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Ponderings of the Publisher From my Desk
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Greetings to our readers,
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, the cheer of the season filling everyone’s hearts and homes. The excitement increasing as the countdown to the big day progresses. But this time of year, it can be easy to get caught up in the desire to get many expensive gifts and lavish them on those we love. This is a beautiful thing. It is always lovely to give and receive gifts.
In that, sometimes we can forget the greatest gift of all - the gift of Jesus from God. Just over two thousand years ago, while the people of Israel lived under the oppression of Roman au-
thority, God fulfilled a promise He had made to His people hundreds of years earlier through the prophet Isaiah: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel which means ‘God is with us.’ (Isa 7:14)
Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise to rescue and save His people from all who oppress them. While today it is commemorated by giving gifts representative of the wise men presenting their gifts to Jesus, the greatest gift is to know that God is faithful and always does what He promises.
This Christmas, as we gather with our families, let the joy of the season warm our hearts and remember that Jesus is the real reason for the season. Merry Christmas! And may 2024 bring you peace and good fortune.
Until next time, stay safe and stay healthy.
NATRAJA MEDIA
Natraja Media specializes in digital and print media. Our services include graphic design, social media posts, and much more. Our publications are available to view online at issuu.com. Contact us to request our services or for more information at the email below.
Season’s Greetings to our Wonderful Readers,
The holidays are here, the Christmas countdown has begun, and festive decorations deck our homes. We look forward to exchanging thoughtful gifts, enjoying special meals together, and partaking in holiday traditions like watching seasonal movies or playing games.
But essentially, we join our Christian family and friends in rejoicing and commemorating the birth of Jesus.
It is also important that we say a prayer for those who are grieving, those less fortunate and anyone facing hurdles. How heartwarming it is
to see so many people coming together to help those in need during this time, my humble request is that we extend these acts of kindness in all our days to come.
My wish for You All is; one of Love, Peace, Health & Happiness.
Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas. God Bless & Stay Safe.
Much Love, Ravika
Natasha Tilukdharie Administrator
Ravika Naicker Production
Jared Rajoo Publisher
The Story of Christmas
Many years ago, there was a young woman named Mary, who was engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph.
One night an angel of the LORD named Gabriel, appeared to her and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary. For you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!”
Mary was confused and questioned the angel, and the angel spoke to her and reassured her.
When Joseph heard of Mary being pregnant, he planned to divorce her privately for he was an upright man and did not want her to come to harm. But the angel of the LORD appeared to him and told him what he had spoken to Mary. So Joseph took Mary as his wife.
As the time of birth neared, a census was called which required every citizen to return to their hometown. So Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem in the land of Judea.
Due to the large amount of people who had come to Bethlehem for the census, there was no room for Mary and Joseph. But they found a place where Mary gave birth to a baby boy. She wrapped Him snugly in
strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger.
Around that time, three wise men from the east had seen a brilliant star and followed it to Bethlehem and it led them to the place where Jesus lay. They presented Him with offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
That night there were shepherds staying in the nearby fields, guarding their flocks of sheep. An angel appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. The shepherds were terrified but the angel reassured them and said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! You will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snuggly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by many other angels and they praised God saying: “Glory to God in highest Heaven, and peace on earth to those on whom God is pleased.”
The shepherds came to the place where Jesus laid and were amazed and told everyone about what they had seen.
(from Matthew Chapter 1 & 2; Luke Chapter 1 & 2.)
Joy to the World Classic Christmas Carols
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy (Peace) to the world! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.
O Holy Night
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming Here came the wise men from the orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger Behold your King, before Him lowly bend
Behold your King, your King, before Him lowly bend
Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord, then ever, ever praise we His power and glory evermore proclaim His power and glory evermore proclaim
Some Prayers for the Christmas Season
The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
⁵⁰ And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,
⁵⁵ as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:46-55
A Prayer of Thanks for Christmas
Holy Father,
Thank You for Your promises. Thank You that we can gather this holiday season and celebrate the birth of Your Son Jesus. Thank You that through Him all nations have been blessed because of Your great love and mercy. Help us to be mindful of You as we spend time with family. Bless those who are less fortunate that they may be blessed by Your abundance.
