With Purim right around the corner, here are some artistic and innovative suggestions for anyone who is still searching for that elusive, special mishloach manos idea. These suggestions can be adapted to your taste and budget, so we hope everyone will find something that works for her (or him!). Keep them in mind, too, for those occasions anytime of the year when you need a showstopper appreciation gift.
Simple and Elegant
Fruity Sophistication: Here’s an idea that doesn’t take long to prepare but is sure to impress! The finished presentation showcases six plastic champagne glasses filled with colorful cubed fruit, tastefully set on a silvery platter. You can find inexpensive plastic champagne glasses as well as hard plastic trays with an elegant look at several local stores. You can use any fruit; we tried it with watermelon, pineapple, and blueberries – but cantaloupe, honeydew, and grapes also look beautiful. For a spectacular look, top each cup with smaller cubes of a contrasting color. For example, top a cup of pineapple with kiwi cubes, or cantaloupe with pomegranate seeds. Fill two glasses with each type of fruit, and arrange the cups on the platter in two rows. Be sure to tape down each glass to prevent it from moving. If you want to decorate the platter, sprinkle with a few pieces of “Simchas Purim” confetti. For a professional wrapping touch, place the arrangement in a cellophane bag and carefully tape closed on the side.
Adapt this platter to suit your own ideas! You could fill the cups with vegetables and dips, or make your own mini-trifles with cake and cream. The possibilities are endless!
Lunch is served: You’ll want to deliver this one early enough in the day to provide your recipients with a much-appreciated meal! Start with a real wicker basket or a simple plastic basket, and fill with garlic knots and a variety of dips. Place a portion of each dip in a small plastic dressing cup with a cover. You may include a drink, too, such as orange juice. Alternatively, simply buy bagels, cream cheese, cheeses, and add fresh fruit, such as an orange, a pear, or grapes.
For a wow effect, bake a real bread basket! Prepare a batch of your favorite challa dough. Grease the outside of a metal bowl very well. Roll long ropes from the dough and place half of them lengthwise across the upside down bowl, leaving a space between each rope that is approximately the width of the rope. Weave the remaining ropes under and over the lengthwise ropes. Brush with egg, allow to rise, and bake, basket-side up. When cool, gently lift the “basket” off the bowl, and fill with the lunch items.
Going nuts: If you are going nuts reading these ideas (who has time?), the following may be just what you are looking for: a nut theme! If you are looking for some sympathy, be sure to include a note that reads something like this: “Purim is making me nutty; didn’t want to leave you out!”
This theme gives you many options. Here are just a few: coconut, peanuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios, chocolate covered peanuts, Jordan almonds, nutty chews. If you buy these in large quantities, divide into portions, and place in sheer tulle drawstring bags for added elegance.
Another presentation of the nuts theme is to layer the different varieties in an inexpensive clear vase, ending with the dark chocolate covered peanuts. If you are inspired to try one more step, you can form flowers from dried fruit, place them on long skewers, and stick them into the vase for a beautiful centerpiece. Use dried pineapple, papaya, mango, cranberries and your creativity to model the flowers after their authentic relatives.
Salad mania: If you’d like to share something homemade with your friends but don’t want to bake, you can make a very large quantity of three varieties of salad. Choose pasta salad, sesame noodles, corn salad, pea salad, pepper salad, coleslaw, or others that can be made at least one day in advance without becoming soggy. Fill three half-pound containers with the three salads. Stack, and tie the entire stack with a pretty ribbon. Be sure to tape the bottom of each container to the one beneath it so your beautiful stack does not topple.
Another fun idea for all ages is a salad trifle! Layer vegetables in a variety of colors in a real trifle bowl or a smaller, clear plastic bowl. Include a small container of dressing.
Kiddy Ideas
Hamentash Presentation: If you have already bought the standard chips, soda, and candy but are looking for a creative way to package them, take a 9” foam circle (or just use a paper plate), place the goodies on it, and fold into a three-cornered hamentash, stapling each corner closed.
“Outta This World” Purim: This is great for boys. Bake moon cookies, buy star-shaped candies, and SUNkist soda and candies. Place all items in a black plastic cup, which you can decorate using a silver or gold marker or with star stickers.
Enjoy
Here is another theme: Wish your friends and relatives “A Purim filled with enjoyMINT,” by giving them mint candies and chocolates, after dinner mints, and delicious homemade mint brownies. To make the latter, use your favorite brownie recipe and fill the pan with half the batter. Spread thin, store-bought chocolate mints to cover batter, and pour the other half of batter on top. Bake as usual, and cut into squares. These make for a delicious, gooey change from a standard brownie.
The article has been brought to you by Something Special, your source for elegant baked goods.
SIDEBAR: Recipes and Instructions
Garlic Knots
Make a batch of your favorite challa dough and divide into 12 balls (per 5 pounds of flour). Roll each ball into a circle. Spread with olive oil and Polaner’s crushed garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Slice into 12 to 16 triangles, and roll up like rugelach. Brush with egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired. Allow time to rise, and bake at 350 until golden.
Garlic Dip
1 cup mayonnaise
salt, pepper, garlic powder, to taste
4 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and sliced
Sprinkle fresh garlic with olive oil and broil until soft. Add spices to the mayonnaise. Blend half of the roasted garlic with the mayo mixture, and mix in the rest of the pieces whole. Refrigerate until use.
Dill Dip
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cubes frozen dill
1 cube frozen garlic
1 tsp. lemon juice
1-2 tsp. sugar
Pulse in food processor or hand blender until smooth. Refrigerate.
Olive Dip
1 cup mayonnaise
1 jar pitted green olives
Process in food processor or hand blender until smooth. Refrigerate.
Tomato Dip
3 tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup oil
Process in food processor or hand blender until smooth. Refrigerate.
