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 Stylish, Versatile Handcrafted Dining Tables and Chairs Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:July 1, 2022 Today, in Part 4 of our series on the hottest trends in outdoor furniture for 2022. we’re featuring handcrafted aluminum dining tables and chairs by Tropitone. Read More Sustainable Hardwood Furniture: Perfect Indoors and Outdoors Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2022 What do the following have in common? Atlantic City Boardwalk New York City park benches 18th century Jesuit missions in Bolivia The Solferino Footbridge that crosses the Seine River in Paris Give up? They’re all made out of Ipé (pronounced “EE-pay”), a fine-grained, buttery-smooth hardwood from the tropical forests of Bolivia. Environmentally Friendly There’s a […] Read More Minimalist, Modern, Danish Patio Furniture by Houe Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 2, 2022 We’re lovin’ “Click” furnishings, by Houe. This innovative Danish outdoor furniture is simple, comfortable, and versatile. Rich's carries Houe dining chairs, rocking chairs, tray tables, and benches. Read More Clean, Contemporary Outdoor Furniture for 2022 Decorating Your Outdoor Room Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:April 19, 2022 The hottest designs for 2022 in outdoor furniture feature clean, contemporary lines, natural tones, and weather-resistant weaves. In this article, you’ll discover the latest furnishings and fire pits manufactured by our friends at Ebel. Palermo Deep Seating New to Rich’s lineup, the Palermo deep seating collection includes a sofa, club chairs, swivel rockers, and ottoman. […] Read More Outdoor Oven: Expand Your Backyard Cooking Experience Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 13, 2021 When cooking outdoors, the name of the game is “options.” Options to bake a pizza, roast a whole chicken, or bake cookies. The outdoor oven by Summerset adds versatility to your outdoor cooking experience. From appetizers to desserts, this oven allows you to cook, bake, and roast your favorite dishes in your outdoor space. There […] Read More The Best Spa Filtration System on the Planet Hot Tubs and Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 31, 2021 Concerned about the cleanliness of your spa? If you’ve been in hot tub recently, you’ve likely experienced a “skim filtration system” where the filter shares the same spa water as you. We have a much better idea: a Hydro Cyclonic Filtration® System, patented by Coast Spas. Read More