Innholdsfortegnelse for 2512 i Better Homes & Gardens Specials

Christmas has always carried its own kind of magic. Where do your festive rituals take place? Perhaps it’s in the kitchen, where the scent of gingerbread fills the air, a pavlova crowned with summer fruit takes centre stage, cocktails are shaken for friends, and a golden ham is glazed to perfection? Or maybe your joy is found in the quiet rhythm of making, glue gun in hand, sewing machine humming or crochet hook at the ready? A thread they all share is the thought that goes into them. Every handmade detail carries love in each stitch, fold and handwritten note. This magazine is brimming with festive inspiration to spark your own celebrations. From classic recipes (yes, pavlova included!) to fresh takes on entertaining, and plenty of creative craft ideas to…

GIVE WHITE GIFT WRAP A PLAYFUL UPGRADE WITH CHENILLE STICKS TWISTED INTO CANDY CANE INSPIRED BOWS.MEGAN OSBORNE, EDITOR WOOL FLOWERS AND TREE Gather your supplies 20cm x 26cm woollen fabric or craft felt (flower)12.5cm square woollen fabric or craft felt (tree)Hot glue or fast-tack fabric glueExtra-small wool pom-poms TO MAKE A WOOL FLOWER STEP 1 Measure and cut 12 fabric squares with 6.5cm sides. STEP 2 Make cone shapes by bringing diagonally opposite corners together and overlapping the edges. Glue to secure. Set aside to dry. STEP 3 Arrange cones side by side with points facing inwards to form a flower. STEP 4 Glue each cone to the next cone until you have glued the whole flower together. Set aside to dry. STEP 5 Glue seven pom-poms to the centre…

INVITE A FEW FRIENDS OVER TO SPEND A CRAFTY AFTERNOON ASSEMBLING GORGEOUS GARLANDS.MEGAN OSBORNE, EDITOR THESE BRIGHT BELLS WOULD ALSO LOOK AMAZING ON YOUR TREE – WRAP THEM AROUND IT OR MAKE AS INDIVIDUAL TREE ORNAMENTS.SOPHIE AL-BASSAM, MANAGING EDITOR LESS HASSLE, MORE TASSELS! OF ALL THE FESTIVE GARLANDS IN OUR GUIDE, THIS ONE IS THE EASIEST TO MAKE.MEGAN OSBORNE, EDITOR RIBBON CANDY Gather your supplies Assorted A4 felt sheetsHot-glue gunAssorted 10-ply woolPom-pom makerPlastic wool needleAssorted plain and paintedwooden beadsCotton threadEmbroidery needle STEP 1 To make the felt ribbon candy pieces, cut two 2.5cm x 30cm strips of felt in different colours and stack the strips. Fold one end of the strips onto itself, by about 2.5cm, to create the first fold, and hot-glue in place. Repeat, folding back and forth…

Roasted POTATOES WITH PROSCIUTTO AND OLIVES Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 55 mins Serves 8 Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Cut 1kg peeled dutch cream or desiree potatoes in half, or quarter if large. Put in a roasting pan with 4 sprigs thyme and drizzle with ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil. Toss well and season. Roast for 35 minutes. Turn potatoes, add 100g prosciutto. Roast for a further 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden. Serve sprinkled with 2 tablespoons each drained baby capers and torn flat-leaf parsley, and 100g halved pitted black olives. LEMON-ROASTED CARROTS AND FENNEL Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 30 mins Serves 8 Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Line a large oven tray with baking paper. Trim and thickly slice 3 small fennel…

ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT. THIS HANDCRAFTED ORNAMENT IS DESIGNED TO BRING PEACE AND JOY TO YOUR HOME. CLAY STARS Gather your supplies Air-dry clayClay rollerClay cutting toolSkewerAcrylic paint in light blue, metallic gold and blackPaintbrushesMod Podge satin (optional)Kitchen string CUT OUT THE STARS STEP 1 Following the manufacturer’s instructions, prepare a small handful of air-dry clay. Roll clay into a ball. Roll out clay to 6mm thick. STEP 2 Trace enlarged patterns (see page 145) onto white paper and cut out. Trace the patterns onto the clay. Cut out. Remove excess clay. Smooth edges of clay shapes with moistened fingertips. STEP 3 Using a skewer, make a hole at the top of each star large enough to thread string. Let clay dry completely. PAINT AND FINISH THE STARS STEP…

