DINING

season What’s in

As we head into our sizzling hot Australian summer, regularly incorporating fresh fruits and veggies into your diet will help you beat the heat and keep you refreshed and healthy. Here are some fruits and vegetables you can find at Woolworths to keep your body happy.

Watermelon

There is no better feeling than biting into a refreshing, juicy piece of watermelon on a hot day. Watermelon is sweet, delicious, packed with vitamins and nutrients and largely made up of water - meaning it will help keep you hydrated. Enjoy watermelon fresh, frozen or juiced!

Peaches

Did you know that peaches are related to plums, apricots, cherries and almonds? Even better, peaches are bursting with vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants and reap many health benefits such as improved digestion and smoother skin. Peaches are the perfect fruit to be eaten on their own, in salads, in baked goods, or on top of your cereal.

Cherries

Cherries are a popular summertime fruit and are loved by many Australians, and for a good reason. They may be small, but cherries pack a powerful punch in delivering various health benefits such as helping reduce inflammation, may improve sleep and can boost heart health. Cherries are often sweet, tart, and deep purple and can be added to various recipes.

Spinach

Delicious on its own, in salads, or in smoothies, spinach is a highly versatile and nutritious vegetable. If you’re looking for an inexpensive yet health-boosting vegetable, look no further than spinach. Packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, the list goes on! This summer, make sure to add spinach to your shopping list.

FOOD & DINING Recipes Chocolate Hazelnut Pavlova Tower

Barbecued Chicken with Serves: 16 Really WOW your guests this Christmas with

Broad Bean & Goat’s this impressive pavlova tower. This recipe is a unique and fun twist on the iconic Australian

Cheese Salad Christmas dessert pavlova. Even better, it only takes 30 minutes of preparation but will have

Serves: 8 your guests believing you spent hours in the

Looking for a delicious salad to bring to kitchen! your Christmas function? This salad is quick and easy to make, refreshing and packed Ingredients with flavour - it’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. 300ml thickened cream 1 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredients 2 tbs mint leaves (to serve) 2 punnet raspberries 1/4 cup mint, leaves stripped, torn 1 punnet blueberries 1/4 cup continental parsley, chopped 4 pkt petite pavlovas (36 pavlovas) 120g mesclun mix 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted, chopped 1 bunch radishes, washed, trimmed, sliced 1 cup chocolate hazelnut spread 2 roast chickens 1 tbs caster sugar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbs lemon juice Method 1 tsp pepper (to serve) 120 goats cheese, crumbled Step 1: Place 17 pavlovas, flat side up in a 500g frozen broad beans circle, on a large, flat serving platter. Put 1 pinch sea salt ground (to taste) hazelnut spread into a piping bag or ziplock bag and snip the end. Pipe spread onto the

Method rounded top of 11 pavlovas and place spread side down in a smaller circle on top of the

Step 1: Add broad beans to a saucepan of pavlova round. Repeat with another 5 pavlovas, boiling salted water. Cook for 2-3 minutes or then 3 pavlovas and finish the tower with 1 until just tender. Drain and refresh in cold water. pavlova.

Slip the skins off by squeezing on one edge of each broad bean. Step 2: Whisk cream, sugar and vanilla extract with electric beaters until firm peaks form.

Step 2: Place oil and lemon juice into a Spoon cream into a piping bag or ziplock bag screw-top jar and season with salt and pepper. and cut the end. Pipe cream over the tops of

Shake to combine. Set aside until ready to all the visible pavlovas. Top with raspberries serve. and blueberries and pipe more hazelnut spread drips where desired. Sprinkle with hazelnuts

Step 3: Remove meat from chickens and and mint leaves. roughly tear into pieces. Discard chicken bones. Step 3: Serve within 30 minutes of assembling.

FOOD & DININGFestive cocktail

Amalfi Sunset Spritz

Can’t travel overseas during these holidays? This cocktail is the next best option. The Amalfi Sunset Spritz will transport you to the Italian paradise of Amalfi.

Ingredients

35mL Malfy Gin Rosa 50mL Soda Water 50mL Prosecco Orange Wheel, Thyme Sprig & Strawberry Slices (Garnish)

Method

Step 1: Build ingredients in a glass over cubed ice.

Step 2: Stir to combine.

Step 3: Garnish with orange, thyme sprig and strawberry slices.

1.Menu planning

The very first step to a smooth Christmas day is to plan what meals you want to create. Write down a list of all the ingredients and how much you will need. Consider what drinks and snacks you will serve, what the main meal will consist of, and of course, dessert! It is also helpful to work out how long each dish will take to make. This way, you will know how much time you need to set aside to complete all the cooking.

