Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2016 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”Helen Keller, author I always think it’s a good idea to make nice things last, don’t you? I no longer eat that whole bar of delicious chocolate, or drink that whole bottle of gorgeous wine as I would have in my younger years. There are two reasons – my metabolism won’t cope with the huge amount of calories as well as it did when I was in my 20s, so I’d be the size of a house, and also, as I get older I tend to want to savour life’s simple pleasures. So this year we have decided to produce not…

Getting to know Jamie Oliver isn’t really very difficult. The affable cook-cum-food-activist chortles down the phone in the middle of the night, New Zealand time, full of “Hello luv, ’ow are ya’s?” and before long we are chatting away as if we’ve known each other for years. Which we have, sort of. Jamie bounced into my life and that of many other Kiwis nearly 20 years ago as The Naked Chef, a young, energetic man on a moped breathing new life into the food we cooked. Back then, he confesses, he had no idea that he would end up with a family of five children, an MBE, be the author of 39 million books worldwide, the owner of more than 30 restaurants, the star of many TV series and the…

“It’s like having your heart ripped from your chest.” They were the words that Sally Faulkner had secretly feared, yet had somehow convinced herself that she would never hear. Via a Skype internet link with her estranged husband Ali Elamine in Lebanon, Sally felt a bitter chill run through her body as Ali’s flat, emotionless voice revealed that her children, Lahela, then four, and Noah, two, were not coming home. “Up to that point, it was the most distressing moment of my life,” recalls Sally, 31. “To see him on the other end of that line, halfway across the world, so cold and emotionless. He said, ‘The plans have changed; the kids aren’t coming back.’ I was angry. I was scared. I wanted to throw up. It was all rushing…

“She is a staunch defender of the show many love to knock.” “I feel more myself when I’m playing someone else.” It’s an interesting observation but understandable when it comes from someone who has spent her life acting. Elizabeth McRae is one of our most recognisable faces, but probably best known for her role as Marj, the quintessential gossip on the reception desk of Shortland Street, our longest running soap opera. In fact, it was she who spoke the very first words on the show. “Good morning, Shortland Street,” as she remembers them. She is a staunch defender of the show many love to knock. When she first took on the role, she was accused of prostituting her art. “You’re not going to work on that…” one of her more…

“We still speak to each other after 40 years of family trips.” When I was young, there was a catchy little song going round, sung by Cliff Richard. Do you remember it? “We’re all going on a summer holiday No more working for a week or two Fun and laughter on our summer holiday No more worries for me or you For a week or two.” As usual, the wise and well-organised have booked and packed their bags already. One friend snapped up a “no frills” return flight to Dallas for $900. “How did you get such a good price?” I asked. “It’s BYO food, water, oxygen masks and life vests. And we all have to take turns walking up and down the plane ignoring call buttons just like real…

Label love As summer approaches, Taking Shape has you covered, with everything from chic workwear to glamour dresses. Garments are cut from eye-catching prints and standout fabrics in a selection of styles to flatter curvy women. See takingshape. com.au for New Zealand stockists. Jump into party season The festive season is here, and it’s time to replace your go-to party dress with a chic and stylish jumpsuit. Wear with an open toe sandal for day, or smarten up with a blazer and gold earrings for evening glam. Embody playsuit, $350 (12-22). embodydenim.com.au Salucci Collection Snake Strap mule, $70. farmers.co.nz. Kagi Gold Imperial ear charms, $129, on Gold Luxe huggies, $69. kagi.co.nz Lace days Sophisticated and elegant, lace is a look that is full of feminine flair. And it looks great…

Are we in the midst of an epidemic of painkiller misuse? If you live with chronic pain, you need to find ways to manage it – by eliminating the cause, relieving the pain or learning to live with a tolerable level. There are many ways to achieve this, including the use of over-the-counter medication. However, while medications, when used properly, can improve your quality of life, there is unfortunately a downside. The Australian Drug Foundation says that the non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs is at its highest level since 1998. And the misuse of readily available painkillers is of international concern, including in New Zealand. Types of drugs Paracetamol Paracetamol is available over the counter and so commonly prescribed and used that it is easy to become complacent about its…

