How To Food Style Brown and Mushy Foods

🍲How To Food Style Brown and Mushy Foods! 🍲

Hey, guys! It’s Dani! Today, we’re tackling stews and brown mushy foods—the kind that can be tricky to make visually appealing. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Choose the Right Bowl

The bowl you choose makes a big difference:

Shallow pasta bowls work wonderfully for stews, as they’re about the size of a salad plate and just a couple of inches deep. This depth allows you to showcase the food without it sinking down.
If you’re working with a deeper bowl or client-specific dishes, use a base layer to elevate the food. Instant mashed potatoes are perfect for this—they create a thick layer to bring the food closer to the surface.

Step 2: Use Clear Plastic Ice Cubes or Instant Mashed Potatoes for Support

For foods that might sink:

Clear plastic ice cubes are a great hack for creating support and adding volume. Place them at the bottom and build your stew or casserole on top.
Instant mashed potatoes also work well, especially if you need a solid base to support items like vegetables or meat.

Step 3: Control the Liquids

To get that rich, glossy look in your stew:

Separate out any excess liquid, especially if the stew is canned or store-bought. You may need to strain and rinse the solids to remove excess fat.
For a homemade stew, add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up for a nice gloss. This gives the sauce a shiny, camera-ready finish.
Use browning and seasoning sauce to deepen the color if the liquid appears too light on camera.

Step 4: Place Your Ingredients Strategically

To create a balanced, appealing look:

Arrange ingredients with intention. Place your “hero” pieces—like nicely cut meat chunks or colorful vegetables—in prominent spots.
If you’re working with chunks of meat that are too large or off-balance, don’t hesitate to remove or trim them to achieve a cohesive look.

Step 5: Add Fresh Vegetables for Color and Texture

Freshly blanched vegetables add life to the dish:

Blanch vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans for 1-2 minutes to retain vibrant color and texture.
Carefully place them on top with tweezers or your fingers to achieve a natural look.

Step 6: Apply Finishing Touches for Depth and Shine

To add depth:

Lightly sprinkle with coarse black pepper and sea salt for texture and visual interest.
If your stew starts looking dry, use a spray bottle with water or paint on a bit of olive oil with a small brush to refresh the shine.
Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme at the last moment to avoid wilting, ensuring they stay vibrant on camera.

Step 7: Adjust for Deeper Bowls

If you’re using a deeper bowl:

Use the same base technique with mashed potatoes or plastic ice cubes. These will bring the food higher in the bowl, keeping it from sinking too deep.
Finish by cleaning the edges of the bowl for a polished look before shooting.

Thank you for tuning in today! I hope these tips make it easier for you to style and shoot stews and other brown foods. Let me know in the comments if this was helpful, and share what else you’d like to learn in the challenge. Be sure to subscribe for reminders and join our Facebook group, where we share tips, feedback, and exclusive trainings.

See you tomorrow for Day 6, where we’ll dive into pasta styling—don’t miss it!