Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2020 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

Over the years, I’ve had all sorts of Christmases. Most have been joyous and merry, others not so much. There’s been the large-scale gatherings, complete with colour-coordinated Christmas grottos, five-course menus and carefully chosen gifts wrapped in handcrafted paper. Then there’s been the more intimate, laid-back affairs with tradition passed over in favour of modern Christmas brunch and Secret Santa presents. One time, I outsourced Christmas dinner planning and prep to a food delivery company and headed to my caravan thinking, “This year will be a breeze.” And it was because I was so much in holiday-mode that I cracked the Champagne early and only got around to making the frightfully festive canapes. Oops! Then there was the year my boyfriend crashed his car on Christmas Day. He was fine,…

It’s very rare for me to be away from my family at Christmastime, but four years ago, our friends in Germany and Ireland invited us to visit. We arrived in Leipzig the week before the big day and it was snowing – the kind of Christmas you see in picture books! We stayed in a tiny little remote village in the Erzgebirge region, which is famous for its incense burners. It was wonderful discovering Christmas in another country, trying out holiday delicacies like delicious eierlikör (eggnog) and glühwein (mulled wine), as well as their tradition of kaffee und kuchen (coffee and cake). They really know how to do the most gorgeous, rustic, earthy Christmas in Germany. Everyone seems to be in agreement that you have particular window dressings – it…

On an overcast Thursday afternoon in March 2019, Hussein Al-Umari came home to his family’s red-brick house in Christchurch and gave his mother what would be their last ever hug. Janna Ezat and her husband Hazim had just purchased a new hybrid car and Janna wanted to show it off to her son. A home security camera captured their last precious moments: Janna steps into the courtyard and raises her arms to greet her firstborn. Her long dark hair hangs down her back and her face lights up with a smile as they embrace. Then Hussein leans down and kisses his mother on the cheek. “He had that rare gift of making everyone feel important, special, loved, and appreciated,” Janna told the High Court more than a year later. “Hussein…

Test Kitchen tip Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta; you could substitute penne, farfalle (bow ties) or any other short pasta for the orzo. Orzo may be referred to as risoni, although this tends to be a slightly smaller pasta. For a slightly more substantial potato salad, add some hardboiled eggs. Toss through salad just before serving. Green bean salad SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 800g green beans 1 small red onion (100g), sliced thinly 1 trimmed stalk celery (100g), sliced thinly on the diagonal ½ cup (70g) hazelnuts, roasted, skins removed ⅓ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves FRENCH DRESSING ⅓ cup (80ml) red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon honey ⅔ cup (160ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil 1 FRENCH DRESSING Add vinegar,…

Apricot filling can be made a day ahead; refrigerate until required. Rosemary & garlic focaccia MAKES 1 LOAF PREP AND COOK TIME 50 MINUTES (+ STANDING & COOLING TIME) 2⅔ cups (400g) plain flour 1 teaspoon coarse cooking salt 1 teaspoon caster sugar 1 teaspoon (4g) dried yeast 1¼ cups (310ml) warm water, approximately 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, extra 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary sprigs 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes POACHED GARLIC 1 bulb garlic (70g), cloves separated, peeled 1 cup (250ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 Place flour, salt, sugar and yeast in the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix on medium speed until just combined. Add water and oil; mix until well combined. Beat on…

A great show I recently watched was… The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. Even though I don’t play chess, I was totally gripped by it. My favourite area of New Zealand is… the South Wairarapa, in particular Martinborough. I have family there and can’t get enough of its wide, open spaces. Also, wine! My go-to karaoke song would be… well, once a friend and I sang the George Michael song Careless Whisper so badly at a karaoke bar that they pretended to close it just to get rid of us, so I’ll never sing in public again.…

AFTER A LONG BATTLE with Alzheimer’s disease, one of Australia’s most irrepressible stars, Jeanne Little, has died. Plucked from obscurity when a TV producer saw her modelling mad-cap homemade maternity wear in a newspaper in 1974, Jeanne Little was an instant hit with audiences. Within two years of making her TV debut, she’d won a Gold Logie for her work on The Mike Walsh Show. Speaking after Jeanne’s 80th birthday, daughter Katie told The Weekly, “Mum wasn’t just the life of the party, she was the party – vibrant, always the centre of attention, so generous and so much fun.” She spoke of Jeanne’s bravery and irrepressible spirit. “She waltzed into the darkness with a smile, all happiness and joy, as she’d always done.” Jeanne was 82.…

