A lot of people I know who are otherwise very good cooks make the mistake of forgetting about presentation. They do not understand that how the meal looks effects how you perceive the the taste. This is no where more apparent than in the choices that most people make in soup bowls. Many folks think that one set of bowls for soup is fine for every occasion. They will pick out something straightforward ? either a plain white soup bowl, or one with inoffensive flower patterns on it ? and use it for everything.
In reality, if you want your kitchen to really be top notch, you need at the very least to have two sets of soup bowls ? three if you are cooking chili. You need big bowls for when you are cooking soup for the main course, and smaller bowls for an appetizer. Personally, I like to have two sets of each type ? a ceramic one, and a terra-cotta one. The normal ceramic one has that straightforward look that I was telling you about. It is clear, simple, and elegant. The terra cotta soup bowls, on the other hand, have exotic southwestern patterns on them. They are good for a variety of different things. I use them for Thai soup, fish stew, or anything else which is out of the ordinary. They mark the soup as a special and unusual course.
It is also nice to have a set of soup mugs or bowls for when you serve chili. I prefer getting a style with a handle on it, as chili is traditionally eaten around the fire in my house. These chili bowls are also very good for any parties or large gatherings I might happen to have. They let people easily carry around a liquid appetizer without any fear of spilling. It makes things easier for both me and my guests ? always a good thing.
Of course, there are also soup bowls for serving. Personally, I usually prefer to just serve out of the pot, but some people like to go all out. I actually received a big, hand-glazed, green and blue soup bowl a few years go as a Christmas present from one of my relatives. Although I do not use it all that much, I still treasure it more than all of my other soup bowls. It is one of my favorite possessions because it is so nice to look at.
|
