6 | January 2013 www.womanthismonth.com 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. Letters Festive Food STAR LETTER Write Here Write Now 20 | December 2012 www.womanthismonth.com Fashion Get the If you haven’t yet picked your outfits for the numerous festive events, be inspired by the two looks we’ve spoilt you with. Get ready for Christmas and prepare to party on New Year’s Eve. Santa Baby Rock the ultimate Christmas colour with a twist. Go for burgundy; a deep hue taken directly from the catwalk. You can wear it with dark green, beige shades, gold or even the companion for all times, black. Mango New Look Paspaley Bourjois H&M Aldo Revlon Nina Ricci Style Assistance 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 [email protected], by fax to 17 813-700 or by post to PO Box 20461. Thank goodness for James Claire and his ‘Sweet Festivities’ article in the Food section of the December magazine. I had the whole family clan coming to stay over the Christmas holiday and so had a whole lot of cooking to do! And I’m not ashamed to admit I’m no where near domestic goddess status. So James’ article practically saved 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. 12 | December 2012 www.womanthismonth.com Retail Therapy 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. Stocking Fillers 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. Shopping The Christmas Jumper 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. Food 52 | December 2012 www.womanthismonth.com 180g Acacia honey 120g golden syrup 210g brown sugar 60g cocoa powder 60g plain (all-purpose) flour 2 tspns cinnamon powder 1 tspn garam masala powder 120g dried apricots, chopped finely 90g candied orange zest 90g candied (glace) pineapple 180g hazelnuts, roasted and finely chopped 150g almonds, whole, skinless, roasted and loosely chopped 90g macadamia nuts, roasted and loosely chopped 2 lemons zested, finely 1 orange zested, finely 1 tbs orange marmalade l Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. l Lightly grease and line a 20cm cake ring with baking parchment. l 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. Sweet T 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. With the exception of Thanksgiving and Easter, there are few celebrations in the yearly calendar that are so well defined by the food served around them. Christmas, though, is the most glamorous from a dining perspective. By James Claire Panforte di Siena Festivities WRITE IN AND WIN The Shopping Guide 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.
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