YOUNG KIWI ARTIST Ruby Jones found global fame after the Christchurch terrorist attack, when her artworks went viral as people sought to share their feelings with the world. A Time magazine cover featuring one of her originals followed and now the talented artist is capturing history once again through a series called Thanks for Iso. During a 14-day residency, Ruby will bring the experiences of those involved with the New Zealand COVID-19 managed isolation process to life through her art. She will produce one creation a day during her time and the entire collection will be donated to the Auckland Museum. “I’m excited to be spending 14 days in Auckland putting myself in the shoes of those who have experienced managed isolation, talking to a range of brave New Zealanders,…

The photo with my siblings was taken on Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ house in Palmerston North. We would find it totally unbearable having all those presents wrapped under the tree, so Mum made a tradition where we could open one present on December 24. I can’t think of anything that compares to the excitement of that. I like this photo because it reminds me of what my world was like at that age, and how significant Christmas and family get-togethers were. There were nine cousins altogether, so it was a full house, but we made it work because it was unthinkable that you’d stay anywhere else. I remember the excitement of driving from Hamilton to Palmy. My older brother Henry had Star Wars on a cassette tape and during…

This photo was taken four years ago. It’s the first Christmas my partner Ryan and I spent together, and the first time I’ve ever had a partner come home to my family on December 25. My mum is big on Christmas and big on family time, so it was nice to have someone else to include. It was possibly slightly overwhelming for Ryan because it was not just my immediate family, but my extended family as well. He handled himself very well and my family did a really nice job of making him feel included in everything. He is very personable and my family adore him. In fact, I suspect some of them probably like him more than they like me! I think Ryan felt like he needed to stamp…

When Michael and Ann Smith boarded the Ruby Princess on March 8 this year, they didn’t have a care in the world. They were joining two of their dearest friends for 11 idyllic days at sea. For Mike, it would be a welcome respite from his hectic career as a children’s psychiatric nurse in Perth, as well as a celebration of his 60th birthday. They’d booked the cruise as a birthday treat. “We’d had a wonderful holiday with Princess Cruises once before – a Canada-Alaska tour – so we felt comfortable travelling with them again,” Ann tells The Weekly. In the weeks before they sailed, she says, “there were very few COVID cases in Australia or New Zealand. If the cruise had been going to Europe, we would have cancelled,…

The weather is warmer, gold ornaments are appearing in the city and Michael Bublé has begun his annual takeover of the airwaves. Christmas is coming … but something is missing. There are no end-of-year parties to look forward to; for many of us money is tight; and for me, based in Sydney, there’s a very real chance I won’t be with my family. I haven’t been home to Melbourne since last Christmas, when bushfire smoke choked our skylines, and the year that followed provided little joy or respite. So, it’s no surprise I’m approaching the holidays feeling emotionally threadbare. And I’m not the only one. Almost four in five Australians (78 per cent) have said their mental health has worsened due to the pandemic, according to a Black Dog Institute…

Sagittarius NOV 23-DEC 21 Fun-loving Sagittarians crave a bit of whimsy. A good book for intellectual stimulation or something to do with the arts will work well, as will quirky threads. Ex Libris: 100 Books to Read and Reread by Michiko Kakutani, $39.99, HarperCollins; Y.A.S Valanta Anglaise top, $139.99, Farmers. Capricorn DEC 22-JAN 20 Nail a Capricorn’s wishlist with something traditional that stands the test of time. They love to be organised, so anything that helps them out will be appreciated. Casio watch, $89, Pascoes; 2021 leather diary, $29.99, Smith & Caughey’s. Aquarius JAN 21-FEB 19 An Aquarian desires something that is uniquely them. Dreamers and adventurers, play to these qualities when thinking of gifts. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera, $122, The Warehouse; Personalised Make-up Brush Kit, $137.66, giftslessordinary.com.…

Test Kitchen tip Chervil vinaigrette can be made up to 4 days in advance. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Broccolini with pongrattato SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 10 MINUTES ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 cup (70g) stale breadcrumbs 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind 800g broccolini ¼ cup (20g) finely grated parmesan 1 Heat oil in a large frying pan, add breadcrumbs and garlic, cook, stirring until golden and crisp. Remove from pan, stir through lemon rind. 2 Blanch the broccolini in boiling, lightly salted water for 1 to 2 minutes; drain. 3 Arrange broccolini on a serving platter, sprinkle over crumb mixture. Sprinkle over parmesan. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Test Kitchen tip Breadcrumb mixture can be…