Zechariah’s Prophecy (Father of John the Baptist)
⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people
⁶⁹ and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
⁷⁰ as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹ that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
⁷² to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath that He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
⁷⁴ that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,
⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:68-79
Some Must See Classic Christmas Movies
The Santa Claus (1994)
By helping Santa Claus with a Christmas crisis, Scott unknowingly agrees to become the next Santa Claus. Now, he has to deal with a suspicious former wife while trying to keep his secret safe.
Starring: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz, Peter Boyle
A Christmas Story (1983)
Ralphie, a nine-year-old boy, tries to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that he needs a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. A Christmas classic - fun for the whole family!
Starring: Peter Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Melinda Dillon, Zach Ward
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph, a reindeer born with a unique glowing red nose, struggles to find acceptance. His life changes when he saves his friend Clarice and his parents from evil monsters.
Starring: Burl Ives, Billie Mae Richards, Paul Soles, Janis Orenstein
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Grinch lives in solitude just outside Whoville. He hates the townsfolk and despises Christmas. Cindy Lou, a six-year-old girl who believes in the spirit of the festival, sets out to reform him.
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski
Elf (2003)
Buddy, a human, is raised amongst elves at the North Pole. When he discovers that he is not an elf, he travels to New York to search for his biological father.
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Favreau
Home Alone (1990)
Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for France. At first, he’s happy to be in charge; but when thieves try to break into his home, he puts up a fight like no other.
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara
Scrooged (1988)
A cynically selfish TV executive is haunted by three spirits from the past, present and future. With the help of the ghosts, he realises that he must reform himself.
Starring: Bill Murray, Carol Kane, Karen Allen, David Johansen
Thoughtful Gift Giving Guide
Unravel the secrets of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Whether it’s a personalized touch or a handmade creation, our guide will help you navigate the world of thoughtful giving this holiday season. Christmas gift ideas can vary based on the recipient’s interests and preferences, but here are some general suggestions:
PERSONALIZED ITEMS
• Customized jewellery with their name or initials.
• Monogrammed items like towels, aprons, or mugs.
• Personalized bookmarks, photo albums or custom calendars.
BOOKS
• Bestsellers or books by their favorite authors.
• A special edition or collector’s item of a favorite book.
• A Kindle or other e-reader.
EXPERIENCE GIFTS
• Tickets to a concert, theater show, or sports event.
• Cooking or art classes.
• Voucher for a Spa Day or weekend getaway.
FASHION ITEMS
• Trendy clothing or accessories.
• A cozy sweater or stylish jacket.
• Designer handbags or wallets.
HOME DECOR
• Unique decorative items.
• Customized throw pillows or blankets.
• A piece of artwork or sculpture.
TECH GADGETS
• Wireless earbuds or headphones.
• Wireless fast charger.
• Smart home devices like a bluetooth speaker.
• Fitness trackers or smartwatches.
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
• Streaming service subscriptions (Netflix, Dstv, Mfc, Disney+, etc.).
• Magazine or book subscriptions.
• Monthly subscription boxes tailored to their interests (food, beauty, hobbies, etc.).
• Gym membership
HOBBIES AND ACTIVITIES
• Art supplies for painters or sketchers.
• Outdoor gear for hikers or campers.
• Gaming accessories for gamers.
FOOD AND DRINK
• Gourmet food baskets.
• Wine or a set of wine glasses.
• Cooking gadgets or high-quality kitchen tools.
DIY GIFTS
• Handmade crafts or knitted items.
• Personalized scrapbook or photo frame.
• Homemade baked goods or a DIY spa kit.
