✢ Family fun for Lulu “What I’m wishing for is that my two grandchildren, Isabella, nearly two, and Teddy, four months, don’t get sick during the celebrations. I’m so looking forward to Christmas.
I’m going to my daughter-in-law Alannah’s family, so there will be lots of us. It’ll be noisy, but great fun. Now I have grandchildren, I always want to spend the festive season with them.”
✢ Wild at Heart actress Hayley Mills “My wish is that I could be with my sister Juliet, who lives in California, and my brother Jonathan in Tasmania. I live in London, so we rarely get to see each other. One of my most memorable Christmases was after my parents (Sir John Mills and dramatist Mary Hayley Bell) passed away in 2005. Juliet and I wanted to celebrate their lives, so we rented two houses in Utah for both our families. It was wonderful and only because of our parents’ support throughout our lives that we could do it.”
Christma My dear
From what they’re hoping for on the big d this Christmas, to their best ever presents and asks some of our favourite celebrities for the
✢ Sensational Sarah Lancashire “I’m not very materialistic and so when it comes to Christmas, for me, it’s not about all the trappings and receiving presents but all about family. Just being together and having a lovely time is what’s most important. So that’s what’s on my wish list this – and every – Christmas.” 18
✢ Our favourite doc – Martin Clunes “We have all the family come to us in Dorset – 15 in the house – and it’s mad, but brilliant. My wish is that it will be as good as it always is with the kids, my daughter Emily and her cousins, thump, thump, thumping down the landing when they wake up and see their stockings. All that stuff. Emily’s 12 now, but she still loves Father Christmas. She keeps telling my wife she (my wife, that is) should have a stocking because it’s great! We all cook – everyone mucks in – and we’ve all got a role. Mother-in-law lays the table, brothers and sisters-in-law provide the turkey, we cook it… all to the accompaniment of Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody. It’s one of my favourite Christmas songs as beauty is in the eyes of Noddy Holder! Sorry! My best ever Christmas present? That’s easy – my Jack Russell dog, James Henry, known as Jim.”
Merry Christmas from YOURS
✢ Dancing queen Arlene Phillips “My best present ever couldn’t possibly be narrowed down to one, but my favourite thing is when my family make me beautiful cards or gifts, as they always mean so much to me. They really make it a very special time.”
star chat
masWish
arest
g day and how they’ll be spending ents and most memorable Yuletide – Yours s for their festive thoughts ✢ Corrie’s Fiz, aka actress Jennie McAlpine “For Christmas this year, I’m hoping that everyone loves the restaurant I’ve just opened in Manchester as much as I do! It’s called Annie’s and it’s a dream come true for me and my partner, Chris. Last Christmas, it was still the dream, this year it’s a reality! Annie’s, so called because it’s in St Anne’s Square in Manchester, is where I’ll be this Christmas. But while Chris is front of house, I’ll be more likely in the back washing up! Even so, my Christmas will definitely be better than Fiz’s.”
✢ DCI Banks star Stephen Tompkinson “I’ve recently settled in Weybridge, Surrey, with my partner, Elaine. We’ll be enjoying our first Christmas there together with my daughter, Daisy, who is 12.”
