Falling in Love…With a Plate


Well, food blogging has brought about many firsts. I look at food differently, often thinking about how to plate it and how to capture the light just perfectly in a photo. I read recipes differently, always pausing to think about adapting them to my own interests and taste. And last but not least, I look at dishes and linens much, much differently.

Even if I’m eating alone and in a rush, I still always set a place for myself. There’s something depressing about standing in front of the TV or perching on the edge of a chair at the counter. I always put out a nice place mat and silverware, and there are usually flowers on the table. The aesthetics of a room, table, and a place setting is important if you think about eating as a sensory experience and not just a habit or necessity. Now I’m not talking fine china and stemware with each meal. I’m just saying the presentation of food matters.

So I’ve been very aware of dishes, napkins, linens, and antique silverware lately. And during the past week, Heath Ceramics has come into my radar. I was having coffee and a macaron at Cibo in Sausalito and noticed their beautiful dishware. After a little investigation, I realized it was Heath, and I’d just read how Chez Panisse uses Heath Ceramics for their dishes and serving ware. I promptly hopped online and discovered they’ve been around since 1948 and, low and behold, the U.S. factory is in my backyard. I knew what I had to do: the next morning I woke up and headed over to investigate. And that’s when I found the plate.

Now when I talk about just one lonely plate, don’t get me wrong: I would love to own eight. In fact, I’d love to own the matching mugs and bowls, the wooden salad tongs, the lovely red espresso cups, and the rustic cutting board. But this non-working girl’s got to save her pennies (Dear Santa…) so I settled for just one. What I love about my little plate and about all of the tableware at Heath is the aesthetic, the weight, and the muted colors. Heath Ceramics is one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries still functioning today, and they use much of the original design and technique they did a half-century ago. In addition, the store stocks sweet letter-press cards, vintage-inspired linens, and textiles. I could’ve spent days in there.

Above when I was talking about food blogging firsts, I failed to mention that I actually selected a dish to make this afternoon solely for this plate. Yep, that’d be a first. Tonight, my mom’s cooking a pot roast and cheesy potato dish, so I thought we needed something light and crisp–inspired by my new plate. There’s a recipe in the new Martha Stewart Living (which is a little odd and uninspiring) for an Apple and Celery Root Salad, and I figured the light crunch and the stark wintry colors would be perfect compliment to tonight’s dinner…and, it’d look great on that plate. I was right.



Celery Root and Apple Slaw

From: Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Note: You’ll notice my preparation is much more a “salad” than a “slaw.” I think a mandolin would come in handy to get smaller matchstick pieces-I was going for a little heartier look.

Ingredients:
1 small celery root, trimmed, peeled, and cut into matchsticks (about 2 cups)
1 Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks (2 cups)
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. apple cider
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

Serves: 4


Comments

  1. Chez Danisse

    Nice slaw and nice plate. I've been a Heath fan for a long time. Did you tour the facility? If not, they do offer tours and they are pretty cool. Bon appetit!

  2. A Day That is Dessert

    It looks PERFECT on your new plate! And it's inspiring to me that you're taking the time to eat mindfully even when eating alone.

  3. El

    I agree with you completely about the importance of making the meal a sensory experience. The plates you chose are beautiful - clean, simple - a perfect backdrop to that refreshing salad!

  4. Amelia PS

    I think of the food styling and photography almost as much as the food...completely agree that food blogging can change your perspective. In a great way!!! Love the recipe AND plate / setting.

  5. Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite

    Simply yet elegant - I love the plate. I also love how you have talked about some of the things food blogging makes us think about. It certainly does make you look at food and plates and everything to do with eating and drinking in a very different light. I love the look of this slaw - in fact the whole meal sounds amazing!

  6. {kiss my spatula}

    i miss popping over to sausalito at a moment's notice while living in sf. the plate is elegant, simple and lovely...as is that amazing salad that i could eat every night of the week.

  7. Megan Gordon

    Thanks for all your comments, ladies!

    Denise, I was with my mom and she was a little antsy do I didn't do the tour but am dying to when I return (soon).

  8. Shannalee

    SO beautiful! I love the way you're looking at tables/tableware/etc. It's so true that food blogging does that to people. Here's to many more beautiful plates in your future.

  9. Quelle

    I'd had this bookmarked forever, finally made it, and thought something was missing. It was...2 teaspoons of sugar. Glad I checked the source because without the sugar, this is pretty dull.

    The plate's pretty though.

    1. megang

      Hi Quelle! So glad you tried the recipe. I actually left the sugar out deliberately because I felt that the recipe stood alone fine without it and I try and cut sugar where I can :) So it was deliberate...but I'm glad to hear it turned out great adhering to the original, too. Thanks for stopping by!

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