Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Woman&Home Feel Good You

It’s safe to say this year hasn’t been easy, so let’s celebrate Christmas in style. Whether you’re spending the big day with friends or relaxing at home with family, we’ve got plenty of recipes to inspire you. The main event (page 46) doesn’t need to be stressful – and to give you a head start, there’s a helpful timeline (page 48) for our delicious festive menu. If you fancy a twist on the classic Christmas pud then we’ve got plenty of ideas for alternatives (page 60) and there’s even inspiration for gorgeous table settings (page 28). It’s fine to cut a few corners, but that shouldn’t mean scrimping on flavour – check out our tested champions on page 122 for the tastiest time-savers. And there’s still time to show loved…

Weihnachtsstollen Stollen is a quintessential part of German Christmas, and the most renowned version is from Dresden, where it is called Christstollen. Makes 1 large stollen (serves 10–12) • Ready in 2 hours 30 mins, plus proving time 75g mixed peel175g raisins1tbsp dark rum1tsp vanilla extract350g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting50g caster sugar½tsp fine sea salt¼tsp ground coriander¼tsp ground cloves¼tsp grated nutmeg¼tsp ground cardamomFinely grated zest of 1 lemon150g unsalted butter, at room temp, cut into cubes1 egg20g fresh yeast, or 10g dried150ml tepid whole milk60g flaked almonds to coat50g unsalted butter, melted50g vanilla sugar50g icing sugar, plus extra to serve 1 Put the mixed peel and raisins into a bowl, spoon over the rum and vanilla extract and set aside to infuse. 2 Put the flour,…

Festive village chocolate cake Serves 24 • Ready in 2hrs, plus cooling For the chocolate biscuits: (makes around 20) 225g plain flour75g cocoa powder150g caster sugar150g unsalted butter, cold, cut into chunks1 eggDash of milk if necessaryWhite writing icing, to decorate For the chocolate fudge cake: 225g dark chocolate, broken into squares300g unsalted butter, softened300g light brown soft sugar1 tsp vanilla extract45g cocoa powder200g self-raising flour100g ground almonds5 eggs100ml milk For the icing: 200g unsalted butter, cut into chunks350g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken into chunks340g full-fat cream cheese (we use Philadelphia)750g icing sugar2 tbsp cocoaIcing sugar (optional), to decorate You’ll need: 2 x 20cm loose-bottomed cake tins, oiled and bottom-lined with non-stick baking paper 1 First make the biscuits: put the flour, cocoa, sugar, butter and a large…

ON THE TABLE IN 35 MINS Chorizo and goat’s cheese frittata Great for a weekend brunch, lunch or a light dinner. Serves 4 • Ready in 35 mins 2tbsp olive oil1 red onion, sliced350g prepared butternut squash chunks120g diced chorizo6 eggs, lightly beaten120g goat’s cheese, sliced3tbsp chopped fresh chives 1 Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan. Add the onion and butternut squash and fry gently for 10 mins until both are softened, but don’t allow to turn brown. 2 Add the chorizo, fry for 2-3 mins, then pour in the eggs. Cook for 5 mins until the eggs are beginning to set. 3 Dot the goat’s cheese over the top and sprinkle with chives. Cook for a couple of mins, then pop under a hot grill until…

SHAKE IT UP Everything and anything you’ve ever wanted to know about cocktails all in one place. This beautiful book was the recipient of best Debut Drink Book at Fortnum & Mason’s annual Food and Drink Awards. CO Specs: Recipes & Histories of Classic Cocktails by Cas Oh (£30, Cazerac) TABLE FOR TWO A charming cookbook full of helpful tips and delicious recipes that you can trust, served up by the president of the Guild of Food Writers. Two’s Company: The Best of Cooking for Couples, Friends and Roomates by Orlando Murrin (£18.99, Ryland Peters & Small) SO SWEET Be transported to Italy with this beautiful book all about puddings. Classics such as tiramisu are combined with other enticing examples of Italian delicacies. La Vita è Dolce: Italian–Inspired Desserts by…