✢ TV chef James Martin “All the folks are coming to me this year – there’ll be about 12 of us – so my wish is that all the cooking goes well and that everyone enjoys it. My mother will be doing the turkey and the roast potatoes, and I’ll be doing everything else, all the trimmings. I’ll also be responsible for the Christmas pud!” ✢ TV sweetheart Katherine Kelly “I’m wishing for a rest and a holiday. I’m really not complaining, but I haven’t stopped since I left Corrie this time last year. Most of 2012 was taken up with Mr Selfridge, which starts on ITV in the New Year.” ✢ EastEnders’ Mo, aka actress Laila Morse “I’m in panto in Croydon this year, so my biggest Christmas wish is that it goes well. Christmas Day is my only day off, so I’ll be at home in London with the family having Christmas dinner and thinking about going to work the next day. It’ll be very different to some of the other Christmases I’ve had, like going out to LA with my much-missed old friend, the late Wendy Richard, and seeing my brother (Hollywood actor Gary Oldman). The best ever gift I’ve ever had is the fact that my mum is still here with us.” Merry Christmas from YOURS
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PICS: SVEN ARNSTEIN; TVTIMES/SCOPE; TONY WARD/SCOPE; EYEVINE; GETTY IMAGES; REX FEATURES; ITV; PA; THINKSTOCK; ISTOCKPHOTO
✢ Adorable Anne Reid “I’m wishing for snow – lots of it. Then I’d like somebody to bring a sleigh to the door and I’d have a sleigh ride with my two little grandsons. I’d then like to watch White Christmas, and we’d roast some chestnuts on an open fire, listen to Mel Tormé and have the odd glass of champagne. On Christmas Day I’ll be with family so I won’t have to venture into the kitchen! As for a gift? In an ideal world, I’d like a bigger flat, big enough to put my baby grand piano in. It’s been in storage since 2002, but I simply can’t bear to part with it.”
✢ Velvet and velour can be flattering, so wear velour where you want to look slimmer!
Jacket up to size 32
Grey velvet waterfall jacket, £55, sequin skirt, £45, both10-20, Per Una at Marks & Spencer; top, £25,10-18, Red Herring at Debenhams; shoes, £15, 3-8, F&F at Tesco; clutch, £8, F&F at Tesco; necklace, £20, Bhs
✢ Balance out this sequin jacket with simple, yet stylish separates. Pat wears: Gold sequin jacket, £79,12-32, Coleen Nolan at Marisota; metallic top, £20, 8-18, Red Herring at Debenhams; black trousers, £25,10-18, F&F at Tesco; shoes, £25, 3-7, Bhs; earrings, £8, Isme
✢ This sheer-sleeved top has a subtle way of covering arms. Sue wears: Black sheer sleeve top, £50,12-32, Marisota; sequin skirt, £28, 6-18, Next; tights, £8, www. mytights.com; shoes, £35, 3-8, Marks & Spencer; necklace, £15, Wallis
T he perfect party separates
By Jo Winch
Create a fabulous glitzy look with these versatile but festive outfits 40
Merry Christmas from YOURS
Style notes
✢ Stick to one sequined item an outfit and keep accessories to a minimum. Pat wears: Gold sequin top, £49.50, 8-18, M&S; trousers, £42, 8-18, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams; pumps, £20, 3-8, M&Co; necklace, £15, Jon Richard at Debenhams Stockists: Bhs 08444 116000; Debenhams 08445 616161; M&Co 0800 0317 200; Isme 0844 8118112; Marisota www.marisota.co.uk; M&S 0845 609 0200; Next 0844 844 8939; Tesco 0800 505 555; Details correct at time of going to press
Now visit www.yours.co.uk on how to look great this festive season
✢ Confidence and comfort is the key to looking glamorous, and that’s easy with this smart, stylish and versatile outfit. Top, £39, 8-22, M&Co; velour trousers, £22.50, 8-22, M&S; shoes, £40, 4-8EEE fitting, Joanna Hope at Marisota
Next issue: Update your party look for less
✢ Add some wow factor to your party wear with this top. We tied a ribbon at the waist to help define Sue’s curves. Sue wears: Purple sequin top, £40, 12-32, Claire Sweeney at Marisota; velour pencil skirt, £25, 8-22, M&S; black ribbon belt, stylist’s own; shoes, £30, 3-8, M&Co; earrings, £12, M&S; bangle, £15, Jon Richard at Debenhams
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PHOTOS: RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST; JO WINCH; HAIR AND MAKEUP: SARAH JANE GREEN; ISTOCK PHOTO
Stylish sleeves
Recharge your
health
Cranberries... rich in Vitamin C These festive berries are rich in Vitamin C and count towards your five a day. The only snag is that, because they are quite bitter, cranberry products often contain lots of sugar. If you go for a cranberry drink choose a light version, or add a handful of fresh berries to a cake or crumble for a festive twist.
