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keep the holiday vibe alive all year round!
DITCH THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR
Garden Trends FOR 2021
New Year NEW LOOK
TAY LO R S W I F T H A P P Y AT H O M E
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Contents 06 TAYLOR SWIFT: THE MILLIONAIRE HOMEBODY
18 NO NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ARE THE BEST RESOLUTIONS
10 TAKE YOUR GARDEN INTO 2021
22 ORGANISE YOUR KITCHEN LIKE A PRO
14 NEW YEAR NEW LOOK
26 KEEPING THE HOLIDAY VIBE ALIVE ALL YEAR!
30 WHY YOUR HOME OFFICE DESERVES A REVAMP
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
38 34 A HAPPY, HEALTHY YOU IN 2021
RECIPES FROM THE HEART
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The Team
TAYLOR SWIFT
THE MILLIONAIRE HOMEBODY Best known for her hits like Shake it Off and Love Story along with her dignified handling of Kayne West’s hijacking of her VMA, Taylor Swift is also notorious for her love of being a homebody.
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This singing superstar, writer, Vogue cover girl and down to earth role model loves the stage and performing but is happiest when she is at home with her rumoured fiancé Joe
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Alwyn playing domestic goddess. For fans, or ‘Swifties’ as they are known, Taylor Swift’s social media is flooded not with celebrity engagements but rather with her favourite recipes, images of her beloved cats Olivia, Meredith and Benjamin, snaps of home baked cookies and her love of hosting friends and family for casual meals in her home.
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Despite her international celebrity status, Swift has gone to great lengths to keep her current romance with English Actor Joe Alywn out of the social pages. After a series of high profile relationships, Swift is keeping this one close to her chest. Taylor Swift is happiest in comfy clothing, snuggling on her couch, feeding her loved ones and letting her creative juices flow. She loves her role as writer, musician and performer but feels the most comfortable in the confines of her own home.
And, that is why when the global pandemic hit and the whole world was forced into lockdown, Taylor Swift was able to use the forced isolation as a platform for creativity. She spent the early days of quarantine in the US with Alywn watching old movies and being inspired by the classics and other peoples art and gift for storytelling.
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“Taylor Swift was able to use the forced isolation as a platform for creativity.�
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Absorbing other people’s talents sparked a desire for her to create something special. Swift collaborated with “William Bowery” to write and create her seminal album folklore (styled in lower case). Not surprisingly Swift has since hinted that her collaborator was in fact long term love Joe Alywn. This surprise “lockdown” album has been described by critics as nothing short of extraordinary and demonstrates just how much the songstress thrives in her home environment. Her latest album filled with muted piano’s and quiet, whimsical lyrics is a stunning example of an artist reaching their peak.
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Whilst others understandably struggled during what has been an incredibly difficult year, Swift’s love of being at home has seen her use the forced lockdown as a time to explore her creativity, give back and connect to her fans in so many ways, produce some incredible music as well as experiment even more in the kitchen!
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TAKE
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YOUR GARDEN INTO 2021 10
Along with baking, online yoga classes and working from home, gardening has experienced a massive surge in popularity since Covid hit. Self isolation saw many of us head to our gardens and balconies to connect with nature and return to our roots whilst others embraced the increasing trend for bringing the outdoors in with indoor greenery becoming a hot new trend. As we embrace 2021 let’s take a sneak peak at what is taking the gardening world by storm:
S U S TA I N A B L E GARDENS The sustainable gardening movement continues to thrive with more and more people wanting to ensure that their gardens are environmentally friendly. Some of the best tips to ensure that you have a sustainable garden include: ● ● ● ● ● ●
Make your own compost Plant native Practice water conservation Use mulch Plant trees Try to go organic with pests, weeds and fertiliser wherever possible.
They have been around for a while now but vertical gardens have never been so popular
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VERTICAL GARDEN
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effortlessly. To achieve this you need to look closely at your plant selection favouring plants that work well both outside and in such as potted palms, ferns and succulents.
EDIBLE GARDENS
as they are currently. People with limited space – especially those in apartments are absolutely loving the colour, calm and sense of serenity that a vertical garden provides without taking up much space. They can be used on balconies, in kitchens and bathrooms and even on internal walls. They are easy to maintain and are a great way of bringing nature into a small space.
