How to Dress Up Your Holiday Ham or RoastBy JHCadmin, December 21, 2009It's Christmas week already. And although you likely have already been meal planning, you may have not thought about presentation of the meat-often the main part of your holiday meal. If you have decided that Thanksgiving provided ample turkey and are cooking a roast or ham instead, here are some tips to help you make a great presentation:Start with the basics. And by that, I mean don't doubt the power of your platter underneath the meat. A metal pan is tacky. Even a glass pan will not give the best impression. A platter that matches your dish set that you will be using or a platter with an elegant holiday theme (perhaps etched glass) is perfect.Decide what form to serve the meat in. Do you want to present it as a whole piece, or slice it up on the platter first? It's important to decide this before deciding between potential garnishes.Use a meat thermometer. If you don't want to cut into the meat to check that it is done, make sure that you use a meat thermometer to insure that the meat has reached the correct temperature. Ham should be at 160 degrees and beef should be at 155-165 degrees for well done. There are also several options for garnishes after the meat is on the platter:Fruit - A honey-glazed ham pairs well with fruit so use toothpicks to attach pineapple rings, maraschino cherries or oranges sliced in circles. Or arrange fruit around the meat on the platter.Flowers - Buy carnations or roses and cut off the stems. Arrange the head only of the flowers around the roast. Even one or two flowers will make the meat presentation unique. Try edible flowers for even more "ooo and ahh."Veggies - Layer the platter with lettuce or parsley and place the meat on top of it. Or use cooked veggies such as cubed potatoes, long stems of broccoli, beets or asparagus. Another idea is to shred carrots, make little "beds" of them around the roast and place a small red radish or small tomato in the center of the carrot beds.Nuts - Place chestnuts, pecans or almonds around the base of the roast.As the cook, you should also decide how the meat will be served. Will it be sliced at the table and plates passed around the table for their portion? If so, add a portion of the edible garnishes to each serving after you place a slice on a plate.Don't be afraid to practice a couple of garnishes before the big day. A well-presented main dish can become the talk of the holiday dinner.Recent Articles See All 7 Must-Have Hot Tub and Swim Spa Features Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:March 1, 2023 An effective and enjoyable way to get pain relief is in a hydrotherapy spa or swim spa. Powerful jets alleviate body aches, while the buoyancy from the water takes pressure off joints. Read More Rich's New Tigard, Oregon Store: A Chat with Manager Rick Campbell General Articles Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:February 1, 2023 Meet Tigard, Oregon store manager, Rick Campbell, who has been in the hot tub/patio/BBQ business more than 25 years in the Portland metro area. Read More Grill Islands - Easily Create an Outdoor Kitchen in Your Backyard Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:January 2, 2023 Grill islands: Modular outdoor kitchens with grill(s), workspace, fridge, storage, and more. Read More Tartan and Sparkle Holiday Mantel - DIY Tutorial Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 3, 2022 Step-by-step tutorial for your holiday mantel: How to create a classic tartan design. Read More DIY Winter Mantel Décor Tutorials: Golden Magnolia Wreath and Cinnamon Stick Votive Holder Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 2, 2022 DIY Holiday Mantel Decor tutorial: Golden Magnolia wreath and cinnamon stick votive holder. Read More How to Transform Your Mantel to a Winter Wonderland Design Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 1, 2022 We show you how to transform your fall mantel decor to a winter wonderland design easily and quickly! Check out our 15-sec time-lapse photo that shows us making the switcheroo. Read More