Cooking with Carafoli: Cooking with Color

Beautiful Recipes for Summer Dining
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White Bean Bruschetta with Cherry Tomatoes

Roasted Striped Bass on a Bed of Heirloom Tomatoes

Arugula Pesto Pasta

Strawberry Raspberry Tiramisu

Creating a dish of food is like painting for me: the plate is the palette, and the food is the paint. Focusing on how color adds visual variety to food can help see ingredients differently. Exploring local farmers’ markets for vegetables and fruits can bring visual interest to your menu. If the food is fresh, it may only require slight emphasis to highlight its quality. Garnishes, such as herb flowers, can enhance the dish if the herb is used in the recipe. Parsley, basil, sage, and thyme are suitable choices. Adding creative color to plates can brighten the presentation after a long winter.

Photography by John F. Carafoli