Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 i The Australian Women's Weekly

EVERY PRE-MADE GIFT YOU BUY WILL HELP PROTECT ENDANGERED CREATURES & RESTORE 1 SQ METRE OF RAINFOREST FOREVER AGAINST ANIMAL TESTING DELUXE BEAUTY SURPRISES HAPPY DAYS DELUXE ADVENT (RED) $159 HAPPY DAYS ADVENT (GREEN) $139 THE ICONIC COLLECTION $199 FESTIVE TREATS MINI CUBES (ASSORTED) $10.95 REGGIE SPONGES $4.95 BEAUTY BAGS (ASSORTED) $24.95 DOME OF BUTTERS $39.95 BORN LIPPY WAND $29.95 SHOWER GEL BARREL $17.95 SEASONAL FLAVOURS LIMITED EDITION FROSTED BERRIES, VANILLA CHAI & SPICED APPLE ASSORTED GIFTS FROM $7.95 — $79.95 SKINCARE INDULGENCES THE FINEST FACIAL MASK DUO $69.95 VITAMIN E SKINCARE COLLECTION $59.95 OILS OF LIFE™ SKINCARE COLLECTION $89.95 BLOOMIN’ WILD BRITISH ROSE BRITISH ROSE DELUXE GIFT $89.95 THE MODERN GENT’S ESSENTIALS MACA ROOT RESCUE KIT $39.95 ACTIVIST FRAGRANCE KIT $69.95 HEMP MEDIUM TIN $49.95 BATH & BODY FAVOURITES…

Beach barbecue Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT Fancy family lunch Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT STYLE TIP If might be a family affair, but you’ll want to look your best. Off-the-shoulder outfits are cool and classy, while a sleeveless top with a bow adds a chic touch. Elegant dinner Editor’s extras SMART ADDITIONS TO YOUR OUTFIT STYLE TIP For a polished yet striking look, opt for neutral tones and sparkling accessories. If you fancy more festive exuberance, stand out with splashes of colour.…

 Natalie Bassingthwaighte gets goosebumps when she talks about her children, although she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. “Being a mum is amazing, and incredibly exhausting. You definitely become more patient — it’s a rocky, rewarding and enriching ride all at the same time.” For the savvy businesswoman, a dramatic haircut — switching from long, loose waves to a gorgeously textured and well conditioned mid-length bob then back to luscious long locks – has been key to allowing herself to feel empowered, regardless of what her schedule throws at her. “In a way, my hair is my armour. On days that I feel good about it, I feel more in control. When I look as though I’m in charge, then it naturally follows that I’ll feel stronger within,…

As with other hidden health issues, you may only think about your bones when something goes wrong. With osteoporosis, where bones become thin, weak and vulnerable to fracture, the first sign may be a fracture. In osteopenia, the bone’s mineral and protein components are reduced so there is a lower bone density than the normal, ideal density, but not low enough for a diagnosis of osteoporosis. There are no symptoms of osteopenia so a diagnosis may be made when X-rays are done for injuries or medical conditions, or when a bone density scan is arranged. Osteopenia may develop into osteoporosis, but this is not inevitable. Diagnosing osteopenia gives you the chance to protect your bones from further loss. What causes osteopenia? Risk factors include: Age: over 70, or men over…

Maple sherry glazed ham SERVES A CROWD PREP AND COOK TIME 3 HOURS 1 cup (250ml) cream apera (sherry) 1 cup (250ml) maple syrup ½ cup (140g) wholegrain mustard ½ cup (125ml) light soy sauce ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 7kg leg of ham 1 Combine the sherry, maple syrup, mustard, soy sauce and pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, and boil, stirring, for around 10 minutes or until reduced and thickened slightly. The mixture will thicken as it cools and should have the consistency of a thick syrup. Don’t leave the pot unattended or it may boil over. Allow to cool. 2 Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). 3 Carefully remove the rind from the ham, leaving a good layer of fat intact. Leave rind…

Scallop tarts with pea and mint purée SERVES 8 AS A STARTER PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINUTES 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, just thawed 40g butter, chopped 1 small (80g) onion, chopped finely ¾ cup (90g) frozen peas 1 tablespoon water ¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 18 large (400g) scallops without roe 30g snow pea tendrils 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, extra 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Line two oven trays with baking paper. 2 Cut out eight x 10cm rounds from pastry; place on trays. Top each with another sheet of baking paper, then another oven tray (this will stop pastry puffing up during baking). Bake pastry for 12 minutes or until golden and…

