The presentation of any dish is just as important as its taste because before our taste buds rate the dish, our eyes have already done the judging. The moment we hear the word garnishing, we imagine a beautifully decorated plate of food that will lure to dig in. You must have seen various kinds of garnishes done in restaurants and cafes but not all of them are healthy and flavourful. Various chefs keep taste, calories and health in mind while preparing dishes, but while garnishing, calorie count and health benefits go for a toss.
We all must have seen our mothers garnishing pudina leaves on dal tadka or raitas and grating cheese on the homemade pizza? These were the two ultimate garnishes that she used quite often to beautify the dishes. Pudina, other than beautifying our dishes, is also known for various health promoting properties, but what about cheese? Not all kinds of cheese are healthy for us (read: processed and salty cheese). Fret not! There are a plethora of foods that can be used as garnishes.
(Also Read: 10 Creative Ways to Make Your Own Healthy Vegetable Chips)
Here Are 7 Amazing Garnishes That Will Make Your Dishes Healthier And Flavourful:
1. Tofu
Replace cheese with this healthy vegan food and garnish it on your soup, pizza and pasta. Tofu is made of soya and is not only a good source of protein and calcium but also is a low calorie food, as compared to paneer or cheese. Tofu also helps regulate cholesterol and keeps your weight in check. For plating, it can be used in multiple ways like grating it on any dish or dicing it into small cubes and putting them in soup.
2. Almonds
Almonds are low in carbs and are power-packed with vitamins, proteins and high dietary fibres - all of these make almonds a perfect food to garnish on your dishes. Fibre and protein in almonds keep you full for longer time and you avoid overeating, which further facilitates weight loss. Moreover, almonds are rich in magnesium, which may help lowering blood pressure levels.
(Also Read: Why Soaked Almonds are Better Than Raw Almonds)
3. Cucumber
If weight loss is in your mind, then use cucumbers to garnish your dish. Cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, and can be used as a low-calorie topping for many dishes. They also contain a good amount of fibre, which may help prevent constipation. Eating cucumbers in summers is also good for our body as they keep us hydrated.
4. Parsley
This vitamin-rich diuretic is packed with healthful and powerful nutrients. Parsley helps boost our immune system, which is usually affected during harsh weather. This leafy vegetable strengthens our bones and freshens up our breath too.
5. Pomegranate
This vibrant red fruit has high levels of antioxidants, which are known to protect our body cells from damage. In addition to vitamin C, pomegranates are full of vitamin E and vitamin K that help in boosting memory.
(Also Read: Amazing Pomegranate Nutrition Facts And Health Benefits)
6. Walnuts
Walnuts are a good source of biotin, which is essential for strengthening hair and preventing hair fall. They are rich in proteins and dietary fibres and contain healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts are known to reduce appetite which further helps in weight loss. They can be sprinkled on yogurts or added to muesli and porridge.
7. Tomatoes
This juicy fruit has abundant vitamin C and beta-carotene and is a good source of vitamin K, which helps in strengthening bones. Moreover, it may lower down cholesterol (LDL) levels too. To garnish your dish with tomatoes, dice them into small cubes and add them to beautify your dishes.
Garnishes for dishes should be healthy and flavourful, rather than subtle. Let us know which one you would try in the comments section below.