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INSIDE OUTSIDE GARDEN
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Especially in Australia the transition from indoors to outside should be seamless so our gardens should be the same. The garden should simply feel like an extension of your home merging the two spaces
Never has there been a better time than now to create a kitchen garden. If you have a larger garden you can get creative and grow a plethora of veggies including lettuces, tomatoes and even peas. If you have limited space then herbs such as parsley, basil and rosemary are easy to grow in pots.
RAISED GARDEN BEDS On the back of the trend for edible gardens, raised gardens beds full of herbs are the new go to in gardening. Completely versatile and adaptable they can go almost anywhere. In the corner of a garden, on a discarded concrete slab or an old kitchen trolley as long as they get plenty of sunlight and you make sure that they never become too thirsty they will thrive with very little maintenance required.
HOUSE PLANTS The inclusion of plants inside the home is definitely the hot trend for 2021. From bathrooms to bedrooms and every room in between indoor plants are proving to be a dĂŠcor hit. After such a year of confinement people are loving bringing nature back into their home and enjoying the vibrancy and serenity that plants bring.
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Gardening is naturally cathartic so no better time is there than right now to embrace your green thumb and bring some light, love and natural beauty into your home.
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NEW YEAR
New Look
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2020 has been a tough year to say the least and never before have so many of us spent so much time within our own homes. Covid19 has drastically changed the way we live, the way we work and the way we socialise so it is not surprising that it has had a huge influence on the way
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we style, decorate, design and use our homes. As we farewell 2020 and look to 2021 with hope and excitement we can play around with some simple on trend design ideas that will give your home a revamp and make it a sanctuary in this crazy world.
1. Embrace the natural aesthetic Think home décor that evokes calmness, balance and wellness. Our homes
are leaning towards more down to earth interiors with an understanding that understated, uncomplicated, decluttered spaces are healthy both mentally and physically. Expect to see the rise of: • Earthy tones and natural colours. • An increased use of copper – especially
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HERE ARE 5 ON TREND IDEAS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME:
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• • •
in kitchens and bathrooms. Natural fabrics and materials. Simple, chunky shapes. Increase in wooden furnishings.
2. Colour palettes that embrace natural, soft hues Mirroring the idea of creating a natural aesthetic in the home we will see an increase in the use of warm, earthy shades as well as soft terracotta’s, browns and other muted hues.
3. Neutral walls featuring colourful artwork
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Art has a way of making people feel happy. It can connect with us on an emotional level and tell a story and can literally transform a room. With the trend for natural, neutral colours on our walls we will be seeing an increase in the use of colourful artwork to add vibrancy and life to a room.
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4. Luxury touches With so many holidays having been cancelled and with restrictions being placed on socialising we are seeing a huge increase in ‘luxury’ items in the home. People are looking for home furnishings and specialised pieces that bring them joy and comfort. From scented candles, to floral displays and cashmere throws we are seeing a significant increase in accessories within the home, which add warmth and a sense of serenity. These small touches do not have to be expensive but add huge value to the overall feel and sentiment of a space.
It appears that Millennials are getting tired of the same same white on white trend and are taking respite in traditional styles, fabrics and furnishing. The evolving trend known as Grandmillennial style is become increasingly popular with a growing interest in resisting modern in favour of embracing vintage or at
least combining the two. Feminine floral and Chintzes are making a come back as is wicker and rattan furniture. Antique feature pieces and wallpaper are also proving to be hot must have dĂŠcor features in 2021. Whatever 2021 brings you can always find joy within the sanctuary of your home and it does not take too much time, effort or expense to give your home a bit of a revival for the new year!
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5. The rise in “Grandmillennial Style�
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NO NEW YEAR’S
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Are The Best Resolutions
So why on earth would you set yourself up for probable failure? As a society we seem to have this delusional idea that come January 1st of any new year the world will miraculously change. We will finally loose weight, successfully give up smoking, run a marathon, get that promotion, pay off the credit cards and maybe even learn to meditate. Hate to rain on your parade but the whole concept of making huge life changes come January 1st is as ridiculous as it is virtually impossible. How could that be you ask? It has been ingrained in us since birth that the New Year signifies a fresh start, change, opportunity, growth, and success! How on earth could this not be true?