Green and gold couscous SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 2 cups (400g) couscous ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil grated rind and juice of 1 orange grated rind and juice 1 lemon 2 tablespoons finely chopped preserved lemon 1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 bunch chives, chopped finely 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint 20 small basil leaves 1 Put the couscous in a large bowl and pour over 2 cups (500ml) boiling water. Add the olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and stand for 5 minutes. Using a fork, fluff up the couscous, then re-cover and stand for a further 5 minutes. When the couscous has absorbed all the water, rub the grains with your fingertips to remove any lumps. 2 Add the remaining ingredients and…

“Christmas has always been associated with salads for me. My mum broke ranks from a traditional Christmas when she decided that cooking a hot lunch in the middle of summer with young children underfoot was a bridge too far. From that point on, our Christmas was a more casual affair. There’d be platters piled high with ham and chicken, but the star attraction was her salads. It was the big bowls of festive salads we looked forward to most. Now, with my family, salads still steal the show. I’d love to think that one or more of these salads become part of your Christmas tradition, too. Happy Christmas!” Belinda Jeffery A gorgeous, garlicky mess of potatoes and capsicums SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES My father-in-law…

Panettone ‘naked’ cake SERVES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) 1kg panettone 500g fresh raspberries 500g blueberries MASCARPONE FILLING 3 eggs 1½ teaspoons finely grated lemon rind ¾ cup (165g) caster sugar 1kg mascarpone 1 Using a sharp knife, score a line around panettone at equal intervals to mark four layers. Holding a serrated knife horizontally, using score marks as a guide, cut the panettone into four layers, starting at the top. 2 MASCARPONE FILLING Beat the eggs, rind and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer for about 6 minutes or until pale and thick. Gently whisk in the mascarpone until just combined. Chill for 1 hour to firm slightly. 3 Place base layer of panettone onto a large serving plate. Spread with…

FOODIE EXPERIENCES FOR CHRISTMAS Julie Goodwin cooking classes Our very own Julie Goodwin (left) teaches fun and informative cooking classes at Julie’s Place on the NSW Central Coast. Cook and learn together, then sit down with Julie for a glass of wine and a meal. Classes and events from $80; gift vouchers available. Visit juliesplace.com.au. Maeve O’Mara gourmet safari Maeve O’Mara’s (below) Food Safari on SBS comes to life in her fabulous food tours and banquets. Discover delicious finds across a range of cuisines in Sydney and Melbourne’s food villages. Priced from $125; gift vouchers are available. Visit gourmetsafaris.com.au for more. Great gifts Books for cooks Ottolenghi: The Cookbook The food of North Africa and the Middle East has made many change how they cook, Ebury Press, RRP $55.…

Gifts for HOMEBODIES Gifts for the KIDS Gifts for HER Gifts for BEAUTY Gifts for COOKS & FOODIES GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO THE WEEKLY Why not give the perfect gift this Christmas? Turn to page 262 for details.…

The Grantchester Mysteries: Sidney Chambers And The Dangers of Temptation by James Runcie, Bloomsbury. In this fifth book of the Grantchester Mysteries, the 46-year-old is now Archdeacon Chambers, married, with a daughter. Sidney is on the working party to discuss sex before marriage, divorce, homosexuality and abortion. The title story best sums up Chambers, as he is hit on by a divorcee trying to save her son from a cult. When its leader is beheaded, the cleric extracts information from the boy’s father, a London dentist. A crown, three fillings and a root canal later, Sidney and Inspector Keating swill the facts at the pub. Frida Kahlo At Home by Suzanne Barbezat, Frances Lincoln. This is a new spin on Frida Kahlo – a look at the influence of Mexican…

1. Drink coffee in style The stylish Nespresso PURE porcelain coffee cup collection has been given a festive makeover by the illustrator, Lorenzo Petrantoni. The cup range has been expertly designed to release the intensity and aromas of Nespresso Grand Crus capsules. Nespresso PURE Collection cups are the perfect gift for design-conscious coffee connoisseurs. Available for a limited time. Visit nespresso.com/au for details. 2. Natural-looking hair shades Clairol Nice’n Easy is a permanent hair colour formulated with the exclusive Colour Blend Technology, which works with the hair’s own tones to give a natural-looking result with 100 per cent grey coverage. RRP $12.99. Available from supermarkets, pharmacies and selected department stores. 3. Healthy alternative to butter Nuttelex made with coconut oil is the first 100 per cent Australian spread to be…