Turkey... packed with protein Britain’s favourite festive dish is packed with protein and is low in saturated fat, so feel free to tuck in on Christmas Day. “As long as you don’t eat too much of that nice, crispy skin, turkey has got the potential to be really healthy,” says dietician Iona Taylor.
WHY CHRISTMAS
IS GOOD FOR YOU! Tired of hearing how bad it is for us? Well, here’s the good news! It’s not all doom and gloom. Festive treats like chocolate, cheese and a glass or two of wine can actually benefit you
Veggies... for healthy nutrients Carrots, peas, parsnips and sprouts all provide a great mix of nutrients, as well as fibre. Just don’t overcook the sprouts. “The nutrients will leach out into the water,” warns Iona. “Cook them lightly and they will retain their Vitamin C.” And 15 per cent of our Vitamin C come from potatoes. “Cook them with a little olive oil and garlic instead of duck fat. Olive oil is low in saturates and people won’t notice the difference,” says Iona. (See pages 94 and 95 for more healthy Christmas recipe ideas.) 44
Merry Christmas from YOURS
food for thought
Roast chestnuts are a sin-free festive treat so enjoy them while they’re in the shops, after all, they’re not around for that long. “They have a low-fat, low-sugar content, and they are starchy so they will keep you full for an hour or two,” says Iona. “There are no negatives to chestnuts and they are really delicious.”
Spices... health boosting Christmas spices, such as ginger, cinnamon and cloves, all have health-boosting benefits. Ginger has antioxidant properties, while cloves and cinnamon may help to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Plus, of course, adding spices to Christmas recipes, rather than salt or sugar, is a great way to make them healthier.
Dried fruit... high in iron
Chocolate... what more’s to be said?
Dried figs, apricots and dates are low in fat and contain plenty of iron. And, because they are also high in fibre, they’ll help to keep your bowels in working order too!
Yes, chocolate is high in calories, but the flavanols it contains can also have huge health benefits. The people of San Blas Island in Central America drink flavanol-rich cocoa every day and have normal blood pressure whatever their age. It’s thought that the flavonols in the cocoa help to keep their arteries flexible. To reap the health benefits of chocolate go for bars that are higher in cocoa and lower in sugar and fat, suggests Iona. “This has the added advantage that you can’t easily scoff lots of it because it’s very rich,” she says.
Brandy butter... good for the soul Packed with saturated fat, alcohol and sugar, sadly there’s no goodness to be had from brandy butter: “It’s good for the soul, but that’s about it,” says Iona. But we only eat it once a year, so what the heck!
Festive health boosters
Top tip To make your mince pies a little healthier, roll your pastry slightly thinner than usual and add a little stewed apple to your mincemeat.
✢ Christmas shopping Pounding the pavements as you hunt for family gifts is every bit as good as visiting the gym. As well as giving your heart and lungs a workout, the extra weight provided by shopping bags helps to tone muscles and keep bones strong.
✢ Singing A sing-song is good for us, research shows. It gives your lungs a good workout and increases the flow of oxygen to your brain. Singing has even been shown to help with depression.
✢ Alcohol The odd Christmas tipple could do you some good. If you don’t regularly drink more than one or two units a day, a moderate alcohol intake has been shown to increase bone strength in women and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
✢ Games Whether it’s playing on the Wii with the grandchildren or a hand of cards, family games are excellent for your grey matter. “Games stimulate your sense of wellbeing,” says chartered psychologist Lynne Jordan, “and give the opportunity to feel connected to one another.” (For activities to enjoy together this Christmas, see pages 52-53.)