The simple fact is that changing habits and achieving goals is a process that does not simply come to fruition with the changing of the calendar year. In the words of Albert Einstein “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” So this New Year why don’t you change your mindset and do things a bit differently? Give yourself permission to throw the idea of making New Year resolutions out the window and allow yourself to just enjoy being you and open yourself up to all the possibilities that the New Year may bring. Abandoning resolutions is not a get out of free jail card for giving up on life and spending your days binge watching Netflix and eating your body weight in chocolate. It is rather an opportunity to do things differently - a way to move forward in a manner that actually allows you to achieve the success that you want. YOURHOME
So it might sound absolutely ridiculous when we say that no New Year’s resolutions are the best resolutions but in truth it is not ridiculous at all. It is actually factual and practical advice when in fact 80% of New Year’s resolutions end in failure by February.
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It is about setting goals and having a plan to execute them. So this New Year, resolve to let go of resolutions and instead embrace the idea of making sustainable life changes with a roadmap of how you are going to achieve them.
2. Make your mind up and commit
Here is how to replace resolutions with practical and achievable life changing solutions:
3. Write it down
1. Don't wait for January 1
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There is no better time than the present so if you want to make changes in your life then don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today.
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Change wont happen without commitment. If you want to change an aspect of your life then you need to create a mindset that will facilitate growth.
Sounds simple enough but putting pen to paper is a valuable way to physically note the changes you want to make. Documenting the process helps keep you accountable.
4. Clearly identify the reason that you want to make a change
5. Absolutely believe in yourself In order to achieve a goal you must believe with absolute certainty that you will achieve it. You might not always know exactly how you are going to make your goal a reality but in your heart of hearts you must truly believe that you can do it.
6. Track your progress Keeping abreast of your progress is vital to success. Set an achievable timeline for your goals and measure your progress.
7. Just keep going Nothing worthwhile comes easy. There will be hurdles and roadblocks along the way but if you just keep moving forward you will find that there is nothing that can stop you. Real change does not come about because a new year comes upon us. True, long lasting change can come at any point in the year when you are READY for it.
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When identifying that you want to make a change in your life it is essential to not only understand the shortterm outcome but also the true purpose of your longterm goal.
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Organise 22
Your Kitchen Like A Pro
Here are our top tips to organizing your kitchen like a pro…
1. Do a big clean out The first step in organising your kitchen is to first declutter it. Get rid of any appliances, platters, glasses and Tupperware that is showing its age or that you simply don’t use.
2. Tackle the pantry Bin anything older than a year – chances are if you haven’t eaten it in the last 365 you never will so get rid of it. Do the same for the fridge and freezer.
3. Organize your pantry Arrange your spices according to their use by date. Put similar food items such as pasta and rice together and position jars and tins neatly. Position the products that you use most often at the front for easy access.
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You don’t have to have loads of space or a big budget to organise your kitchen like a pro. Most of the time it simply comes to decluttering, organization, good storage solutions and a trusty label machine.
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4. Use baskets in your pantry Wire baskets are an inexpensive but highly effective way to organise similar food groups. For example one basket could be “Baker’s Delight” whilst another could be “Pasta Heaven”.
5. A labeller is your best friend Labelling containers, zip lock bags and pretty much anything else that can make it much easier for you to find something when you need it, is worth its weight in gold.
6. Invest in storage containers, dividers and cutlery inserts YOURHOME
One of the best things that you can do is to invest in some really good storage containers. Restrict yourself
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to buying only three sizes and get ones that are stackable. Cutlery inserts and drawer dividers are also excellent for organising drawers and keeping utensils with easy reach.
7. Store essentials close at hand Counter space is valuable property in the kitchen so be selective as to what appliances and products you allow to inhabit it. It is a good idea to keep everyday use items, like oil and salt and pepper, close at hand whilst other things that you use occasionally can be neatly stored away.
8. Be creative Think outside the box when organising your kitchen. If you have a tricky corner cupboard then something like a lazy Susan can be a real benefit in making a difficult space more functional.
