Next time you're scanning the clearance aisle for deals or the glass and dishware shelves of your local thrift store, keep your eyes open for ramekin sets. You most likely know them when you think of creme brule. However, they're indispensible for all kinds of other household uses. And they come in all colors, sizes, and shapes today, adding even more to their versatility. Consider these ideas:

1. Handy serving bowls. When your smallest serving dish is too large, grab a ramekin. They are perfect for holding dipping sauces, herbed butter, lemon & lime wedges, pesto, mini servings of fruit, and kosher salt, to name just a few ideas. After the meal, use them to store tiny portions of leftovers.

2. Portion control for snacks. Serve yourself little nibbles in ramekins and you have the advantage of built-in portion control. Try them for holding chips, nuts, goldfish crackers, baby-cut carrots and fresh fruit. (Only thing - no going back to refill the dish!)

3. Finger food. Ideal for tiny baby and toddler meals, use ramekins to hold rice cereal, veggie purees, and finger foods. Remember: ramekins are breakable, so ensure your kids use them only at the table and with supervision.

4. Pepper grinder base. Pop your pepper grinder into a ramekin to contain those annoying stray peppercorn particles.

5. Candle holders. Ramekins make elegant and safe bases for small pillar candles, tea lights, or clusters of tapers (tied together with raffia or a pretty ribbon).

6. Odds and ends storage. Toss small items such as paper clips, rings, earrings, and loose change into ramekins. Talk about terrific (and inexpensive) mess-minimizers. I use them to organize the insides of my desk drawers.

7. Place Markers. Planning a dinner party? Fresh flowers arranged in ramekins make impressive yet informally pretty place markers.

8. Pet food. Ramekins make ideal food bowls for tiny pets like kittens, toy dogs and hamsters. They are much cheaper than food bowls sold at pet stores, too.

9. Shape your food. As any good foodie knows, ramekins can be used to create gorgeously presented food. Spray the inside with non-stick spray or line with plastic wrap, pack with food, then gently flip food out upside down when you're ready to serve. Excellent for garlic butter and jellies, or try them for sophisticated individual risotto servings.

10. Bake time. The most famous way to use ramekins: bake a luscious miniature casserole or quiche, extra large muffin, or individual desserts. Although creme brule springs immediately to mind, anything goes! For example, try making mini flans, mini fruit cobblers, or fruit crisps, or as the picture shows, personal caramel sticky buns.

11. Personal finger bowls: I like to set a finger bowl of water (along with a cloth napkin) at each place setting when we're having ribs or fried chicken - or any gooey or messy food that we eat with our hands. Everyone really appreciates this accommodation and the ramekin is perfect for the job.

Now, how would YOU use a ramekin?

Sources:
https://troutcaviar.blogspot.com/2010/06/potted-smoked-trout.html
https://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/ramekin/Interesting
https://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/snacks/chips/arico-cassava-chips2.asp
https://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/03/kitchen-drawer-inspiration.html
https://ourkitchenmenu.blogspot.com/2011/08/anthony-bourdain-meets-paula-deen.html
https://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/ramekin/Interesting
https://royaltemptations.com/blog/page/4/

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