Remember to consider the recipient’s personality and interests when choosing a gift. A thoughtful and personalized gift often means more than its monetary value.
We Care About You And Want You To Have A Safe And Joyful Festive Season
Here are some Christmas Safety Tips to Help Protect You & Your Loved Ones
• Check all holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together—no more than three per extension cord.
• If are buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat.
• Hang Breakable Ornaments up High.
• If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and water it to keep it fresh. Bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.
• If using older decorations, check their labels. Some older tinsel is leadbased. If using angel hair, wear gloves to avoid irritation. Avoid breathing in artificial snow.
• When decorating outside, make sure decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
• If using a ladder, be extra careful. Make sure to have good, stable placement and wear shoes that allow for good traction.
• Don’t use electric lights on metallic trees.
• Don’t forget to turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
• Keep children, pets and decorations away from candles.
• Remember to blow out your candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• If hanging stockings on the fireplace mantel, don’t light the fireplace.
• Practice Road Safety When Traveling.
• Beware of Online Shopping Fraud.
ple reminders: keep raw meat away from fresh produce, wash your hands frequently, use a meat thermometer and use separate cutting boards for cooked and uncooked meats.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Always park in well-lit areas.
• Keep your driveway and walkways clear: When it snows, clear your driveway and walkways of snow and ice. Your guests and delivery people will appreciate it.
• Holiday plants and pets do not mix: Make sure you keep your pets away from poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and real Christmas trees as they can be toxic.
• Reduce clutter: Gifts, guests, decorations, and winter clothes can create hazards. Try to reduce the clutter before the holiday season or confine it to a specific area of your home.
• Be diligent with home security: Unfortunately, the holiday season sees an increase in break-ins and homeowners theft. It is important always to lock your doors, keep the garage closed, lock windows, and make a note of strangers in your neighbourhood.
• Extension cords and plugs:
• Don’t overload cords or outlets by plugging in too many decorations –it can create overheating or blow the circuit. Never remove the third prong on plugs; this is the grounding pin and prevents shock in case of electrical equipment failure. Don’t run extension cords under carpets, through doorways, or in places where furniture may damage them. Keep outdoor connections above ground, away from water, and plug into a ground fault-protected outlets.
• Handle food safely with these sim-
Mouth-watering Roasted Turkey
FLAVOURED BUTTER
• 125 ml (½ cup) butter
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) flaked sea salt
• 5 ml (1 tablespoon) smoked paprika
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon) fresh thyme or freshly chopped parsley
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 pressed garlic cloves
Turkey
Tie the turkey winglets together at the back tightly and tie the legs by crossing them together. Season inside of turkey cavity generously with about 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stuff the turkey with the lemons and thyme leaves.
Gently loosen and separate the skin from the turkey breast by pushing your fingers under the skin. Do this from the front and the back of the turkey, being careful not to tear the skin.
Flavoured Butter
Mix the butter with the salt, paprika, olive oil, garlic and thyme. Generously rub this mixture between the turkey meat and the skin you have just loosened and lifted. Make sure to spread it under the skin evenly.
Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry. You’ll apply this shield later in the roasting process. Place an oven-safe meat thermometer into the bird; beneath the drumstick; deep into the dark meat. Start roasting uncovered at 430˚F/220C for 20 min.
Reduce the oven to 356°F/ 180°C
TURKEY
INGREDIENTS
• 750 ml (3 cups) water
• 1 whole turkey (4.8kg), fully defrosted and ready to be coated at room temperature
• 6 lemons, halved
• a big bunch of fresh thyme or parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Heavy duty foil
• Meat Thermometer
COATING
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) oil
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) honey
• a few drops sriracha sauce
GRAVY:
• Pan juices
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 750ml (3 cups) warm chicken stock
• ½ tsp of butter
Remove the turkey from oven; quickly baste with drippings from the bottom of the pan. You can use a baster or tilt one side of the pan and collect drippings with a large spoon. Now apply prepared foil triangle to turkey breast area. Roast for another 2 hours.
