Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2015 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

When you don’t have time to stand around and wait for your moisturiser to absorb, you’ll love the super-quick 360-degree spray exclusive to Vaseline. For all-over coverage that’s absorbed in seconds, you can moisturise, dress and get on with your day in just minutes, with touchably soft, healthy-looking skin. TWICE THE MOISTURE New Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser Advanced Strength helps restore the appearance of dry skin with two times more moisturisers*. Its fragrance-free formula with micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly moisturises dry skin without greasiness, and is suitable for sensitive skin. NEW VASELINE ADVANCED STRENGTH SPRAY WITH TWO TIMES MORE MOISTURISERS* CHOOSE YOUR SPRAY The unique collection of Vaseline Spray Moisturisers all absorb in seconds, so you can get dressed immediately after applying. Choose from Deep Restore, Aloe Soothe, Cocoa…

Available in two colourways, each kit features a selection of symbolic colours, some dyed exclusively for these throws. The wool kits include 100% Australian wool made by the Wangaratta Woollen Mills, which began operating shortly after WWI. Choose your kit: Shades of our Forces (100% Australian wool) 30Cleckheaton Country 8 ply 50g balls Shades of khaki (100% Australian wool) 30Cleckheaton Country 8 ply 50g balls Shades of our Forces (100% premium acrylic) 14 Panda Thorobred 8 ply 100g balls Shades of khaki (100% premium acrylic) 14 Panda Thorobred 8 ply 100g balls Everything you need is included: ■ 30 balls of wool yarn 8 ply 50g or 14 balls of acrylic yarn 8 ply 100g PLUS ■ 5mm knitting needles ■ Remembrance woven label ■ Wool needle for sewing up…

• If you love the look of poppies, try growing them, too. Look for the traditional favourite, Flanders Red, or for more colour variety, try Iceland poppies, which come in yellow, gold, pink, salmon, orange and white. They’re both easy to grow from seed and if you sow them now, you can expect a beautiful show in your garden come spring. • Climate Poppies grow well across most climates. In temperate climates, you can sow the seeds right through the autumn months. In cool and cold climates, sow seeds from summer to early autumn, and in warm tropical and subtropical climates, sow from early autumn to winter. • Aspect Choose a warm, sunny position with protection from strong winds. • Soil These flowers grow best in loose, well-drained soil. For…

Choose a kitchen-diner for multi-tasking at its very best. It’s where friends and family can hang out as meals are prepared, while the table can double as an additional food-prep area. If space is tight, solutions include island or banquette dining. More ideas for eating in: tables with bench seating on lockable castors, which you can move out and back under with ease; and a cabinet with a built-in, slide-out table – ingenious! 1. With a renovation on the horizon, consider a luxuriously large all-in-one dining and living space. Without encroaching overly on the room’s footprint, your kitchen can run galley-style along a wall or be L-shaped. This leaves ample room for a farmhouse-style table and cabinets, allowing you to interact with family and friends as you cook. Very social.…

What star performers! These work stations are a great design solution. They maintain the open concept, provide an extra work surface and storage space, and help traffic flow. Shape and scale to fit your room’s proportions. 1. An island clad with wraparound veined marble gives your cooking area high-end signature style. It plays nicely with rich wood grains and deep-grey walls, and prevents the kitchen looking too dark. Although porous and subject to staining, marble is long-lasting when sealed and cared for (think of the ancient statues still standing) and a good investment. If you’re hesitant, try a durable quartz look-alike, an engineered stone or another natural stone, granite. 2,3. Raise the bar with a thick or thin wood plank on the edge of the island, halfway along or down…

Held annually in the beautiful surrounds of the world heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) is back for another sensational year. From 25-29 March, the site transforms into a buzzing ideas hub, with world-class landscape designers and floral talent eager to show off their creative skills and latest looks. There are plants and cool gardening gadgets on offer, and plenty of activities for the littlies. Until then, whet your appetite with a selection of the best of last year’s display gardens. MODULAR chic Display gardens at MIFGS aren’t just about glamour looks and luxury materials – often the best designs come from simple styles. This concept garden, right, used inexpensive modular components made from timber and steel to create fun ideas…

