Hacking your Christmas menu

One of the best things about the holidays is the food – we all have to sign up for gym memberships in January for a reason!

However, between watching the kids, last-minute present shopping, spending time with loved ones and actually getting a rest during our holidays, we don’t always have the time or energy to slave over the stove for hours to create the perfect Christmas meal. And that’s why Fourways Review has come up with a few time-saving food tips.

• Speedy spuds

To make baked potatoes in a hurry – thoroughly wash six medium-sized potatoes, still in their skin, and then pierce the skin a number of times with a fork. Place potatoes inside your average plastic grocery bag, place bag in microwave and microwave on average setting for 20 minutes. Once the bag is removed, the potatoes will be soft enough to eat – but watch out, the packet will be hot!

• Yorkshire pudding

An old favourite, Yorkshire pudding is a vital part of every roast. But if you don’t have the time (or recipe!) to make it the traditional way, you can use instant crumpet mix instead! Just remember to add a fair amount of salt and pepper to the mix so that it becomes more savoury than sweet and cook in a muffin tin until golden brown.

• Sweet and tenderised meat

If you’re looking for an easier way to tenderise meat, be it beef, gammon or steak, you can try using the world’s most popular fizzy drink! All you have to do is place your meat into an oven-safe dish, add enough cola (you can use no-name brands, but definitely don’t use diet) to cover the meat completely. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes, then place the dish into a preheated oven and allow to cook until the cola has completely evaporated (usually a few hours). Besides making the meat more tender, the evaporated soda will also leave a sweet residue on the outside of the meat that some have described as very tasty.

Chocolate brownie in a cup

A quick and easy dessert for each of your guests to enjoy individually!

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 firmly packed tablespoon light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 2 heaped tablespoons chocolate chunks.

Method:

•  Melt butter in a microwave-safe mug/ramekin (note: butter should NOT be boiling, just melted)
• Stir in sugar, vanilla and salt
• Stir in egg yolk
• Add flour and cocoa powder and stir until well combined
• Add chocolate chunks last
• Cook for about 45 seconds in the microwave and then serve!

@Fourways_Review