Letter of the month I sit here with my mum in palliative care, in her final days of her life. The Weekly is on her table. This magazine has always been there through Mum’s circle of life – marriages, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, divorces, birthdays, happy and sad days. Mum loved her Weekly and had it delivered by our newsagency for as long as I can remember. We, too, have shared in stories from the royals, world events, people’s journeys, celebrities, recipes, humour and, Mum’s favourite, the crosswords. We have watched it go from a weekly to a monthly. Mum wrote a few stories in 1967, one on “rearing kids”, and had them published, so we think we had a very famous mum. I always think fondly of Mum when the…

“ It’s going to be down to the wire … but it’s more than hope. ” After an agonising six-month wait for genetic test results to arrive, Hollie and Daniel Feller were led into a small Melbourne hospital room in February 2014 to learn their little boy’s fate. The geneticist didn’t need to say a word. “Her hands were shaking holding the piece of paper,” recalls Hollie. “Then I knew.” The couple’s third child, Harry, had been born deaf less than three years earlier – which was shocking enough – but the latest news came like a body blow: their only son had Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition that would eventually make him go blind, too. “You know when you’re about to faint and you go all hot and…

“ Brigitte Bardot has always done it her way.” It seems nothing short of astonishing that an actress who has been a virtual recluse for more than 40 years can still exert a powerful influence on the world – yet Brigitte Bardot does. Because at no time since her retirement in 1973 has the original Sex Kitten’s unique style ever looked dated, or anything less than fabulously cool. Just ask Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Debbie Harry. Or yourself, any time you sling on a stripy Breton top, slide into a ballet flat, or make your hair last another day with a wide headband. And showing just how relevant her style still is, catwalks at the most recent round of designer fashion shows were packed with gingham dresses like…

“There I was, little old me, a blue throbbing dot in a big wide world.” If you’re stuck for a gift idea and the yuletide clock is ticking, the suggestion I’m about to stuff in your sack will bring such joy and light on Christmas morning that Rudolph’s nose will look dull in comparison. Mine is already wrapped and sitting under the Christmas tree. I can’t wait to rip open the festive paper and hold it in my hands. Then I’m going to say to my husband, “I don’t give a stuff what Google Maps says, I have a street directory.” Like everybody else, I got excited with the advent of technology. I felt very smart and quite hip carrying a device that could correctly identify my whereabouts no matter…

1. Chloé Fleur de Parfum, 50ml, $130. A sweet and soft perfume combining rose, verbena flower and cherry blossom. 2. Bvlgari Rose Goldea Eau de Parfum, 50ml, $147. In a beautiful rose gold bottle, this scent is fruity and floral with Damask rose, pomegranate and Egyptian jasmine. 3. Burberry My Burberry Black, 90ml, $220. An elegant floral fragrance, featuring jasmine flower and peach nectar with a sensual touch of rose. 4. Elie Saab Éclat D’or Eau de Parfum, 50ml, $138. Blending sweet orange with jasmine, ylang-ylang and patchouli makes this deliciously addictive. 5. Missoni Eau de Toilette Spray, 100ml, $140. A feminine perfume with notes of nashi pear, rosehip, peony and waterlily. 6. Prada La Femme Eau de Parfum, 100ml, $195. Frangipani is woven with ylang-ylang, vanilla and tuberose to…

Q My eight-year-old son does swimming and keeps getting warts on his feet, despite wearing thongs around the pool area. Do you have any suggestions to stop this from happening? M.M., Vic. Warts are caused by human papillomavirus, a virus, which thrives in warm moist environments such as swimming pool surrounds and shower floors. Zinc deficiency can increase vulnerability, and supplementation (under medical advice) may help treatment and resistance to reinfection. He should wear thongs around the pool and in the change rooms. Don’t share towels, thongs, socks or shoes with others. Picking at the warts can increase their spread. Keep any warts covered with tape. Q I’m 42, but ever since I was in my early 20s I have suffered from bad headaches. My doctor has told me that…

