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STAR LETTER Festive Food
Sweet Festivities
here are few occasions in life that are filled with as many memories, expressions of hope and love, and great food as the festive season. In addition to a roast turkey, it is perhaps better known for the sweet delicacies which come from around the world for this season of joy. As a chef I adore seeking out new ideas and seeing what other people, in lands far removed from mine, are preparing around a singular event. Christmas for me has always been a delicious event, and much more than an occasion for gift-giving. My first trip abroad in the late 1980s took me to
Switzerland; at Christmas I literally bathed in a world of sweet delicacies I had never known. From that time, I have always been intrigued by how others celebrate the festive season from a culinary perspective. This month I have included recipes for panettone and panforte di Siena, both delicious gifts as well as edible treats with Italian heritage. Lebkuchen cookies are from Germany and my ‘White’ Christmas is more of an antipodean treat. All are great snacks to have around when the morning gift-opening and celebrations become an extended exercise.
Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Lightly grease and line a 20cm cake ring with baking parchment. Place the honey, golden syrup and brown sugar into a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil, stirring to avoid the sugar catching on the base. l When it boils, reduce heat and allow it to simmer for three minutes. l In a separate mixing bowl, sift together the flour and the cocoa powder with the cinnamon and garam masala. l Add the dried apricots, candied orange zest, candied pineapple, hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, lemon and orange zests and marmalade. l Pour the boiled sugar mixture over all the ingredients and stir all to combine. l Spread the mixture into the base of the lined baking tray and press flat, using the back of the mixing spoon. l Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. l Remove and dust heavily with icing sugar. Allow to cool and then dust again with icing sugar before cutting small thin slices to enjoy with coffee or as a snack. l l
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Retail Therapy Are you ready for the festive season? If you are planning your gift list, take a look in our selection and pick your favourite items. Eternal Style
Carrera y Carrera has crafted a selection of jewels for the holiday season that any lady will love to receive. The precious pieces are a great investment; they are timeless and can be passed from generation to generation.
A Spell of Festivity
For the holiday season, L’Occitane has launched a special limited-edition range to keep us smelling good this Christmas. The Marvellous Flower and Magic Leaves collection includes body and hand cream, intense eau de toilette roll-on, eau de toilette shimmering oil, shower gel and perfumed soap. The scents were inspired by the flowers and leaves of the enchanted forests of Provence.
The Christmas Jumper
Charity Time
Christmas is a time for celebration, but also a period to think about doing good. The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will have their Christmas Fete on December 8 at the Dilmun Club with lots of goodies for sale, an opportunity to buy some gifts and help the organisation.
Stocking Fillers
Bright Wrist
Omega is joining in the festivities with a glittering star of its collection; the Omega Ladymatic wristwatch. It combines feminine grace and elegance with technological innovation. The timepiece is a combination of red gold and 894 diamonds to make any woman shine. 12
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Acacia honey golden syrup brown sugar cocoa powder plain (all-purpose) flour cinnamon powder garam masala powder dried apricots, chopped finely candied orange zest candied (glace) pineapple hazelnuts, roasted and finely chopped almonds, whole, skinless, roasted and loosely chopped macadamia nuts, roasted and loosely chopped lemons zested, finely orange zested, finely orange marmalade
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I like the inclusion of the new Get the Look page in the magazine. For someone like me, who has no idea how to dress themselves it’s a clever way to help me out! The December issue’s, spread was most helpful as I had a number of Christmas functions to attend and not a clue what to wear. I particularly like how this page introduces me to new brands; for example I had no idea what Ciate was before, but now I own a number of different shades and have lessened my salon visits in the process. My husband is very happy! Eman, by email.
WRITE IN AND WIN
This month’s star letter will win a bag of goodies from Ford’s ‘Warriors in Pink’ collection. So, to receive these fantastic products, send us your views and options on this month’s edition either by email to editor@womanthismonth.com, by fax to 17 813-700 or by post to PO Box 20461.
The Shopping Guide
Shopping
Knitted jumpers are a fantastic recurring autumn/ winter trend that remind us of comfortable sofas and hot chocolate. Stella McCartney has designed a Christmas-specific range for theoutnet.com complete with a super cute polar bear and festive feel.
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Bourjois
Thank goodness for James Food Claire and his ‘Sweet Festivities’ article in the Food section of the December magazine. I had the whole By James Claire With the exception of Thanksgiving and Easter, there are family clan coming to stay few celebrations in the yearly calendar that are so well defined by the food served around them. Christmas, over the Christmas holiday though, is the most glamorous from a dining perspective. and so had a whole lot of T cooking to do! And I’m not ashamed to admit I’m no where near domestic goddess status. So James’ article practically saved Panforte di Siena Christmas for my family. I rushed out, grabbed the ingredients he listed and whipped up all of the items on the page to create an ‘Around the World’ themed spread. The recipes were easy to follow and the finished product looked near-enough like the photos on the page. And best of all, my in-laws were thoroughly impressed! You can’t ask for more than that. So a big thanks to the Woman This Month team for saving me and my family’s rumbling stomachs this holiday season! Collette, by email. 180g 120g 210g 60g 60g 2 tspns 1 tspn 120g 90g 90g 180g 150g
New Loo
The world-famous Swiss truffles and chocolate brand Sprüngli is sure to make us all gain weight with its beautifully-prepared special gift boxes for the festive season. The hand-made assortments are a delicious present for friends and family and will please even the pickiest relative. You can purchase it online and send it to your beloved ones.
A Festive Feast
If you don’t feel like cooking this Christmas you can give yourself a treat and enjoy your celebration at Trader Vic’s, the French Polynesian restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Using traditional ingredients, such as pumpkin, duck, turkey and pudding, the chef will prepare a comforting menu for the occasion. www.womanthismonth.com
I have to say I do love reading your Retail Therapy guide each month. It’s a great way to highlight the top places to shop, eat and visit each month and the December issue’s guide gave me some great ideas for what to gift friends and family members with for Christmas — so a big thank you! Just an idea; it might be nice to include information about new restaurant openings, book launches and spa treatments, as we women love to hear about this kind of thing. Hana, by email. www.womanthismonth.com