CHRISTMAS FIZZ 25. Bon Courage Wine Estate Jacques Bruére Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2011, hometipple.com, £17.67 Wow! It’s not often you get to try a New World sparkling wine with such an amazing amount of bottle age. This is simply oozing complexity and class, with aromas of honeycomb, dried fruit and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. Packed to the rafters with flavours, too – apple danish, stewed peaches, honey roasted nuts and hints of nougat. This is one to savour slowly. ENGLISH SPARKLING 26. Blanc de Blancs 2014 Hattingley Valley, £39.50 Absolute knock-out nose of freshly baked pastries, bread dough and lemon meringue. Beautifully elegant and poised with ripe apricot and apple flavours alongside vibrant acidity and a great finish. A stunning English wine. CHRISTMAS CHAMPAGNE 27. Frerejean…

+ BROCCOLI Make the most of broccoli and its many varieties as it’s soon to come to the end of the season. Our favourite quick comfort food is made by crushing boiled broccoli, garlic, chilli and anchovies into a sauce and stirring through pasta. It’s really that easy, and more delicious than you would imagine. + BRUSSELS SPROUTS This Christmas staple is in season from October to March. Around December you may be able to pick up a stalk of sprouts, which we would recommend, as they last longer this way. Similar to cabbage, sprouts are a versatile vegetable. They can be boiled, roasted, pan fried or steamed. We even adore them raw, chopped finely into a winter coleslaw. + CRANBERRIES Cranberries are our North American guest at the Christmas…

Iced polar bear cake This striking but simple idea will amaze everyone, and there’s a clever trick to create edible ice shards. Serves 18 • Ready in 5 hrs 15 mins, plus cooling and soaking 850g mixed dried fruit75g candied peel100g glacé cherries, washed, dried and chopped4tbsp brandy or rum, plus extra for soaking250g unsalted butter250g soft brown sugar4 eggs, beaten250g plain flour1tsp grated nutmeg1tsp mixed spice45g toasted flaked almondsZest of 1 lemonZest of 1 large orange2tbsp black treacle For the royal icing and decoration: 2tbsp apricot jam500g pack marzipan, rolled out to 5mm thickness45g egg whites300g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting200g pack Fox’s Glacier MintsBlue food colouring You will also need: 20cm cake tin, greased and lined with 2 layers of baking parchmentA polar bear toy or decoration…

SUBSCRIBE NOW • Give the gift that keeps on delivering • Over 80 magazines to choose from • Free delivery straight to your door www.magazinesdirect.com/xm21 Terms and conditions: Offer closes 31/12/202.1. Savings are based on the newsstand Cover price. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue in the UK, and up to 8 Weeks for overseas. All gift subscriptions will start post-Christmas with the next available issue. Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries please email help@magazinesdirectcom.…

Spicy tomato and cauliflower curry More substantial than its calorie count suggests, this satisfying curry is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Serves 2 • Ready in 40 mins 200g new potatoes, diced150g cauliflower florets1tsp ground turmeric½tsp chilli flakes1tsp sunflower oil3tbsp mixed spices (such as fennel, cumin, coriander, caraway and mustard seeds)200g cherry tomatoes, halved75g frozen petit poisLarge handful of spinachSmall handful fresh coriander leaves 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling water for 5-6 mins until tender. Meanwhile, toss the cauliflower florets in the turmeric, chilli flakes and oil. 2 Drain the potatoes, reserving 5tbsp of the cooking water. Scatter the cauliflower over a baking tray and roast for 12-15 mins. Meanwhile, add the spices to a large pan and fry for…

Lamb stuffed with peppers and pine nuts A versatile roast you can serve with couscous and salad, mixed roasted vegetables or new potatoes and steamed veg. Serves 8 • Ready in 1 hr 45 mins, plus resting 50g pine nuts, toastedSmall bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely choppedSmall bunch oregano, leaves finely chopped1tsp ground cumin½ tsp ground cinnamon80g roasted red pepper from a jar, finely chopped1tbsp olive oil1 boneless leg of lamb 1 Heat the oven to 220C/Gas 7. Mix the pine nuts, parsley, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper and oil, and season well. Open out the boned leg of lamb and add the stuffing mix to the middle. Wrap the leg back up and secure with butcher’s string. Transfer to a roasting tin and season well. 2 Roast for 20 mins…

