon.
Sugar Free Cheesecakes–no sugar added: Regardless of the flavor of the cake, a mint sprig atop the widest part of the cheesecake slice, will dress it up wonderfully without adding any additional sugar.
The presentation is impacted not just by what’s on the plate but additionally by the nature of the platter, itself. Certainly, the small plates that are part of your china set will serve your purpose. But the additional storage areas in modern homes permit many of us to have more creative alternatives. People have unique salsa and chip servers, as opposed to the widespread bowls. Why not choose plates that you use for the special dessert celebrations?
There are plenty of alternatives ranging from a matched set of plain plates to purposely mismatched art noveau that can be enjoyable to both locate and collect. Another option to think about is to present your dessert on planks made of a well grained hardwood. Wood can actually be sanitized very well, although, if that worries you, simply place a doily under the dessert itself for simpler cleaning. A friend of mine collected old license plates, sanitized them, and sometimes serves either appetizers or dessert on the well travelled plates. It brings an unusual and festive ambience to any occasion!
A gourmet cheesecake is certainly worth the price, even if it might not be your usual treat. On those occasions when you are about to indulge, feast with your eyes in addition to the taste buds!