Apricot, almond and honey trifle SERVES 8 TO 10 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES (+ SETTING TIME) 1½ cups (155g) almond meal ½ cup (70g) gluten-free cornflour ⅓ cup (75g) caster sugar ¼ cup (40g) millet flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ cup (110g) unsalted butter, melted 3 free range eggs 1 lemon, rind finely grated, juiced 1 litre (4 cups) thickened cream 500g mascarpone 500g crème fraiche ⅓ cup (110g) honey Vin santo, optional 200g roasted flaked almonds VERJUICE DRIED APRICOTS ½ cup (115g) honey 200g verjuice 200ml water 2 sprigs rosemary 400g Australian dried apricots ALMOND MILK BLANCMANGE 7 titanium-strength gelatine leaves ¾ cup (175g) honey 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1.2 litres almond milk 1 VERJUICE DRIED APRICOTS Place honey, verjuice, water and rosemary in…

Cupcakes can be made up to 8 hours ahead; add buttercream and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Remove 30 minutes before serving; add gingerbread men. Pavlova slab with candied watermelon and strawberries SERVES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 2 HOURS 1 tablespoon cornflour 8 egg whites 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 2 cups (440g) caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons white vinegar 1½ tablespoons cornflour, extra 250g strawberries 500g piece watermelon ¼ cup (55g) caster sugar, extra ¼ cup (60ml) water 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons slivered pistachios LIME CREAM 300ml thickened cream 250g crème fraîche 1 tablespoon icing sugar 2 teaspoons finely grated lime rind 1 Preheat the oven to 120°C (100°C fan-forced). Mark a 25cm x 35cm rectangle on baking paper.…

Great reads ALL OUR SHIMMERING SKIES by Trent Dalton, 4th Estate Trent Dalton’s ambitious tale combines a dreamy aura of magical realism with scenes rooted in the Australian landscape. At its heart is Molly Hook, the “poor little gravedigger girl”, age seven when the story opens in Darwin in 1935. Molly’s mum, Violet, tells her to “keep your eyes on the sky” before she leaves. Molly knows her mum is up there and as her earthly life is engulfed in abuse and trauma, she uses her imagination to escape. A TREACHEROUS COUNTRY by K.M. Kruimink, Allen & Unwin Tigris the mare, Cannibal the guide and new English immigrant Gabriel Fox plod dully, saunter under impenetrable hair and with wild passionate thoughts, respectively, as each inhabits their own world traverse wild…

MASTER DAD MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo has welcomed a baby daughter, Isla Generosa. BYE-BYE, BEAUDEN All Black Beauden Barrett is off on a new adventure with wife Hannah and baby girl Billie. The family will be based in Japan as he takes up a $1.5m playing contract with the Suntory team. TOP OF THE BOX The people have spoken – Hilary Barry is New Zealand’s favourite TV star. The Seven Sharp host took out the honour at this year’s telly awards. KYLIE’S RECORD Kylie is the only female artist to have a number-one UK album in five consecutive decades.…

You can really track how dramatically the life of broadcaster Samantha Hayes has changed over the past three years by looking at how she’s spent her last three festive seasons. On Boxing Day in 2018, she was flying internationally to Argentina, where, through the magic of the international date line, she got to have a second go at Christmas with her boyfriend Jeroen “Jay” Blaauw. The pair, who have been friends for years, are both keen travellers and explorers, and the spirit of adventure has served them pretty well because for Christmas 2019, they were in the hazy love-fog of new parenthood with then-three-month-old son Marlow. “You never think about the possibility of not being able to go home” Now it’s Christmas 2020 and while December this year will be…

Lockdown has prevented family gatherings for so many in Britain, so it was rather touching to see Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh celebrating 73 years of marriage enjoying a card handmade by their great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Snail mail and an old-fashioned craft project – possibly engineered by mum Kate, who is the more creative of the Cambridge parents – added to the retro feel of the photo (below), which was taken in the Oak Room in Windsor Castle and released by Buckingham Palace to mark the occasion. The 94- and 99-year-old look in fine fettle, and in a nod to the longevity of their love, Her Majesty wore the significant Chrysanthemum Brooch, sparkling with diamonds and sapphires, on her elegant pale blue Stewart…

Five-year-old Charlize Gravina is leaping down the hallway of her NSW home in a tutu, exclaiming, “I love the sparkles,” as the skirt flips and floats around her. Big sister Amelia, nine, appraises her from the couch. “She only wears dresses that twirl, so she’s in twirling heaven,” she says. Charlize obliges with a pirouette before running over to the wall where there’s a photo of her twin brother. “What do you think, Zacky?” she asks, spinning again. Taking his smile as a sign of approval, she then bounds across the room to model her dress for her mother, Julie. “She’s very connected to him,” Julie says of Charlize’s twin, Isaac, who died when he was one year and nine months old. “She prays to him to keep her well.…