Coating
Mix the oil, honey and sriracha. Coat the turkey with this roasting-glaze-in-the-making by brushing the whole turkey with it. Cover with foil, and cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes golden brown. The turkey thigh should register 170˚F on the temperature probe and the breast at 160˚F to make sure it’s fully cooked through, then remove from the oven (keep in mind the turkey temperature continues to rise slightly after it’s out of the oven).
The meat juices should run clear when the thickest parts of the thigh and breast are pricked with a thin skewer until you reach the bone. Remove from heat and rest for 30-60 minutes, covered, before serving. Carve and serve.
To make the gravy: Remove any excess oil from the roaster and discard.
Stir the flour into the pan juices and add the warm stock
Place the roaster on the hob and stir the contents over a low heat until thickened. If the gravy is not at the desired texture after simmering for a while, add a little more flour, mix through and cook for a bit longer.
Taste and add more seasoning (salt/pepper) if needed.
Add the ½ tsp of butter at the end for a glossy finish.
Turkey Weight Servings
12 to 14 lb 8 to 10
Cooking
³/4 to 3 hours 15 to 18 lb 10 to 12
¹/4 to 4 hours
18 to 20 lb 12 to 14 4 to 4 ¹/4 hours
20 to 22 lb 14 to 16 4 ¹/4 to 4 ³/4 hours
Tips to keep in mind:
Make sure you allow enough time for fully thawing the turkey as a frozen turkey will take twice as long to cook. If using a frozen turkey, defrost it in its plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3 days prior to roasting. A 15-pound turkey needs 3-5 DAYS to thaw. Remove turkey from fridge about 30 minutes before you start working with it. If the turkey is closer to room temperature, it will roast more evenly. Remove the neck and bag of giblets from the turkey. Pat dry turkey with paper towels. Let turkey sit in over paper towels to soak up any excess water from the turkey.
Tie the turkey winglets together at the back tightly and tie the legs by crossing them together - if you don’t, they are the quickest to scorch and dry out.
It is important to Keep basting the turkey while cooking to seal in the moisture. Once cooked, transfer to serving platter and cover fully but loosely with foil and allow the turkey to rest for 30-60 minutes before carving.
Keep the drippings for a most amazing gravy!
If the turkey is over 4kg, calculate 20 mins per 1kg, plus 90 mins. If the bird is under 4kg, calculate 20 mins per 1kg, plus 70 mins. To test if it’s done, make sure the juices run clear when you pierce the thigh where it meets the body.
• 5-15 ml Sriracha or any hot sauce (Quantity will vary depending on your preference)
• Juice of ½ orange
• 1-2 tsp chilli flakes
METHOD FOR THE GLAZE
• In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together and brush the glaze liberally over the fat later with the whole cloves.
• Place the joint in a roasting tin with the halved garlic bulb and roast for 20-25 minutes until sticky and crisp round the edges.
Serve with a seasonal salad, fluffy mashed potatoes and string beans.
FOR THE GAMMON
• 2 kg boneless gammon joint, tied
• 500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock
• enough water to cover the meat
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 2-4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 10 ml fresh ginger, optional
• 6 black peppercorns
• 1 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 to 3 carrots, washed and cut into chunks
• 1 stick celery, sliced
• 2 small to medium onions, skin on, halved
ADDITIONAL
• 60 ml whole cloves
• 1 garlic bulb
METHOD FOR GAMMON
1. Place the gammon into a large pot, cover with the stock and water. Add the bay leaves, garlic, ginger, peppercorns, thyme, carrots and celery and onion.
2. Bring to the boil and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes until cooked. Remove from the stock and leave to cool slightly. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 392° F.
3. Use a small knife to remove the rind from the gammon, leaving on as much fat as possible. Score the fat in a diamond (crisscross) pattern and push a clove into each diamond section. Make sure you have enough cloves. Cut the garlic bulb in half.