Crackling Pork Leg with Homemade Apple Sauce Ingredients • Woolworths boneless pork leg roast with rind on • Oil • Salt Apple Sauce • 1 cup Woolworths Select Apple Sauce • ¼ tsp cinnamon • ½ lemon, zested • 2 tsp brandy (optional) Method 1. Pre-heat the oven to 240°C. 2. Using a small sharp knife, deeply score only the rind of the roast at 1cm intervals. 3. If time allows, place the roast uncovered in the fridge overnight and when ready to cook, pat dry the rind and rub with oil and sea salt. 4. Place the pork leg into a baking dish and roast at 240°C for 50 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 180°C for a further 30 minutes per kilo. Rest the roast in a…

“ Christmas to me is all about gathering your loved ones together and enjoying the festive season. I like to add a touch of magic to our Christmas table and my seasonal desserts with Ferrero Rocher.” Unwrapping a Ferrero Rocher is pretty similar to unwrapping a Christmas present – same sound, same action, same glorious anticipation and, in a perfect world, same reward. Coincidence? Either way, it might be where Reynold Poernomo got the idea to use Ferrero Rocher in his sumptuous holiday desserts. Since being named the dessert king of last year’s MasterChef, Reynold has gone from strength to strength with the opening of KOI, the swish dessert bar in Sydney’s Central Park, where he demonstrates his mastery of the sweet tooth. Yet now he may have outdone himself…

Ocean Spray® Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries, with 50 per cent less sugar than raisins, can add a splash of colour to your holiday meals. These little bursts of flavour turn this healthy wrap into something spectacular. So brighten up your Christmas with feel-good Craisins®, a perfect match for both savoury and sweet dishes. GRILLED LAMB SOFT TACOS WITH CRAISINS® Makes 10 Prep time 15 minutes (+ marinating time) 2 tablespoons Ocean Spray® Cranberry Sauce 1 tablespoon American mustard ½ tablespoon cooking oil 1 teaspoon salt, plus freshly cracked black pepper 400g lamb steaks 200g cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 green capsicum, deseeded, sliced 1 French shallot, peeled, thinly sliced 20g fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons Ocean Spray® Reduced Sugar Craisins® Dried Cranberries ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil…

Barbecued rock lobster with mango salad SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 55 MINUTES 2 ripe mangoes, cut into 1.5cm dice juice of 1 lime 4 x 800g raw rock lobsters sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 handfuls young watercress sprigs HERB BUTTER 200g unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 clove garlic, finely chopped juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 teaspoons finely chopped chives 1-2 teaspoons hot chilli sauce, optional sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 HERB BUTTER Mix the butter, garlic, lime juice, parsley, chives, chilli sauce, if using, and salt and pepper to taste to form a smooth greenish paste; this can be done in a small food processor or you can use a small bowl with a fork.…

“This elegant and deliciously chocolatey tart is a cinch to make.” Easy no-bake chocolate raspberry tart SERVES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION TIME) 300g dark chocolate digestive biscuits 100g butter, melted 500g good-quality dark chocolate, chopped finely 300ml cream 3 egg yolks 40g softened butter, extra 500g fresh raspberries 1 Lightly grease a rectangular 21cm x 29cm fluted loose-bottomed flan tin. 2 Process biscuits in a food processor until fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter. Press mixture into base and side of prepared tin; refrigerate while preparing filling. 3 Place the chocolate into a bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until hot, but not boiling. Pour the cream over the chocolate in the bowl; stir until chocolate has melted. Add the egg yolks and…

The Wholesome Food Company has done the work for you, producing thoroughly natural snacks with traditional quality ingredients like you’d make yourself – tasty and additive-free. They’re so much more than a quick toothsome bite, too. With the range of authentic chips and popcorn, you’ve got a flavoursome set of ingredients at your fingertips to bring your recipe repertoire to life, whether it’s a crunchy coating for pan-fried chicken or these rich and delicious cheesecake pots. With a malt-biscuit base and the rich goodness of cream cheese and corn, this play on traditional cheesecake makes a winning dessert. TAHINI CARAMEL CHEESECAKE POPCORN POTS You’ll need eight jars of about 350ml capacity each. Makes 8 150 gm Malt ‘O’ Milk biscuits 50 gm The Wholesome Food Company pretzels, plus extra to…

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles, Penguin. This is the last novel you’d expect about Stalinist Russia; gentle, and brimming with hope. It’s 1922 and Count Alexander Rostov has been placed under permanent house arrest in the glamorous Hotel Metropol. Anyone who’s enjoyed the allure of Alexander McCall Smith would love this in their Christmas stocking. THE PIGEON TUNNEL by John le Carré, Penguin Random House. The author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Night Manager certainly knew the world of which he wrote. Under his real name, David Cornwell, Le Carré worked as a spy in the 1950s. In these autobiographical stories he shares his experiences as a writer and the son of a distant mother and a con man father. These personal tales will entrance his…