2.Shop early

Hands up if you have been stuck amongst the crowds doing a last-minute Christmas shop. We’ve all been there. That’s why we recommend heading to the shops as early as you can with your grocery list.

How to get organised and prepare food ahead of time this Christmas

Do you feel like Christmas sneaks up on you every year, and you can’t help but feel disorganised? Don’t worry; you’re not alone, and we are here to help.

We have created a list of four handy tips to turn a whirlwind of kitchen stress into a manageable and enjoyable cooking experience. Better yet, you will have spare time to kick up your feet and relax on Christmas day.

Items that can be prepped the day before include peeling and chopping veggies, making the stuffing, and creating the sauces. You can also be super organised and freeze your gravy or mince pies a few weeks out.

4.Get the family involved!

We understand that Christmas cooking is a huge job and requires a lot of time. Involving the family is a great way to keep it fun and make the process quicker. Task your kids with finding a fun recipe they want to create or invite them to come shopping. Once you’re back in the kitchen, pop on some upbeat Christmas music and give your kids a few easy tasks, such as washing the fruits and veggies. As for older children, get them involved in baking the desserts or chopping the meat.

3.Prepare the day before or freeze items

By splitting the cooking over two days, you will significantly lighten the workload and reduce the stress come Christmas Day.

Visit Homebase to pick up your prep essentials.

Atlas: Discover local produce and quality ingredients, striving to pour a great coffee with good food and friendly service. They aim to showcase all of the unique produce of Canberra and the surrounding regions.

Bento Tei: Unique Japanese-style bento of various combinations. They also provide a unique take on fusion sushi that is visually appealing and mouth-watering with its authentic Japanese influence.

Biang Biang: Enjoy a range of authentic Chinese food, with menu items ranging from hand-pulled noodle dishes to pork burgers. Some might say there is a slide of Xi’an China at Marketplace Gungahlin. Café Cherry Beans: Dig into the finest and freshest selection of speciality coffee for their loyal customers using carefully sourced beans. They also make a great breakfast or lunch spot. Dobinsons: Famous for its stunning and decadent displays and as a local place to eat that is enjoyed by everyone.

Grease Monkey: The Canberra institution, serving up juicy burgers, independent craft beers, fried chicken and most recently, Detroit-style pizza.

Lagom: The team at Lagom have you covered with breakfast, lunch and all-day meals available. Their specialty coffee is sure to give you that caffeine hit.

Time to dine and be merry

The Creamery & Co: Enjoy delicious coffee at The Creamery Co. They use Campos Coffee – frequently used by some of the best baristas in the country- and pride themselves on their quality coffee and specialised teas and sweets.

Yiayia’s Bakery: The team at Yiaya’s make traditional Greek savoury and sweets from all over Greece. The recipes have been passed down by generations for all of Canberra to enjoy.

Zehnis Turkish: Treat yourself to a traditional Turkish feast and experience the taste of real Turkish cuisine. Zehni’s Turkish Kitchen offers authentic and delicious Turkish food in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Dining Directory

Ali Kebabs Atlas Banh Mi House Bento Tei (02) 5136 1143 instagram @atlascafegungahlin (02) 6156 4508 0430 909 486

Biang Biang Boost Juice Café Cherry Beans Chatime Crust Pizza Dobinsons 0416 658 831 0449 608 669 (02) 6242 8939 (02) 6241 4839 (02) 6255 7777 0473 339 243

Gelatissimo (02) 5105 4736

Grease Monkey Guzman y Gomez

(02) 6103 0887 (02) 6100 6347 Hot Wok 0402 582 726 Jade Dumpling Noodle House (02) 6262 2918 Korner Tapri (02) 6170 6886 Lagom lagom.gungahlin@gmail.com Mr Sushi (02) 6262 4303 Oliver Brown (02) 6193 3878 Oporto (02) 6241 4211 Sharetea instagram @shareteaaustralia Simply Pho (02) 6242 6577 Subway (02) 5100 2578 The Coffee Club (02) 6241 0588 The Creamery & Co. (02) 6241 0547 The Tongdak / Doo Ri (02) 6242 4270 Yiayia’s Bakery 1300 279 942 Young & Frisky (02) 6171 6257 Zambrero (02) 6242 4389 Zehni’s Turkish Kitchen (02) 6255 7545 Zhangliang Malatang (02) 6241 3324