Want a beautiful display in a few short months? Beds full of colourful blooms and lush foliage are the pay-off for all the hard work done in autumn. Weeding, feeding, planting, mulching and pruning now will give your garden a chance to rejuvenate during the cooler months, ensuring it will look amazing when the weather warms up again. Don’t try to do everything in one weekend; spread the work over a few. Follow our simple guide and tick off the jobs as you go – you will feel good about it and so will your garden. Care for ageing clumps After a few years, you will notice perennial groundcovers don’t perform or look as well as they used to, meaning it may be time to divide. This will help refresh…

Sweet Potato Purple 7. Delicious, creamy and highly nutritious, the purple sweet potato has all the benefits of the original orange sweet potato, plus more antioxidants. The plants tend to ramble a bit, so ensure you give them plenty of space in the garden. Grow in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Corydalis ‘Blue Line’ 1. Boasting a highly ornamental display of tubular blue-purple flowers from spring to autumn, Corydalis ‘Blue Line’ is ideal for injecting colour into lightly shaded areas. It also looks great in modern pot or planter displays and is perfect for edging shaded paths or landscaping around water features. When not in bloom, it has beautiful soft fern-like foliage that can spread up to 60cm. Plant in moist, well-draining soil and protect from hot afternoon sun.…

Barbecue chicken with tomato dressing Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 25 mins Serves 8 2 tomatoes 150ml extra virgin olive oil 2½ Tbsp champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar 100ml tomato sauce 1½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 3 eschalots, finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, finely grated ½ bunch chervil, finely chopped ½ bunch chives, finely chopped 10 tarragon sprigs, leaved picked, chopped Tabasco sauce, to taste 8 chicken thighs on the bone, skin on 8 chicken drumsticks Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season Extra 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil Micro herbs, to serve (optional) 1 To make dressing, using a sharp knife, score a cross on the base of each tomato and put in a large heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and stand for…

SPICE UP YOUR NEXT PARTY! Chicken salad with tortilla crisps Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 10 mins Serves 4 100g snow peas, trimmed 2 tortillas ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 1 cooked barbecue chicken 1 tsp taco seasoning 1 cup coriander leaves 1 cup mint leaves 3 Qukes (baby Lebanese cucumbers), sliced lengthways into ribbons ½ red onion, thinly sliced 1 avocado, halved, thinly sliced Juice of 1 lemon ¹⁄³ cup sour cream 2 Tbsp finely chopped chives Micro herbs, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. Put snow peas in a large heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 2 minutes, then drain and transfer peas to a…

Welcome to your best-ever selection of warming, filling roasts and their delish sides Loin of pork with chorizo and apricot stuffing Preparation time: 25 mins Cooking time: 1 hour 50 mins Serves 8-10 1 mild chorizo sausage, finely chopped ½ cup dried apricots, roughly chopped ²⁄³ cup grated Swiss cheese ¼ cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 egg, whisked 3kg boned rolled pork loin ½ cup olive oil 2 Tbsp sea-salt flakes 1kg desiree potatoes, peeled, cut into 6-7cm pieces 4 small red onions, halved 2 x 200g punnets cherry truss tomatoes 2 bulbs garlic, unpeeled, halved 1 Preheat oven to 220°C. Combine chorizo, apricot, cheese, parsley and egg in a bowl. Put pork on a large chopping board and remove string if loin is tied. Unroll loin and…

When your living space is longing for a little lovin’, go for a sophisticated scheme of neutrals with hints of subtle colour. Paint your walls in a stone-inspired shade, replace worn carpet, update your door and window furnishings and show off your DIY skills with a padded storage seat, TV unit and coffee table. Yes, you can do it! Hey there! My trick to make handpainted art blend perfectly with a room is to add a little of the wall paint to your colour palette. Watch me make over this living room on the Better Homes and Gardens TV show. Check your local TV guide for scheduling information. Go to bhg.com.au for more fantastic projects 1 Create easyas artworks to hang above your couch with a collection of water-based paints…

