ALT-2 How to Make a Pizza Gift Basket
If you have a friend who is passionate about pizza then why not match a gift to their taste, and present them with pizza bursting with all their favourite toppings? Too predictable? At least you can whet their appetite to distraction by arriving with a pizza box which curiously lacks the distinctive aroma of pizza. Instead use a pizza box as a handy basket to compile a pizza gift which isn’t actually a pizza. Make a gift which will help them to become the finest pizza chef in their own kitchen.
Firstly they may need a little help in perfecting the art of creating the perfect pizza, so gift them a day out learning how to make pizza at a real Italian restaurant. They will thoroughly enjoy learning how to throw the pizza dough around skilfully, and pick up all the essential tricks of the trade whilst covered in flour.
Before they begin creating their masterpiece of pizza your friend will definitely need to dress for the part. Include a tee shirt with a large pizza emblazoned on the front, a tall chef’s hat and a handy pizza adorned apron. They will probably appreciate a few books on the subject of pizza too, for light bed time reading. You could opt for Francesco Brunaldos ‘The Ultimate Pizza Manual’ or ‘The Art of Pizza Making’ by Dominick A. DeAngels and Suzanne Ling, both available from Amazon.
To create the ultimate gourmet pizza your friend will appreciate some fine food gifts. Forget the poor imitations such as garlic powder but include a garlic press so they can easily top their pizzas with fresh garlic. Fresh basil leaves are supremely better taste wise than dried ones so include a potted basil plant which will ensure a fresh source of the most perfect herb.
Some excellent pizza toppings are available in jars, such as artichoke hearts in olive oil: black Kalamata olives, acknowledged as the finest anywhere; capers and anchovies; sundried tomatoes; and a selection of pizza herbs which retain their flavors in dried form such as oregano, dried chillies, and fenugreek seeds.
Other food delights to include are prosciutto and chorizo, and fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. As the perfect pizza is usually accompanied with the perfect salad add a bottle of extra virgin olive and a good balsamic vinegar to dress the salad with.
There you have all you need for the ultimate pizza gift basket. Of course if your friend truly has no interest in turning their kitchen into a pizza parlour then fill the pizza box with a tasty hot pizza for immediate gratification.