Cranberry coconut Christmas trees MAKES ABOUT 16 PREP AND COOK TIME 35 MINUTES 2 egg whites 2/3 cup (150g) caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste) 2½ cups (190g) shredded coconut 1/3 cup (60g) finely chopped dried cranberries icing sugar, to dust 1 Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Grease and line two oven trays with baking paper. 2 Whisk egg whites, sugar and vanilla until just combined. Add coconut and dried cranberries; mix well. 3 Using damp hands, form level tablespoons of mixture into loose conical Christmas tree shapes; place on prepared trays about 3cm apart. 4 Bake for 20 minutes or until browned lightly. Cool on trays for 10 minutes; transfer to baking paper-lined wire racks to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar.…

Lunch breakthrough Eat My Lunch is now in Wellington, having partnered with two of the capital’s schools so far – Holy Cross School in Miramar and Kahurangi in Strathmore. The organisation works on the basis that for every lunch purchased from them, they provide one lunch for a child in a low-decile school. Run by Aucklander Lisa King and award-winning chef Michael Meredith, Eat My Lunch has provided more than 250,000 lunches for children in need since it first started in June 2015. Lisa King hopes the business will continue to expand. REAL FLOUR POWER A central Auckland bakery is going old-school and has started milling its own flour. The Britomart bakery, appropriately named Amano, which means “by hand” in Italian, sources grains from the South Island, which are milled…

1. Strokes planter in black and white, $35. forkeeps.co.nz 2. WashPaper laundry bag, $50. shutthefrontdoor.co.nz 3. Brandon dining chair in white and black, $149. freedomfurniture.co.nz 4. Siirtolapuutarha Plate, $30. boltofcloth.co.nz 5. Wild Thing planters, $48 (large) and $36 (small). paperplanestore.co.nz 6. Macrame print cushion, $50. shutthefrontdoor.co.nz 7. Printed triangle rug, $32. kmart.com 8. Berlin bath towels, $45 each. www.adairs.co.nz 9. Fox pillow case, $39. henryandcohome.co.nz 10. Moooi large paper chandelier, $6985. ecc.co.nz…

“ You bought your country place to relax, not start a new career in hospitality.” It’s been three years since we bought our place up north and became that middle-aged couple who has a “lifestyle change” and “gets away from it all” by selling up in the city and moving to the country. But we didn’t fully move. Being born and bred in Auckland, we both thought it might be wise to have a foot in each camp, so we kept a small townhouse in Auckland and indulged in a larger property in the Hokianga. Which was just as well. The original plan was to spend most of our time up north with little trips back to Auckland if work or family needed us. Well, both did in our second…

Visiting New York is something most travellers have on their To Do list. It’s a city like no other with its history, culture, shopping and food and just spending time in such a huge city can be very invigorating. But what if you’ve been there before and this time want to do something a little different? That’s exactly the thought I had when my husband and I decided to return to New York after a long absence and spend two weeks in the city before going to Los Angeles to babysit our grandchildren. “I’ve got an idea,” I suggested, full of enthusiasm. “Let’s stay in an Airbnb (airbnb.com) near Times Square and go to Broadway shows every night!” “Every night?” said my bemused husband, who has trouble persuading me out…

A United Kingdom “The newlyweds face fierce resistance from all quarters.” Starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike. Directed by Amma Asante. Being chosen to open the London Film Festival this year reflected the rising star of this movie’s filmmaker as much as the worthiness of the film itself. A former child actor, director Amma Asante released her first film, A Way of Life, a decade ago, a film that won her a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer. She followed that with the excellent Belle. Now her latest feature, A United Kingdom, opens across New Zealand in time for the festive season. A rich slice of political history and a true story I wasn’t familiar with, A United Kingdom documents the inter-racial love story between an African king and a…