Are you feeling a little confused by all those helpful ‘facts’ and ‘guidelines’ that seem to change with the wind? Us too. There’s nothing like conflicting advice, loud opinions and sometimes downright scaremongering to make your head spin. Enough already! Common sense to the rescue While it’s natural to wonder if you are doing the right thing, it’s also important to keep things in perspective. So, when next confronted by an alarming headline or bold new health claim, grab yourself a big ol’ grain of salt, take a deep breath and ask yourself a few pertinent questions. (Hint: trust your instincts.) Consider this… ►Where did you read/hear about it? A friend’s blog post or status update may not be the most reliable source. Ditto a sensationalist tabloid magazine, newspaper, TV…

Tip Good clean skin ensures maximum benefit from treatment products Daily face washing is key to maintaining your skin’s general wellbeing. It is a crime against beauty for your head to hit that pillow before all the day’s dirt and grime have been removed. You can get away with refreshing skin with luke-warm water in the morning, but to avoid congestion, dullness, dehydration, irritation and even premature ageing from airborne pollution and make-up, there are no excuses for missing the evening bathroom pit-stop. Choosing a cleanser The last thing you need to use is a cleanser that makes your skin feel tight, so if your current one is guilty of this, toss it now. Any product that strips away natural oil and moisture is not doing you any favours, no…

Have you been wearing the same knickers for years? If that’s a yes, your undies may not be very flattering. So switch to a better style and size and bring your sexy back. Check out these gorgeous and, yes, comfy briefs. Go girl! BUYING GUIDE…

As with the rest of Australia, in the last few months we have been involved with the memory of our incredible Gallipoli soldiers – in fact, with all our Defence Forces men and women – as we have worked tirelessly to create a knitted throw kit to represent them appropriately in some way. Toing and froing for months for a simple yet respectful design with meaningful colours, we finally settled on the throws you now see on page 18. They are for anyone who chooses to knit their own and keep it for memories’ sake, or give it as a gift of recognition and love to someone directly connected to our 100-year commemoration, or indeed to any person who has served for our country. We hope you feel the warmth…

1 UP, UP AND AWAY When space is at a premium, dispense with a traditional sideboard and take storage up your walls with slim wall-mounted units. Why slim? They won’t overly intrude into the room and won’t impede traffic flow around the table. Colour coordinate them and pendant lights with your wallpaper or wall colour for a harmonious setting. MissPrint Dandelion Mobile wallpaper in Storm with Coral, Ascraft. 2 WALKING UP THE RED CARPET We go up and down them countless times, yet often this high-visibility traffic area is easily ignored – in a decorative sense. Leaving the stairs and walls neutral, lay a patterned carpet runner and you will add impressive colour and design to this space. Have it professionally laid so it doesn’t bunch, causing you to slip.…

There’s a lot to take on board when you are considering a new kitchen. To help you in the decision-making process, the following pages contain a snapshot of stunning ideas, including what’s trending in colours, materials, the latest splashbacks, eat-in layouts and storage solutions. Your first steps to your dream kitchen are to decide on a style, then draw up a two-column list – must-haves and lust-haves! Do your homework, set a budget, then try and stick to it! 1. Be a shade braver and break up a bank of clinical white floor-toceiling cabinetry with a run of coloured and perched open shelving in its midst. 2. A new kitchen out of the question? Then get your DIY groove on. Grab a paintbrush and paint timber chairs or stools to…

Plan well thought out and organised storage, maximising every bit of available space to create a sense of order. Locate items where they are most needed, especially if your kitchen has a large footprint – you don’t want to be traipsing miles when preparing a meal. Use the walls and splashback to good effect, and take advantage of in-cabinet solutions where you can hide bulky tabletop appliances behind closed doors, yet ensure they are easily accessible. 1. Keep utensils close to the cooking action by hanging a rail above the stovetop. For similar, Fintorp black rail 79cm long, $9.99, and hooks, $4.99/2pk, IKEA. 3. Make access to your everyday crockery a breeze with cabinets featuring fully extendable interior drawers. Now that’s pulling power! 4. Look for creative ways to conceal…