The enormous wedge-tailed eagle looks at you with something like contempt. It sits on a tree trunk, grounded with a broken wing. With its hooded eyes, formidably sharp beak and sheer power, it’s a relief Australia’s largest bird of prey is safely behind wire mesh. Harry Kunz, 70, has a lot of respect for the bird. “They’re top-tier predators,” he says. “They keep balance in the environment, so you have to admire them.” Arriving at Eagles Nest Wildlife Hospital in Far North Queensland is like walking into Jurassic Park. There’s something prehistoric about Australia’s wild animals when they’re seen together. After the alarming raptors’ enclosure, there are the emus. Much taller than us with bulky bodies and tiny heads, they watch beadily as we pass. “They can kill you with…

The performance opens with the choir chanting abuse, their ugly words slicing through the rarefied surrounds of the Melbourne Recital Centre – “Because you’re stupid”, “Because you’re not pretty anymore”, “Because you’re a terrible mother”, “Because you spend too much of my money”, “Because it’s your fault” … They are the excuses too many of the women onstage have heard before – words used to justify past hurts, bruises and humiliations. This time, though, from the mouths of more than 50 defiant women, the barrage of abuse sounds more like a call to arms – each excuse exposed as no excuse at all. “Every time it’s powerful,” says 26-year-old choir member Jess Cochran, “and it gets you into the mindset of the performance – let’s do this, let’s raise awareness…

OLAY REGENERIST DAY & NIGHT Pollution, harsh UV rays - your skin is exposed to countless stressors on a daily basis. That’s why you can rely on Olay’s Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream SPF 30 to boost the skin’s resilience every day. Then at night, while you sleep, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Night Cream works with the skin’s natural repair and renewal cycle. You wake up to reduced wrinkles, with younger looking, hydrated and refreshed skin. OLAY REGENERIST MIRACLE DUO It starts with a tiny drop. And the renewal of a million cells begins. Olay harnesses the metabolism-boosting power of its Miracle Boost Youth Pre Essence, and then combines it with their multi-award winning Micro Sculpting Cream. The result? Youthful, dewy looking skin. These two work to boost skin renewal, with twice as…

Pretty pout Create a bold day or night look with these beautiful bright lip creams. They provide a flawless, shiny finish plus they are hydrating and help smooth lines. YSL Vernis à Lèvres Vinyl Cream in 406 Orange Electro (right) and 404 Nude Pulse, $55 each. Bronzed beauty Dust this Natio bronzer over your face to create a golden glow and sun-kissed complexion. The warm brown hues can also be used to contour under your jaw or on the hollows of the cheeks. Try these Editor’s picks of the month 1. Trilogy Rosehip Oil Light Blend, 30ml, $35.95. This certified organic seed oil has a lightweight formula that is easily absorbed. It helps to regulate your skin’s oil production and improve skin tone and fine lines. 2. Sun Bum Premium…

“I’ve never lost my joy in Christmas. It’s having those you love around you and, for me, it’s also a celebration of food that’s very special but easy to prepare. Of all the times of year, Christmas is one to be super-organised, to ensure there’s no stress on the day. Presuming you’ve been able to buy the lobster already prepared (if you’re being as extravagant as I am), made the cherry jam and the Christmas pudding ages in advance, and done the preparation the night before for the pork and the brandy custard (it’s great served cold), then the balance of the meal is simple and can be done at the last moment when your family can help. It’s all about sharing the table with family and friends, with joy.”…

1. Removing the rind Using a small sharp knife, cut through the rind 10cm from the shank end of the leg. Lift rind off in one piece by running your thumb around edge of rind under the skin; pull from the widest edge of the ham up to the shank. 2. Scoring the fat Using a large sharp knife, score across the fat at about 3cm intervals, following the curve of the ham and cutting just through the surface of the top fat. Do not cut too deeply or the fat will spread apart during cooking. 3. Glazing the ham Brush ham well with the glaze (see our recipe, below). Place ham on a rack in a large roasting pan; add water to pan. Cover shank end with foil. Bake…