Attention grabber For the past year I have found myself just browsing through your mag, then passing it on to friends/family. However, the last few issues have really grabbed my attention and for the first time in ages I have actually read the mag from cover to cover and honestly enjoyed every page! I am really looking forward to next month’s edition, and especially the Christmas one and hoping that the cover will perhaps be a bit “different”? What about you, Wendyl, dressed as Mother Christmas with your staff, appropriately dressed, placed around you? Or a big “Christmas Cracker”? JILL AUTRIDGE Fashion flair I am just re-reading my August issue of your magazine and was really struck by the elegance of the mature model featured in the fashion and accessories…

It happened to his grandmother, his father and now Prince William; this is the moment when the young bloods of the royal court upstage their parents. William probably didn’t expect it to happen quite so soon or on such a global scale, but three-year-old Prince George and his one-year-old sister Princess Charlotte certainly dominated the royal tour of Canada. The tots did this with just three short highly orchestrated appearances at the beginning, middle and end of what was a hugely successful tour for the Cambridge four, with crowds out in force wherever they went. In total, Prince George and Princess Charlotte were only “working” as representatives of the monarchy in this corner of their realm for around 40 minutes and they actually only faced the Canadian public for approximately…

Rob Lowe’s arm is covered in thick blood. Shocking. Or it would be if it was real. We are on set with Code Black, where he plays Colonel Willis, a soldier doctor. He’s in army fatigues and short back and sides haircut, but with the same glittering cornflower-blue eyes that stared out of so many film posters in the Brat Pack era. We’re on the Disney lot, taking a break for lunch. The fake blood was from filming a scene where he was taking out a guy’s clavicle after an explosion. “Just a little medical heroics before lunch,” Rob says. “Actors are often asked to play heroes. I find this show gratifying and fun because these heroes exist. These guys are saving lives every day.” He orders a cheeseburger without…

A small, crucial detail in Queen Victoria’s instructions for her own burial has been kept hidden for more than a century. It was a secret that, until recently, only her personal doctors and dressers knew. And it is this: deep in the recesses of a vast granite tomb, curled in the palms of the tiny queen who ruled an empire for more than 60 years, lie two locks of hair of the two men she loved; Albert, and another. Frogmore, the cross-shaped mausoleum that contains the grave of Queen Victoria and husband Albert has been closed to the public for a decade now, after having been declared structurally unsound, but it contains the key to one of the longest concealed and hotly contested controversies surrounding the British monarchy: did or…

“It feels like a throwback to the olden days when wives would remove their make-up only after their husband was asleep.” Driving along, I could actually smell my own panic. It’ll be okay, it’ll be okay, it’ll be okay, I kept telling myself. But the worry was so bad that I had to pull in and look at myself in the rear-view mirror and, oh, Christ alive. The right side of my top lip had gone the full Kylie Jenner. The other side was fine and so was the bottom lip, but there was no way round this: I looked deformed. Yep. When fillers go bad… There’s only one thing worse than a trout pout and that’s half a trout pout. Clearly, I’d had some sort of allergic reaction –…

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Mature skin has special needs – keeping your skin supple and moisturised is key, and then it’s about choosing the right shades and colours to enhance your natural beauty. With help from the right make-up, we can maintain the best version of ourselves. “Most women aren’t wearing make-up to try to look younger,” says Janet Muggivan, who started Beauty Dossier, an online beauty course for women over 40, to answer a need for women seeking beauty information relevant to their age. “I think women just want to look their best, without looking too ‘try hard’. They also don’t want a heavy, made-up look,” she says. “They want simple solutions that are manageable and not time-consuming. Soft, neutral make-up can make you feel more confident because you know you’re looking your…

HEALTHY SEX Older women who have “pleasurable” or “satisfying” sex have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure, a US study reports. Participants aged between 57 and 85 were surveyed in 2005-2006 and again five years later. Those who reported having great sex had a lower risk of hypertension over this period. On the contrary, older men who had sex once a week or more were more likely to experience cardiovascular problems five years later than men who were sexually inactive. The bite balance If you’re prone to losing your balance, it might have something to do with your teeth. Spanish researchers have discovered that people with overbites or underbites, crowded or wonky teeth are less steady on their feet. The link may be because the main nerve responsible…

