Modern Christmas

I can’t say that it’s from the moment the carols start piping into the mall lifts (because y’all know that seems to kick in way before the brain has cottoned onto the fact that it is the last quarter of the year), but it is certainly from the moment I spot my first beauty advent calendar that I start revving up for the festive season… I am obsessed with beauty advent calendars, but more on this in our guide to the ultimate gifts. What does the festive season even mean at the (hopefully) tail end of an almost two-year pandemic? “Hopeful” is the correct word, right? Hopeful for the end of the year, for summer, for gathering with loved ones, for sharing, joy, celebration and all the good things that…

DANIELLE WEAKLEY Editor-In-Chief @danweakley @modernZA_ MICHELLE VON SCHLICHT Art Director @michellevonsch LEIGH CHAMPANIS-KING Sub Editor @leighthechamp SINEAD MARTIN Shopping Editor @sinead_martin NTI RAMABOA This Jozi-based TV chef and cookbook author has long been a favourite of ours! We love her cooking show, Street Food In Africa, just as much as we love her festive take on Christmas. @chef_nti AMY HOPKINS Amy Hopkins loves cooking almost as much as she loves health and fitness, so no surprise that she mixes the two, creating healthy dishes that are bursting with flavour. @amy_hoppy CHARMAINE RAMALOPE-MAKHUBELA You may know her as GlamFoodie, but off Insta, Charmaine is a self-taught cook with a passion for fresh, healthy flavours and she brought all of it to the table with her Christmas menu. @glamfoodiesa NICCI LEE WATSON…

For the home cook The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen under a North London railway arch is described as a treasure trove of food talent and creativity. This new book taps into the team of brilliant co-creators who will take you through your own kitchen cupboards for dishes with a twist. For the fans The origin story, as Johnny Clegg wrote it and wanted it told, this memoir of the early days is described as: extraordinary stories of the determination with which he pursued his quest to play the music he wanted, to the people who wanted to hear it. For thriller lovers Forensic pathologist Dr Kay Scarpetta is back! It’s the 25th book in this hugely successful series. This one includes the White House, top-secret labs in outer space and a…

BLACK AND WHITE IS ALRIGHT No matter the season, monochrome is classic and elegant – and black and white wrapping is no exception. These two colours are a timeless combination: your gifts will look beautiful and the tree under which they lie will look super stylish. Win-win. While plain black or white paper is a great – and affordable – option, take your monochromatic theme to the next level by playing with printables, add some greenery and don’t be afraid of raw string or gold ribbon. Tip: Print some of your favourite Instagram snaps via Nifty250 (nifty250.co.za) and use them as your tags. Tip: Use your favourite fabric as wrapping – no sticky tape required and it looks seriously Pinterestworthy. GO AU NATUREL There’s no denying that the Christmas wrapping…

summer menu | starters BACON-WRAPPED CHICKENS KEWERS 200g package boneless, skinless chicken-tenderloin strips15 slices thick-cut bacon15 wooden or metal skewers3 tbsp tomato sauce2 tbsp maple syrup1 tbsp Dijon mustard½ teaspoon groundblack pepper 1. Heat your grill to medium-high heat. 2. Wrap each strip of chicken with a slice of bacon. Skewer each bacon-wrapped chicken strip onto a wooden or metal skewer, making sure to weave the skewer through both the bacon and the chicken. 3. In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, maple syrup, mustard and black pepper. 4. Place the skewers on your well-oiled grill (to prevent sticking) and grill one side for about three minutes or until the bacon starts to crisp. Turn over and baste the grilled sides with half of the sauce while the…

TIP The assembly requires a bit of clever handwork. Use the large rings of potato for the outer circle (you want them to be a similar size) and use the smaller rings for the inner circle, even double layering, if needed. TIP No need to peel the potatoes – the skin is packed with nutrients. BAKED SWEET POTATO WREATH 2kg orange sweet potatoesOlive oilSalt and freshly groundblack pepperFresh sage 1/ Preheat the oven to 200°C. 2/ Wash the potatoes, cut off the gnarly bits and slice finely into 2mm-thick rings. 3/ Layer the potato slices into a round dish like a wreath. Once tightly stacked (they will soften when cooked), generously drizzle olive oil all over and in between the rings. 4/ Season with salt and pepper and bake for…