1 STREAM IT If you didn’t catch the start of the latest series of The Great British Bake Off, why not save it for a holiday treat and stream it on All 4. The feel-good show features Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood as judges while Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding entertain the viewers as hosts. Who will get a handshake from Paul? 2 COOK IT Get yourself ready for the greatest meal of the year with a cookery class courtesy of River Cottage. And if you’re looking for foodie gifts, there are also courses covering baking, foraging and using chocolate. Find How to Have a River Cottage Christmas course on Learning with Experts, £185 (learningwithexperts.com/foodanddrink). 3 HEAR IT Award-winning radio show and podcast, Radio 4’s The Food Programme, hosted by…

FESTIVE RECYCLING IDEA Gather a collection of clear-glass bottles and half fill with water. Cut some sprigs of foliage and carefully push into the bottles. We’ve used ivy, pine and eucalyptus, but you could inject some colour with berry-bearing branches, such as holly. Top with a forest green candlestick. Cluster three together to spruce up an empty side table, or arrange in a row as a centrepiece for your dinner table. 12in Sherwood dinner candles, £28.90 for set of 10, prices-candles.co.uk…

MAXIMALIST JEWELS If you’re a colour enthusiast, try jewel tones of emerald, sapphire, ruby and amethyst. With this wow-factor setting, more is definitely more. Opt for striking accessories, bold blooms and eye-catching shapes. Position a runner down the centre of the table and top with serving platters piled high with food. ELEGANT MONOCHROME Dress your table with black and white accessories paired with metallic touches to create a chic, sophisticated look. Soften the colour palette with plenty of table linens, layering a patterned tablecloth with plain place mats or topping napkins with big, bold velvet bows to add drama. Light plenty of tealights and candlesticks along the table, too, to create a sense of intimacy. CLASSIC CHRISTMAS A simple scheme of red and green is timeless. Display traditional tableware with…

Christmas is the time of year for giving and gorgeous flowers are sure to brighten the recipient’s home, and fill it with festive joy and colours of the season. Bunches has been in the business of delivering happiness for more than 30 years, sending pretty bouquets, long-lasting houseplants and gourmet gift hampers, too, all over the UK. They are committed to making a difference to the world we live in, as well as the people in it – being there for you in life’s most meaningful moments. Their commitment to becoming a plastic-free, more sustainable business makes them the ideal choice for sending wonderful gifts this Christmas. Send your love with a festive display and save 20% off your order at this well-loved family business with Simply woman&home‘s exclusive discount.…

Chilli vegetable hotpot Instantly warming on a chilly day and delicious served with cheese on toast, garlic bread or tortilla chips. Serves 4 • Ready in 40 mins 2tbsp vegetable oil2 onions, chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed½ red chilli, deseeded and chopped450g carrots, cut into chunks400g can chopped tomatoes400g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed¼ savoy cabbage, shredded500ml vegetable stockSour cream, chopped basil leaves and lime wedges, to serve 1 Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onions for 10 mins to soften. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for 2 mins. Add the carrots, tomatoes, beans, cabbage and stock. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 mins until the vegetables are tender. 2 Serve topped with a spoonful of sour…

Christmas cake Commended for being as good as homemade, these three are all great options for a classic centrepiece. 1. Christmas Greenery Cake, biscuiteers.com, £58, 1.5kg We adored the whimsical iced decoration that adorns this fantastic cake 2. The Best Iced Christmas Cake, Morrisons, £9, 900g Morrisons’ festive bakes never fail to impress, and this delicious cake was no exception. 3. No.1 Richly Fruited Christmas Cake, Waitrose & Partners, £16, 1.3kg A stand-out winner, this cake tastes as good as it looks. Sweet party food Both finalists in this category are brownies – the perfect sweet nibble. Cut them into bite-sized pieces to create indulgent finger food that your guests won’t be able to resist. 4. Clementina Cakes Great British Brownies, clementinacakes.co.uk, £19.99, 12 pack Layers of pure chocolate indulgence…