Little gingery cakes with lemon drizzle MAKES 6 SMALL CAKES OR 1 LOAF PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR (+ COOLING TIME) You will need approximately 1 large apple for this recipe. Ginger cakes can be made up to three days ahead. 175g butter, softened 1 cup (220g) firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 tablespoons treacle 11/3 cups (200g) plain flour ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1½ tablespoons ground ginger 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom 2/3 cup (85g) coarsely grated apple 2 tablespoons chopped crystallised ginger 1/3 cup (80ml) warm water icing sugar and silver cachous, to decorate 1 tablespoon finely sliced crystallised ginger, extra, to serve LEMON DRIZZLE 1 cup (160g) icing sugar mixture 1 teaspoon soft butter 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 Preheat the…

“ This log is a very traditional Christmas dessert in France. During the festive season, the pastry shops are full of them in all different flavours and often topped with plastic decorations! But it really doesn’t matter whether you dress it up or down – this chocolate cake is to die for.” – Manu Feildel Bûche de Noël SERVES 8-10 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR (+ REFRIGERATION AND COOLING TIME) 5 egg whites 130g caster sugar 9 egg yolks 85g plain flour RUM SYRUP 65g caster sugar 1 tablespoon rum CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM 180g caster sugar 100g 70% dark chocolate, plus extra shaved chocolate to decorate 2 eggs 2 egg yolks ¼ teaspoon sea salt 300g unsalted butter, diced and softened 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced) and…

Hummus is the popular Middle-Eastern dip made from chickpeas and tahini. There are many reasons to make it from scratch, not the least being that it’s easy, inexpensive and incredibly delicious. What we love is adding a twist to create some exciting new flavour combinations. Basic hummus MAKES 3 CUPS PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES (+ SOAKING TIME) 1 cup (200g) dried chickpeas 1 clove garlic, crushed ¼ cup (70g) tahini ¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 Soak chickpeas in cold water overnight; drain. Place drained chickpeas in a large saucepan with plenty of water. Bring to a simmer over high heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until tender. Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking water and ¼ cup whole…

“There’s no longer any need to suffer plastic wine glasses.” Alfresco dining, barbecues at the beach or bach, chilled-out picnics and long, lazy afternoons with good friends all beckon. Summer days are perfect for kicking back and relaxing in your favourite spot. I love to unwind with a glass of something delicious savoured in a shady hammock with a good book... bliss. To get maximum enjoyment from your wine this summer, I recommend a few handy tips: • Getting hot in here It may seem a bit wine-nerdy, but paying attention to wine temperature really enhances its enjoyment. Whether it’s red or white, if it’s too cold you’ll lose the aroma and flavour; too warm and it will go flabby and unbalanced. About half an hour in the fridge is…

Wicked wicker Roll on long, lazy summer days... this season’s goodies from French Country Collections evoke a laid-back mood with simple natural contrasts, femininity and that special French flair. Chill out in a wicker chair either on the porch or indoors – it’s a perfect addition on its own, in a pair or even around a table. Marbella chair, $750. frenchcountry.co.nz Tile style If you’re looking for the perfect tiles for your home, check out the selection at Middle Earth. The unique finishes and vivid colours of their hand-glazed New Zealand-made tiles will give your space a distinctive edge, or if it’s a geometric mosaic look you’re after, they can do that as well. See the range at middleearthtiles.co.nz. LIGHT ’EM UP On those long, balmy summer nights when entertaining…

If you have plenty of succulents in your garden or have friends and family who are happy to donate some your way, then this do-it-yourself project is inexpensive, fun and incredibly therapeutic to make. What you’ll need Plenty of succulent clippings Heavy-duty plastic-coated garden wire (at least 2mm thick) Needle-nose pliers (with cutter) 1 small bag of sphagnum moss (approximately 3 litres) Cactus/succulent potting mix Galvanised garden wire (18-20 gauge) Rope and/or ribbon to hang Instructions 1 Start by collecting as many succulents as you can. The great thing about succulents is the variety you can get and the fact that they grow in abundance. You will need 60-100 small pieces to make one of these spheres. Bear in mind, the bigger the ball the more succulents you’ll require and…