✢ Socialising It’s a fact – spending time with loved ones does us good. “Spending time with people who you care for, and who care for you, can make a big difference to your sense of wellbeing and bring down your stress levels and heart rate,” says Lynne. Merry Christmas from YOURS
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PICS: RUTH JENKINSON; ISTOCK PHOTO; STOCK FOOD; IMAGE SOURCE; ALAMY
Chestnuts... a sin-free treat
BUDGET BEATERS £1.69
£2.99 £1.4 9
If you’re feeding family and friends over Christmas, prepare your menus now. Home cook some festive food, including soups and sauces, and store them in the freezer until you need them. This way, you’ll save money on supermarket buys.
99p BEST BUY Head to a Home Bargains store for penny-pinching decorations, including sparkly peacock tree decorations (99p), jolly ‘HOHOHO’ wall hanging (£1.69), and top your tree with an adorable felt angel (£1.49). Plus, glam up your
| IT’S A FACT |
60%
Christmas table for less with metallic table ornaments (£2.99) and silver napkin rings (99p, 4-pack). More than 280 stores UK-wide, to find yours visit www.tjmorris.co.uk. For more inspiration, turn to p97.
Watching the
pennies
Merry Christmas from YOURS
Be the host with the most this Christmas, with 20 per cent off all Best in Glass entertaining products. Choose from appetiser platters, cocktail shakers, bottle chillers and other great gifts, including this cheeseboard gift set for £19.99 (rrp £24.99). Visit shop. best-in-glass.com or call 0844 809 4736 and quote ‘BIGYY12’ until December 18 to get them in time for Christmas. Some items may require longer delivery times, so check before ordering. Standard delivery £3.99, or free on orders over £50.
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s E ur SIV F YoCLU OF EX 0%
of women use money-off and discount vouchers to cut the cost of Christmas, while 32 per cent use credit card points and rewards to pay for How to... presents. A quarter Save on Christmas entertaining plan to recycle unwanted gifts from previous years!
Cash in the attic
Ask Michael...
Perfume has been used for thousands of years to enhance the attractiveness of the wearer – or mask unpleasant smells in the times before regular bath days! Most perfume bottles before the 20th century were sold empty to store perfume pre-mixed from a chemist. In the 19th century the latest fashions were reflected in the decorative bottles used to store perfume. In the 1880s, parfumiers began commissioning bottles for specific fragrances. Collectors tend to focus on bottles from recognised glass makers, such as Lalique. However, perfume bottles massproduced by famous modern brands often have a lower price tag than rare pieces by less well-known companies. Unopened bottles or those in their original boxes are generally more valuable. This Forties ‘Christmas Tree’ holiday presentation of ‘Pinx’ perfume for De Raymond is valued at £380-£420.
The Yours money expert Michael Wilson answers your questions
lead to a richer retirement! Enhanced annuities allow for medical and lifestyle conditions, including sleep apnoea. So tell your pension provider about any health issues to potentially boost retirement income.
GREENWATCH Turn down the thermostat and zip up a cosy Shlomper – the new winter-warming loungewear. It offers a stylish 100 per cent cotton alternative to dressing gowns. It’s available in two styles and a range of colours, in sizes 8-18, priced from £30. Buy Shlompers by calling 0208 421 4918 or from www.shlomper.com We have three to give away. To be in with a chance EXTRA of winning, send entries marked Yours/Shlompers FOR YOU to PO Box 57, Coates, Peterborough PE7 2FF by December 14, 2012, stating your preferred size.
Michael says: This is a hard decision to make. But the financial side of this might not be as bad as you anticipate. Running a car is expensive, and some of the costs are invisible. You might be surprised at how much money you save by selling the car. Each year, the AA produces a table showing the full cost of motoring based on the age, make and model of car, together with the expected annual mileage. The big invisible cost is the annual depreciation in the car. The newer the car, the greater the depreciation. Based on the information you sent me, I have worked out your car is currently costing you £3,300 a year – or £63.50 per week. This includes depreciation, insurance, road tax, servicing and MOT and petrol. So you would have to spend more than £63.50 a week on taxis before you were at a financial disadvantage in selling your car. Even though this makes financial sense, I do appreciate you might not want to spend so much on taxis. But look at the cost as being a convenient way to maintain the independence you currently enjoy.
