Fresh Living December 2017

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DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 113

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SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST-LOVED FOOD MAG

Get your sparkle on!

72

R H O L I DAY E C I P E S

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Greek lamb platter.

Recipe on page 112

PLUS!  WIN A HOLIDAY WORTH R40 000  2017 ANNUAL RECIPE INDEX

FEEDBACK

ALL ABOUT YOU Your chance to share your thoughts and ideas with other Fresh Living readers

STAR LETTER EVERYDAY HEROES

Thank you for your absolutely awesome September issue. Truly inspiring. I have been on a quest to eat healthily these last few weeks and I must say that I have added to my healthy recipe repertoire from this issue. The wasabi-spiked pea poke bowl is my newfound love, as well as the chicken and baby marrow meatballs with lemon yoghurt. I recently hosted a braai at my home and used not one, not two but three of your recipes: the green salad, cheat’s tropical frozen yoghurt and strawberry mint lemonade. Needless to say they were all a hit.

– MELANEY GOVINDER

GET FRESH Celebrate spring with one of Anke Roux’s fresh, bright recipes that will have guests wanting more PHOTOS: MICHAEL LE GRANGE

RECIPES AND STYLING: ANKE ROUX

SPEED IT UP!

Make dressing while peas are blanching and noodles are cooking

MONDAY Wasabi-spiked pea poke bowls

This Hawaiian staple makes for a perfect light supper.

1½ cups (375ml) frozen peas 2-3 tsp (10-15ml)

wasabi paste 2 heads cos lettuce, shredded 1-2 avocados, sliced 1 small cucumber, shaved into ribbons Handful baby spinach 1 small bunch radishes, sliced 1 packet (200g) buckwheat noodles, cooked and refreshed

in cold water Large handful coriander leaves 2 Tbsp (30ml) mixed sesame seeds, toasted Dressing: 2 Tbsp (30ml) rice wine vinegar 2 Tbsp (30ml) honey 2 Tbsp (30ml) vegetable oil

1 Tbsp (15ml) grated ginger 2 tsp (10ml) sesame oil SERVES 4 Blanch frozen peas and refresh in ice water.

Drain and stir through wasabi paste.

Arrange peas and remaining ingredients

except seeds in individual bowls.

Scatter over sesame seeds.

Whisk dressing ingredients together and dress bowls. Serve.

MAKE IT DIABETES FRIENDLY Omit honey.

Fresh Living - September 2017 | 11

Caring for diabetics As a doctor in the public sector, I am confronted daily with the reality that diabetes is a burgeoning epidemic in South Africa.

Around 2 million people in SA currently live with diabetes, and it has

become the leading cause of natural death in our country. What concerns me is that my patients often eat poorly due to the cost of food, or lack of access to diabetic-friendly recipes. I want to commend Fresh Living on being one of the few

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU ONLINE! @thecatrick Good food prep Sunday with enough time for making some snacks #apricots #coconut #energyballs #snack #Sundays @picknpay @kookenkuier @freshliving_pnp

‘foodie’ magazines in SA that makes suggestions for diabetic-friendly recipe alterations. Well done for taking the initiative to make cost-effective recipes suitable for diabetics. You are doing a fantastic job in helping people take charge of their own health!

– KATE MCMULLEN

Five a day Being pregnant for the first time, I’ve been advised to stay healthy and eat healthily. My doctor advised that my

diet should include mostly vegetables and fruits, but unfortunately I was not able to keep up as I required more tasty foods. After receiving my September issue of Fresh Living I was excited to find so many awesome, mouth-watering recipes that included vegetables as well as delectable fruit treats. I’ve tried many of this month’s recipes and they were excellent.

Thank you very much for being such a great help with my pregnancy diet.

– ZAINAB ALLY

FIND US 

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Email letters@freshlivingmagazine.co.za Instagram @FreshLiving_PnP Twitter @Fresh_Living

THEY SAID… Snow. And a cheesy Christmas jumper (preferably with baubles). – Emily Pettit-Coetzee A grey corner couch, or is that pushing it? Will Santa have enough space on his sleigh?

– Jill Petersen Silence.

Peace. Quiet.

If not possible… chocolate.

– Sona Sales Idris Elba. – Jordan Leschinsky

❞

@AngelConradie Something I spotted in a @PicknPay @Fresh_Living magazine a while ago – meatballs from pork bangers. Divine and so easy! @winetourismza #WhatsForDinner Husband’s turn to cook tonight and it’s so quick and easy with this #PicknPay #CookInSauce #DurbanCurry #CurryInAHurry

❞

We asked Fresh Living staffers what’s on their Christmas wish list.

WRITE TO US: THE STAR LETTER WILL RECEIVE A R500 PICK N PAY VOUCHER!

MELANEY GOVINDER, the writer of this month’s Star Letter, gets a PnP gift voucher worth R500. Send your letters to John Brown SA, PostNet Suite #2, Private Bag X11, Mowbray, 7705, Cape Town, or email us at letters@freshlivingmagazine. co.za. Letters are edited and don’t necessarily represent the opinions of Fresh Living’s editorial team.