Spiced roasted butternut squash
1. Preheat the oven to 425°.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 x 1-1.5kg Butternut squash (peeled and cubed into 1inch pieces)
• Salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne/paprika
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cumin
• Maple syrup – 2 Tbsp
• Olive Oil – 2Tbsp
2. In a large bowl, toss the peeled – cubed squash with a dash of maple syrup, cumin, olive oil, cinnamon, salt to taste and cayenne/paprika to give the butternut a warm, sweet & spicy flavour.
3. Spread the squash on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast in the oven for about 40 minutes, until tender and lightly browned, tossing once halfway through.
4. *The amount of spices and maple syrup will depend on the amount of squash being prepared as well as your taste preference.
5. To turn into a salad you can add pistachios, pomegranate or pumpkin seeds, feta or goat cheese, rocket or salad greens.
Don’t cut the potatoes too small otherwise they could soak up too much water and lose a lot of their flavour. Cut the potato into equal sized pieces. Remove excess starch: Rinse excess starch from the diced potatoes before cooking. I’d recommend using a colander.
Start cooking in cold, salted water -bring to a boil over medium-high heat as this ensures even cooking. Once they fork tender, drain immediately and allowed to steam out to remove the excess water. Leave a film behind on the bottom of the pan. This helps some of the moisture evaporate so that the flavours of the butter and cream can really come through.
Mashing the potatoes: The best mashed potatoes aren’t mashed at all, instead they are pressed using a potato ricer, which pushes them through a grid of small holes (kind of like a garlic press), breaking them into tiny pieces and keeping them light and fluffy without overworking them.
Don’t overmix. Mix only just until mashed to your desired consistency. Overmixing can make the potatoes gummy or tough.
Potatoes
Cream choices: heavy cream = super-rich and decadent, buttermilk = tangy and a little watery, cream cheese = adds a little too much body and heaviness,
The butter + milk combo works very well sour cream = perfect amount of buttery creaminess with just a touch of tang.
Never add cold liquids to your mash. If the mixture cools down too quickly from cold milk, it can become sticky and gluey. The liquids should be room temperature.
Butter: choose the option you prefer Brown the butter before stirring it in. This will add an extra nutty flavour.
Add Softened butter: The flavour of the butter is different when it’s softened and it incorporates into the potatoes beautifully leaving them silky.
Add a handful of parmesan cheese at the end, stirring just until melted.
Finish: Top with fresh herbs like chives, scallions, or parsley, or sprinkle with crispy bacon bits or shallots.
Ginger Cookies
ROYAL ICING
In the bowl of an electric mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat the egg whites, icing sugar and lemon juice together.
Start on low speed, then increase the speed as the mixture gets smoother until soft peaks form.
Use a piping bag with a small round nozzle to pipe the edges of your cookies or for creating patterns on top of the fondant.
For filling in spaces, add a few drops of lemon juice or water to make the icing more runny. Always keep your royal icing covered with clingfilm to prevent it drying out.
FONDANT SHAPES
Knead the fondant until pliable on a surface lightly sprinkled with cornflour.
Flatten the fondant, sprinkle with the tylose, then fold and knead to work in the tylose.
Tylose serves as a hardener for the fondant and makes for neat egdes and smooth surfaces, but its use is entirely optional.
Wrap in clingfilm and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Divide the fondant into portions according to the colours you will be using.
Knead again on a cornflour surface, add small amounts of colourant to each and work into the fondant until your desired colour is achieved.
Thinly roll out the fondant and cut into shapes to match your cookies.
Use a small amount of the royal icing to serve as a glue to stick the fondant to the cookies.
