A dinner plate is that element of serving without which no meal can do. It is difficult to even remotely assume how food would be for a modern person if a plate had not appeared in his life. Meanwhile, this dishware element is considered almost the youngest. Only in the XIV-XV centuries dining plates appeared on the tables of the court. Initially, tin, silver and even gold were used for their manufacture. At first, the design of the plates was quadrangular, and only after some time they began to have the form to which the bulk of the European population of the globe is used today.
Let's have a quick review of dinner plates. We learn their positive qualities. Let us pay attention to the material from which the sets of this utensil or their individual copies are created. Also in the article you will see a photo of dinner plates, beautiful and practical.
For serving
In order for all the guests to have enough dishes from which it is pleasant to eat, we will find out: why this or that plate is needed. It is not necessary to buy a new expensive service. A set of dinner plates can be arranged from those that you have available. It is only necessary to select all the colors and the pattern on the plates (if any) so as not to destroy the harmony.
Serving dish
This plate has the largest diameter. All other devices are installed on it (in turn), during the feast. The diameter of the dinner plate should be such that 50 centimeters remain between the edges, for a comfortable position for diners.
For soup
Soup plate - a deep device that allows you to not spill the liquid first dish. It is used to serve all kinds of broths. The dinner plate can be designed specifically for the broth, then it has convenient handles on the sides. From such dishes, it is customary to drink the broth without using spoons.
For pies
A plate is used to serve bread, croutons and, of course, pies or donuts. This appliance is installed to the left of the soup plate. Sometimes each guest is put on a patty plate a piece of butter and a knife turned to the left with the blade.
Deep plate
It is good to serve pasta and other pasta. Sometimes this device is used to replace a soup plate. Since its depth allows the liquid dish not to spill.
For salads
For a worthy reception of guests, you definitely need: a salad bowl and a bowl. If you serve salad in portions, then it will be prudent to use the second option (a bowl).
Here are perhaps the most important items, without which the feast would not be comfortable enough for both the hostess and her guests.
The materials from which the plates are created
A wide variety of bases for creating dishes and, in particular, plates, allows you to choose the most suitable option for any feast and taste. Here are just a few of these materials:
- ceramics;
- glass (including crystal);
- metal;
- wood;
- plastic and paper (disposable dinner plate variations);
- fireproof and shockproof glass (entered our life relatively recently and won great consumer love).
Ceramics - the most famous material for creating plates
Production takes place by mixing clay with various mineral additives. Then the workpieces are placed in specialized furnaces and subjected to heat treatment. After that, the finished plates are covered with glaze. By ceramics is meant dishes from faience and porcelain.
Porcelain is the most prestigious segment of ceramic plates. It is porcelain that has an exquisite subtlety, whiteness and a certain transparency. In addition, porcelain plates usually have a chic design. Porcelain is a work of art in any embodiment.
Glass plates
On the table they look pretty interesting. Especially good at serving beautiful, gourmet dishes. Glass is a fairly hygienic material: it does not absorb odors. Today, a complete set or set of plates is often not cheap, and sometimes they fight so unexpectedly. To get out of this situation, you can purchase a set of toughened glass (for example: Luminarc dinner plates).
Shock-resistant glass is in high demand. Most likely, the reason for this is the microwave oven. Almost every kitchen is equipped with this technique. And in a shockproof and practical dinner plate, you can quickly warm up and even cook some dishes. And here Trianon and other manufacturers dinner plates come to the rescue.
Metal plates
For home use, they prefer to use enameled appliances, nickel-plated or silver-plated plates. If the dishes do not have such a protective coating, then in no case can it be used for eating.
The advantages of this category of plates is that they look unusual on the table due to their infrequent use. They also have some disadvantages. First of all, this is a high cost (silver utensils do not belong to the category of generally available) and more complicated care.
From wood
Eco-friendly dinner plates are very common in Asian countries and in some regions of Russia. Wooden dishes contribute to the creation of a unique taste of the dish, which is placed in it. It is better to choose them with a wall thickness of five to eight millimeters, then the dishes will last longer.
Carefully study the packaging when buying such plates. It should indicate for what purpose this dish is intended. In our case, there should be a note: "For eating."
Before starting operation, the wooden plates must be washed (without abrasive products), thoroughly dried and greased with linseed oil. Oil increases the service life of such plates. Let the oil soak and wash the dishes again. Now you can eat from them. Periodically "oil" the plates, then they will serve you longer.
Positive aspects of their use: creating a cozy atmosphere, strength, environmental friendliness. But there are also negative points: such plates will surely darken with time, they can absorb the aroma of food, they can not be washed in a dishwasher.
Plastic (plastic)
This category of dinner plates is offered at various inexpensive fast food outlets. Plastic plates can withstand a hot dish, and they can be placed for heating in a microwave oven - all this helps to ensure that they do not lose their popularity.
Currently, many low-cost food outlets offer a dish in very poor quality plastic. Such plates began to be made thinner and, accordingly, more fragile. If you still had to dine in such an undesirable place, pay attention to the fact that small crumbs from plastic do not get into your food. Often, on a tray, the plate is ready to fall apart and the probability of accidentally swallowing particles of thin transparent plastic is quite high.
Plastic dinner plates can be taken with you on a picnic. Just do not get too cheap a kit, just for the reason described above (brittleness and the probability of accidentally swallowing particles from a plate). For a more comfortable picnic, you can buy plastic plates included in special sets for the named pastime.
Paper dinner plates
This is a universal option: ate - threw it away. Such dishes are suitable for eating outdoors. And it is convenient in that it can be easily burned at the stake and not clutter the environment.