If you do not want to be contacted in the future by Yours magazine please write ‘No Further Contact’ clearly on the postcard.
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Now visit www.yours.co.uk for more great money-saving advice
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Next issue: Cheap but stylish Christmas wrapping
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
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PICS: MASTERFILE; THINKSTOCK. WORDS: SARAH JAGGER
| DID YOU KNOW? | Snoring could
I am an 87-year-old widower and now feel uncomfortable driving, especially in the dark. But if I stop driving I will lose my independence or have to spend a lot of money on taxis. Do you have any advice?
Q
Remember
Snowflake Bowls You will need ❄ Snowflake paper punch ❄ Red paper ❄ Crafts glue ❄ Sponge brush ❄ White crockery 1 Punch snowflakes from red paper. 2 Dilute crafts glue with water, to the consistency of heavy cream.
Once decorated don’t use for serving food or drink
3 Apply glue to each snowflake using a sponge brush and attach to crockery. 4 Lightly brush glue over snowflakes to seal. Allow to dry.
Flames of Green You will need: ❄ Tall glasses ❄ Flat evergreen pieces ❄ Spray-on adhesive ❄ Scissors/secateurs ❄ Candles to fit in the glasses 1 Clean the glasses thoroughly. 2 Coat the greenery with spray adhesive. Wait for it to become tacky before attaching to the glass, with ends overlapping the bottom. This is easier if you use glasses with stems. 3 Allow the greenery to dry, then trim along the bottom. 4 Set candles inside, and light carefully.
From Best of Christmas Ideas by Better Homes and Gardens (Wiley, £9.99). Available from www.wiley.com.
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Merry Christmas from YOURS
Ribbon Poinsettia Wreath You will need: ❄ Red ribbon 4-10cm (2½-4in) wide ❄ Pins ❄ Fabric-covered wire ❄ Artificial stamens, or beads ❄ Craft glue ❄ Green ribbon 5-8cm (2-3in) wide ❄ Polystyrene wreath ❄ Surform shaver tool ❄ Very wide ribbon, for hanging
1 To make poinsettias, cut 25cm (10in) lengths of red ribbon. Cut diagonally, into three diamonds. Pinch each diamond across its short axis, and pin to pleat. Form a 6-petalled blossom with three diamonds. Secure the centres by twisting wire around the back, then remove pins. Glue beads
A wreath you can keep to display year after year
Christmas Centrepiece You will need: ❄ Candle ❄ Flat cake stand with raised edge, or a bowl ❄ 5 nectarines or red apples ❄ 5 peaches ❄ 10 cherries ❄ 1 small bunch green grapes ❄ 1 handful redcurrants ❄10 roses ❄ 2 clematis or ivy vines
occasionally stacking the fruit. 2 Fill gaps with grapes, cherries, and, finally, redcurrants. 3 Add the roses, placed so the stems reach the bottom of the stand or bowl. 4 Drape and tuck in the vines, and add water to the stand or bowl. Designed by Julie Collins from the Academy of Floral Art. Julie and fellow florist Tina Parkes will release their first book in April 2013. www. academyoffloralart.com.
1 Place the candle in the centre of the stand or bowl and arrange nectarines and peaches around it. Create different levels by
Top Tip
onto the blossom. 2 Make leaves with 12½cm (5in) lengths of green ribbon. With right side down, fold into an L-shape. Fold the upper leg down to cover the lower leg, and the edges should line up to make a triangle. Pin the open end. 3 Round off the edges of the wreath with the shaving tool. Wrap with ribbon (pin to secure) and tie on a wide ribbon. Attach poinsettias and leaves with straight pins (hide them within ribbon folds and overlapping blossoms as you go). From Martha Stewart’s Crafts for All Occasions (David & Charles). Order for the special price of £14.99 (rrp £19.99) with free UK p&p by calling RUCraft on 0844 880 5851 or visit www.rucraft. co.uk/martha-stewart-crafts-for-all-occasions and quote code R11773 upon checkout.
