After the dismal Christmas that was Xmas 2020, this year we're going bigger and better than ever with our celebrations, with plans including stocking up on more Baileys than can sink a ship and bringing out the LBDs that have been sat in waiting for the past 365 days.
Ho, ho, ho(e) lads, December is upon us and is anyone else feeling more festive than ever this season?! After the dismal Christmas that was Xmas 2020, this year we’re going bigger and better than ever with our celebrations, with plans including stocking up on more Baileys than can sink a ship, setting up camp in front of The Holiday with a cheese board large enough to feed a small army and bringing out the LBDs that have been sat in waiting for the past 365 days. In the words of Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen: “It’s always a good time”.
Here are 20 things to do in December that will have you feeling like you’re living a Love Actually fantasy…
1. Buy an overpriced mulled wine at the Christmas market and shed a silent tear at the sorry lunches you’ll be eating for the rest of the week to help your bank balance recoup.
2. Ruin Secret Santa by accidentally revealing your gift recipient after one two many glasses of bubbly. Sorry ‘bout it.
3. Perform the entire 10-minute version of All Too Well at the office karaoke.
4. And watch the festive vibes come crashing to a screeching halt.
5. Make a Christmas leftovers sandwich à-la Emily Mariko and savour the simple pleasure of enjoying the best meal of the year.
6. Watch Little Women and sob. That’s it, that’s the tweet.
7. Suggest a festive walk with the fam and suppress your silent rage for the next hour at the snail’s pace you’re forced to adopt. There’s mince pies to be eating and Netflix to be watching, Susan!
8. Unwrap your Black Friday splurges and wonder why you ever thought you’d use a spiralizer. Festive courgetti anyone?
9. Watch Last Christmas and reminisce on how ‘so bad it’s good’ the twist is.
10. Demolish an entire camembert and ward off disapproving stares from Uncle Brian who thought he’d get a look in. Some of us are vegetarians ‘round here!
11. Skew your entire Spotify Wrapped for 2022 already by listening exclusively to Michael Buble for the next 31 days. It’s Michael’s world and we’re just living in it.
12. Spend around 3 hours deciding on a Christmas mani design before settling on red glitter because sometimes being a basic b*tch is just how it’s supposed to be.
13. Get emosh reflecting on Christmas 2020 and finally being reunited with your nearest and dearest this sparkly season. We’ll take the arguments and all!
14. Spend ungodly amounts trying to win a giant teddy bear at Winter Wonderland only to leave with an empty purse and frozen feet. Turns out Converse have a time and place and it ain’t here.
15. Do a bulk turtleneck order to hide any tattoos and piercings you’ve acquired over the past 365 days before Granny arrives.
16. Wonder where the days of receiving an iTunes voucher for Christmas went and remember you are in fact now, old.
17. Attempt to mature your taste buds by trying Christmas pudding for the 7391985th time, but nope, still gross.
18. Shudder with anxiety every time you think about New Year’s Eve and settle on curling up with a book and takeaway. A slice of fiction never let anyone down like a washing machine-esque midnight kiss did.
19. Watch your iPhone screen time nosedive as you lap up time offline and wonder why you don’t digitally detox more often.
20. Wear red lipstick on the daily and channel your inner Ms Swift forever(more).
A Definitive Ranking of the Best Festive Drinks 2021 Has To Offer
We’ve done the hard work for you and trialled the crème de la crème of festive drinks from coffee connoisseurs Starbucks, Costa, Caffè Nero and Pret a Manger to crown the ultimate winner in the battle of Christmas beverages.
Ho, ho, ho, December is right around the corner and you know what that means? It’s socially acceptable to be drinking festive drinks ONLY for the next month (aka the best 31 days of the year)- what’s not to love? Veins flowing exclusively with gingerbread, mint choc chip and eggnog, we don’t mind if we do! Coffee shops around the country step up their festive offerings year on year, and understandably getting to the front of the Starbucks queue and having to decide between the plethora of delicious red cup options can be as stressful as watching your mum open *that* risky present that could seriously go either way.
Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work for you (thank us later) and trialled the crème de la crème of festive drinks from coffee connoisseurs Starbucks, Costa, Caffè Nero and Pret a Manger to crown the ultimate winner in the battle of Christmas beverages. From delicious to disastrous, it’s fair to say there were some controversial and painfully honest opinions heard inside the walls of Zoella HQ, and all we can really say is Starbucks, we apologise in advance….
Costa Toffee Penny Latte – Expectation:
Saddle up people, Costa’s exclusive Quality Street flavours are back, and if that doesn’t scream Christmas in a cup we don’t know what does. This year there’s a new, golden addition to the family, in the form of the well loved Toffee Penny. Think classic Latte, blended with rich golden caramel sauce, topped with a light dairy swirl, and sprinkled with crunchy caramel toppers to perfectly capture the buttery notes of the Toffee Penny sweet. Sounds divine, but what does the team think…
Costa Toffee Penny Latte- Reality:
Holly: 2/5
Couldn’t taste the toffee or the penny, just pure milk and lack of caffeine. Not a fan.
Charlotte: 4/5
Delicious, imo! Very milky so the toffee flavour could have been stronger. It was really good but if I hadn’t known it was toffee penny I wouldn’t have known this was the flavour specifically!
Lareese: 2/5
I feel robbed. I was promised toffee penny and I got bad penny. Bad bad penny. I’m a cow’s milk girl though and we’ve gone all oat milk with this ranking for the sake of consistency, so maybe my tastebuds are just kicking off. The Costa Terry’s Chocolate Orange is god-tier though.
Darcey: 4/5
Loved this one. The toffee wasn’t too sweet but was the perfect amount, usually not a fan of flavoured coffee drinks so this impressed me!
Danielle: 2/5
For me, this was just far too creamy, a real creamy fella. If you like sweet cream more than actual coffee then, by all means, snap this up. I did get a hint of toffee penny but not enough for me to recognise it, however, I can confirm the Terry’s Chocolate Orange tastes EXACTLY like it.
Costa After Eight Hot Chocolate- Expectation:
For those who aren’t a slave to caffeine, look no further than Costa’s iconic After Eight Hot Chocolate for a slice (or sip) of true festivity whenever you need a hit of Christmassy excitement. The signature Costa Hot Chocolate has been flavoured with mint syrup, finished with a light creamy topping and chocolate dusting. Psst: it also comes with a free After Eight chocolate thin atop the lid – what’s not to love?!
Costa After Eight Hot Chocolate- Reality:
Holly: 5/5
Absolutely astounding- best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth and I’ll be ordering this every day until January. Thank you Costa for bringing this gloriousness into my life.
Charlotte: 5/5
Tastes just like a blended After Eight- an absolute must to try this festive season! Not too sweet despite how chocolatey this dreamboat of a drink was, and so very silky smooth too. Goes down like a treat!
Lareese: 5/5
That is a taste sensation. Honour your tastebuds and order one immediately.
Darcey: 5/5
5/5 – OMG THIS IS UNREAL, I’d give it a 10 if I could.
Danielle: 3/5
I don’t love After Eights so I’m probably not the best person to score this. I wouldn’t order it myself but I can confirm it tastes just like the sweet treats and I think a mint choc lover would be all over this!
Caffè Nero Gingerbread Latte- Expectation:
The classic Caffè Nero latte we know and love has been Christmasified this season, with a generous dose of gingerbread syrup and topped with a dusting of cinnamon- mmhm! If classic festive flavours are your jam then look no further for a dose of quintessential Christmas that will have you more excited for the 25th Dec than Buddy the Elf.
Caffè Nero Gingerbread Latte- Reality:
Holly: 3/5
Genuinely confused, I couldn’t tell you if I liked it or not. Not very gingerbready but as coffees go, I wouldn’t kick him off the table.
Charlotte: 2/5
Not an overwhelming gingerbread flavour but still nice and festive overall. A bit of a perfume-y smell which is slightly off-putting and a bit too sweet.