COCONUT-PECAN LAYER CAKE Preparation time 40 mins plus cooling Cooking time 35 minsServes 16 2 cups plain flour 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda 235g unsalted butter, softened 2 cups caster sugar 5 free-range eggs, at room temperature, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup flaked coconut ½ cup finely chopped toasted pecans CREAM CHEESE ICING 225g packet cream cheese, softened 115g butter, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 5 ½–6 cups icing sugar mixture STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Grease and line three 20cm round cake pans with baking paper. In a bowl, combine flour and bicarbonate soda. STEP 2 Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a large bowl for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until combined. Add egg yolks and vanilla and beat until…

BERRY BRAN MUFFINS Preparation time 15 minsCooking time 20 minsMakes 24 Olive oil spray 3 cups Kellogg’s All-Bran Original1 cup boiling water2 ½ cups plain flour½ cup caster sugar½ cup brown sugar1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon ground cinnamon2 cups buttermilk2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten½ cup vegetable oil1 ½ cups fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and sliced or chopped, plus extra slices to top the muffins CINNAMON SUGAR ¼ cup caster sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon STEP 1 Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Line 24 medium (6.5cm) muffin cups with paper bake cups and spray with oil. In a bowl, combine cereal and boiling water until moistened. STEP 2 In a medium bowl, combine flour, caster sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate soda, salt and cinnamon.…

TURKEY AND POMEGRANATE PEARL COUSCOUS SALAD Preparation time 20 mins plus 15 mins coolingCooking time 8 minsServes 6 2 cups chicken stock or water 250g wholemeal pearl couscous Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 1 large pomegranate 340g asparagus, trimmed, peeled into ribbons 250g leftover cooked roast turkey, coarsely shredded 2 medium oranges, segmented (see Cook’s Tips) 3 cups trimmed watercress CITRUS DRESSING ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes (optional) 1 teaspoon ground cumin ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice ¼ cup lemon juice ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil STEP 1 Bring stock to boil in a medium saucepan on high. Add couscous. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender. Season. Cool for 15 minutes.…

POULTRY 74 Traditional roast turkey and three stuffings 140 Turkey and pomegranate pearl couscous salad78 Turkey breast with cranberry and pistachio stuffing50 Vietnamese chicken crunchy wonton bites PORK AND HAM 76 Glazed ham with four glazes138 Ham and cheese croquettes140 Warm green lentil and ham salad78 Roast pork with crackling and balsamic pears SEAFOOD 52 Crab, celery and herb rolls144 Prawn Vietnamese rolls50 Warm spiced prawns with guacamole salsa VEGETARIAN 140 Chilli roast vegetable frittata32 Crushed broad bean bruschetta52 Hummus duo platter80 Miso-roasted whole cauliflower80 Vegan roast and gravy52 Thyme and honey baked cheese board32 Zucchini, carrot and corn fritters SIDES AND SALADS 30 Baked ricotta with roast tomatoes and bacon58 Beans with parsley and feta56 Beautiful green salad54 Lemon-roasted carrots and fennel59 Mixed pea and edamame salad59 Parmesan asparagus57…

PECAN COCONUT CRACK Preparation time 20 mins plus 30 mins cooling and 2 hours chillingCooking time 15 minsMakes 24 pieces 6 Arnott’s Salada biscuits125g butter, chopped⅓ cup firmly packed brown sugar¼ teaspoon sea-salt flakes, crushed2 x 200g packets milk choc bits½ cup pecans, toasted, chopped¼ cup toasted shredded coconut STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 20cm x 30cm (base measurement) lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper over edges. Cover the base with biscuits, breaking to fit or slightly overlapping as needed. STEP 2 Put butter and sugar in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until butter melts. Simmer, without stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in salt. STEP 3 Carefully drizzle the hot…