If you’re camping this summer, take a clear, over-the-door shoe organiser and hang it near the tent – it’s the ideal space to store all the bits and pieces that nobody can ever find, such as sunscreen, bandaids, maps, matches, torch and so on. ASK THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY Q My daughter wore oyster-coloured satin stilettos to a wedding and they were stained with dust from gravel paths at the venue. How can I clean the shoes without ruining them or paying a fortune to have them professionally cleaned? M. McKenzie I advise professional cleaning, but if you’re prepared to take a chance, wipe shoes with a dry cloth to remove loose dust. Then, working along the fabric grain, dab stains with a cloth wrung in cold water,…

“Celibacy is a pretence. We know it to be, priests know it to be, the Vatican must know. But many honourable priests try to maintain their vows.” Crimes of the Father by Tom Keneally, Penguin/ Random House. Just when you thought you couldn’t read another word on paedophilia and the Church, along comes Tom Keneally with a fictional exposé that looks behind the stories of abuse in an expertly-paced thriller. The result is a tale filled with recognisable characters – including flawed hero Father Frank Docherty – which throws an insightful light on the complexities of this religious underworld. Banished to Canada for his radical preaching against apartheid and the Vietnam War, Docherty became a psychologist and monk studying the effects of celibacy on priests and nuns. On a visit…

1. COFFEE GOLD Meaning “gold” in French, L’OR is also exquisite, gold-class coffee. Perfectly blended by master roasters, L’OR capsules are distinctly crafted to suit the taste of every coffee connoisseur. L’OR capsules are compatible with Nespresso®* machines and are available at your supermarket.RRP $8.49. Visit www.lorespresso.co.nz. *Trademark of a third party not related to Jacobs Douwe Egberts Australia Pty Ltd. 2. YOU’RE SET FOR GIFTS The Olive Daily gift set contains many of the favourites from the Olive skincare range. Made in New Zealand, Olive products are antioxidant rich, botanically based natural skincare that will nourish and hydrate your skin. The Olive Daily gift set includes Olive 100% Natural Lip Balm, Olive Hand Moisturising Cream and Pomegranate Body Lotion. RRP $24.95. 3. SALMON ON THE SIDE The new Countdown…

Scorpio • Oct 24-Nov 22 Keep it real and keep it simple with your former, current or potential partner this month, especially if children are involved. Days to watch include the first week and the Full Moon on November 14. If a new lover appears near this time, this person will begin a chain of fate which transforms your love life forever from May 2018. Tough but necessary decisions about your finances, home, business interests or charity require more time and energy now, but you must go over all the facts and figures carefully to make a correct fresh start as December draws closer. It’s now or never. Sagittarius • Nov 23-Dec 21 Keep the faith with your group and continue to believe in your friends, even when your ruler…

MY DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION IS...“Samoa! I’ve never been there which is ridiculous. I hope I can visit in the next couple of years.” At school I wanted to be... A film director. I’ll get there one day! The song that makes me want to dance is… Never Too Much by Luther Vandross. I defy you not to start grooving after that opening bass starts. The comedian I most admire is… Steve Martin – he looked so good in a white suit onstage! When I need to wind down I… Watch a film and embroider something. I’m very cool like that. Usually it’s weird badges for my friends with stupid in-jokes. I just made some for the crew on Funny Girls! If I could bring someone famous/ accomplished back from the…

Reading pleasure AWW day, dash to get the mail before the magazine is squashed into the letter box. Failed this month! Quick skim through the magazine… thrilled to see so much pleasure – I will have plenty to get my teeth into this month. Come to a halt at Coronation Street stars – being a fan, I have to start reading there. Good to read how some have progressed with their careers. They still have the stamp “Made in Coronation Street” on them, but good acting is good acting and will take them to any role they choose, as shown in your article. Now to start back at the beginning……

