IOL Food Mag_ Dec 2021

FROM THE EDITOR

I TOLD my mother I want a real Christmas this year. I want the tree, the presents, a table groaning under the weight of the food on it. I want new clothes and I want to watch Christmas movies, while eating leftovers and drinking whatever alcoholfree beverage is available. I want the full experience and I want to sleep on the couch afterwards, unable to move.

I want to wake up the next day, go to the fridge, fix myself the best leftover meal and have it standing up, before going back to bed again. I want the Christmas of years past.

Alas, we can never go back to the pre-Covid-19 times, but we can rediscover what the festive season is all about – love and breaking bread together.

The IOL Food team has curated recipes that will make your life easy this season. From how to cater for a smaller number of people, to a six-page Christmas Day menu, it’s all designed to make things manageable.

We also share a bit of history, like why we eat the food we do during Christmas, our picks of the best wines this season, alcohol-free beverages the whole family will enjoy and how you can and should have an eco-friendly festive season.

It’s been a long year and we all deserve to put our feet up, reunite with family and have a great time. Times may be different and many will spend the season without their loved ones, but I hope you will find some joy. Happy Holidays and may you have a glorious 2022! Let’s get cooking!

Buhle