Tips and Tricks
The festive and also known as “the silly season” is literally upon us and here at EAN we are super excited with the upcoming festivities for the end of the year, Summer and of course Christmas. In this edition of Tips and Tricks, we have compiled some festive décor, gifts and baking ideas. As always we wish you a happy and safe festive season albeit with some xmas flair!

Décor Ideas:
Let’s start looking ahead to the festive season! Perhaps you can jazz up the office or your home with these simple ideas – creative and fun!

Wine Cork Christmas Tree
Attention winos this has your name written all over it! Start saving your wine corks until you have enough to assemble this adorable pom pom covered tree (you'll need about 45 to complete the project or as always source online. Merry Christmas!!! Perfect ornament for the office!



NEARLY SUMMER

Summer is fast approaching and since we have been hidden away in our long boots and wool necks, we may glow seaside!

But saying that, we need to look after our skin and be sun aware, so why not bronze up with some self-tanning! Here are some tips to ensure your faux tan lasts and looks Golden.

Exfloiate well before applying your self-tan

Use a mitt to ensure you can reach all areas and turn this around to reach the hard spots!

Add extra to your collarbones, shins and shoulders - great for the party dress

Try to leave on for at least 6 hours before showering…… I know

Add a dab of moisturise lotion on before applying.

Golden & Bronzed (all the way from your backyard!)

Summer Refreshments:
Lemonades and sweet teas are summer favorites but can be loaded with added sugars. As a substitute, infuse water with seasonal fruits.YUM!



GIFT IDEA:
Snow Globe Christmas Cookie Jar
Stack up on a few glass jars and use them as gifts. Decorate and fill with some yummy treats! EASY!



Step 1: Use a fine-tipped brush to paint small white dots on the outside of the jar.

Step 2: Fill bottom of jar with snowball cookies (recipe below) or shortbread biscuits, chocolates or Christmas treats and a scroll even wishing your friend or colleague a very happy Christmas.

Step 3: Place small plastic trinkets inside for a snow globe-inspired vignette.

Step 4: Tie a pretty or Christmas themed ribbon around the neck of the jar and add a personal tag for the perfect gift.

Christmas cookies (to eat or perhaps to fill your jars!)

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting, or as needed

1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C

Cream the butter with 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla. Mix in the flour, pecans, and salt. Roll about 1 tablespoon or so of dough into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in preheated oven until bottoms are golden, about 15 minutes. Do not allow these cookies to get too brown: it's better to undercook them than to overcook them. While cookies are still hot, roll them in confectioners' sugar. Once they have cooled, roll them in confectioners' sugar once more.



Christmas Tree Salad

This Christmas Tree Holiday Salad will fill your holiday season table with cheer! And healthy-deliciousness too. Dive in. Twinkly lights not needed for this shiny-fabulous tree
1 bunch organic swiss chard (red or green will work) - rinsed well + sliced into thin ribbons
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds (about the amount from from 1 medium pomegranate)
3/4 cup frozen red e grapes, sliced*
2 oranges or mandarins or mango, chopped
1 small onion, diced
1/4-1/2 cup chopped pecans, raw
2 Tbsp dried cranberries (or another dried fruit 1 small honeycrisp apple,

"Dressing

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp maple syrup, grade B
1/3 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp fine black pepper
1/8 tsp coriander
a pinch of cayenne (optional, but warms up things nicely)
1/8 tsp turmeric powder

Star topper: 1 slice of toast - crumbed if desired - Top it! For the "star" tree topper, simply toast any slice of bread and using either your knife (free-hand) or a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out a toast star to top the tree salad.

Other optional ingredients that would be fabulous: pear, avocado, dates, bell pepper, corn, grains like quinoa or brown rice, beans, tomatoes, diced roasted squash or sweet potato ...... gosh, pretty much anything yummy would be beautiful in this salad!

Directions: Simply prep all your ingredients and toss them with the dressing/spices in a large bowl. Toss and mix very well .You can serve right away or chill in the fridge for up to 12 hours in advance before serving. Serve raw and chilled

JINGLE BELLS PUNCH
INGREDIENTS

Citrus Sugar:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1 teaspoon lime zest

• 1 teaspoon grapefruit zest

• 1 teaspoon orange zest

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Punch:

• 3/4 cup Citrus Sugar

• 1 cup lime juice

• 1 cup lemon juice

• 2 cups orange juice

• 1 cup grapefruit juice

• 1 cup mango nectar

• 1 cup pineapple juice

• 3 3/4 cups Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

• 2 1/4 cup Grand Marnier

• 1 1/2 cups Amaretto

• 3 cups sparkling water

• Orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit slices, frozen cranberries for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the citrus sugar by combining the sugar, zests, ginger and cinnamon. Rub the zest between your fingers to release the oils. Let sit at room temperature for 4 hours or up to a a few days in an airtight container.

2. Peel the skins off of the fruit and juice.

3. Tip: You can squeeze the juices ahead of time (and liquors) and store in a pitcher and keep in fridge so its icy cold. Just give it a shake before you pour it into the punch bowl.

4. Make the punch by adding the sugar to the bottom on the punch bowl. Pour in the juice and stir to start to dissolve the sugar. Pour in the alcohol.

5. Garnish with frozen cranberries and fruit slices. Give it a taste, just to make sure that it tastes okay and is balanced. Or to just because you want to.



CHRISTMAS LASAGNA!

Decorate your family favourite lasagne with a Christmas Theme! Add in some capsicums of all trio of colours as a Christmas tree. Be sure to receive a smile from your guests.



PARTY FOOD! YUM YUM YUM - Chicken, Cranberry & Brie Tartlets
These Chicken, Cranberry & Brie Tartlets combine all the best flavors of the season in one delicious little bite. Perfect for all your holiday parties, these tartlets are sure to become a new favorite!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
    • 2 packages puff pastry
    • 1 chicken breast cooked and cut into cube pieces
    • 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
    • 1 Tbsp. honey
    • 3 Tbsp. water
    • 1 tsp. mustard powder
    • 4 oz. brie cheese cut into 48 pieces
    • 1/4 cup. finely chopped pecans
    • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh sage

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
2. Thaw puff pastry sheets according to package instructions. Once thawed, unfold into thirds.
3. Cut each third into 12 equal squares to make 48 squares. (*You will not use entire second package)
4. Grease 2 mini muffin tins; press each puff pastry square into a muffin cup.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes; remove from oven and press the center of each cup in with the end of a wooden spoon.
6. While puff pastry is baking, prepare cranberry sauce by combining fresh cranberries, honey, water, and mustard powder in a small saucepan.
7. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
8. Fill the center of each puff pastry cup with 1 piece of chicken, 1/2 tsp cranberry sauce, and 1 piece brie cheese.
9. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes, until Brie is nicely melted.
10. Top with minced sage and chopped pecans.
11. Serve warm.