When Kbora Ali got her ATAR score [the Australian student ranking upon completion of secondary school] her father, Sultan, was thrilled. For an Afghan refugee, who hadn’t even learned English until she went to Australia aged nine, a score of 97 points was incredible. She had three dux awards, as well. His sacrifices had all been worth it: a year in detention, cleaning toilets on Christmas Island. More years tirelessly picking oranges, never even taking a lunchbreak, until his back literally broke under the strain. But, as a result, his wife and seven children were not only safe, but successful. Two sons had gone through tertiary education, four daughters were at university, still living with him in the home he’d built in Adelaide. Now Kbora, the youngest and cleverest of…

In the early hours of November 24, 2002, as copies of Sydney’s The Sun-Herald rolled off the presses in Chullora, western Sydney, it seemed there were scoops and coups all round. Journalist Annette Sharp had her story: James Packer, heir to Australia’s biggest fortune, had been recruited into Scientology. And the controversial religious movement had its man. Or had it? According to a new book, the Church of Scientology was plotting to use the media heir to lure an even bigger prize – Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert, the billionaire media baron and Scientology’s Enemy Number 1. In an astonishing admission, Marty Rathbun, a former high-ranking executive in the Church who oversaw the recruitment of James, says the in-depth operation was merely the first step in a grander plan to…

“Foodie gifts are fun and very satisfying to make, and such a joy to receive.” “All is calm, all is bright” – hum this to yourself and adopt it as your mantra as you prepare for Christmas. The old Girl Guide motto of Be Prepared has never been more pertinent than in the lead-up to Christmas Day. We’ve still got a few weeks to go, so now is a good time to get everyone on the same page with the issue of presents. We all know and understand the principle of “it’s the thought that counts”, but thinking of what to give all the children, elderly rellies, neighbours and friends can be challenging, with resulting credit card blow-outs. The need to balance present exchanging traditions with your current budget is…

Monochromatic Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT Flower bomb Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT STYLE TIP Feel the power of flowers with these gorgeous prints. From one-pieces to bikinis and accessories, the fresh, feminine look of blooms gives you an instant sense of summer. Nautical Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT STYLE TIP Set sail in classic nautical blue and white with a vibrant splash of orange this season. Add flattering stripes to complete the look and head straight for the sun, sea and surf. Bold & beautiful Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT STYLE TIP Make a statement with bright blocks of colour, teamed with patterns and ruching to complement your curves. Mix and match tops and bottoms for an individual look.…

Beach sunsavers 50 is the new 30 when it comes to sunscreen – slip slop slap with these 50+ protective sunscreens: 1. Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Sport Mist SPF50, $23. 2. Clinique SPF50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face, $54. 3. Utraceuticals SPF50+ Face and Body Lotion, $59. 4. Natio Broad Spectrum Roll-On Sunscreen SPF50, $15. 5. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defense for Face SPF50, $43. MASK CRUSADER Masks are often used to hide secret identities, but there is no hiding the benefits of these 100 per cent vegetarian skin heroes. The Body Shop’s new masks are packed with goodies like green tea, honey, ginseng and acai. $40 each. Apply using the Facial Mask Brush, $32. Pops of pink Summer’s essential shade is turning up the heat and filling…

“Tinnitus is really annoying and occurs in about 15 per cent of adults.” Q My husband and I, in our early 30s, have been trying to conceive for five months. My GP said to keep trying for a few months before going for tests. I read the plant vitex agnus-castus can help fertility. T.M. Your GP is right to advise you to let nature take its course for a while. However, you could arrange a sperm analysis as a first step. The next step is to arrange ovulation tracking. Then make a plan for fertility investigations once you’ve been trying for about a year. Vitex can help with gynaecological problems, including fertility. Q My partner is 65. He doesn’t drink much before bed, but has to go to the…