Lareese: 3/5
It smells a lot better than it tastes. And it smells a lot like artificial arse. Woah, who shat in my Cornflakes (or my coffee) this morning? I’m being so savage aren’t I?!
Darcey: 2/5
Mainly marked down as I must admit it does smell slightly like a Homesense candle and the taste is how I’d imagine that smell to taste…
Danielle: 4/5
For me, this was probably the drink I’m most likely to order out of the bunch. It was still quite sweet and creamy but the spicy ginger gives it a bit more of an edge, and it definitely felt quite festive!
Caffè Nero Mint Choc Hot Choc- Expectation:
A hot, milky chocolate drink with mint syrup, topped with chocolate chips- yes please! This marvellously minty addition to the Caffè Nero menu is a slice of Christmas joy for those who want a balance of cooling, zesty flavours with a classic hint of satisfying sweetness. Add marshmallows for an extra boost of sugary deliciousness and you’ve got yourself a sweet treat you won’t want to reach the end of.
Caffè Nero Mint Choc Hot Choc- Reality:
Holly: 4/5
Not particularly minty but still made me happy inside. Mint choc chip for the win.
Charlotte: 2/5
Nice if you like mint but it has a slight toothpaste flavour so probably wouldn’t order again. Average and not overly memorable, aside from its Colgate-ness.
Lareese: 4/5
It’s no Costa After Eight but it’s certainly up there. I’m a simp for the mint choc combo.
Darcey: 1.5/5
I really didn’t love this one- sorry Nero! I didn’t think it was very minty and the aftertaste was a tad strange.
Danielle: 2/5
A good hit of mint but not as good as the ol’ After Eight.
Starbucks Eggnog Latte- Expectation:
A classic holiday flavour, this is one to order if you fancy channeling traditional Christmas to the max- whack Home Alone on the telly and boom, you’ve completed Christmas. Featuring the signature Starbucks espresso, rich steamed eggnog and topped with a seasonal sprinkling of nutmeg, feel yourself being warmed from the inside out with this creamy mug of joy- it would be wrong to make it through December without one!
Starbucks Eggnog Latte- Reality:
Holly: 1/5
I can think of nothing I would like to do less than drink this again. It reminded me of something I would usually spit out, do with that what you will.
Charlotte: 1/5
Tastes like cow- something I always find when I have a bit of dairy. I think maybe it was the combination of oat milk and eggnog mix that made it quite overpowering and a tad unpleasant if I’m honest.
Lareese: 1/5
Hard pass. Not for me mam. It’s giving paintstripper with a hint of something creamy on the turn.
Darcey: 1/5
Unfortunately as a non-dairy drinker the eggnog aspect can’t be escaped and so it tasted way too milky for me- only buy if you drink milk / like an eggnog tipple.
Danielle: 1/5
Wow what a beverage, if you like eggnog then you might like this but I just can’t fathom how anyone would. It tasted quite chemical with a boozy lingering flavour, but without any actual alcohol in it so it’s a no from me.
Starbucks Caramel Waffle Latte- Expectation:
Caramel, waffle, latte- what’s not to love? Winter waffle sauce forms the foundations of this joyous addition to the Starbucks’ menu, offering a sweet, sweet hit of deliciousness in a less traditional Christmas flavour. The signature Starbucks espresso + waffle sauce + whipped cream and spiced caramel waffle crunch topping = a sweet tooth dream. We’ll have a Venti please…
Starbucks Caramel Waffle Latte- Reality:
Holly: 1/5
Really unpleasant. Tasted like nail polish remover, not a hint of caramel or waffle.
Charlotte: 1/5
Tastes like a bath bomb, and that’s simply not what you want in a drink. Strong aftertaste that stays with you- not my vibe!
Lareese: 1/5
Sorry to be dramatic but that felt a lot like torture. Have we asked for too much by pushing Christmas on coffee? Darcey hits the nail on the head – it’s like sipping suds.
Darcey: 1/5
Honestly save your money on this one, it’s so incredibly sweet and artificial tasting it’s really unpleasant. It has a soapy taste that lingers for longer than I’d like.
Danielle: 0/5
I didn’t think drinks could get much worse than the eggnog latte until I drank this. Hard pass, weird chemical flavour, just horrendous in every way.
Pret Popcorn Hot Chocolate- Expectation:
Love the classic Pret Popcorn Bar? Look no further for your new December obsession. Combining the roasted popcorn notes of Pret’s popcorn syrup, silky steamed milk and topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate powder, this unconventional Christmas beverage is everything that’s right in the world in one red, festive cup.
Pret Popcorn Hot Chocolate- Reality:
Holly: 4/5
Very nice actually, different to your classic flavours but minus one point because it didn’t make me feel festive.
Charlotte: 3/5
Yum! I’m definitely getting popcorn vibes which is preferable to some of the other drinks that bear no resemblance to their supposed flavour, but still a tiny bit too sweet for me!
Lareese: 4/5
I’m not getting a great deal of popcorn – maybe like the slight dust that greets you when crushed into a cinema floor.. Subtle but not overly festive. The taste is pretty up there though and the cup is 10/10l – I’d go as far to say it’s my favourite design of the year.
Darcey: 4/5
Big fan of this! You can really taste the popcorn and the sweet and salty aspect is very nice.
Danielle: 4/5
I found this beverage delicious! A bit different, not much popcorn flavour but enough to understand where they were going with it! Not particularly festive but I’d drink this again in a heartbeat!
Final thoughts:
Expectations vs reality doesn’t get more savage than this, and it’s clear Team Zoella have some strong opinions when it comes to finding the perfect Christmas beverage…
Coming out on top was the undisputed winner and divine deliciousness that was Costa’s After Eight Hot Chocolate, scoring an average of 4.6 out of 5- worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake and quite honestly better than sex. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Starbucks’ sad and sorry Eggnog Latte, totalling an average of 1 out of 5 and inciting outrage that this bev ever made it past the testing stage. Try again next year @ Starbs.
Which hot beverage has made it to the top of your Christmas list this festive season?
7 Festive Dessert Ideas For Anyone Who Wants to Hard Pass on Christmas Pudding
Grab a spoon, a fork or your bare hands for all we care, here are 7 desserts that deserve a place at your dinner table this December. Now read the room and f*ck off, figgy pudding.
Christmas Pudding is one dessert that divides the nation.
Your dad is likely the only person who looks forward to this boozy British enigma every year, complete with lashings of brandy butter, of course. Staunch traditionalists and dads aside, no one classes Christmas Pudding as a serious Yuletide contender, not when sticky toffee pudding breathes the same air. Any dessert that insists on flames is overcompensating for something. The heat carries it.
With that in mind, we’ve foraged the internet for the best unconventional Christmas Day desserts, some of which take inspiration from the traditional boozy mound adored by dads and others that completely disrupt the status quo.
Grab a spoon, a fork or your bare hands for all we care, here are 7 desserts that deserve a place at your dinner table this December. Now read the room and f*ck off, figgy pudding.
Flourless Chocolate Cloud Cake
Flourless chocolate cake? We know, we were sceptical too, but this is one of Richard Sax’s most iconic recipes so trust the process! Plus, any cake that needs to look like it’s given up on life and caved in on itself is a host’s best friend, for the margin for error is conveniently roomy. Don’t blame us if your dinner guests fall silent. The cake knows how to work a room.
SERVES 8
PREP:
30 MINS COOK:
40 MINS
MEDIUM
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
Cake:
225g bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
110g unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into 1-tablespoon pieces
6 large eggs
200g sugar
2 tablespoons cognac or Grand Marnier (optional)
Finely grated zest of 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon, optional)
Whipped Cream:
355g heavy cream, very cold
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Unsweetened cocoa powder and/or bittersweet chocolate shavings, for topping
Heat the oven to 175°C
Line the bottom of a 20cm springform pan with baking parchment (do not butter the pan or parchment).
