An indulgent baked cheesecake that’s a delicious, sweet end to a Christmas meal. To make your life a little easier on the day, set some time aside to bake this cheesecake up to 3 days ahead, and store in the fridge, wrapped in cling film – without removing it from the cake tin. The texture of the cheesecake is silky smooth. This is thanks to baking it in a water bath – which sounds daunting, but really isn’t! You really must wrap the tin twice in heavy-duty foil, though. ALSO SEE: BERRY ETON MESS CHEESECAKE Recipe and styling by Claire…
What if I told you that some of your favourite foods are secretly working overtime to help you burn calories? That’s right—certain foods can boost your metabolism and…
For many families, the festive season is a time of celebration. But for veterinarians, it’s one of the busiest and most stressful periods of the year. Emergency animal hospitals around the world report dramatic spikes in cases over the year-end holidays, with many linked directly to festive foods, decorations, and routine disruptions. Cats and dogs are exposed to a completely different environment during the holidays,” explains Dr Karien Brink from Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “There are rich foods, tempting decorations, new visitors, travel, and stress. All of these increase the risk of serious, but preventable, emergencies.” Here’s what vets see most…
This pomegranate-glazed Christmas ham is the kind of centrepiece that makes the festive table feel extra special. Sweet, sticky and jewel-toned, the glaze caramelises beautifully in the oven,…
There’s something about the festive season that calls for baking. The oven’s on, the house smells warm and buttery, and there’s always a tin of something sweet within reach. That’s what makes a cookie swap such a lovely way to gather before the rush really hits. It’s relaxed, joyful and everyone leaves with more than they arrived with. If you’ve never hosted one before, don’t overthink it. A cookie swap is simply friends, good company and a table filled with homemade treats. Try this recipe: 2-min choc chip cookies Keep the guest list small Eight people is the sweet spot. It gives you a good mix of bakes without becoming overwhelming. Ask each guest to bring the…
South Africa’s festive season promptly starts on 01 December – without fail. The month is filled with little sweet treats, festive cocktails, and long lunches – not to…
What if the secret to living longer wasn’t hidden in a fancy supplement or gruelling gym routine but on the plates of people living in tiny, peaceful corners of the world? That’s the promise of the blue zone diet, a way of eating inspired by the world’s longest-living communities. And no, it doesn’t involve starving yourself or giving up carbs. According to the Blue Zones publication, the term blue zones was coined by National Geographic researcher Dan Buettner, who studied five regions—Ikaria (Greece), Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), and Loma Linda (California)—where people regularly live past 100. Their diet is…
The magic begins with a generous rub of festive herbs and spices, infusing the pork belly with warm, aromatic flavours that evoke the holiday season! This delectable roast…
Instead of the buttery, sugary traditional mince pies we all love, try these fruity, nutty little delights that taste just like Christmas! Spiced apple, almond and cranberry mince pies not only taste amazing, they’re also vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free! The pastry is chewy and delicious – it’s an excellent recipe to have at hand and use in other bakes. Although not lower in energy or fat than the original version, this recipe is packed with goodness from the nuts, apples and dried fruit. You can get ahead by making the pastry and mince up to three days ahead, storing in…
If there’s one thing the festive season guarantees, it’s leftovers. After Christmas lunch and the New Year’s spread, the fridge is usually packed – and right at the…