“ Serve it up on a board at a party with buns, salad and gravy. Just wow. ” Porchetta – rolled pork loin stuffed with beautiful things SERVES 16-20 PREP AND COOK TIME 5 HOURS 30 MINUTES CALORIES 725KCAL, FAT 49.1G, SAT FAT 16.9G, PROTEIN 48.1G, CARBS 19.6G, SUGARS 11.8G, SALT 0.8G, FIBRE 3.2G Porchetta is a thing of joy. You can cook this as the epic centrepiece of a big feast, or serve it on a board with a carving knife at a party with buns, condiments, salad and gravy for dunking. Just wow. 1 x 5kg higher-welfare pork loin with belly attached, skin on (ask your butcher to remove the bones and butterfly open the loin meat) 4 red onions 15 slices of smoked higher-welfare pancetta olive…

The perfect Christmas lunch is more than just a meal. It’s one of life’s truly special occasions – a chance to share your love of togetherness, celebration and delicious food with the people you care about most in the world. To help you give the gift of that magical moment to your friends and family this festive season, Gold has everything you need. From delectable leg hams to melt-in-the-mouth turkey, turducken and more, the Gold range delivers the quality you expect at the price you want. Remember, no Christmas lunch or dinner is complete without an indulgent dessert. The Gold range of fruit pies, hand teased pavlovas, shortbreads, delectable puddings and more will help turn your next Christmas gathering into a celebration to remember long into the new year. After…

“ Christmas is my favourite holiday. Our family is a big one and we’re spread all over the world – Australia, Japan, China, Brazil and the US – and it’s the time each year we all do our best to get together in one place. I’ve been hosting our family lunch for the past few years and sometimes we can get 20 or 30 of us around the table. For us, the meal is a jumble of influences that we bring from the countries we live in and grew up in – a bit of an East-meets-West Christmas feast. ” Adam Liaw Eight-treasure turkey with Mandarin pancakes SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 4 HOURS (+ SOAKING, MARINATING OVERNIGHT AND COOLING TIME) 4.5kg whole turkey ¼ cup (60ml) dark…

 Fill your festive season with joy and celebration with Ferrero Rocher’s golden range of unique chocolate delicacies. There’s nothing better than sharing the magic of this special time of year with friends, family and those we cherish most. From decorative touches like the Ferrero Rocher Gift Cube and Ferrero Rocher Star, to the spectacular Grand Ferrero Rocher with its delicious shell of milk chocolate and hazelnut pieces (and four Ferrero Rocher hidden inside), every Ferrero Rocher delight is designed to enhance your enjoyment. And for the ultimate luxury, why not use classic Ferrero Rocher to add that creative extra touch to your Christmas baking? This beautiful three-bean chocolate cake with chocolate ganache is topped with Ferrero Rocher, making it the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas celebration. For Christmas moments that…

“Greet your guests with a welcoming drink and delicious morsels to whet their appetites for the feast ahead. And ALDI is where you’ll find all you need for fabulous festive entertaining.” CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL Serves 1 Prep time 5 minutes 5cm strip orange rind 1 sugar cube 5 drops Angostura bitters ⅔ cup (160ml) Veuve Monsigny Brut Champagne NV or sparkling wine 1. Slice orange rind thinly. 2. Place sugar cube in champagne glass; top with bitters then champagne. Garnish with rind. SANGRIA Serves 12 Prep and cook time 15 minutes (+ Refrigeration time) ¼ cup (60ml) Westcliff Orange Juice ¼ cup (50g) Merryfield Caster Sugar 1 cinnamon stick 4 cloves 2 medium oranges 3 cups (750ml) chilled Vinatero Pinot Noir 3 cups (750ml) chilled FIZZI lemonade ice, to serve 1.…

Fill your own baubles Fillable glass baubles are the perfect personalised decoration. You can fill them with cut-up tinsel, glitter, or tiny ornaments in your chosen colours. Get the kids involved with easy-to-fill plastic snowglobes and baubles for a truly sparkly Christmas. Shop the full range of Christmas decorating and DIY in store and online at www.spotlightstores.com. @spotlightstores…

7 STEPS TO A STUNNING CHRISTMAS GARDEN Step 1. Trim You will be amazed at how much difference this makes. Trimming the edges of paths and garden beds makes a garden look professionally stunning. Specialised trimmers can be bought, but a sharp spade does the job just as well. Line it up with the edge of the paving, push down, repeat. Step 2. Mow Put the mower on a high setting three or four days before Christmas. A low setting makes the grass grow faster and may leave bigger, balder patches than Uncle Henry’s. Don’t water … yet. Step 3. Water Water the lawn deeply the night before everyone arrives, when it is cool. The grass will green up extra brightly overnight. Water flowers and vegies at least every couple…

