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Home / Special Features / More from Mary Beth / Shake Up the Way You Serve

Shake Up the Way You Serve

Monday, January 20, 2025

When I was scheduled to go on a cruise a few years ago, I swore to my friend Shirley that I had nothing to wear. I was in one those frames of mind where nothing in the closet looks appealing. Shirley scoffed at me and proceeded to raid my closet and put together combinations I would never have dreamed of. I was ecstatic! It was like getting a whole new wardrobe.

Shirley’s closet magic made me realize we all slip into ruts, including in the kitchen. If you always use the same plates, bowls, and serveware when you make a particular recipe, it’s time to shake things up. “Shirley” your kitchen. Think of new ways to serve the same old thing. If you like what you’re eating, jazzing up the presentation will make you like it even more.

Let me illustrate. Cousin Becky is a huge fan of George Stella’s Breadless Bread Pudding — a concoction made with Splenda, ricotta cheese, eggs, and I’m not sure what else because she makes and shares it so regularly that I’ve never had the need to prepare it myself. See below as we turn this into a dessert chameleon!

Shake Up the Way You Serve
The photo above shows the down-home version. Served in a bowl that makes it easier to push onto your fork or spoon and topped with blueberries, it looks like comfort food to top off a lovely family dinner.

Shake Up the Way You Serve
When New Year’s Day rolled around, we broke out the celebratory plates and gold flatware and dressed the dessert in strawberries.

Shake Up the Way You Serve
Last weekend, Becky sent leftover Breadless Bread Pudding home with us after she and Steve served us a fabulous meal Saturday night. On Sunday, I didn’t have time to craft a new dessert for my lunch guests and there wasn’t much of what Becky made left (Can you say “breakfast”?), but by layering it and strawberries in mini cordial glasses, I was able to serve five.

Shake Up the Way You Serve
A little dollop of whipped cream on top and we were all ready to dig in. No one complained about having leftovers!

Shake Up the Way You Serve
Special occasion? Got it covered!

Break out a champagne glass and a candle and layer the Breadless Bread Pudding with whipped cream and strawberries over and over until there is a heaping helping at the top. Then pop your candle it and light it right before you enter the room. It’s enough to make anyone feel special!

The possibilities are endless.

“Rethink the way you are plating your food. Don’t limit things to their traditional purpose. Walk around your kitchen and dining room. Throw open the cabinets. Take a fresh look at what you have. Shake up the way your serve!

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