Whether you want to build an edible gift around a theme or just present a hamper laden with local goodies, here are some suggestions to whet the appetite. And, remember, if your basket of choice includes fresh food, deliver it on the day you buy it. Christmas can always come early!
Mediterranean magic
Line a nice box or basket with a red and white check cloth. Choose a bottle of beautiful extra virgin olive oil, from the likes of Jingilli EVOO or York’s Talbot Grove. Add a mixture of table olives from Great Southern Groves; freshly baked bread from Loafers Artisan or Eco Bread; and some hand-made burrata, mozzarella or ricotta from cheese artisans La Delizia Latticini. Top it off with good quality pasta, sugo, and jars of sun-dried tomatoes or capsicum, or head to your local farmers market just before delivery for fresh tomatoes, peppers and garlic. It will make the basket extra colourful, too.
Pantry perfection
One way to keep Christmas going all year – or at least most of it – is to buy a selection of preserves and other bottled beauties that will keep in the pantry (or the fridge once opened) for months. Variety is the spice of life so mix up some quality staples such as Urban Forager’s organic concentrated stocks and Turban Chopsticks‘ handy range of curry pastes and chutneys, with treats such as Franklin & Clement’s divine Jammed Chilli, Cherry Boots Albany plum jam or hot pepper sauce, and Elixir Honey’s raw honey. And introduce them to some perhaps less familiar, but no less delicious, ingredients such as Australian Black Limes and Black Garlic & Co.
Baker’s delight
Start with a nice baking dish or cake tin and load with local baking ingredients. A kilo or two of flour from Millers Foods and a dozen eggs from Albany Farm Fresh Foods never go astray. Nor does Lake Deborah salt. If you’re delivering the hamper on the day, we also suggest adding some cold comforts such as shortcrust or puff pastry from Empire Pastry, a slab of creamy goodness from Devoted Artisan Butter or The Butter People, and a couple of punnets of Berry Sweet strawberries to top it all off. If you‘re lucky, the gift might be returned in the shape a home-made pie or cake.
Platter patter
Buy a decent cheese board or platter and load with all the ingredients for a summer soiree. Think superb Western Australian cheeses from the likes of Cambray Cheese and Halls Family Dairy, and a range of cured meats from The Farm House Margaret River or Mondo Doro. Add a couple of different packets of crackers or breadsticks and finish off with a pouch of Omega Walnuts and some fresh fruit, such as Koorian Farming figs, seasonal stonefruit and Mountain Blue blueberries. If you’re feeling extra generous, include a nice bottle of wine, such as the award-winning Rosella rosé from Drakesbrook Wines or a sparkling chenin blanc from Voyager Estate.
Barbie mates
With summer and the season of entertaining upon us, give the barbie king or queen in your life reasons to smile. Think superb seasonings from Smokey Joe’s Rubs, moreish mustards from Whittingtons and sensational sauces from the likes of Bluey Zarzov’s Hotsauce or The Devil’s Tears. Wrap them all up in a cool apron or arrange on a grill pan or hotplate for extra sizzle. You could also give the carnivores a selection of quality cuts from meat experts such as McLoughlin Butchers or Homestead Meats. For those who like something fancy with accompanying salads, pop in a bottle of truffle-infused olive oil or black truffle aioli from Great Southern Truffles.
Easy pickings
We think foraging for fabulous food is part of the joy of Christmas, but if you’re pushed for time there are a few easy ways to snag a basket of local goodies. Head to your nearest local champion, such as The Herdsman, The Floreat Market or Farmer Jack’s, and do a quick whip-round for Western Australian products – you’ll fill a basket in no time. Or take the stress out entirely and arrange delivery of a box of fresh fruit and vegies from Matters of Taste or Dirty Clean Food (they both also stock pantry items if you want to mix it up). Just make sure the people on the receiving end are going to be home – you don’t want all that goodness to go to waste.
If you’re looking for more ideas, peruse our list of marvellous members – they really do produce food and drink to make your loved ones smile this festive season. Happy hunting!