Need to come up with a quick gift? Pasta baskets offer such a wide variety of possibilities, you may find yourself looking for gift-giving occasions just so you can have an excuse to make more! Materials:
Basket
Kraft paper
Excelsior straw
Two or three small pieces floral foam
Floral enhancements, ribbon, etc., for decoration
Gift items: dried pasta, jars of sauce, etc.
You may also need any or all of the following: bamboo skewers, 2" packing tape, needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, scissors
- Place kraft paper in the bottom of the basket to create a firm foundation (figure A). Cover with excelsior straw.
- Place small pieces of floral foam underneath the excelsior as needed to anchor decorations (figure B).
- If desired, use bamboo skewers to anchor items in the basket. Attach the skewers to the items with packing tape.
Gift suggestions
- Place a bottle of wine (anchored with a skewer, if necessary) in the basket. Surround it with an array of tempting items such as pasta sauce, a variety of dried pastas, cheeses, a loaf of Italian bread and a tine of cookies -- everything that would make a complete meal. Add a few sprigs of greenery -- real or artificial (figure C) -- and bows, if you wish.
- Place a loaf of French bread, a package of tricolored pasta, a jar of pesto sauce, and packets of herb seeds -- or small pots of seedlings -- the recipients can plant in their garden; decorate with a selection of gardening tools and a pair of gardening gloves.
- To welcome a new neighbor into the neighborhood, start with a wire birdhouse basket (figure D) and add packages of spaghetti, breadsticks and sauce, and be sure to include coffee for them to enjoy after dinner. This gift is especially nice because once the basket is empty, it can be left out in the new home.
- Remember, wrapping your baskets in cellophane definitely adds a very "gifty" look.
RESOURCES :
365 Ways to Cook Pasta
Model: 0060186631
Author: Marie Simmons
(1996)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HarperCollins
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-207-7000
Fax: 212-207-7145
How to Make Pasta Sauces: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Sauces
Model: 0936184234
Author: Editors of Cook's Illustrated
(1998)
Boston Common Press
Boston, MA 02445
Phone: 617-232-1000
Email: webmaster@bcpress.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
