Two saucy tricks to make homemade dinners look restaurant pretty.

Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

The Swoosh

Use a large spoon to place a dollop of thick sauce or puree slightly off-center on the plate. With the back of the spoon, press down and, in one quick motion, drag the spoon around the plate in a half circle.

Illustration by Alyssa Nassner

The Brush Stroke

Place a small dollop of thick sauce or puree on the plate. Drag a pastry brush through the sauce and across the plate.