AT THE MOVIES THE LEGEND OF BEN HALL Move over, Ned Kelly, it’s Ben Hall’s turn to steal the limelight in this Australian adventure. Jack Martin plays Ben, Jamie Coffa and William Lee his cohorts (all above), but there is a focus on the women in their lives. Great for gunslinger genre fans and history buffs. Opens December 1. THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS Australian author M. L. Stedman’s best-selling novel about a couple living in a lighthouse gets the big-screen treatment, with a cast including Alicia Vikander (above), Michael Fassbender, Rachel Weisz, Jack Thompson and Bryan Brown. In cinemas now. TROLLS After its triumphs with Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, the DreamWorks team brings us the happy Trolls. Featuring the vocal talents of Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Russell Brand…

Picture books 0-5 YEARS OLD Snow Bear by Tony Mitton and Alison Brown, Bloomsbury. Best board book yet. Snow Bear cannot find a room at the inn – Fox’s is full of cubs and owl’s is full of chicks. But a lonely girl has a hut with a log fire and heaps of cuddles. Grandpa’s Big Adventure by Paul Newman, Penguin. Classic humour in this story of G’Pa teaching his grandson to swim. He boasts he swam around the world, met the Prince of Whales and even played cards with sharks! The Tales of Mrs Mancini by Natalie Jane Prior, HarperCollins. Mrs Mancini, cake shop owner cat, bakes for the local kids – twins Daisy and Rose (meringues), Jack (banana muffin) and Claudette and Ziggy (a chocolate éclair). A Child…

The tourism sector is one of the brightest spots in the Australian economy. A lower Australian dollar, combined with the natural attractions of beach and bush, and fabulous cities has seen overseas visitors flock to our shores. In the year to August 2016, we had 7.99 million visitor arrivals, up 10.9 per cent on the previous 12 months, according to Tourism Australia. Of these, the bulk, about 6.1 million, were here for leisure purposes. Chinese visitors are one of the fastest growing groups, with 1.17 million visitors in the year to August, up 22.5 per cent. More of us are also holidaying at home, with overnight trips by Australians up 7 per cent in the year to June 2016, according to Tourism Research Australia. The one thing all these visitors…

1. Fresh fragrance Air Wick Life Scents Freshmatic creates a scented ambiance in your home by automatically releasing bursts of fragrance that fill the room for up to 60 days*. RRP $11.99 for the complete Life Scents pack, including one refill; $7.99 for a Life Scents refill. Available in the air care aisle at Woolworths, Coles and independent supermarkets. *Based on low setting. 2. Luxury cruising Discover the best of Vietnam and Cambodia cruising the Mekong River in style aboard an all-inclusive, luxury river cruise with APT. Holiday for 17 days from $7995* per person, twin share. Phone 1300 398 614 or visit aptouring.com.au/Vietnam2017. 3. Prepaid gift cards Take the guesswork out of buying Christmas presents with the Australia Post Visa Prepaid Gift Card, which can be used anywhere Visa…

Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21 In 2017, you will see your team, club or other group succeed and also make friends for life. December brings temporary roadblocks involving one good friendship, yet you will forget this next year when you are all celebrating together. One Christmas gathering is fated and important! Mercury Retrograde is also upon us, Sagittarius. Your money, property, charity, business or shopping agenda will be affected by delays and changes until the end of January, so make allowances for technical hitches or errors. Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20 Next year brings a promotion, new job, special role, outstanding result or flattering project, partly as a result of what you overcome this month. Keep your eyes on the prize and do not stop, Capricorn. Mercury Retrograde begins with a shadow…

“ He presented a bird so big we had to borrow his son’s toy wagon to pull it home. ” When I was seven years old, I woke up on Christmas morning hoping to find a Shampoo Sally doll under the tree. I’d written a letter to Santa outlining her many fine points. It always took my family a long time to get round the Christmas tree. My parents had to have tea and toast. My aunt and uncle had to have a smoke and a polite argument. My sister, who didn’t believe in Santa, stomped down in a blanket so she could sleep on the sofa until someone handed her a present. There was no Shampoo Sally under the tree. Instead, I got a train set with a bright…