White China: An Entertaining Essential

Spring is a season of renewal and new beginnings, so there is no better time than now to think about how to refine and revamp your entertaining style and what lies in your cupboards. Start with your dishware. Whether you like bright colors or have a more modern taste, every host or hostess should have a classic set of white everyday dinnerware.

In terms of versatility, nothing beats white. When setting the table, start with white plates and linens then dress things up with brightly colored napkins or flowers. Alternatively, stick with a palette of white and let your food shine, just as we've done. The below menu includes a rainbow of recipes that look their best when served on white dinnerware. While the recipes are easy enough to cook on a busy week night for the family, they are also impressive enough to serve your guests at a Saturday night dinner party.

Shopping for white dinnerware? We love Oneida's Chef's Table collection, which features nine unique patterns in addition to serving accessories like cake plates, trays, and oven-safe bakeware. Each piece is made from quality porcelain; there is even a three-year no-chip warranty — a plus for heavy-handed families! The restaurant-quality dishes are both dishwasher and microwave safe. For the first course, we chose the clean yet modern Soft Square pattern to pair with our hearty, dairy-free mushroom soup garnished with salty prosciutto. Dining a deux? We love plating the broiled salmon on the rectangular platter. Of course, the meal wouldn't be complete without a slice of flourless chocolate cake served from the Chef's Palette cake pedestal.

Click here to see the White China: An Entertaining Essential Slideshow.

We've recently teamed up with our friends at Oneida to bring you our favorites of the season. Every couple of months, we'll be highlighting a couple of delicious recipes along with a selection of Oneida's stylish yet durable dishware.