Make different coloured snowflakes to tell glasses apart
Wine Glass Decorations You will need: ❄ White pearlescent card ❄ Gold glitter gel pen ❄ Snowflake templates (see p65) 1 Cut a snowflake shape from card. Remember to make space for a stem through the middle. Decorate with glitter pen. 2 Cut a diagonal slit through
one side and slide onto the glass stem. From Spellbinders Quick & Easy Crafts for Entertaining by Stacey Caron and Tanya Fox (Search Press). Order for the special price of £9.99 (rrp £10.99) with free UK p&p by calling 01892 510850, quoting Let’s Knit. Visit www. searchpress.com for more ideas.
Merry Christmas from YOURS
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Your memories
Gran’s
Christmas magic Joanna Lawson remembers Christmases spent with her gran and ‘granda’ in the Sixties
ran’s birthday was on December 15, so we would always wait until the day after to send Granda down to the basement to bring up the Christmas tree. It was then placed in the bay window in the front room for the passers-by to admire. The same box of decorations came out year after year. It included Chinese lanterns, multi-coloured glass baubles and ancient fairy lights. How the tree never blew up is anyone’s guess, as the lights were old and the wiring haphazard. Luckily, no accidents ever occurred! Gran and Granda lived in County Durham, so it was inevitable that at some point over the festive season snowflakes would start to fall – gently at first, then harder, until a deep layer had formed and the ground
G
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Merry Christmas from YOURS
was covered like the deliciously thick royal icing that enveloped the marzipan on one of Gran’s Christmas cakes. Once, we tried to open the front door but the snow had fallen so thickly in the night that it was jammed with snow and we had to wait for a neighbour to dig us out! The tribulations the weather brought were probably not so good for adults, but the snow was hugely exciting for us children. The schools would often close for about a week due to the heavy snowdrifts. Granda gave me his wooden sledge that he had used as a boy, and I would trudge up the hills
and whizz down. My feet became numb with cold but nobody cared because we were having so much fun. We used to build huge snowmen and used real pieces of coal from people’s coal sheds for the eyes. The weather often remained cold and frosty for weeks, causing the snow to sparkle and shimmer as though glitter had been sprinkled liberally over the entire town. What a beautiful sight it was, with the bare trees magically decorated with white icicles suspended from the branches like delicate glass baubles. Once the Christmas tree had gone up, Gran insisted on
‘Granda gave me his wooden sledge that he had used as a boy, and I would whizz down the hills’
Gran and Granda always made Christmas so special. Left, Joanna aged five with Gran and baby brother Jonathan
a bottle handy at home and if anyone felt under the weather and a ‘baking soda drink’ hadn’t done the trick, then a small medicinal glass of ginger wine definitely would. I was a testament to that on more than one occasion! As we didn’t have a freezer,
‘It was rare to see anyone out and about on Christmas Eve and it really was a silent night’ when Gran did her baking for Christmas she prepared huge batches of mince pies and stored them in tins piled three-high in the pantry, where they kept very well. She continued baking until Christmas Eve afternoon, when she would stop and take a well-earned rest. The turkey was stuffed and ready to go in the gas oven overnight on a very low setting. The vegetables – carrots, sprouts, cauliflower, parsnips and potatoes – would all