INGREDIENTS Products and recipe ingredient availability may vary from store to store

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ILLUSTRATION: ELITE PHOTO AGENCY

Friends through food

WE’VE MADE IT! The holidays are in sight, the weather is perking up and that annual festive buzz is in the air.

We’ve all felt the pinch this year; happily though, no matter what your budget – or level of culinary expertise – between the host of amazing new products on shelf at PnP and the abundance of recipes and ideas on these pages, you’ll have everything you need to spread the love this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from all of us to all of you. May 2018 be your best year yet.

ILLUSTRATION: PATRICK LATIMER

PS: Don’t forget to check out the second season of Pick n Pay’s hilarious online wine series Glass Act. Get the lowdown on page 30.

picknpay.co.za

HOT PICKS | THINGS TO BUY, EAT, DRINK AND KNOW

PnP marble cake mix, R42.99, and PnP chocolate icing, R26.99

7

BAKING UP A STORM Whether it’s for a dazzling Christmas dessert, lazy summer holiday brunches or something to entertain the kids this summer – Pick n Pay baking kits make life so much easier. Whip up cakes and icing, waffles, pancakes or brownies in no time without the fuss.

PnP pancake mix, R29.99

PnP vanilla cake mix, R42.99, and PnP strawberry flavoured icing mix, R26.99

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PnP flapjack and waffle mix, R29.99

PNP CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX We used this to make the brownie squares for our trifle.

PnP chocolate brownie mix, R42.99

PNP STRAWBERRY FLAVOURED ICING MIX This bright ‘n yummy icing is super easy to make, even for kids.

Also available in chocolate.

PNP PANCAKE MIX A treat for dessert, or served filled with savoury mince or creamy chicken for lunch.

MINTED GREENS

WHAT A SPREAD! ‘Tis the season to linger around beautifully laden tables with close friends and family. One of food editor Jana van Sittert’s three festive menus are sure to make any gathering a memorable and magical one RECIPES: JANA VAN SITTERT STYLING: ANKE ROUX PHOTOS: DONNA LEWIS

SAGE ROASTED POTATOES

HONEY AND HOT MUSTARD ROASTED CHICKEN

SWEET POTATO AND SNOEK BALLS WITH CREAMY TARTARE

CHICKEN PIES WITH CRANBERRY CHUTNEY

GAMMON WITH CAPE RUBY PORT GLAZE

MENU 1 TRADITIONAL

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Help!

WHAT SHOULD I DO? As wondrous as it is, Christmas can also be a minefield of manners and family sensitivities.

Glynis Horning gets some expert advice

1

I end up doing all the work – how can I get family to pull their weight?

Hosting should not equate to working yourself silly.

Solution: Draw up a menu and entertainment list, and ask everyone to bring a dish and/or a game – from your mom’s cheesecake to your father-in-law’s golf clubs for putt-putt on the lawn. Rope in older kids to do the washing up by advertising the

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kitchen as a dishwashing disco, and get one of them to arrange some hot music (well, it’s worth a try).

2

How do I tell my parents we’re not spending Christmas with them?

Your parents expect you to spend Christmas with them; your inlaws think it’s time you came to them – but now that you have children, you’d prefer to have lunch at your place. What to do?

Solution: Call both sets of parents on the same night.

“Avoid making excuses – get straight to the point,” says Joburg-based coach and emotional intelligence specialist Steph Vermeulen.

Announce cheerfully that this year everyone is coming to your place (implying it’s already arranged), and that you can’t wait to have them.

Acknowledge the other person’s feelings while making your case: ‘I know you love having us all there but with our schedule it would be

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SOUNDBITE

much simpler if I hosted this year, and I’m really looking forward to it.’ Invite them to contribute: ‘I’m counting on you to bring your amazing cherry cheesecake!’ If they still protest, suggest they have the family over on a different day. “What most parents want is simply to spend time with you,” says Vermeulen.

3

I think my seven year old suspects that Santa isn’t real… Should I say something?

Reality dawns when a child’s developing logic, or a smartass sibling or friend, points out the glaring inconsistencies in Santa’s story. You want to prolong the magic, but can fibbing about it undermine your child’s trust in you later?

Solution: “I don’t believe in lying to children,” says Vermeulen. “If the Santa secret is revealed, brush off questions with: ‘Well everyone has their own ideas.’

If your child persists, ask them what they think. If they reveal they know it’s fantasy, talk them through why

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adults fib about magical figures – context is important. You can explain that when they were little they believed talking bunnies in stories were as real as their brothers and sisters, so adults tell the story of Santa to make Christmas more magical for children. It’s also important to tell them that the idea of Santa only giving presents to good children is a sneaky adult way of making sure they behave…

Even if it’s only effective in the build-up to Christmas.”

4

What’s the best way to handle conflict around the festive table?

