February Magazine

CESTRIA MAGAZINE
chester-le-street & birtley’s only lifestyle magazine
February 2017 EDITION
FEBRUARY’S
CHEAPEST
GETAWAYS FROM
THE UK
a history of
st valentine’s day
TV - INTERVIEW WITH EMILY
WATSON, APPLETREE YARD
A BRIEF GUIDE TO
GREECE
THIS EDITION HAS BEEN KINDLY
SPONSORED BY:
your FREE monthly community MAGAZINE
Cestria Magazine
1

2 Cestria Magazine

FROM THE EDITOR
magazine monthly edition just for you
February.. The month for lovers, national pizza
day (United States) and pancakes.
For me this month is a little underwhelming, I have
never received a Valentine’s Card or Gift, (yeah
yeah the world’s smallest violin) so its pancakes
for me.
So what have we got for you this issue? Well, weve
got a fantastic interview with actor, Emily Watson
about her new role in the BBC’s newest drama,
Appletree Yard
On page 8 we have a look at the history of St
Valentine’s Day and on page 14 we have a look at
some of the best get aways for Less than £50, and
theyre away from the UK
Contact Us:
T: 0191 354 5878
E: hello@cestriamagazine.co.uk
W: cestriamagazine.co.uk
Get Social With Us:
@cestriamagazine
/cestriamag
/cestriamagazine
DISCLAIMER - Whilst we take every care to ensure accuracy in
this magazine, we regretthat we cannot accept responsibility for any
incorrect information. All advertisements are accepted in good faith
as to their veracity and we are not responsible for views expressed
by contributors or other sources. The copying of any material within
this publication is strictly forbidden without the publishers or Studio
Managers written consent. Tel: 0191 354 5878 for more information.
Dont forget to register to take part in “Paws for a
Cause” at Riverside Park in Chester Le Street on
Sunday 5th March.
To finish I’d like to take the opportunity to thank
all of our readers and sponsors for your continued
support gives us great encouragement going
forward with our efforts to create one of the best
magazines in our region! Dont forget to follow us
on Social Media too!
Enjoy this issue and please feel free to send us
your feedback (and Valentines cards)
See you in March
Director
Ian
Cestria Magazine
3

12
Autism - one in a hundred
14
20
Get away from the UK for less
than £50 this month
a brief guide to greece
12
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
8
TV Interview
We chat with Emily Watson on her role in
BBC1’s new drama, Appltree Yard
10 home ideas
We tell why a new kitchen needed cost the
earth.
16 Fitness
Make room for family fitess
06
18
6
Retirement
Why its the best thing, ever!
COVER FEATURE
The history of St Valentine’s Day
14
4 Cestria Magazine

8
18
20
Cestria Magazine
5

FEATURE
A history of st valentine’s day
February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and St.
Valentine’s Day, contains traces of both Christian and ancient Roman
tradition. But who was Saint Valentine?
TThe Catholic Church recognises
at least three different saints
named Valentine or Valentinus,
all of whom were martyred. One
legend states Valentine was a
priest who served during the
third century in Rome. When
Emperor Claudius II decided
single men made better soldiers,
he outlawed marriage for young
men. Valentine defied Claudius
and continued to perform
marriages for young lovers in
secret. When Valentine’s actions
were discovered, Claudius
ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that
Valentine may have been killed
for attempting to help Christians
escape Roman jails, where they
were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, an
imprisoned Valentine actually
sent the first “valentine” greeting
himself, after he fell in love with
a young girl, possibly his jailor’s
daughter, who visited him in
prison. Before his death, it is
believed he wrote her a letter
signed “From your Valentine,”
an expression that is still in use
today.
While some believe Valentine’s
Day is celebrated in the middle
of February to commemorate
the anniversary of Valentine’s
death or burial, which probably
occurred around AD270, others
claim that the Christian church
may have decided to place St.
Valentine’s feast day in the
middle of February in an effort
to “Christianise” the pagan
celebration of Lupercalia.
Celebrated at the ides of
February, or February 15th,
Lupercalia was a fertility festival
dedicated to Faunus, the Roman
god of agriculture, as well as to
the Roman founders Romulus
and Remus. To begin the festival,
members of the Luperci, an order
of Roman priests, would gather at
a sacred cave where the infants
Romulus and Remus, the founders
of Rome, were believed to have
been cared for by a she-wolf or
lupa. The priests would sacrifice
a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for
purification. They would then cut
the goat’s hide into strips, dip
them into the sacrificial
blood and take to the streets,
gently slapping both women and
crop fields with the goat hide. Far
from being fearful, Roman women
welcomed the touch of the hides,
because it was believed to make
them more fertile in the coming
year. Later in the day, according
to legend, all the young women in
the city would place their names
in a big urn. The bachelors would
each choose a name and become
paired for the year with the
chosen woman. These matches
often ended in marriage. The
oldest known valentine still
in existence today is a poem
written in 1415 by Charles, Duke
of Orleans, to his wife while he
was imprisoned in the Tower of
London.
6 Cestria Magazine