Eat foods that give you pleasure, but don’t have too much sugar or fat. Cherries are an excellent Christmassy treat. Listen to songs from your teenage years and raucous Christmas hits. Talk to your neighbours, your postie and anyone who can help you feel more connected to your community. Watch nostalgic Christmas classics, or any film that reminds you of being with your family. For some people, that might be old episodes of A Country Practice. Give simple gifts from the heart, like homemade fruit mince pies or a handwritten card or letter. Support those in need. Being charitable will do untold good for others, and will also greatly benefit your own mental health.…

Traditional with a twist This look is all about a fresh take on the traditional. Red is the colour of Christmas, but you don’t need to stick to just one shade. Incorporate bright red with cherry, burgundy and hints of pink to bring a depth and freshness to the table. White & bright White doesn’t have to mean plain; build the theme with different tones and textures and pair it with touches of gold. We have splurged on some show-stopping table wear that you will have for many Christmases to come. Pops of colour Why not break the mould this Christmas with an eclectic, colourful and quirky table setting that is sure to bring joy to your guests. We’ve used a combination of patterns and colours featuring light and fresh…

Fig and ginger glazed ham SERVES ABOUT 20 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES 8-9kg cooked leg of ham 2 cups (500ml) water Bay leaves, rosemary, fresh figs, for serving, optional FIG AND GINGER GLAZE ⅔ cup (230g) fig jam ½ cup (115g) glacé ginger, chopped coarsely 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey ½ cup (125ml) water 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Score through the rind of the ham about 10cm from the shank end of the leg. 2 To remove rind, run thumb around the edge of the rind just under skin. Start pulling rind from the widest edge of ham, continue to pull the rind carefully away from the fat up to the score line. Remove the rind completely. (Reserved rind…

FRESH & FROZEN Fresh turkeys should be bought 2 days before cooking. Remove all packaging and pat the turkey dry with paper towel. Place on a large tray, cover with foil and refrigerate in the lower part of the fridge. To thaw a frozen turkey, allow 2 to 3 days. Remove packaging, pat turkey with paper towel. Place turkey on a tray, cover with plastic wrap and thaw in the lower part of the fridge, away from cooked foods. Never refreeze raw turkey! COOKING TIMES It’s important to bring the turkey to room temperature for 1 hour before cooking or the cooking time will be altered. As a general guide, when cooking turkey in a moderate (180 ° C/160 ° C fan-forced) oven, an unstuffed turkey will take 20 minutes…

Using the picture on the previous page as a guide, position the smaller board and bowls on a large wooden board. Lay a piece of baking paper on the small board, then place Beetroot-cured Salmon on top; scatter over fried capers. Fill the medium bowls with Root Vegetable Slaw and Pickled Red Onions, and the smaller bowls with Honey Mustard & Dill Sauce, Horseradish & Caper Mayo and roe. Positon Green Vegie Fritters and Spelt Blinis near to the salmon. Dollop some crème fraîche on top of a few blinis. Fill the gaps on the board with Lavosh crackers, asparagus spears and raw vegetables, finishing with the halved eggs and lemon halves. Garnish with fresh herbs for a finishing touch (dill goes well with salmon). Add the knife and serving…

“This tiramisu is deliciously refreshing on a hot summer day.” Frozen tiramisu with espresso SERVES 8-10 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES (+ FREEZING TIME) ¾ cup (180ml) strong espresso coffee (4-5 short blacks) ½ cup (125ml) coffee liqueur (Kahlua) 1¼ cup (300ml) thickened cream 1½ cup (240g) pure icing sugar, sifted 250g mascarpone 18 thin (160g) sponge finger biscuits (savoiardi) 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, to serve HAZELNUT AND COFFEE PRALINE ⅔ cup (50g) hazelnuts, toasted, skins removed 1 tablespoons whole coffee beans 1 cup (220g) caster sugar 1 Line an 11cm x 21cm loaf pan (base measurement) with two strips of baking paper to cover base and extend 5cm over all sides. 2 HAZELNUT AND COFFEE PRALINE: Lightly oil a small oven tray. Arrange hazelnuts and coffee beans over…

READER’S PRIZE HINT To keep drinks icy-cold for longer on a hot Christmas or Boxing Day, don’t just use ice in your drinks container – use a mixture of ice, water and a couple of packets of salt. It really makes a difference! B. Jones. Snow magic For instant ‘snow-covered’ lights to decorate a table or mantelpiece, paint different-sized pillar candles with clear PVA glue and roll them in Epsom salts. Twinkle, twinkle A hot glue gun is useful for hanging outdoor fairy lights on brick walls – simply press the wire or the bulb base into the glue. To remove, peel the lights away and pop the glue spots off the brick. Second serves If you’re hosting Christmas lunch, get a supply of clean takeaway containers and snap-lock bags…