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Ensure it’s not touching the water. Once melted, remove from the heat and
In two small bowls, separate 4 of the egg yolks (keep hold of the whites for later). In a large bowl, mix 2 whole eggs with the 4 egg yolks and 100g of the sugar until just combined. Add in the melted chocolate slowly. Whisk in the butter until smooth. Whisk in the cognac or Grand Marnier and the orange zest.
Using a handheld mixer and a separate bowl, mix the 4 egg whites for 2 minutes until foamy. Add the remaining 100g sugar gradually and beat until it’s glossy with soft peaks that hold their shape (about 5 minutes more).
Gently fold a ¼ of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. This is the satisfying part so take your time. It will soothe your soul. Slowly work in the rest of the egg whites.
Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Set the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake on a rack in the centre of the oven for 35-40 mins until the top is puffy and cracked.
Let the cake cool in the pan on the rack so it collapses in the centre. Don’t panic – it’s meant to do that!
Whilst the cake cools, whip the cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a handheld mixer until soft peaks form.
Using a spatula, fill the sunken centre of the cake with the whipped cream to the edges of the crater. Dust with cocoa powder for a festive touch.
Run the edge of a knife around the edge of the cake then remove the sides of the pan and cut into hunks to serve.
Want a way to step up your Christmas Pudding game? We give you > pastries slathered in marmalade and sprinkled with chocolate. This new twist on the beloved classic bread and butter pudding gives this traditional family treat the kind of modern glow up that’s guaranteed to have your guests diving in for seconds.
SERVES 6
PREP:
30 MINS COOK:
30 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
400ml double cream
200ml milk
Medium free-range egg yolks
2-3 tbsp caster sugar
50ml Grand Marnier or other orange-flavoured liqueur
8 croissants, split in half
8 tbsp marmalade
100g dark chocolate, chopped
Heat the cream and milk in a pan until it’s close to boiling then remove from the heat. Beat the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl, add the cream and stir. Go in with the Grand Marnier / orange-flavoured liqueur and set aside.
Butter a 1.5 litre ovenproof dish. Spread each pastry half with marmalade and layer into the dish. Sprinkle with choc!
Pour the custard mix over the croissants and leave to soak for 15 mins.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Bake through for 25-30 minutes until softly set (slightly wobbly) and golden.
This alternative Christmas Pudding creation from baker and food writer, Edd Kimber, spells the end of the brandy butter’s longstanding reign as Kimber calls for chocolate sauce this time around. Standing ovation for this controversial stroke of genius, please. Someone will have to break the news to pa but other than that *slight* inconvenience, it’s the modern meets retro remix every feuding family needs on their side.
SERVES
PREP:
COOK:
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
60g unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing
125g raisins
125g sultanas
125g currants
75g mixed peel
75g Armagnac
120g light brown muscovado sugar
2 clementines, zest of both and juice of 1
2 large eggs
50g plain flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
½ tsp mixed spice
½ tsp ground cinnamon
100g fresh breadcrumbs
50g ground almonds
150g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
1 small bramley apple, peeled and finely chopped
Candied Clementines:
200g caster sugar
2 clementines, sliced into rounds the thickness of a £1 coin
Chocolate sauce:
50g dark chocolate
100ml double cream
Lightly grease a 1.1 litre pudding basin and line the base with a disc of baking parchment. Put the dried fruit and peel in a bowl and pour over the Armagnac. Set aside for a few hours to soak.
Using an electric hand whisk, beat the butter, muscovado sugar and clementine zest into a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs in one at a time, beating well between each.
In another bowl mix together the flour, cocoa, spices, breadcrumbs and almonds, then add to the mixture, along with the soaked dried fruit, chocolate, apple and clementine juice. Mix with a wooden spoon until combined.
Scrape the mixture into the pudding basin and level off. Put a sheet of baking parchment on top of a sheet of foil and fold a pleat in the middle. Place foil-side up on top of the pudding and fold the excess down over the sides of the basin. Tie with string to secure in place and cut off any excess foil/parchment.
Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and place an upturned saucer on the bottom. Bring the water to the boil and put the pudding on top of the saucer. Reduce the temperature to a simmer, then cover and steam for 3 hours 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, checking every so often and topping up with water if needed.
While the pudding is steaming, make the candied clementines. Preheat the oven to 100°C, gas mark ¼. Put the sugar and 200ml water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the clementine slices, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook until the fruit looks translucent (about 2 hours). Carefully lift the slices from the syrup and place on a parchment-lined baking tray. Bake for about 45-60 minutes or until they’re a little less wet (just slightly tacky). Set aside until needed.
Carefully lift the pudding from the pan and uncover. Invert onto a plate and set aside. For the sauce, put the chocolate and cream in a small pan and stir together over a low heat until smooth. Pour over the pudding and decorate with a few of the clementine slices (the rest can be left to dry overnight and then kept in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks).
Edible centrepiece? Completed it pal. Topped with sweet, syrupy glacé cherries, pistachios and mixed peel, you’d be forgiven for telling your relatives this is a mock meringue, purely for display purposes only. “Not to be eaten this one, sorry Aunty B. It’s polystyrene. Plenty of Christmas Pudding leftover though…”
SERVES 6 -8
PREP:
60 MINS COOK:
60 MINS
MEDIUM
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
For the meringue:
250g/9oz caster sugar
1 tsp white vinegar
2 tsp cornflour
1 tsp vanilla extract
butter, for greasing
For the tutti-frutti cream:
350ml/12fl oz double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tbsp cornflour
100g/3½oz glacé cherries, chopped
100g/3½oz pistachios, roughly chopped
100g/3½oz mixed peel
25g/1oz dark chocolate shavings for topping
Preheat the oven to 150C/130C Fan/Gas 2 and lightly grease a large baking tray. Using a pencil, trace around a 25cm/10in plate onto baking paper and then flip it over onto the greased baking tray.
To make the meringue, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks start to form, then slowly add the sugar a spoonful at a time, allowing the crystals to melt. As soon as you have used all the sugar and you have stiff peaks, add the vinegar, cornflour and vanilla and whisk one last time to incorporate.
Spoon or pipe the meringue into the circle on the baking paper, as neatly or roughly as you like. Create a slight indent in the centre, where the cream will sit.
Bake in the oven for 1 hour. When the hour is up, turn the oven off and leave the meringue in there until the oven is totally cold. Pop onto a serving dish or leave in an airtight container until you are ready to serve.
To make the filling, whisk the cream in a bowl with the icing sugar and cornflour until you have soft peaks. Add about half of the chopped cherries, pistachios and mixed peel and gently fold through, reserving the rest for the top.
Take two spoons and dollop the cream mixture onto the meringue. Finally, scatter with the rest of the cherries, pistachios and mixed peel and sprinkle all over with the chocolate shavings.
Forget words of affirmation, this is the only love language that matters. Cinnamon whipped cream mingles with layers of sticky toffee cake, butterscotch pudding, whisky and candied pecans to create a dessert that’ll single handedly see you through the Queen’s speech. Sure, these merry trifles can be quite time consuming, but you can’t hurry love.
SERVES 6-8
PREP:
45 MINS COOK:
60 MINS
MEDIUM
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
For the butterscotch pudding:
60g butter, salted or unsalted
150 g packed dark brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
3 tablespoons cornstarch
625ml cups whole milk
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
1 tablespoon whisky
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the cake:
60g sweet unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
170g dates, pitted
125g plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch salt
3/4 cup (150 grams) light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
For the toffee sauce:
250g light brown sugar, packed
120 ml heavy cream
60g unsalted butter
1 tablespoon whisky
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
For the cinnamon whipped cream:
600 ml cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For additional toppings:
130 grams candied pecans, coarsely chopped
Butterscotch pudding:
1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
2. Add the brown sugar and salt, and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the milk with the cornstarch until well combined.
4. Whisk in the egg and egg yolks.
5. Pour the remainder of the milk into the brown sugar mixture and whisk to combine.
6. Whisk in the egg/cornstarch mixture.
7. Return the pan to the heat, and bring the mixture to the boil. Whisk frequently so no clumps form.
8. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and whisk constantly for an additional minute.
