Over sized plates

Years ago, when we remodeled our kitchen, I was talking with our cabinet maker about how deep to make the dinnerware shelving. He told me the average depth, and sure enough, had I not asked, my new white and square dinner plates would not have fit. People were eating more, and larger plates were now needed. So, last week I needed to restock my paper plates since most days now I use a paper plate for breakfast and many times for lunch. Never for dinner, however. I picked up the usual brand, solid and sturdy, and was amazed at how large they were. Yep, even paper plates have grown again. When I was a senior in high school, we were allowed to go across the street to a local cafe to pick up lunch. It was a huge treat for me, coming from a family who raised and grew or fished for all our food. I always got a burger and fries. They were less than half the size of the burgers now, and only a few fries, not a tub full. I drive past a few fast food joints and notice how much food is on the plates of folks sitting outside, and the expense these days is outrageous.

I think this is a well-known effect: When the burger joint (or any maker) needs to raise their prices, they raise them a little extra and cover it up with bigger portions. The paper plate makers are just following along.

[Jenise]

I've always taken larger plates as just a way to make food more attractive and allow space for interesting garniture. Nothing looks dumber, to my eye, than food crammed edge to edge on a plate--that's just so 8th Grade Cafeteria.

Speaking of plates, though, I'm reminded of friends who put those drawer type dishwashers in their new house, Fisher & Paykel I believe is the brand. Only then did they discover that their large New Mexican dinner plates didn't fit. Ouch.