Who wants to cook in the dark? Don’t overlook a good lighting plan during the early stages of your reno. At a minimum include practical task lights, general overhead lighting and pendants for a designer-led scheme. For shopping details, see Stockists page…

Ever notice how most letterboxes look the same? They can be rather dull and, well, a little boring. If you’re ready for a change and want to up your street cred, try making this quirky mailbox. Inspired by the cheeky and lovable character Shaun the Sheep, this unique talking point is made by welding recycled scrap yard bits together. A MIG welder and basic welding skills are required, but if you have never welded before and would like to learn, contact your local community college to see if they have any workshops available. SHEEP LETTERBOX Gather your supplies ■ Steel cylinders of different sizes for head and body (see Notes, below) ■ Steel pipes for arms and legs (see Notes, below) ■ Random pieces for hands, feet, eyes, ears, neck…

There’s nothing better than fresh fruit of the season, fragrant and filled with sweet juice that only nature can provide. Stone fruits are no exception – they’re the perfect handheld parcel to fill many a lunch box and fruit platter. We all know they’re a treat to enjoy straight off the branch, but there are a wealth of ways to bring their goodness to your next bake day, from a humble slice to a glam semifreddo. Easy to prepare and a delight to use, get ready to love these glorious gems. Cook’s tips Peach and nectarine shortcake This shortcake works well with other fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, mulberries or red currants when in season. Apricot and olive oil slice Heat ½ cup apricot jam until soft, press through a…

Camp oven pork with peanuts and smoky tomato sauce Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 2½ hours Serves 6 1.6kg boneless and skinless pork belly, diced Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 2 Tbsp peanut oil 2 white onions, thinly sliced 2 sticks celery, thinly sliced 1 baby fennel, thinly sliced 6 cloves garlic, crushed 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground cardamom 400g can cherry tomatoes 1 Tbsp cider vinegar 500ml chicken stock 1 cup smoky barbecue sauce 2 Tbsp brown sugar 400g can chickpeas, drained 1½ cups dry-roasted peanuts 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped Extra flat-leaf parsley sprigs, to garnish Crusty bread, to serve 1 Season pork generously with salt and pepper. Heat ½ of the peanut oil in a…

Leek, bacon and goat’s cheese rice bake Cook 1 cup SunRice Medium Grain Australian Calrose Rice following pack instructions, then transfer to a large bowl. Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add 2 halved and thinly sliced leeks, 6 finely chopped rashers middle bacon and 1 tsp thyme leaves. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until leek is soft and bacon is browned. Add to warm rice. Stir in 1 grated zucchini, 50g crumbled goat’s cheese and 2 lightly beaten eggs, then season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large ceramic baking dish and smooth surface, then scatter over an extra 50g goat’s cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Set aside for 10…

Cook’s tips Roasted winter vegetables with feta and smoked almonds ▪ Always wear rubber gloves when handling beetroot to avoid staining your hands. ▪Toss leftovers from this roast vegetable dish with rocket, a little mayonnaise and a drizzle of extra olive oil for a sensational salad the next day. Choosing the right roast Allow 250g meat per person for a bone-in roast, and 200g meat per person for a boneless roast. Beef, lamb and pork ▪ Choose cuts that are evenly sized, so the whole piece cooks at the same rate. ▪ It’s always best to cook the roast with the fat on, then remove the fat after cooking if you don’t wish to eat it. The fat layer provides protection to the meat during cooking, as well as adding…

Before you consign unwanted items to the council clean-up, think about what potential lies within. Check out these lust-worthy results achieved from making over an old filing cabinet, timber door and metal locker. Don’t have any junk? Take a trip to your local architectural salvage or junkyard and watch the ideas flow. It’s all about getting inspired! GO BEHIND THE SCENES Scan this page with the free viewa app too see the BH&G TV team make these projects. Chalkboard door Remove glass from frame. To do this, apply crosses of masking tape to both sides of glass, gently break glass with a tap of a hammer and carefully remove glass from frame with pliers or chisel. Remove old putty with a chisel. Wrap broken glass in newspaper and dispose in…