Being together with the whole family is bound to bring up unresolved tensions and rivalries, causing sparks to fly. In a survey conducted by Leonard Felder, author of When Difficult Relatives Happen to Good People, 75% of people reported having at least one family member who irritated or upset them, and 68% found family gatherings frustrating.

5

My in-laws buy us eye-wateringly expensive gifts every year and seem to expect the same in return. How can we keep things affordable?

Each year, presents seem to become more expensive and expectations rise in direct proportion. Giving is part of the spirit of Christmas, but nothing dissipates that spirit faster than sliding into debt or feeling resentful.

Solution: Phone or email the entire family (so no one is singled out) suggesting that given the tight times, gifts should be limited to children under 12 and/or to a certain value. “Encourage kids to make gifts for the adults,” suggests Joburg-based financial adviser Winnie Kunene. Or go the Secret Santa route: everyone is randomly assigned a recipient for whom they have to buy a gift. Turn it into an annual tradition, where you draw names for next year’s recipient.

Consider giving an ‘experiential present’, says Kunene. “Promise to take the person somewhere for a fun time together, whether it’s a beach, a park, a meal or a show. Giving someone your time is the best gift of all.” See page 72 for more on how to save this season.

ILLUSTRATIONS: TOBY NEWSOME

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Solution: ”Be aware of buttonpushing,” says Vermeulen.

“The family in which you were raised installed these buttons, so a gettogether is likely to activate them.

Get a grip on what your baggage is.

When it’s their baggage, there’s no need for you to react. Bear in mind that criticism is the most devious means we use to make ourselves feel better – it says more about the critic than the person being criticised.”

A common mistake is to ‘have it out’ with a difficult relative to clear the air, says Felder. But in doing so, you risk a messy scene that can ruin the day for everyone. You’re usually far better off letting hurtful comments slide past you. Focus on your breathing and tell yourself ‘whatever’. If possible, smile. It can help if you try to understand the perspective of a cranky person, especially when they’re elderly. They may be in physical discomfort, or just wanting attention. Don’t take it personally. Tell yourself that in the holiday spirit, you will be forgiving.

If, a few days later, a particular behaviour still bothers you, then take it up with the person in question.

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MY AUNT HAS A FEW TOO MANY AND BEHAVES BADLY… A glass or two can enhance the festivities, but excess alcohol can bring out the worst in people…  Solution: Try to head them off in advance: instruct the family member you have assigned to bar duty to keep an eye on those who get obnoxious when inebriated, and to space out their drinks, ply them with nonalcoholic beverages between rounds, and see that they keep eating to slow alcohol absorption. But, don’t try to manage the situation too closely as it’ll ruin the mood.

Cheers!

Here’s to the sunny summer days and balmy summer nights of the festive season... Keep cool and party on with these dazzling DIY drinks

RECIPES SERVE 1 Beluga Noble Russian Vodka, R529.99

KIWI KICK You could think of this as one of your five-a-day…

Muddle 2 peeled and chopped kiwis and a handful of ice in a shaker. Add 4 tsp (20ml) simple syrup and 1 tot (25ml) lemon juice. Shake well. Add 2 tots (50ml) Beluga vodka, then strain into a glass filled with ice.

Garnish with kiwi slices.

SUGARLANDIAN HURRICANE Fruity, fun and rather good-looking...

Mix together 2 tots (50ml) each Don Papa rum and passion fruit juice, 2 Tbsp (30ml) each lime juice and orange juice, and 1 Tbsp (15ml) each simple syrup and grenadine syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a large hurricane or cocktail glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

AVAILABLE AT SELECTED PICK N PAY STORES NATIONWIDE. ALL PRICES ARE FOR 750ML BOTTLES, AND CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Espolòn Tequila Reposado, R399.99

PROMOTION

THE BEE’S KNEES

ESPOLÓMA

Sweet and refreshing.

Shake 4 Tbsp (60ml) Malfy Gin and 4 tsp (20ml) each honey or simple syrup and fresh lemon juice with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice.

A twist on a Paloma, a Mexican cocktail.

Combine 2 tots (50ml) Espolòn tequila, 1 tot (25ml) lime juice, ½ tot (13ml) each Grand Marnier or Triple Sec and grapefruit juice, and 3 dashes of bitters in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir and top with 100ml soda. Garnish with a wedge of lime or grapefruit.

Malfy Gin, R399.99

MORE GREAT TIPPLES TO STOCK UP ON

Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum, R499.99

DARK ’N STORMY The perfect thirst-quenching blend of deep aromatic notes and citrus zing.

Pour 2 tots (50ml) Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, 1 tsp (5ml) lime bitters and lime juice to taste into a highball glass. Stir.

Top with ice and 1 can (200ml) good-quality ginger beer.

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Inverroche Gin Amber, R379.99; Tanqueray London Dry Gin, R229.99; Ron Zacapa Rum, R549.99; Don Papa Small Batch Rum, R449.99; Absolut Vodka, R239.99