Paws for a Cause
A Sponsored Dog Walk and Fun Dog Show
In aid of
Sunday 5th March 2017
at Riverside Park,
Chester le Street
£10 registration fee per
dog, humans go free.
Includes a free doggy
goody bag, rosette and
completion certificate.
Registration from 10am
Dog show from 11am
Walk starts at 12.30pm
Find us on:
For more information or to
sign up please visit
www.stcuthbertshospice.com
Kindly sponsored by
or contact the Development
Team on 0191 386 1170 ext. 5
Registered charity number 519767
Cestria Magazine
7

TV Interview - Emily watson, apple tree yard
Emily Watson stars in BBC1’s new adaptation of Louise Doughty’s novel
in which a highly respected doctor of genetics finds herself in the dock at
the Old Bailey, and in the middle of a potentially devastating scandal. We
ask the actress to dish the details.
How did you first hear of Apple Tree Yard?
When I originally got the script, I was very wary due
to the nature of it. However I was interested enough
to meet Jess, the director, and I kind of fell in love
with her.
Describe Apple Tree Yard.
Apple Tree Yard is a dense female-driven
psychological thriller that’s very complex and very
grown up.
Have you enjoyed getting to grips with the role of
Yvonne, how’s it been for you?
It’s a very relentless schedule. What’s been so great
is there have been really different areas to go into
with Yvonne. Being on screen with someone is very
fun and energizing. Ben is hilarious and it’s been
really good fun to do this with him. There’s been a
lot of changeable stuff, one day I’m filming in the
crypt and the next I'm in the dock at the Old
Bailey.
How has it unfolded for you when you’ve been
shooting along the way?
A lot of it has been very challenging. One thing I felt
Ben has done with the part of Costley is that he has
taken away any sense of it being sleazy so I hope the
audience will fall for him in the same way Yvonne
does, so when things turn, it becomes as much of
a shock to them as it is to her. It’s been challenging
and uncomfortable with particular scenes. The mess
is beyond your worst nightmares and becomes
more entangled. She tells one lie that unfolds into
another lie which gets worse. It’s an immensely
stressful state to be in when the whole situation
becomes very complicated.
Considering the intimate nature of the scenes with
Mark Costley, was it easier that you both knew each
other before starting this project?
I’ve known Ben about eleven years now and it
makes it easier because I knew he was great to work
with. When I first spoke to him on the phone after
he had agreed to the part, I told him how great it
was and then after I put the phone down,
all I could think was oh no, I have to do
those scenes with Ben, who I know!
When you do those scenes
in your twenties, it’s really
difficult, but when you do
those scenes as a more
experienced actor, you
are better at knowing
what’s going to work
and what it needs. I said
to Jess straightaway
that I wasn’t going to do
any nudity, but it made
it more real in a way that
doesn’t feel too exposing
or uncomfortable.
What is Jess like to work with
as a director?
I’ve enjoyed working with Jess as much
as anyone in my career; she’s a really lovely
person and the sort I would want to keep as a friend.
She is very thoughtful, very considered and very
creative, always trying things and giving you space.
Do you think Apple Tree Yard is a timely piece,
considering the issues of gender and sexuality
which are discussed?
8 Cestria Magazine

Do you think Apple Tree Yard is a timely piece,
considering the issues of gender and sexuality
which are discussed?
I think there’s a lot of debate going on about the
presence of women in film and television and
pieces like this are becoming more common. The
most loyal audience for TV is women and they
are really interested in watching women like
these on TV. Television is changing and evolving,
becoming much more complex and grown up.
If Yvonne was a man, do you think her story
would have turned out differently?
If Yvonne was a man, I think we would
definitely have been allowed to film
in the Houses of Parliament, which
I think says a lot about gender
politics.
Emily in the role as Dr Yvonne Carmichael in
BBC1’s four part drama, Appletree Yard
What do you hope a viewer
takes away from Apple
Tree Yard?
I hope it’s going to cause
debate and that people
feel very strongly about
Yvonne, the things she
does and the choices
she makes. I know some
people are going to really
disapprove of her. I think some
women will be really invested
in that relationship, showing an
older woman going off and having an
exciting affair. I hope it’s going to make
people talk. I think the moral ambiguity and how
it’s not entirely clear-cut is true to life. I know a
story is poorer for being morally black and white
and I think it’s a grown up story where everyone
is imperfect, complicated and interesting because
of that.
BBC1’s four part drama continues until early
February.
Lead roles: In drama, Emily will play Yvonne
Carmichael while Ben portrays Mark Costley
Cestria Magazine
9