IT’S ALL THE RAGE So which current bandwagons are worth jumping on? We’ve checked out a few we think have merit; ones that are essentially about clean eating and harm minimisation. Always a good thing! Fat or no fat? Turns out the fat-free era didn’t bring the relief from obesity and illness we hoped for – in fact, it appears to have made things worse. We need dietary fat, including a little saturated fat, for healthy brain and cell function and, importantly, to feel like we have actually eaten something! Fat-free ‘diet’ foods are often loaded with sugar and/or other mysterious synthetic additives that do nothing to promote health. Yes, fat contains more calories, but it’s also more filling so you eat less of it. Come back butter, all is…

Seeing one tiredlooking vegemite staring back when you peer in the mirror is not the best way to start the day, especially when you are not that tired. The thing is, although sleep helps diminish the appearance of panda eyes, to tackle them head on you need to examine the causes. Why so blue? The reason dark circles look blue is because skin only lets blue-violet wavelengths of light pass through it. As a result, only blue light is reflected back. So, if your skin is very thin the veins look – you guessed it – more blue. Genetics get in the way If you inherited fair or thin skin under your eyes, blood vessels will be more noticeable at the best of times, let alone when you are tired.…

This light and breezy cover-up comes together in a snap by connecting two identical scarves. And as you purchase scarves already hemmed, the only sewing required is when attaching the set of buttons. So simple! This means the trickiest part is choosing your favourite colours and patterns to wear. SCARF KAFTAN Gather your supplies 2 x scarves (we used 170 x 50cm size); buttons (6); basic sewing supplies Here’s how STEP 1 With wrong sides facing, fold each scarf in half lengthways and mark each fold line with a pin. These marks will now be the shoulders. STEP 2 With right sides facing up, position the 2 shoulder marks together and pin to hold. STEP 3 Butt 1 long edge of each scarf together and check ends meet. This will…

FAST FELT FLOWERS Gather your supplies Felt in red, orange and green; ribbon in green; marker; scissors; craft glue or needle and thread in matching colours; metal brooch back (optional); cushion cover (optional) Here’s how STEP 1 Using a photocopier, enlarge Fast Felt Flowers Diagrams (see opposite page) to 112%. Cut out shapes to use as templates. STEP 2 Using the picture as a guide (see page 27), trace templates onto wrong side of coloured felts and cut out pieces for flowers and buds as required. STEP 3 Layer pieces together and glue or hand or machine stitch in place. Knot black threads at centre, then trim to make fringing. STEP 4 Stitch onto metal brooch back, if using, or alternatively, using the picture as a guide, attach to front…

FANCY FRANCE? New for 2016, an 11-day Bordeaux river cruise. explore Paris before embarking on a luxury river cruise along the dordogne and Garonne rivers, discovering France’s famed Bordeaux region in style. Book by 30 april 2015 and fly free, just paying your own air taxes, from $950*pp. *conditions apply. call 1300 203 078, visit aptouring.com.au/europe2016 or see your local travel agent. THE DREAM CLEAN Forget pesky cords and bulky cleaners, the latest dyson digital Slim™ dc59 vacuum is lightweight, cordless, and packs the same power as a corded vacuum cleaner. With powerful suction, the dc59 is light and easy to manoeuvre between high, low and hard-to-reach spaces. FUN WAY TO WASH QV Kids Foaming Wash is an effective and dermatologically tested liquid-tofoam wash. It’s ph-balanced and suitable for even…

Visit bhgshop.com.au or phone 1300 745 898 and quote P54BKZZB Gifting your finished throw Cosy, commemorative and made with love, your finished throw makes a beautiful keepsake. If you wish to knit and gift it to a veteran or his/her family, deliver it to ANZAC House, located in the capital city of most states. (Note: Northern Territorians can send it to ANZAC House in Adelaide.) Shades of our Forces 1. Representing the combined efforts of our Defence Forces, five symbolic colours come together in a knitted patchwork design complete with a red poppy. Available in either premium acrylic or Australian wool (pictured). ACRYLIC KIT $49 CODE: PY70253 WOOL KIT $100 CODE: CY70253 All around the country, preparations are underway for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. And as a…