1 X FACTOR Criss-cross ribbon asymmetrically around the box and secure it to the back with sticky tape. Cut another length and tie it in a bow around the ribbons where they intersect. 2 DOUBLE UP Make two loops at the centre of a length of ribbon, holding the loops and tails in an X shape. Tie a longer ribbon around the X to cinch. Wrap long tails around the back of the present and secure with tape. Make a bow with coordinating ribbon and attach to the top using tape or fabric glue. Position coordinating ribbon tails between and under the first ribbon and trim excess. 3 CLASSIC LOOK Wrap wide ribbon around the box and tie tails into a bow as you would when tying a shoe. Snip…

WOODEN SANTA Gather your supplies Salvaged wooden palletWoodworking planeScroll saw or jigsaw15cm x 28cm piece of 6mm-thick plywood12mm-thick piece of scrap wood (nose)Thin pieces of scrap wood (eyebrows)Drill and drill bitsAcrylic paint in dark red, white, desired skin colour, pink and blackPaintbrushesSandpaperWood glueStaple gun and staplesClear matt acrylic spray finish18-gauge black wire4.5cm-diameter jingle bellWire cuttersPicture-hanging wire NOTE: When using salvaged wood from a wooden pallet, carefully disassemble and remove all nails and staples before you start. Plane all salvaged wood to the same thickness before cutting the pieces. CUT THE PIECES From reclaimed wood, cut: Four 6cm x 53.5cm boards (head)Two 6.5cm x 25cm boards (hat)One 6.5cm x 15cm board (hat)One 6.5cm x 30cm board (mustache)One 9cm x 25cm board (hat brim)One 5cm x 10cm board (hat support) From plywood, cut: 4cm x…

EMBROIDERED SNOWFLAKE Gather your supplies Water-soluble marking pen15cm square of natural linen7.5cm round embroidery hoopDark blue and white stranded embroidery cottonSeven 4mm white or silver pearl beadsEmbroidery needleHot-glue gun and glue sticks7.5cm cream felt circle (optional)Narrow ribbon or cord (optional) STEP 1 Trace the snowflake pattern (below) onto white paper. Tape pattern to a window or light box. Using a water-soluble marking pen, trace pattern centred on the linen square. Centre the fabric in the embroidery hoop. Pull fabric taut and tighten screw. STEP 2 Referring to the diagram and key (see below), stitch the design using three strands of embroidery cotton. STEP 3 Attach beads where shown on the diagram using one strand of white floss. Remove fabric from hoop. Remove any visible pen marks with a damp cloth.…

TREE SKIRT Finished size: 122cm square (fits up to 18cm diameter tree trunk) Gather your supplies Lengths and cutting instructions are based on 112cm wide fabric (including selvedges) unless otherwise noted. 25cm grey print (tree skirt)110cm white print (tree skirt)60cm each red holly print and green print (tree skirt)70cm red graphic print (binding)2.9 metres backing fabric145cm square batting You’ll also need Cutting mat and rotary cutter; quilting ruler; triangle ruler (if you have one); pencil; compass and cardboard (to make centre circle template); 220-grit sandpaper; pins; sewing thread for assembly; quilting thread for quilting; sewing machine; iron and ironing board; air-soluble fabric marker pen. Fabrics are from the Christmas Morning collection by Lella Boutique for Moda. Do an online search for “Lella Boutique fabrics” to find your nearest stockist. CUT…

GINGER ALE AND CITRUS PUNCH Preparation time 15 mins plus 3 hours chillingServes 8 125g strawberries, thinly sliced1 medium orange, halved, thinly sliced1 medium lime, thinly sliced700ml bottle Pimm’s No. 11 lebanese cucumber, peeled into ribbons1.25 litres chilled dry ginger ale1 cup mint leavesIce cubes, to serve STEP 1 Combine strawberries, orange, lime and Pimm’s in a serving jug. Cover. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. STEP 2 Stir in cucumber ribbons, ginger ale and mint. Serve over ice. CRUSHED BROAD BEAN BRUSCHETTA Preparation time 15 minsCooking time 20 minsServes 4 3⅓ cups frozen broad beans1 cup frozen baby peas⅓ cup mint leaves, shredded2 cloves garlic, crushedSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season4 oval bread rolls¼ cup extra virgin olive oil½ cup white vinegar8 cold free-range eggs180g marinated…