Use any remaining fondant to create small flowers, leaves
• 125 g butter, softened
• Half a cup (100 g) dark brown sugar
• Half a cup (125 ml) golden syrup/ Molasses
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 and 3/4 cups (385 g) all purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) ground ginger
• 1 tsp (5 ml) ground allspice
• 1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp (5 ml) bicarbonate of soda
ICING
• 2 egg whites
• 2.5 cups ( 350 g) icing sugar, sifted
• Juice of half a lemon
FONDANT SHAPES
• 500 g ready-made fondant ( also known as plastic icing)
• Food colourants of choice
• 2 tsp (10 ml) tylose ( optional)
• Cornflour
1. Line a baking sheet or use a silicone baking mat.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, syrup and egg yolk until pale and creamy.
3. Sift together all of the dry ingredients and add to the batter.
4. Mix until it forms a stiff, smooth and shiny dough.
5. Turn out and bring the dough together.
6. Divide into two balls and flatten each into a disc.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
8. Preheat the oven to 180C.
9. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 5 mm.
10. Cut into Christmas themed shapes and arrange on the baking sheet with at least 2cm between cookies.
11. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
12. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with rolled fondant, royal icing, or both.
No Booze Fruit Cake (Eggless)
• 250g fruit mix
• 25g cherries-red and green
• 20g pecans
• 15g orange rind
• 250g butter
• 397g condensed milk
• 125g cup sugar
• 625g flour
• 10ml baking powder
• 14g bicarbonate of soda
• 596ml boiling water
• Flaked almonds and cherries for decorating
1. Bring to a Boil, while stirring continuously the cherries, fruit mix, butter, sugar, water, condensed milk. Allow to cool completely.
2. Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
3. In a large bowl sift flour, bicarb and baking powder. Add pecans and orange rind.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
5. Place batter in a greased and lightly floured cake tin and decorate with cherries and flaked almonds.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
Fruit Mince Pies
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
• 250g softened butter
• ½ cup castor sugar
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg beaten
• 375g flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 jar Fruit mince
• Icing sugar for dusting
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
4. Add dry ingredients and combine to form a soft dough.
5. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 3mm – using a round cutter– scoop 1 heaped teaspoon of fruit mince into each base.
6. Using a star cutter (or any similar), cut stars and place on top of each pie.
7. Bake 12 – 15 minutes or until light brown.
8. Remove from oven – dust with Icing Sugar whilst still hot – transfer to a cooling rack until completely cooled.
HowtoMakeEggnog
The eggnog base starts by beating egg yolks with sugar until light and fluffy. Then you slowly whisk in hot milk that’s been infused with cloves and cinnamon, which tempers the eggs so they don’t curdle. Finally, you warm the eggnog on the stovetop until it thickens. It’s essentially a custard.
Ingredients
• 2 cups Milk
• 1 1/4 cups Heavy cream
• 6 Large Eggs - only the yolks are to be used in this recipe
• 1 cup Sugar
• Pinch Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60ml) Whisky/bourbon/rum (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg – freshly grated
• 1/4 teaspoon Cloves
Directions Points to Remember
1. Separate the eggs and place the yolks in a bowl. The whites can be placed in another bowl, covered, and refrigerated for use later in another recipe. In a large bowl whisk egg yolks and sugar until light, thick and fluffy. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and bring to a simmer.
3. Temper the eggs by slowly adding the hot milk mixture into the eggs, a little at a time, whisking constantly while pouring the hot milk mixture.
4. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the mixture begins to thicken slightly, and coats the back of the spoon or until it reaches about 160F (70C). It will thicken more as it cools.
5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and liquor. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
6. Pour the eggnog into pitcher, bottle or other container and chill in the fridge until ready to serve (at least 2 hours).
7. When ready to serve, pour into a glass with ice cubes, sprinkle some grated nutmeg and cinnamon.
Temperature is key: The trick to eggnog is cooking it to exactly 160 degrees F. That’s the point at which you’ll kill all the bacteria in there, but you won’t cause the eggs to cook too much and start to coagulate. Keep a thermometer in there and just watch it meticulously while stirring. As soon as it gets to 161 F, shut it off. But don’t get the temperature up there too quickly: low and slow is best.