With their distinctive red petals and prominent centres, poppies easily translate into exquisite crafts made with papers, fabrics and wool. And oh what a bunch these goodies are! From ‘finished in a few minutes’ for the time-poor to ‘finished in a few weeks’ if you need a bit more time out, there are poppy-inspired projects for all. Let’s get started… Fast felt flowers 1. These poppies come together quickly, so you’ll be able to make a few in one sitting. Once your flowers are completed, either attach a brooch back to the back of each bloom to make wearable poppies or make the buds as well, add ribbons for stems and decorate the front of a plain cushion cover. Full instructions on page 202 For shopping details, see Stockists page…

Trending now: grey is the new black; old or reclaimed elements mixed with shiny and/or matt new materials; the great marble comeback – despite its porous nature (imperfections are perfectly acceptable); extra-large format floor tiles; grained wood or wood-effect laminates teamed with neutral-coloured cabinets; colour blocking (see page 35); photographic glass splashbacks – use your own photos (see page 42); open and shut storage, and lighting effects. 1. Tailor flat-pack pieces to meet expectations of a country kitchen in today’s most popular neutral – grey! Remember not everything has to be the same. Mix glass doors with solid-front cabinets for a one-of-akind kitchen. And stack units to the ceiling to take advantage of storage potential. Faktum flat-pack kitchen units with Lidingo grey doors and drawers, IKEA. 2. Pared back, bijou…

There’s an increasing demand for splashbacks that stray from the more usual glass or tiles – home owners are exploring all options. If you’re willing to express your individuality, give your kitchen personality with the latest splashbacks in the form of windows, metallic finishes, digital art on glass or mirrors as well as mod and bright-patterned tiles. Along with quartz, natural stone and other traditional treatments, your splashback can make a lasting impression. 1. Mirror your splashback with heatresistant, toughened glass. Try a smoky tint for dark cabinetry. 2. Set your area apart with an eyecatching splashback where photographic art (or your own) is fused onto toughened glass. Choose from city skylines, landmarks, abstract designs and naturescapes. Here, Cremona 7, POA, VR Art Glass. Luxe metal tiles Top-trending warm metallics…

The arrival of a neighbour’s skip bin or council clean-up day can send anyone into a ‘let’s throw everything out’ frenzy! Old tool boxes, mattresses, rusty bikes and random items are usually the first to go, but before you toss them, consider that they may have a second use in the garden. With a little creative thinking and minimal effort, you can give these objects a new life Project 1 MATTRESS WIRE TRELLIS Framed with recycled hardwood, convert the inside of an old mattress into an industrial-looking piece of growing art. Gather your supplies ■ Spring mattress, cover removed ■ Recycled hardwood or H4 treated timber posts You’ll also need Power saw; drill and bits; bugle-head screws in suitable length; shovel; spirit level; crowbar (optional) Here’s how STEP 1 Cut…

More and more of us want to grow our own herbs and vegies, but we often don’t have the room to do it. The solution? A no-dig garden, or ‘lasagna’ gardening. This compact layered system can be quickly constructed, built to any size or shape, and placed anywhere, as long as it receives plenty of sunlight – ideal for people in the inner city. Lasagna gardening This system involves creating a raised bed with different layers of organic matter. You can use store-bought garden beds, or build your own with recycled timber or bricks. Start with a layer of newspaper, then alternating layers of straw, compost, lucerne and manure – just like lasagna – until the height of the bed is almost reached, then the final layer of garden soil…

gardendiary Plants for free Popping cuttings in a pot is a common way of striking new plants. Another way to propagate is ‘air layering’, where a shrub or tree stem is stimulated to develop its own roots. Here’s how STEP 4 Leave in place for 2-4 months for plant to initiate roots at wound site. Check after about 2 months, by carefully unwrapping plastic so you can see. When roots have developed, cut branch from parent plant, remove plastic wrap, leave moss in place, then plant into a pot. A sunny spot in the home can become a little nursery to grow your own sprouts The living veg Did you know, many vegetable bases will regrow to form new plants. Make sure you have a clean cut, then simply arrange…