HUMMUS DUO PLATTER Preparation time 15 mins plus coolingCooking time 25 minsServes 8 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed250g baby carrots, trimmed, scrubbed250g baby cucumbers, halved lengthways225g radishes, halvedCrisp spiced Lebanese bread, to serve (see Cook’s Tips) ROAST CAULIFLOWER HUMMUS 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets3 cloves garlic, unpeeled⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed⅓ cup cashew spread¼ cup lemon juiceSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season45g dukkah, lightly toasted WASABI EDAMAME HUMMUS 1 cup frozen shelled edamame (see Cook’s Tips)400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed2 tablespoons tahini¼ cup water¼ cup lime juice1 ½ teaspoons wasabi paste1 small clove garlic, crushed STEP 1 For roast cauliflower hummus, preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Combine cauliflower, garlic and…

TRADITIONAL ROAST TURKEY Preparation time 15 mins plus 15 mins restingCooking time 2 hours 40 minsServes 8 4.8kg whole turkey 1 quantity turkey stuffing (see recipes below)75g butter, meltedSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season¼ cup thyme leaves1.5 litres salt-reduced chicken stock, approximately⅓ cup plain flour STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Discard neck from turkey, if attached. Fill cavities with your chosen stuffing. Tie legs together with kitchen string and tuck wings under turkey. Place on a greased rack in a large flameproof roasting pan. STEP 2 Combine butter and thyme in a medium bowl. Brush half the butter mixture all over the turkey and sprinkle with salt. Pour 2 cups of the stock into the dish. Cover dish tightly with two layers of greased foil. STEP 3 Roast turkey for…

EASY PAVLOVA WREATH Preparation time 30 mins plus cooling Cooking time 1 hourServes 6 600ml thickened cream 2 tablespoons icing sugar mixture 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 100g packet meringue nests 250g punnet strawberries (choose larger strawberries) Pulp of 1–2 passionfruit Gold cachous (optional, see Cook’s Tip) and mint leaves, to serve MERINGUE KISSES 2 free-range egg whites, at room temperature ½ cup caster sugar 1 tsp white vinegar STEP 1 Preheat oven to 120°C/100°C fan-forced. Line two oven trays with baking paper. For the meringue kisses, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and sugar in a bowl for 5–6 minutes or until mixture forms firm peaks and sugar has dissolved. Add vinegar and beat on low until combined. STEP 2 Fit a piping bag with a large fluted nozzle.…

COCONUT, MILK CHOCOLATE AND CRANBERRY COOKIES Preparation time 20 mins plus 1 hour chillingCooking time 35 minsMakes 6 75g unsalted butter, softened ½ cup brown sugar 2 ½ tablespoons milk ½ cup plain flour ⅔ cup strong white bread flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon bicarbonate soda ½ teaspoon sea-salt flakes, crushed 50g milk chocolate, coarsely chopped ⅓ cup dried cranberries ½ cup desiccated or shredded coconut COATING 80g milk chocolate, melted ½ cup desiccated or shredded coconut STEP 1 Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy. Don’t undermix at this stage – you want a very light mixture. Add the milk, a little at a time, beating until fully combined before adding any more. In…

THE EVERGREEN PINE TREE IS A BELOVED SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC. IT REPRESENTS ETERNAL LIFE BUT ALSO FESTIVE CHEER! QUILT Finished size: 52cm square Gather your supplies Lengths and cutting instructions are based on 112cm wide fabric (including selvedges) unless otherwise noted. 35cm solid white (block, border 4) 15cm yard green print (block) 6.5cm square tan print (tree trunk) 15cm each navy dot, solid blue, and light blue print (borders 1–3) 25cm white dot (binding) 68.5cm (27-inch) square backing fabric 68.5cm (27-inch) square batting Embroidery thread: white, light blue (optional) You’ll also need Cutting mat and rotary cutter; quilting ruler; triangle ruler (if you have one); pencil; 220-grit sandpaper; pins; sewing thread for assembly; quilting thread for quilting; sewing machine; iron and ironing board. CUT FABRICS Cut…

STARS OF WONDER TIMELESS CHARM WOODEN SANTA Page 92…