9. Once the pudding thickens, remove from heat and stir in the whisky and vanilla extract.
10. If clumps have formed, pour the mixture through a strainer.
11. Pour the mixture into a large heat proof bowl and press some plastic wrap over the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.
12. Let the pudding chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
The cake:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (160°C fan)
2. Grease an 8×8 pan.
3. In a small saucepan, combine the dates with 3/4 cup of water.
4. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
5. Puree the dates and water in a blender and cool.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
7. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium high speed until light and creamy.
8. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and date puree. Beat to combine.
9. Add the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined.
10. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
11. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
12. Invert the cake onto the rack and leave to cool completely.
The toffee sauce:
1. Combine the sugar, cream, and butter in a saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Continue to cook over medium heat for an additional 3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add the whisky and vanilla extract.
5. Stir to combine.
Cinnamon whipped cream:
1. With an electric mixer (if using a stand mixer, use the whisk attachment), beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
2. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla and beat just until you get stiff peaks.
Assemble:
1. In a large bowl, crumble the cake into pieces.
2. Pour the toffee sauce (rewarm to a pourable consistency if it has thickened) over the cake and mix together until the sauce is evenly distributed.
3. In a wine glass (or container of your choice) add a layer of the cake mixture at the bottom of the glass.
4. Top with a layer of butterscotch pudding.
5. Add a layer of whipped cream (I used a piping bag to do this).
For an easy no-bake option you can whip together in 45 mins flat (+3 hours for chilling), look no further than this tipsy Tiramisu. Sponge fingers soaked in coffee and sweet almond liqueur and topped with Baileys Irish Cream – this spongy wintertime dessert is the perfect way to conclude your Christmas day dinner.
SERVES
PREP:
40 MINS COOK:
3 HRS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
200 ml strong black coffee, freshly made and cooled
2 tbsp amaretto
500ml double cream
250g mascarpone
3 tbsp golden caster sugar
50ml Baileys Irish cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
175g sponge fingers
2-3 tbsp cocoa powder
1. Mix the coffee and amaretto in a shallow bowl. Whip the cream, mascarpone, sugar, Baileys and vanilla together in another bowl until it forms soft peaks. Transfer to a large piping bag with a wide, round nozzle (about 2cm) and chill.
2. Dip the sponge fingers into the coffee for a few seconds on each side until they’re well soaked but not collapsing, then add a single layer to a 20cm serving dish, using about half of the sponge fingers.
3. Pipe over half of the cream, then layer on more soaked sponge fingers, and pipe the remaining cream, in blobs, in an even layer over the top. Chill until ready to serve for at least 3 hours. Sieve over the cocoa powder to cover all the cream just before serving.
You don’t get more festive than gingerbread, so if you want a failsafe Christmas crowd-pleaser with all the chef’s kiss appeal, look no further than this winter spice cheesecake showstopper.
SERVES
PREP:
COOK:
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
Cheesecake:
600g Full-Fat Cream Cheese
100g Light Brown Sugar
50g Black Treacle
45g Plain Flour
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Nutmeg
3 Medium Eggs
1 Egg Yolk
150ml Soured Cream
Decoration:
250ml Double Cream
1 tsp Ground Ginger
2 tbsp Icing Sugar
Gingerbread Men
Sprinkles
For the Base:
Preheat your oven to 220C/200C fan.
Blitz your Biscuits to a fine crumb, add in the melted butter and blitz again.
Press the biscuit down into the bottom of a 20cm/8″ deep springform tin. Leave to the side for now.
For the Cheesecake:
Mix your cream cheese on its own till smooth (10-20 seconds).
Gradually add in the light brown sugar, black treacle, and plain flour, without mixing for too long.
Add in the vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, and then gradually add in the eggs one at a time. The less you mix the better.
Once mixed, fold through the soured cream, and then pour the cheesecake mix on top of the base.
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, and then lower the temperature to 110°C /90°C fan, and bake for 35-45 minutes. It should have a small wobble in the middle, but mainly be solid.
Once baked, leave to cool in the oven with the door ajar, for 2 hours.
Once cooled, leave to set in the fridge overnight.
For the Decoration:
Whip together your cream, icing sugar and ginger until thick and pipeable!
Take your cheesecake out of the tin, smother some cream on the cheesecake, and then pipe on some swirls.
Add on some Gingerbread Men for decoration, and sprinkle over some gingerbread crumbs and sprinkles.
30 Dirty Santa Gifts The Whole Family Will Want To Steal
Dirty Santa, Stealing Santa, White Elephant, or Switch, Steal, Unwrap- whatever alias it goes by in your household, this classic family game (read: argument starter) is one the festive season wouldn't be the same without.
Dirty Santa, Stealing Santa, White Elephant, or Switch, Steal, Unwrap- whatever alias it goes by in your household, this classic family game (read: argument starter) is one the festive season wouldn’t be the same without. For those who are unfamiliar, this cheeky Christmas pastime involves each guest bringing a gift that can be enjoyed by all, plonking it in the middle of the circle (or into a Santa’s sack for ultimate xmas joy), before drawing a player to go first, selecting a gift on your turn, and then when the presents run out, stealing from your fellow participants. For a full rundown of how to prepare for your own Dirty Santa extravaganza, check out dirtysantarules.com for all the ins and outs you need to know.
Finding the right gift for this free-for-all present exchange need not give you a headache though, as our comprehensive guide has all you could need to cater for every kind of pal or Auntie you see approx twice a year. Think a Mal Paper gratitude journal, bath oils from Gaia, inspirational reads from Matt Haig, delicious sweet treats from Biscuiteers or a Timothee Chalamet candle, just because. If you’re really sneaky you could even attempt leaving with your own present contribution, because they’re simply too good to part with…
‘Tis The Season To Wrap Up – Looking After Your Sexual Health At Christmas
Party season is well and truly underway and with it comes a labyrinth of sudden feelings and urges to navigate.
Health is wealth or so the saying goes and as we head towards the season of giving, the one gift we don’t want to receive this Christmas – or indeed re-gift – is an STI, thank you very much.
With all the merriment in the air and alcohol-fuelled nights impairing our judgement, the season can do us dirty, convincing us that the thrill of a one-night stand without protection has main character energy. Ah, the classic ‘do I fancy you, or is it just December?’ mind fuckery. Jägerbombs have a lot to answer for.
Party season is well and truly underway and with it comes a labyrinth of sudden feelings and urges to navigate. It can be a notoriously frisky time of year and with free prosecco a’flowing, it’s easy to slip into risk-taking behaviour. What can we say, there’s just something about the festivities that makes us more likely to get a little more amorous.
With that in mind, we’ve got a few golden rules, tips and tricks to have up your sleeve to ensure it’s the most wonderful time of the year for both you and your sexual health. From STI screenings to sex toy hygiene, here’s a run-down of everything you need to know.
The cardinal rules
Use protection – Adulthood is great and everything but STIs, not so much! Enter: condoms, the one accessory you can’t be without for party season. However you identify, carrying one is not only responsible but empowering and your best defence against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Having safe sex is sexy, folks! You can pick up condoms for free from your GP or a sexual health clinic or purchase them from the pharmacy or supermarket.
If you take the contraceptive pill, wear the patch or have the injection, it’s important you’re covered and have enough provisions over the Christmas period. If getting a GP appointment isn’t possible, a sexual health clinic will be able to help you.
If you’ve had unprotected sex in the last five days and require emergency contraception, contact NHS 111 (England) or pop into your nearest Boots store to have a friendly and confidential chat with the pharmacist. You can also buy the emergency morning-after pill online at Boots in case you need it in the future. You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire so a pharmacist can check if your chosen pill is suitable.
Pee after sex / genital simulation – UTIs just LOVE to find us at Christmas. To reduce the risk, flush out any bacteria from your urethra caused by intercourse by peeing after sex. On the subject of UTIs – avoid sitting around in damp workout clothes or bathing suits and don’t switch from anal to vaginal intercourse without changing the condom.