Spice is nice – Allow the Flavors to Infuse: While the nog is still hot, you want to incorporate your spices. Adding the spices while the mixture’s still hot will allow it to slightly cook the spices, drawing out their flavor. Also, you want to go fresh-ground.
Fresh is Best: You should also ensure that your eggs are fresh and pasteurized, even if you’re heating them, to achieve total safety.
Don’t Rush: eggnog needs patience. Depending on the recipe you’re using, you may need to engage in a gentle cooking process to bring your eggs up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This should never be done at speed. Slowness allows more of the moisture in the egg yolks to evaporate as it cooks, meaning that you end up with a thicker, more luxurious result. Going slowly also gives you a much greater sense of control as you heat it up, which means that the eggs are less likely to tip over the 160-degree mark. This is useful because when they do, they can start to essentially scramble, forming solid curds that turn it from a liquid into a solid. By taking your time, you keep things smooth and creamy and remove the chance of residual heat cooking them once they’re removed from the stove.
Use the best vanilla you can find.
To Wet your Whistle
Here are some festive and delicious Christmas mocktail ideas along with their recipes:
Cranberry Sparkler
Ingredients:
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup sparkling water/ club soda
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup/ honey
• Ice cubes
• Fresh cranberries and rosemary for garnish
Instructions:
1.Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2.Pour cranberry juice and sparkling water/club soda over the ice.
3.Add syrup/honey and stir gently.
Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Virgin Pomegranate Mojito
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Club soda
• Fresh mint leaves and pomegranate seeds for garnish
Instructions:
1.In a glass, mix pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, and maple syrup.
2.Fill the glass with ice cubes and top with club soda.
Stir gently and garnish with fresh mint leaves and pomegranate seeds.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon molasses/ honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Whipped cream and crushed gingerbread cookies for topping
Instructions:
1.In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, milk, molasses (or honey), and ground cinnamon.
2.Blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread cookies.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup green apple juice
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Club soda
• Mint leaves and lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
1.Fill a glass with ice cubes.
2.Combine green apple juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice.
3.Top with club soda.
Garnish with mint leaves and lime slices.
Gingerbread Cookie Shake Apple Fizzer Minty Grinch Punch
Ingredients:
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup ginger ale
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Apple slices for garnish
Instructions:
1.In a glass, combine apple juice and ginger ale.
2.Add ground cinnamon and stir gently.
3.Garnish with apple slices.
Berry Merry Mocktail
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• Club soda
• Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
1.Muddle mixed berries with honey in a glass.
2.Add cranberry juice and stir.
3.Top with club soda and garnish with fresh mint.
These Christmas mocktails are not only visually appealing but also bursting with holiday flavors. Enjoy them at festive gatherings or as a special treat during the holiday season! (P.S. Add a splash of alcohol to change the ‘M’ to a ‘C’.)
Christmas Word Games for Children
Christmas
WORD SCRAMBLE
1.Ienreedr
2.Tansa laucs
3.Miscrhtas
4.Dnacy nace
5.Repsetns
6.Aleng
7.Rats
8.Msileteo
9.Edcotarions
10.Chgrin
11.Gramen
12.Ejuss
13.Ilesnt
14.Njlieg lsble
15.Mownans
16.Lhiegs
17.Grooces
18.Tsgckino
19.Hpeserd
20.Rwaeth
Christmas Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS
1. When you stand under this then you will get a kiss at Christmas
3. Strips of glittery decorations that are draped around the Christmas tree
7. Placed high on top of the Christmas tree to represent the birth of Jesus Christ
9. Sung at Christmas
10. Kept under the tree and exchanged with a family member or friend
2. He wears a red suit and comes bearing gifts at Christmas
4. Pulled by Santa’s reindeers
5. A custom or belief of a culture
6. Used as a decoration on a fireplace mantel or door
8. Different colours of these are used to brighten the Christmas tree
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