Boiled Christmas pudding SERVES 10 PREP AND COOK TIME 7 HOURS 30 MINUTES (+ STANDING AND COOLING TIME) 1 cup (160g) sultanas 1 cup (160g) dried currants 1 cup (160g) coarsely chopped raisins ½ cup (75g) finely chopped seeded dates 1/3 cup (60g) finely chopped pitted prunes ½ cup (100g) finely chopped dried figs 1 large (200g) apple, grated coarsely 1½ tablespoons golden syrup or treacle 2 cups (440g) dark brown sugar 1 cup (250ml) brandy 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon each ground nutmeg and cinnamon 185g butter, melted 2 eggs, beaten lightly 2 cups (140g) stale breadcrumbs ¾ cup (110g) plain flour ¾ cup (110g) plain flour, extra, for pudding cloth figs and crystallised citrus rind, to serve 1 Combine dried fruit, apple, golden syrup, sugar, brandy and…

Tuna and chilli pasta SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 15 MINUTES 500g spaghetti ½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil 280g canned tuna, drained, flaked 250g baby Roma tomatoes, halved 2 fresh long red chillies, de-seeded, finely chopped 1 medium (140g) lemon, rind finely grated, juice squeezed 4 anchovy fillets, chopped finely ¼ cup chopped curly parsley 100g baby rocket leaves 1 cup (80g) finely grated parmesan cheese 1 Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to the boil; cook the spaghetti until just tender (al dente). Drain and return the pasta to the same pan. 2 Meanwhile, combine oil, tuna, tomatoes, chillies, lemon rind and juice, anchovies, parsley and rocket in a large serving bowl. Season with sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper. 3. Add hot pasta;…

Lamb cutlets with pearl couscous salad SERVES 2 PREP TIME 5 MINUTES COOK TIME 12 MINUTES 4-6 lamb cutlets ¼ cup dukkah 1 tablespoon oil 400g packet frozen Birds Eye SteamFresh Plus Pearl Couscous with Chick Peas 100g feta Fresh parsley leaves, for garnish 1 Coat lamb with dukkah on both sides. Heat oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat. Cook lamb chops for 3-4 minutes on both sides or until cooked to your liking. Remove from pan, cover and set aside to rest. 2 Cook Birds Eye SteamFresh Plus Pearl Couscous following packet directions. Spoon couscous onto serving plates, crumble over feta and garnish with parsley. Add lamb and serve immediately. FOR MORE SIMPLE FAMILY MEAL IDEAS, VISIT WWW. BIRDSEYE.CO.NZ…

Jars of treats make special gifts, and now you can embellish them using the advanced font and picture embroidery features of the Brother NV950. Simple on-screen instructions, and built-in features such as decorative stitches and seasonal themed patterns make the NV950 ideal for all home sewing and embroidery needs. The NV950 is lightweight and portable, making it practical and easy to take to classes or away on your summer holiday. It's also brilliantly versatile – with a wide table for larger projects, an embroidery arm and a free arm for sleeves. There's even an easy-to-use needle threader and an automatic thread cutter. Three sewing fonts, 196 embroidery patterns and 168 decorative stitches, satin and cross stitches allow endless options. A card reader and USB slot allows for your own designs.…

Of the many and varied disappointments of youth – think unrequited crushes, a complete lack of sporting ability and the nagging suspicion that Santa looks a lot like your dad – a country Christmas was never one of them. On our farm, Christmas Day always began at the crack of dawn. While Mum and Dad milked the cows, my sister and I unwrapped our annual Santa sack of artificial colours and flavours: orange Sparkles, a lime K-Bar, a marshmallow Santa and a big bag of Twisties. No wonder we spent the rest of the day on a high. Christmas at the farm was a family affair, with our city cousins converging for a long lunch that lingered into an early dinner. We made hay if the sun shone and ate…

1 The Railway Children by E. Nesbit, 1906. WHO Edith Nesbit has been hailed as the first “modern writer” for children, with her stories facing up to the tragedies of real life. WHY Edith’s own sad childhood – her father died when she was four – and a move to the country is mirrored in this tale of siblings Roberta, Peter and Phyllis, who scuttle to Yorkshire with their mother when their father is imprisoned. A railway runs along the back of their house, as it did in Nesbit’s. 2 The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, 1908. WHO Edinburgh-born Grahame worked in a bank until the stories he wrote for son Alastair – nicknamed “Mouse” – were published and turned into a play with the help of Winnie…