Apricots Apricots have been cultivated in China for over 4000 years. It is believed they were taken via the legendary Silk Road and spread through the west by Marco Polo. Today apricots are used in sweet and savoury dishes, with countries like Turkey and Spain, along with the Middle East and Mediterranean countries, preparing dishes like lamb and apricot tagine, apricot with chicken and spicy rice, and many sweet dishes that add spices such as cardamom, ginger and cinnamon, textured with nuts. Preparation Apricots have a natural crease around the centre of the fruit, which makes it easy to cut and remove the stone within. It is important to work quickly when using apricots, as the air will cause them to turn brown once halved. If using apricots raw, prepare…

FAST ED’S MENU ENTREE Roast pumpkin gnocchi with lemon-herb butter MAIN Rice and beef enchiladas DESSERT Instant mango gelato ENTREE Roast pumpkin gnocchi with lemon-herb butter Preparation time: 20 mins Cooking time: 50 mins Serves 4 500g Queensland blue pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, diced ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season ½ cup fresh ricotta 1 cup finely grated pecorino 2 cups strong plain “OO” flour Extra strong plain flour, to dust 1 bunch sage, leaves picked 2 Tbsp pine nuts 125g unsalted butter, chopped Juice of 1 lemon STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Toss pumpkin pieces in 1 Tbsp of the oil and season. Arrange in a baking dish and bake for 20-30 minutes, until softened and well browned. Set aside…

When a niggly little problem comes up around the house, it’s usually a while before you get around to fixing it. Before you know it, you’ve a much longer list on your hands. Well, it’s time to knock a few of those jobs off that list. This issue, we cover three quick repairs for the backyard, and the step-by-step solutions to solving three common door disasters. Project 1 STEP REPAIR Outdoor timber stairs that have seen better days are not only unsightly, they can also be downright dangerous – put them at the top of your list! Gather your supplies ■ 90 x 45mm treated pine (600mm per tread) ■ 140 x 45mm treated pine (2 lengths per tread) You’ll also need Pinch bar; hammer; saw; drill and bits; 85mm…

Hands are fine, but using an electronic cleansing brush will deliver clearer, smoother skin. The high-speed rotating brush gently unclogs pores and whisks away make-up and impurities, leaving a healthy, more radiant complexion.…

Gather a group of friends, a stack of supplies and schedule a making day! These three decorative bowl projects using old records, air-dry clay and polymer clay are a good starting point for beginners – add a little adult supervision and kids can join in, too! Check back each issue for more project ideas, instructions and inspiration. Get crafting! Botanic leaf bowl Makes 1 bowl Gather your supplies Air-dry clay in whiteLarge fresh green leaf (try liquidambar, maple or plane tree leaves)Water-based paint in colour of choice You’ll also need Clay mat (or other flat mat or board); baking paper; rolling pin; craft or stencil knife; small shallow kitchen bowl (optional); aluminium foil (optional); paintbrush; paint tray; waterbased sealer such as Jo Sonja’s All Purpose Sealer (optional) Note This item…

ON SALE 2 APRIL We hope you loved this issue, so see you again next month! BIG DIY MAKEOVER Be inspired by our transformation of a suburban home – we show you how to replace an old tiled roof with a new steel option, how you can update wornout timber fences, what’s involved with putting together a brilliant backyard entertaining area with a raised deck, and how to have kerb appeal to the max. You’ll love it! Woolly wonders From granny-square goodness to wrap yourself in to winter essentials for him, her and the kids to wear – there’s a project for everyone in our incredible 48-page knitting and crochet special. It’s the perfect way to kick-off the cooler crafting months. Anzac biscuits We celebrate the wartime biscuit the troops…

La-Z-Boy furniture continues to surprise with the introduction of contemporary designs, including its Danish-made Nordic chairs. The example shown is one of its classic ‘shell’ style chairs that fits right in with today’s retro-style decor. Featuring a 360-degree swivel base, laminated timber shell and a selection of beautiful Italian leather coverings, this chair will look equally at home in your study or living room. Available only from your La-Z-Boy furniture gallery. Visit la-z-boy.com.au…