A shallow dish is a type of dishware that is characterized by its shallow depth. The most common shallow dishes are plates, platters, saucers, basins, and trays. Plates are typically round with a flat bottom and a raised rim, while platters are larger and flatter than plates. Saucers are small, shallow dishes that are used to hold cups or other small items. Basins are bowl-shaped dishes that are usually used for washing or serving food. Trays are flat, rectangular dishes that are used to serve food or carry items. All of these shallow dishes are typically made from ceramic, glass, or metal.