Ditch the douching – as tempting as it is to cleanse your yoni in a post-sex cleanup, this can often do more harm than good. If you do want to have a post-action cleanse, stick to good old fashioned plain warm water and clean the vulva. Don’t venture inside as this can upset your pH levels. Your vagina is a self-cleaning goddess, leave her be. Same with penis-having people – when faced with the dilemma of whether to dunk or not to dunk after sex (s/o to *that* penis beaker Mumsnet post. Truly the gift that keeps on giving), avoid using soaps and scented body wash on the head of the penis. As for the penis beaker, there’s really no need. Keep things simple and stick to showering with warm water.
Stay hydrated – not only does it help preserve vaginal lubrication, but it also goes hand-in-hand with peeing after sex. Stay hydrated, have regular bathroom breaks, and reduce your risk of UTIs. Simple.
Getting checked for Sexually Transmitted Infections
STIs are predominantly spread by sexual contact, including oral, vaginal or anal sex, so even if you didn’t have penetrative sex, you can still be at risk of infections and passing an STI to a sexual partner. Some STIs can also be spread via blood or skin-to-skin contact.
Different infections have different incubation periods (the time between doing the deed and onset of symptoms) but most clinics recommend getting tested as soon as possible to be on the safe side.
People can react differently to the same STI and sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms at all, which is why getting tested regularly, particularly between new partners and after unprotected sex, is the only way to know for certain and start the year with a clean bill of health.
Here’s a list of some general symptoms to be aware of:
Discharge from the penis or vagina
Pain when urinating
Pain during sex
Blisters, sores or itchiness around the genitals
Rashes on the skin
Abdominal pain
Strong odour
Headaches
Bleeding between periods
Inflammation
What to expect from an STI screening
Whilst the thought of discussing intimate details with a stranger (albeit a professional one) doesn’t exactly scream Merry Christmas, remember this is their job – they’ve heard and seen it all before.
The test itself is straightforward and confidential. The initial consultation usually involves discussing the reason for your visit, how many sexual partners you’ve had, what type of sex you’ve engaged in, how often you use protection, potential symptoms you’re experiencing and your medical history – this all helps to inform your screening and what test is appropriate for you.
Depending on what you need to be tested for, you’ll either give a urine, blood or swab sample (vagina / anus / cheek / throat) which will be sent off to a lab for examination. In some instances, the clinician will also perform an external examination, for example, to diagnose genital warts and herpes.
Many clinics offer rapid testing for HIV but other test results can take up to 2 weeks. Your clinician will ask you how you’d prefer to receive your results i.e via text, email or a phone call.
What do if you test positive for an STI
Whilst this might not be the Crimbo surprise you were hoping for, it’s important you know you’re not alone. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk – more than 1 million STIs are acquired every day worldwide and you certainly won’t be the first or the last person to deal with one.
Some STIs can cause serious health issues if left undetected so even if it doesn’t feel like it, it’s better than you’re in the know. If your test comes back positive (meaning you have a sexually transmitted infection), your GP or sexual health nurse will be able to tell you the next steps regarding medication or treatment. Whilst not all STIs/STDs are curable (herpes, HIV, Hepatitis B, HPV) most infections can be eliminated with antibiotics and antiviral medication within a few days/weeks.
Informing your sexual partner/s
Depending on the STI, your health care provider might ask about sexual partners you’ve had over the last few months so you can discuss who needs to be notified.
Letting your sexual partners know they need to get tested isn’t anyone’s idea of fun alas, it’s a conversation that needs to be had to protect their health and prevent passing the infection to others. If you feel unable to inform them yourself, the Health Advisers will be able to notify them on your behalf without revealing your identity. This is called partner notification.
Keeping up to date with your body admin
It might not be the most thrilling of jobs to tick off your list at the start of the new year, but if you’ve had a particularly (ahem) busy Christmas, a visit to the sexual health clinic or GP for a full MOT should be as routine as washing your hair.
For anyone struggling to fit in a 3-hour appointment to the walk-in clinic (read: everybody), free at-home self-test kits are available online. Please note access to self-tests is dependent on your location.
Whether you’ve just received a new plaything for Christmas or you’re a seasoned user of The Poet, keeping your toys in tip-top condition and bacteria-free will extend their shelf-life and keep your genitals happy too. Win win!
How you clean your toys will depend on what material they’re made from however, regardless of whether they’re porous or non-porous, it’s a good idea to clean any toy straight after use, especially if you’re sharing it with your partner.
We get it, cleaning your intimate accessories is a bit of a buzzkill so if you’re looking for an excuse to get out of cleaning just use a condom on your sex toys every time. Pesky germs, be gone!
In terms of genital-friendly products, a mild unscented soap will do the job. Your vaginal microflora is a sensitive soul, so scented soap is a no-no as it can disrupt your vagina’s pH balance (which can lead to infections FYI).
If your toy is made from porous materials, usually elastomer or latex, they might get warped with exposure to hot water. If in doubt, always consult your trusty instructions to check you’re not going to do any damage. A broken vibrator is not conducive to a holly jolly Christmas.
For vibrators, it’s best to wipe them down with a warm damp dishcloth and unscented soap.
Post-play wipes and sprays serve a purpose for immediate cleaning but you’ll need to follow up with a thorough routine with water and soap as soon as you can.
The moral of the story: treat your genitals with kindness this Christmas and do your post-wank washing up.
Storing your sex toys
Whilst we’re all guilty of plonking our precious vibrators in our bedside drawer to rub shoulders with the miscellaneous (Vicks nasal inhaler anyone?), dust and lint does not a happy vagina make. And a vibrator with a funky menthol pine needle kick will certainly make for an angry one.
Protecting the goods with a satin bag will solve all your problems and should anyone be nosy enough to trip across your techno-coloured collection, they’ll have one more barrier to get through.
The risk of infection isn’t just limited to the vagina. The rectum is home to all kinds of bacteria so if you’re using a toy anally, the same applies. Do your washing up and stow them away nicely.
The Magpie Society: Two For Joy is Here! Catch Up with One For Sorrow’s Almighty Cliffhanger…
Thanks to that almighty cliffhanger, the end of The Magpie Society: One For Sorrow kept us up until the early hours feeling like we’d been robbed of our whodunnit revelation…
Before you tuck into the second book in The Magpie Society duology, here’s a look back at what happened in the closing chapters of One For Sorrow…
Thanks to that almighty cliffhanger, the end of The Magpie Society: One For Sorrow kept us up until the early hours feeling like we’d been robbed of our whodunnit revelation…
Who killed Lola Radcliffe?!
The WKL? podcast raises the question of whether Lola’s death was an accident, suicide or cold-blooded murder. As the book unfolds, chalk and cheese students Audrey and Ivy form an unlikely alliance as they investigate Lola’s death, coming up against the mysterious and esoteric Magpie Society in the process.
By the end of One For Sorrow, Clover Mirth, who was revealed to be the podcast host, is missing and if the mysterious note and two hour voice recording Audrey and Ivy have discovered is anything to go by, its sounds like the Magpies have got to her. With another mystery on their hands, what fresh hell will be brewing at Illumen Hall, next?
Or should we say, ‘ILL OMEN HALL’.
The Magpie Society: Two For Joy
The follow up we’ve all been waiting for has nearly landed and with it comes more juicy boarding school secrets.
Determined to bring their fellow student Lola’s killer to justice, Audrey and Ivy find themselves embroiled in another mystery when their friend Clover disappears in suspicious circumstances.
Their only clue is a mysterious piece of paper taped under the desk, left by the enigmatic Magpie Society. With time running out and the police baffled, Audrey and Ivy must delve deeper than ever into the dark secrets that their school is hiding.
But someone is playing a deadly game. And to beat them, Audrey and Ivy have to start rewriting the rules…
Block out your weekend and prepare to be the flaky friend with other Illumen Hall commitments. Let the book hangover commence!