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be peeled, chopped and placed in pans of cold, salted water. The Christmas pudding, having been made months in advance, was carefully unwrapped from the muslin cloth. All that was left to do was to prepare the gravy and white sauce. Most of the hard work was done. On Christmas Eve, all the shops were closed by dinnertime, having been open for only a few hours, if they had opened at all. Petrol stations were closed and car owners had to fill their tanks days before. It was rare to see anyone out and about on Christmas Eve and it really was a silent night, free from noise, people and traffic. The only exceptions were the carol singers, of course, who would call late in the afternoon to sing several beautifully orchestrated songs before knocking on the door for their reward of a mince pie, or a ‘tuppence’ if they were collecting for a worthwhile charity. The night had an air of holy tranquillity which nobody could deny, whether or not they were religious. We would have our first taste of the much-anticipated Christmas cake on Christmas Eve, accompanied by a generous chunk of Wensleydale cheese. Not one for alcohol, Gran made an exception at this special time of year and Granda would pour her one small sweet sherry while he enjoyed a Guinness. After I’d had my supper of bread soaked in warm milk topped with a spoonful of treacle, I hung my stocking in the front room by the fireplace. Then, despite my insistence of not being in the slightest bit tired, Gran would take me upstairs and tuck me into my bed where I’d listen for the jingling of sleigh bells until I fell asleep – usually within minutes! Merry Christmas from YOURS
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decorating the whole downstairs with streamers, paper chains and all manner of cheap and cheerful decorations from the indoor market. She always bought poinsettia plants in spray-painted pots as they looked so festive and rather grand. I have never been able to keep these beautiful plants without them wilting, but Gran’s adorned the windowsills until well into the middle of January. There was no central heating in the house, and the windows were draughty, rattling at the slightest breeze – not like the doubleglazed windows that everyone has these days. We would dress accordingly, with no one giving a thought to what was deemed fashionable. I wore a thermal vest, then a petticoat, then a thick dress or jumper that Gran had made for me. Layering helped to keep the cold at bay. At night, there were thick heavy blankets to put over the beds, hot water bottles and, most importantly, hand-knitted bed socks as both Gran and I suffered from freezing feet. Gran was probably at her busiest at Christmas. Not only did she bake for friends and family, there were also so many fairs and events requiring a contribution or two from her, not to mention the Women’s Institute, of which she was an extremely valued member. Toffees, fudges, truffles and peppermints were popular, as were smaller cakes, traditional mince pies, Yule logs and creamfilled brandy snaps. Gran’s homemade wines were occasionally donated, but it was her ginger wine that was the best known as it was hailed as a cure-all for every ailment from sniffly colds to arthritic pains. She always had
FOOD
notes
8 Good-for-you
festive treats Share these angelic ideas with your nearest and dearest
TURN OVER FOR...
SIDE DISHES
DESSERTS
COCKTAILS
urkey is leaner than most meats, so you can still join in with Christmas dinner if you’re watching your figure – just stay away from the skin! All those vegetables are good for you, as long as they’re not swimming in butter, and you’re sensible with your portion sizes. It’s those little extras that can add up. So, try our lower-fat, festive survival guide. A new Christmas tradition, perhaps?
T
500 CALORIES/ 30g FAT*
Chestnut Stuffed Turkey Delicious, fruity, and low in calories Serves: 10 Per serving: 149 cals Fat: 2.3g Sat fat: 0.5g
Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes ✢ 1 tbsp oil ✢ 1 small onion, finely chopped ✢ 115g (4oz) prepared chestnuts, finely chopped ✢ 50g (2oz) dried apricots, finely chopped ✢ 1/2 red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped ✢ 2 tbsp mixed chopped herbs ✢ Sea salt and black pepper ✢ 2x500g (1lb) boneless turkey breasts
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Meanwhile, heat the oil and fry the onions for a few minutes to soften. 2 Add the chestnuts, apricots and pepper, and fry for a few more minutes. Remove from the heat, add the herbs and season well. 3 Place one turkey breast, cut side up, on a work surface. Spread the stuffing over then cover with the second turkey breast, cut side down. 4 Secure the turkey with string. Loosely wrap in foil and roast in a tin for 1 hour 30 minutes.
* BASED ON AVERAGE SIZE PORTION
SAVE
© www.britishturkey.co.uk Merry Christmas from YOURS
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