A list of garnishes appropriate to different kinds of food appears below. Of course there are many others, and the number of different ways in which ordinary garnishes can be used effectively is surprisingly large. The alert manager will observe what others in his field are doing, and will discover many ingenious ideas by reading food journals and women's magazines.
The garnishes used for soups are practically the same whether for cream or clear soups.
Wafers, cheese and plain Croutons Olives Radishes Celery hearts Whipped cream (on cream soups)
Some meat garnishes can be used at all times; others are especially adapted to certain kinds of meat.
In general Parsley Watercress, in season Mixed pickles
For steaks Lemons cut in fancy shapes Sautéd mushrooms Potato roses Stuffed tomatoes Stuffed peppers Grilled and buttered Brussels sprouts
For fish Lemons, in slices and cut in fancy shapes Cucumber baskets, filled with dressing Parsley Watercress Clam shells, stuffed with clams and mushrooms Mushrooms, sautéd Potatoes, cut in fancy shapes, such as shoe strings or lattice, and fried in deep fat
There are certain garnishes which it is customary to use with salads, especially with chicken salad.
For chicken salad Hard-cooked eggs, sliced or cut in eighths Lemons, sliced Pickles Paprika Parsley Capers Olives Head lettuce cups
For fish salad Pickles Olives Lemons, cut in fancy shapes Cucumber baskets holding extra salad dressing Paprika Parsley
For fruit salad Tiny cheese balls Cheese balls rolled in chopped nuts Tiny sandwiches Olives green ripe stuffed Cheese straws in fancy shapes
Very often where sandwiches are ordered they will serve as the main dish of the luncheon meal. They should be made as appetizing as possible by the use of suitable garnishes.
Pickles Olives Cheese balls Parsley Watercress Attractive paper or plain linen doilies Nut meats
Desserts by their very nature, require some garnish to make them the perfect and satisfying last course which they should be. Candied fruit, marshmallows, slices of fresh orange or strawberries in season, whipped cream and bright candies add the needed bit of color. Here the use of paper doilies, glasses and attractively shaped china dishes is a great factor in appearance.