In most kitchens especially ones that err on the smaller size space is at an absolute premium so make sure you utilise what you have. If cupboard space is tight you might look to use a hanging pot rack over your kitchen island to free up room in drawers and cupboards for platters and other kitchen items.
10. Keep your gadgets to a minimum Way too often we fill our kitchen with novelty gadgets that we use once and then they disappear into the depths of a draw never to see the light of day again. Unless you have a special affection for cherries then chances are you don’t need a cherry pitter in your kitchen drawer.
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9. Waste no space
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e ib V y a id l o H e h T g in Keep
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ALIVE All Year!
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We all know that sinking feeling when your holiday comes to an end and the reality of everyday life starts to creep back in, but what if there was a way to keep that holiday vibe and sense of happiness alive throughout the year? Surely, life would be so much more fun! As the saying goes “We are here for a good time, not a long time”, so why shouldn’t we make the most of it? Whilst everyday may not always be a holiday, here are some steps that you can take to keep that holiday vibe alive everyday.
TREAT YOURSELF Don’t save it until a holiday to offer yourself a chance to indulge or enjoy something just for you. Set some money aside each month and use it to buy or do something special for yourself – a facial, a massage or even purchase that dress you have had your eye on. It gives you something to look forward to every month!
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX UP YOUR ROUTINE
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Part of the joy of a holiday is the escape from the daily grind and routine. This is something that you can actually easily implement at home too. Take a different mode of transport to work each day, expand your dining
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options and visit areas that you don’t normally frequent. Spice up your exercise regime and include different sports and activities.
HOST A THEMED EVENING
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When you travel you tend to emerge yourself in the local culture so why not bring the spirit of another nation into your home. It might be a Mexican fiesta, a Greek feast, an Indian banquet or a French degustation – hosting a themed dinner party is so much fun. Cater
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your menu according to your theme, match your drinks and get your guests to dress in costume. You will be transported to another world in the space of an evening.
BECOMES A TOURIST AT HOME You don’t have to save the buzz of excitement that you get from exploring new places for holidays; this is something that you can indulge in very easily in your own back yard. Take time out to research
PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE There is nothing better than having something to look forward to so get busy and start planning your next holiday or adventure. Anticipation is a part of the fun of a holiday – the research, plotting, planning and organising creates a real sense of excitement so get moving and start planning your next escape!
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activities or local attractions in your local area. Don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons and visit different suburbs and explore different cuisines. Jump on the Internet and look at sites like Tripadvisor and ask for recommendations of fun things to do in your local area.
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Why Your Home Office DESERVES A REVAMP With the home office becoming a part of our everyday lives, never has it been more important to get the look, feel and functionality of it right. Whether you are working from home or if you have carved out a space for something you like, such as crafting or writing, your home office should be a space of practical comfort and inspiration.
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To help you create and update your own home office we have compiled so ideas and inspiration that should get your creative juices flowing and allow you to get down to business!
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KEEP IT ORGANISED A streamline workspace at home promises the ultimate in work life balance. Make sure that your home office is well organised and that everything has an easily accessible place. Labelling your filling systems and storage boxes will help to keep your workspace organised but can also add to the overall aesthetics as there are so many decorative labels now available.
LIGHT IT UP Natural light is essential for not only comfort but also for mood so if it’s possible
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to ideally position your dedicated workspace in an area that has plenty of natural light. If you don’t have a lot of natural light then you will need to bring in some extra lighting – you can get creative here and make a real impact perhaps by installing a statement pendant or freestanding lamp.
TIDY UP
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Mess creates havoc and is not conducive to productivity and has also been proven to increase a persons stress and anxiety levels so it is important that you keep your workspace spick and span. At the end of each day make sure that
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you file everything away, put everything back into its place and give your workspace a quick wipe over. This will allow you to start the new working day in a fresh and positive way.
STYLE UP Now this is the fun part. Your home office does not have to be dreary and boring - in fact a great home office should be a reflection of your personality so that it enhances the flow of creativity and makes you feel happy. There are no rules when it comes to styling your home office – simply add colour, accessories and touches that make it a space that
EMPLOY ERGONOMICS After all the fun of styling your space you can’t forget to also pay attention to the practicalities. It is vital to both your comfort and
productivity to choose a chair that offers plenty of back support. Always select your chair before your desk as you can always adjust your desk to around elbow height, which allows your forearms to rest parallel to the floor. It all sounds rather boring but ensuring that your workspace is ergonomically friendly is essential to making it a place that you can efficiently work in.