To help you narrow down what to snap up from beauty to fashion, homeware to tech and everything in between, Team Zoella are sharing their BF baskets and the items that will be arriving on our doorsteps in the next couple of weeks.
Get your debit card number memorised and your Safari tabs open because the shopping event of the year is finally upon us, and preparation for nabbing the ultimate bargains and discounted steals is essential, people! That’s right, the Black Friday and Cyber Week sales (aka a shopaholic’s wet dream) are out in full force, and whether you’re shopping for yourself or organising Christmas gifts before December has even hit, avoiding panic-induced ‘add to cart’ moments is always preferable. There will be no buyer’s regret in these parts!
Falling the day after Thanksgiving in the states, Black Friday 2021 is on the 26th of November, and our most loved brands including Olaplex, ASOS, Neom, Love Honey, The White Company and more really understood the assignment when it came to offering a bargain it’s impossible to scroll past…
To help you narrow down what to snap up from beauty to fashion, homeware to tech and everything in between, Team Zoella are sharing their BF baskets and the items that will be arriving on our doorsteps in the next couple of weeks. Prepare to see your Hermes driver more than your actual friends and fam this November. Sorry ’bout it.
Danielle – Gadgets
Gadgets, tech and higher ticket items are my go-to when shopping for Black Friday as you end up getting such a good deal. It’s worth doing your homework but these are the items I can’t wait to snap up, they also make incredible gifts. First off this NEOM diffuser fills the air with relaxing scents. Secondly the Womanizer Duo Rechargeable G-Spot and Clitoral Stimulator, this toy has such incredible reviews online and from friends, Black Friday is the perfect time to make the investment. Next up is a steamer, I’ve been wanting one for a while as it’s so much easier than ironing and you can take it away with you. What better time than to finally buy a Shark vacuum and see what all the fuss is about, this one looks incredible and stores so compactly! Finally is a Nespresso machine as mine is on its last legs, this one has everything you need as well as the milk foamer without breaking the bank.
I love a good deal on all things beauty on Black Friday, it’s the perfect time to stock up on your favourite products or try something new while it’s at a cheaper price. I’m always looking for Olaplex cheaper, so that’s the first on my list to snap up! I recently got curtain bangs cut in and (as always) I’ve been influenced by Tik Tok to try the Ouai Matte Pomade to keep them in place all day, so a good purchase for any fellow bangs people out there. I’ll also be stocking up on the Ashley Graham x St Tropez self-tan as it is SO GOOD. I’ve had my eye on a Ghd Hot Brush for a while too so with 20% off it’s the best time to invest. Laura Mercier powder is another staple to stock up on while it’s cheaper and for any fellow oily peeps like me, Farmacy have good discounts on Beauty Bay and their Daily Greens moisturiser is oil-free and just perfect for oily complexions, give it a go you won’t regret it!
There are no two ways about it, having a child isn’t cheap and for something so small, they seem to require a lot of “stuff”. Of course, not all of it is classed as essential but from experience, a lot of the non-essentials can make your life a lot easier. So why not make the most of all the best discounts available when you’ve got the chance, especially on some of those higher ticket or more luxury nice to have items you’ve been lusting after for your little ones! These were some of my favourite products which would also make excellent gift ideas.
I’ve got to that age when I’d actually be happy for my S.O. to gift me a Hoover for Christmas, so you bet I’ve added a Shark to my Black Friday watchlist. Elsewhere, I’m going to be on the hunt for a few new homeware additions including that iconic Instagram rug. H&M always have a great range of candlesticks perfect or the Christmas tables cape and The White Company signature candle is pretty much a Yuletide staple at this point, so I’m adding their Winter wick to my basket immediately. Bring on the savings!
I know some people think BF is just a big marketing ploy but I LOVE it and always plan ahead to get pieces I’ve wanted for a while for both myself and my family, and this year is no exception! You can probably tell from my previous Weekly Wants picks how much I love ASOS, and their sales always seem to fall just after I’ve placed an order so this time I am ready and waiting. I’m normally a gold jewellery fan (see beaut Daisy Jewellery ring) but this pair of earrings in silver are actually right up my street! & Other Stories is normally a bit spenny for me but when BF is here, nothing is impossible, and I’ve got my eye on these gorgeous Chelsea boots that I think would see me through the colder weather tres well!
Friendsmas On A Budget: 8 Cheap ‘n’ Cheerful Dinner Ideas
Featuring a boozy Christmas Eve lasagne (so, this is love) and easy vegan pigs in blankets, these are the frugal but flavoursome recipes and picky dinners guaranteed to complete your Friendsmas.
Friends are priceless, this much we do know. If money grew on Christmas spruces, it would be caviar and Moët all-around alas, we’re not Richie Rich. December is a magical month but it also eats Monzo saving pots for fun, with a ho ho ho glint in its eye. With the average household spending£740 more in December, anything that can help save us all a few bob is Mariah Carey to our ears.
Featuring a boozy Christmas Eve lasagne (so, this is love) and easy vegan pigs in blankets, these are the frugal but flavoursome recipes and picky dinners guaranteed to complete your Friendsmas, so you can eat, drink and be merry without the financial hangover to go with it.
1. Festive Fully Loaded Nachos
A one-pot wonder everyone can get stuck into is always a good idea for a Christmas shin-dig and since nachos are universally loved by all, it’s a no brainer.
Whilst everybody knows blue Doritos are the *superior* choice for a nacho feast, crispy scoop style tortilla crisps work best for this fully loaded recipe. Topped with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings you can find – say no more.
SERVES 4-6
PREP:
10 MINS COOK:
10 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
48 scoop-style tortilla chips
275g shredded cooked turkey
120g salsa verde
200g grated Monterey Jack cheese
100g cranberry jelly
1 tbsp lime juice
75g soured cream
1 small bunch coriander, coarsely chopped
Pre-heat over to 200°C, line a baking tray with foil and arrange your tortilla scoops or Doritos of choice.
Combine the shredded cooked turkey and salsa together in a bowl and fill each scoop with the mixture. Top with all the grated cheese. More is more. Anyone who suggests otherwise can get stuffed.
Bake for around 10 minutes until the chips are golden and the cheese is lovely and melted.
Meanwhile, prepare cranberry sauce and lime juice in a bowl. Top each scoop / tortilla crisp with the mixture and a generous dollop of soured cream. Top with fresh coriander to taste.
Salad doesn’t wash with us and it sure as hell won’t wash with your hungry guests, which is why salad has no place on this list. You’re welcome. Consider it a Christmas cuss word in this house.
To level up your lasagne game (only the best for your day ones), look no further than Christmas Eve lasagne – ideal for tucking into between rounds of dirty Santa.
Psst! Add a generous glug of mulled wine to your ragu to give it some Christmas clout.
SERVES 6
PREP:
45 MINS COOK:
60 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
100g diced pancetta
1 large onion finely chopped
1 large carrot finely chopped
2 x 500g lean beef steak mince
400ml mulled wine
2 tbsp finely chopped sage / 2 tsp dried sage
2 x 400g chopped tomatoes
500ml beef stock
12 lasagne sheets
1 large parsnip, peeled into ribbons
75g chestnuts roughly chopped for the bechamel sauce
50g unsalted butter
50g plain flour
1 litre semi-skimmed milk
125g extra mature cheddar, grated
100g stilton, crumbled
Method:
1. Gently fry the pancetta in a nonstick pan for 5-6 mins, until golden and releasing some of its oil.
2. Add the onion and carrot, then cook for another 10-12 mins, until softened.
3. Add the mince to the pan and brown all over, stirring regularly — it will take about 10 mins.
4. Pour in the mulled wine and bubble for 2 mins before stirring in the sage. Add the chopped tomatoes and beef stock, then allow to simmer gently for up to 10 mins until the sauce has reduced.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/Gas 4
6. To make the bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour.
7. Cook for 2 mins, then take the pan off the heat and gradually stir in the milk, until smooth.
8. Return to the heat, bring up to a simmer and stir continuously for 6-8 mins, until the sauce has thickened.
9. Remove from the heat, then stir in the Cheddar and 75g of the Stilton.
To assemble the lasagne:
10. Lay 4 pasta sheets along the bottom of a 3-litre ovenproof dish.
11. Pour over a quarter of the sauce, followed by a third of the ragu.
12. Repeat, finishing with a layer of ragu.
13. Add most of the parsnip, then the remaining sauce.
14. Sprinkle over the rest of the Stilton and the chestnuts, top with the rest of the parsnip ribbons, then bake for 1 hour, until golden, before serving.
