When you first think about what the
one piece a Southern hostess must have you may think say, a casserole dish or a big
punch bowl. And while those are certainly MVPs every Southerner should keep in rotation, they're still not as multifunctional a big, pretty, oval platter. A large oval platter, while unassuming, and easy to store, does it all. It can showcase the muffins, croissants, and scones at a
brunch. It postures tea sandwiches and cheddar biscuits nicely at
luncheons. It takes on the heavyweight, the Thanksgiving turkey, and makes it look elegant. It can corral roasted vegetables, dress up a simple cheese plate, and elevate
snack dinner.Sure a square or rectangular dish would work just as well, but there's something so classic about the oval serving platter. An oval is so forgiving of a wide turkey or plump chicken. Just be sure to pick one out with raised edges to capture running juices and rogue asparagus stalks.Here, a few oval platters worth making "the one":