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you are happy to spend time in. Adding a rug, some greenery, a statement light or an art or gallery wall can go a long way in turning drab to fab!
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A Happy, Healthy
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YOU IN 2021
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Adios 2020 – never have so many of us been more excited to farewell one year and welcome in the New Year with a bang! Bring on 2021 and all that it has to offer. If 2020 has taught us one lesson it is the importance of both our own physical and mental health and wellbeing. So let 2021 be the year that you focus on creating a happy and healthy life for yourself.
SET GOALS AND WRITE THEM DOWN If you want to make positive changes in your life then you need to set some goals and an achievable timeline in order to reach them. Studies have shown that physically writing your
Here are 8 things that will help you to live your best life.
MAKE “ME” TIME A PRIORITY
goals down in a journal and keeping track of your progress, including bumps along the way improves your success rate in making your goals a reality.
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Most of us spend the majority of our time running ourselves ragged meeting the needs of others, often at the expense of our own self-care. But spending time doing something that you love can have a major impact on your mental wellbeing – so make it a priority!
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EXERCISE REGULARLY
GET MORE SLEEP
Find an exercise that you actually enjoy and make it part of your regular routine. It can also be fun to exercise with friends, which is a great way to catch up in a healthy way.
Never underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep when it comes to your health and mental wellbeing. Eight hours of sleep per night allows your body to recover, restore and heal.
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS
EAT WELL
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Taking time out every day to re-calibrate, meditate, breathe and simply destress does wonders for our bodies by balancing hormones, soothing muscles and aiding our digestive system. There are so many great Apps available that make it so easy to make mindfulness meditation part of your everyday routine.
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You can’t expect your body to function at its optimal potential if you are not feeding it the right fuels. Take a good look at your diet and make sure that you are feeding your body the nutrients it needs.
TICK ONE THING OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST All of us have something or many things that we dream of doing, experiencing or
LEARN THAT “NO” IS NOT A DIRTY WORD We are a society where it is almost taboo to say “No”. All too often we say “Yes” too quickly and do not say “No” soon enough. Get into the habit of taking time before you commit to something and give yourself permission to say “No” if you need to.
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achieving - whether it’s skydiving, swimming with dolphins or learning to play golf. Choose one thing on your bucket list and make 2021 the year that you tick it off the list!
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RECIPES FROM THE HEART
h t i W s b i R t r o h S n a i s A d a l a S e m i L d n A t u n o c Co
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Make the most of the spring entertaining season with this twist on an old favourite: Asian short ribs with coconut and lime salad. Serves 4.
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INGREDIENTS » 4 beef short ribs » 8cm piece of ginger, chopped » 8 garlic cloves, chopped » 6 shallots, chopped » 2 lemongrass stalks, white part chopped only » 1 litre chicken stock » 130g palm sugar, grated » ¼ cup tamarind-pulp water » ⅓ cup fish sauce
» » » » » » » »
⅓ cup dark soy 1 red chilli, halved 2 kaffir-lime leaves 2 limes, cut into wedges (to serve) Fresh coconut, shaved (to serve) Thai basil (to serve) Coriander (to serve) Jasmine rice, cooked (to serve)
METHOD
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1. Preheat oven to 150°C. Heat a large, nonstick frying pan over high heat. Cook ribs for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until brown. Place in a casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid. 2. Place ginger, garlic, shallots, and lemongrass in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Spread over beef ribs. Add chicken stock, palm sugar, tamarind-pulp water, fish sauce, soy, chilli, and lime leaves to the casserole dish and cover with baking paper. Cover with lid and cook for 2-3 hours, or until tender. 3. Remove ribs from broth. Let broth cool, then skim fat from top. Simmer broth again for 5-10 minutes, or until it thickens. Add ribs back to the pan and cook until warmed through. Serve with fresh lime, coconut, Thai basil, coriander, and a side of jasmine rice.
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