This hearty recipe will go down a treat with your best pals this Christmas and will ensure all your leftover veggies go to good use. Any recipe that insists chucking leftovers in a frying pan qualifies as cooking is worthy of a place on this list. Less time faffing around in the kitchen means more time guzzling copious amounts of prosecco with the girls. If you’re wondering if all that coinage we saved on ingredients has gone towards booze, you’d be absolutely right.
SERVES 4
PREP:
15 MINS COOK:
7 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
700g leftover mash potato
200g leftover cabbage / kale
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp vegetable oil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Serve with:
Grilled crispy bacon, chopped
Salt and pepper
Poached eggs (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped
HP sauce
1. Preheat the grill.
2. In a bowl, mix your leftover veggies, mash potato, salt and pepper.
3. Add 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of oil to a frying pan. Melt the butter over a medium-high heat until bubbling.
4. Add half of the bubble and squeak mixture and squash down with a heat-proof spatula.
5. Fry for 5-7 minutes until the edges start to brown. Ruffle the top with a fork to get more crispy bits.
6. Melt the remaining butter and mix with the remaining oil. Brush the top of the bubble and squeak mixture.
7. Place under the grill for 5 minutes until golden brown. Keep an eye on it.
8. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with chopped crispy bacon and season with salt and pepper. For extra party season points, add on a poached egg or two and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.
You might need to consult the group before committing to this divisive dish or else risk losing friends but if sprouts get the green light, then consider this your go-to party piece. Cheap, filling, festive and easy, it’s the cheesy main every Friendsmas needs.
SERVES 4
PREP:
10 MINS COOK:
30 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
5 slices bacon
3 tbsp. butter
2 small shallots, minced
900g Brussels sprouts, halved
Salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
180ml double cream
50g grated sharp white cheddar
50g grated Gruyère
Preheat oven to 190°C. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook bacon for around 8 minutes until crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then chop. Discard bacon fat.
Return skillet to medium heat and melt butter. Add shallots and Brussels sprouts and season with salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and drizzle with double cream, then top with both cheeses and bacon.
Bake until cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes. (If your cheese isn’t golden, switch oven to grill and grill 1 minute.)
Mean mac & cheese with a healthy(ish) sweet potato twist – home cooking doesn’t get better than this. Veggie friends, you won’t need to bring your own Tupperware tonight, not with this winter warmer in your corner. It’s a Christmas miracle.
SERVES 4-6
PREP:
20 MINS COOK:
35 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
500g sweet potatoes
300g pennette or short pasta
60g unsalted butter
3 x 15ml tbsp plain flour
500ml full fat milk
1 tsp English mustard
½ tsp paprika + more for sprinkling
75g feta cheese
125g mature cheddar grated (+25g to sprinkle on top)
4 fresh sage leaves
Salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 200°C / gas mark 6. Bring a large pan of water to the boil with the lid on.
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 2-3cm pieces. When the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt to taste and follow with the potato pieces. Cook for around 10 minutes until they’re soft.
Take the potato out of the water using a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl. Lightly mash with a fork. Keep the water to one side to use for the pasta later!
In another saucepan, gently melt the butter and add the flour, whisking to form a roux. Take the pan off the heat, slowly whisk in the milk and, when it’s all combined and smooth, put back on the heat.
Exchange your whisk for a wooden spoon and continue to stir until your gently bubbling sauce has lost any floury taste and has thickened. Add the mustard and the ¼ teaspoon of paprika. Season to taste – remember that you will be adding Cheddar and salty feta later, so go easy for now.
Cook the pennette in the sweet-potato water, starting to check 2 minutes earlier than packet instructions dictate, as you want to make sure it doesn’t lose its bite entirely.
Drain (reserving some of the pasta cooking water first) and then add the pennette to the mashed sweet potato, and fold in to combine; the heat of the pasta will make the mash easier to mix in.
Add the feta cheese to the sweet potato and pasta mixture, crumbling it in so that it is easier to disperse evenly, then fold in the white sauce, adding the 125g/1¼ cups grated Cheddar as you go. Add some of the pasta cooking water, should you feel it needs loosening up at all.
Check for seasoning again, then spoon the brightly sauced macaroni cheese into 4 small ovenproof dishes.
Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar over each one, dust with the remaining ¼ teaspoon of paprika, then shred the sage leaves and scatter over the top.
Put the pots on a baking tray, pop into the oven and bake for 20 minutes (or, if you’re making this in a larger dish, bake for 30–35 minutes), by which time they will be piping hot and bubbling.
Vegan pigs in blankets. That’s it. That’s the tweet. Yes, Ps in Bs count as dinner. It’s Christmas, a tub of Quality Street counts as dinner for crying out loud.
For those of you who would sooner have picky bits and small plates over one big meal, this is a grazing board with your name on it. Ready in 3 easy steps and ideal for prepping the night before, you’ll have plenty of free time to throw on your PJs, watch Home Alone and whack on a hydrating sheet mask plumped with hyaluronic acid. What else is the mouth opening for if not for threading through chipolatas?
SERVES 16
PREP:
15 MINS COOK:
30 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
½ tbsp vegetable oil
½ sheet ready-rolled dairy-free puff pastry
16 chipolata-style vegan sausages
1 tbsp dried sage
For the glaze:
1 tbsp soy milk
1 tbsp vegetable oil
¼ nutmeg, grated
½ garlic clove, grated
1. Use the oil to coat a large baking tray. Unroll the puff pastry on a work surface so it’s flat, then cut it into 16 x 10cm-long strips.
2. Wind a strip of pastry around each sausage, so it looks like a corkscrew. Transfer to the prepared tray and chill for 15 mins. Will keep in the fridge overnight, or the freezer for up to two weeks.
3. Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. To make the glaze, combine the soy milk, oil, nutmeg, garlic, a pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper in a bowl. Brush the glaze over the pastry spirals using a pastry brush, then sprinkle with the sage. Bake for 25-30 mins, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden, and the sausages are cooked through.
If your muckers can’t handle the heat, fear not, you can customise these drunken noodles to suit their spice tolerance. An easy dish to toss together in 10 minutes flat, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen and back to the action quicker than you can say Cards Against Humanity.
SERVES 4
PREP:
10 MINS COOK:
10 MINS
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
8 oz wide rice noodles
2 Tbsp sesame oil (or canola)
2 shallots, chopped
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 large chicken breast, chopped (or shrimp or tofu)
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
½ teaspoon fresh minced ginger
1 courgette, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 spring onions, chopped
1 plum tomato, sliced
1 cup fresh Thai Basil leaves, roughly chopped
For the sauce:
3 tbsp oyster sauce
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tbsp water
1 teaspoon Thai red chilli paste / sriracha / crushed red pepper flakes
1. Cook noodles according to package instructions.
2. Mix sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add shallots and carrot and cook for 2 minutes. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add chicken and season with pepper. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 10 seconds. Add bell pepper, courgette, tomato and the whites of the chopped spring onion and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add noodles to the pan and pour the sauce over the noodles. Toss and cook for a few minutes until warmed through. Remove from heat and stir in chopped basil.
5 .Serve immediately, garnished with remaining spring onion and extra chili sauce, sriracha, or crushed red pepper, for added spice.
For the ultimate feed-a-crowd recipe give this savoury pie a whirl. You can easily swap out the courgette for something different. Try kale and leek or turkey, cranberry and brie – thanksgiving leftovers style.
SERVES 4-6
PREP:
20 MINS COOK:
40 MINS
MEDIUM
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
All-purpose flour, to dust work surface
One package pie crust
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 garlic clove, minced
1¾ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 large courgette, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie crust into a 10-inch circle. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, whisk the ricotta with 1 egg and the dill, garlic and ¾ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the piecrust, leaving about 1 inch of the perimeter uncovered.
In another medium bowl, toss the courgette with the olive oil, salt and remaining pepper. Arrange the courgette slices evenly over the ricotta. Fold the edge of the dough up and toward the centre, partially covering the filling.
In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Lightly brush the egg wash around the edge of the crust and sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan.
Bake until the crust is very golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Featuring the iconic Foreo Luna, hair tool must-haves from Ghd, and winter complexion saviours from Kiehls, we’ve got your party season essentials covered to celebrate Christmas 2021 looking and feeling your best.
This article includes a paid partnership with Skinnydip
Black Friday, aka a bargain hunters dream, might not roll around until the 26th November, but the first of this year’s discounts are dropping like it’s hot, and getting in there early to ensure your Christmas shopping and ‘to me, from me’ items are added to basket ASAP is certainly an idea Martin Lewis would get behind…
Featuring the iconic Foreo Luna, hair tool must-haves from Ghd, and winter complexion saviours from Kiehls, we’ve got your party season essentials covered to celebrate Christmas 2021 looking and feeling your best. And because sometimes giving is as good as receiving, wrap up Christmas shopping for dad with the Always Pan, gifts mum will be posting a Facebook status about immediately from Nespresso, and accessories your bestie will squeal about courtesy of Skinnydip- suddenly December feels more peaceful already!
Whilst we don’t have the scoop on the exact product promotions hitting our inboxes this week, 2020 gave a pretty clear indication that the Black Friday deals are going to keep getting bigger and better. Here’s hoping!
Wish lists at the ready…
This article includes a paid partnership with Skinnydip
Emma is an editor at Penguin Random House and the editor of The Magpie Society Duology written by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch. Ahead of the book's launch Emma is giving us the goss on what it was like to work on Two For Joy!
First off, how has your 2021 been?
It’s been a mixed bag! I was supposed to go to Greece with some pals, and that isn’t going to happen now until 2023. But on the plus side, there have been a bunch of rescheduled weddings which have been joyful – and I’ve been able to see so much more of my family this year than last. It’s looking like we might even get to spend Christmas together, my favourite time of year!
Can you tell us about your background and journey to becoming a book editor?
I’m a bit of a publishing cliché – I’ve always loved reading and I studied English at uni. But after that, I moved to London and worked for a couple of years in an independent children’s bookshop which I really loved, before landing a role as an editorial assistant in the Children’s and YA team at Penguin in 2015.
For those that don’t know, what does a book editor actually do?
It’s a lot more than grammar and spelling, which is what surprised me most when I entered publishing for the first time. I’m a senior commissioning editor now, which means my main job is bringing new books and authors to our Puffin and Penguin lists. I spend a lot of time considering manuscripts and book proposals for publication – I work on fiction and non-fiction, and on all age groups from young illustrated books for 7-year-olds to thrilling young adult novels like The Magpie Society.
After acquiring the book (signing a contract with the author/s), comes a few months of editorial collaboration, before working closely with Marketing, PR, production and sales to ensure the book is launched into the world with a splash. A lot of my job is about my authors and their literary agents – having creative calls and sending editorial notes, sharing publishing updates and campaign plans, providing sales numbers etc.
What is the process like for editing a book?
It completely varies from book to book! For fiction, what usually starts the process is an initial email, meeting or call to discuss some very ‘big picture’ points and following up with an editorial letter addressing what we call the ‘structural edit’. This means plot, structure, characters, motivations, scenes or characters that might need to be cut and places that might need additional scenes for context.
After the structural editing stage comes line editing, which is where we go through the book line by line, checking that the text feels as impactful as possible – funny, pacy, scary or emotional in all the right places. There might be a few rounds of line edits and then, when myself and the author/s are happy with how the manuscript is looking, we pass it to a copy-editor whose job is to check for clarity, inconsistencies and general sense. Proofreading comes after that – that’s the final spelling and grammar and typo check.
What was it like editing Two For Joy with Zoe and Amy?
I really love YA books – particularly thrillers – and Zoe and Amy are both very talented at writing for young adults, so publishing the Magpie Society duology has been a real editorial highlight for me. For both books, the editorial process has been a combination of creative Zoom calls with Zoe and Amy, editorial letters outlining structural changes, and line edits made directly onto the manuscript, with the authors making changes and cuts, writing new scenes and fleshing out characters, and sending them back to me for review.
It’s SO much fun editing these thrillers because reading the first drafts was like reading any great murder mystery for the first time – I was compulsively turning pages, desperate to find out what happened next. Every draft after that was just more atmospheric, more compulsive, with higher stakes, and funnier and more emotional moments. Our edits were a lot about maintaining the mystery throughout, and at the same time making sure the reader has enough easter eggs, clues and red herrings to keep things interesting and make for a satisfying overall conclusion. Zoe writes Ivy’s character and Amy writes Audrey’s, so I loved how they worked together as co-authors and created such a seamless narrative, even while they had to compare notes over WhatsApp during lockdown!
Do you think readers will be happy to see how the Magpie Society ends?
When I read the ending of Two for Joy I genuinely gasped out loud – it’s brilliantly twisty and I think readers are going to absolutely love it. There are layers upon layers of mysteries in this duology and the conclusion is both terrifying and satisfying. I can’t wait for people to get their hands on the book so I can talk to everyone about it without spoilers!
What would your advice be to anyone looking to enter a career in editing?
It’s a really rewarding, creative job that’s a lot about passion – for stories, and for making them the best they can be. If you’re looking to join a particular publisher or imprint, make sure you really know your area of the market, whether it’s crime & thriller, non-fiction memoir, children’s books, popular science – there are so many areas you can go into depending on your personal taste. Publishers will always want to know you’re really invested in the kind of books they publish.
What have some of your favourite book releases been this year?
I’ve read some truly amazing new books this year, including Release the Beast by Bimini Bon Boulash which is so powerful and proud and eye-opening (and funny!). I also loved The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex for a really intriguing mystery, and on the YA side, I inhaled Empress & Aniya by Candice Carty-Williams, a heartfelt novella about two best friends. Also, I have to mention one of my own YA releases this year – The Upper World, an incredible time-travelling thriller soon to be a major movie starring Daniel Kaluuya! This has been a bumper year for amazing books.
What else have you edited that is launching for Christmas?
I edit books for a variety of ages, so alongside Two for Joy I’ve also had a couple of autumn releases for slightly younger readers – I work with non-fiction author Adam Kay and his new book Kay’s Marvellous Medicine is a hilarious history of medicine throughout the ages; I have also just published a beautiful debut novel by middle-grade author Helenka Stachera called The Ice Whisperers, the story of two sisters born forty thousand years apart. I also want to mention a book that was published earlier this year, but is the perfect novel for curling up with on cold winter nights (and a great read for Magpie Society fans): Wicked Little Deeds by Kat Ellis, a real page-turner of a small-town thriller full of urban legends, creepy shadows, a bad-boy romance and a killer on the loose…
What does your perfect weekend look like?
A combination of long walks, movie nights and delicious food. Is any Sunday complete without a roast?
What do you always carry with you?
It’s cheating a bit, but I always have on me my ‘everything bag’. It’s a small glittery bag which has all the essentials in it: plasters, hand sanitiser, eye drops, painkillers, deodorant, a pen, a spare charger . . . It’s saved me on multiple occasions!
What would your last ever meal be?
My partner makes the most amazing tomato and baby aubergine curry, which I always crave when I want something comforting, so I think it would have to be that. Plus I have a gigantic sweet tooth, so it would have to be followed by some kind of chocolate pudding cookie cake.
What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?
Never lose sight of the things that make you passionate – life is so much more than the 9-5. For me, I really have to remind myself to read for pleasure outside of my job, too.