Home idea
A new kitchen doesn’t
have to cost the Earth
It’s easy to feel as though nothing in life comes cheap anymore,
let alone free. Britain in the 21st Century is amongst the most
expensive countries in the world when it comes to cost of living, the
result of which means that once you’ve paid for monthly travel to
work, mortgage or rent, food, water and clothes for you and yours,
there might not be that much leftover for things like holidays and
home improvements.
This sirarely more pronounced than in the
kitchen and bathroom. Once the sole reserve
of the domestic chef, these days there’s far
more to the room traditionally associated
with cooking than simply an oven and work
surface. It’s a space to socialise in, entertain
and, when combined with a dining table in an
open plan layout, sit down to eat with loved
ones. Meanwhile, the bathroom is a sanctuary
for many, providing a corner of the house
where we can unwind, take stock of the day,
and pamper ourselves.
IIt’s a reality somewhat at odds with how much
pressure there is to keep up with the Joneses. Or,
more accurately, the latest interior design trends, thus
avoiding any embarrassment when we invite friends,
family and acquaintances round only to realise that our
home is in urgent need of modernisation.
Two very important parts of any home,
making improvements and modernising
either doesn’t actually have to cost as
much as many people think. Or at least not
in the long run. Quality craftsmanship and
innovative design can provide you with a
timeless kitchen and bathroom that won’t be
outdated in a matter of mere years. By opting
for neutral, traditional finishes, and clean,
handleless modern lines, you’ll be guaranteed
beautiful rooms that don’t have to be
completely replaced in order to keep up with
10 Cestria Magazine

ever-changing trends- think of
this like a base coat of paint, ready
for any additions in the future
that won’t look out of place. The
same rule applies whether we’re
talking about the kitchen or the
bathroom, and regardless of the
budget you have set aside. All you
need is a reputable, innovative
specialist firm with a proven track
record of delivering great goods
at a range of price points, which
may be closer than you think.
Cestria Magazine
11

A major NHS study has revealed
that autism and related conditions
affect more of us than anyone
Originally thought
In fact it is now claimed that as many adults - one in
100 - as children are affected by autism, Aspergers
syndrome and similar conditions.
While in recent years numerous studies have been
carried out among children this Department of
Health funded research is the first major look in to
autism spectrum disorders in adults. The results
which found that 72 participants out of 7000 men
and women from across Britain had autism or a
similar condition. The research, which began with
a simple set of twenty question designed to pick
up on participants’ attention to detail, ability to
deal with social situations and abilities to pick up
on the emotions of others, saw several hundred
of the trial’s guinea pigs picked out for further
tests. Five conditions are found within the autism
spectrum though Rett syndrome, marked by small
head size and poor verbal skills, is extremely rare
while childhood degenerative disorder was not
relevant to the research. Classic autism is well
documented in recent years with sufferers notably
unable to relate to people and upset or distracted
by small issues including certain shapes or colours,
mild Aspergers is also found within the spectrum,
characterised by social difficulties and a lack of
empathy whilst the less well known non-specific
pervasive developmental disorder, essentially a
less debilitating form of autism, was also included
in the study. Each condition shares symptoms
including abnormalities in social interaction and
communication, restricted interests and repetitive
behaviour. Not only is the sheer numbers of those
with autism now realised but it has also become
apparent that more men suffer than women while
those who are single and didn’t go to university
are more likely to be found to have the condition.
Some now argue that this study was carried out
in the hope of encouraging a higher uptake of the
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) - proof
that people of all ages are affected by autism puts
paid to the theory that the rise in childhood autism
is down to the MMR jab. Either way there is no
denying that this study, however small, shows that
autism-type disorders are not only more prevalent
than previously thought but apparently not on the
increase either. At the same time it was found that
those with autism do not appear to have enough
support from their medical providers. In fact 63%
claim to not have their needs adequately met with
several thousand claiming to feel isolated and
ignored. With this in mind the new findings show
that perhaps the NHS is severely lacking in its
attitude towards those with these conditions.
12 Cestria Magazine

Cestria Magazine
13

february’s cheapest get aways from the uk
Bucharest, Dublin and Krakow all make the list, but where else can you
get to from the UK for under £50 this month.
Looking to escape the trials and tribulations of
modern day Britain? We run through four of the
cheapest places you can reach from home soil this
month in the hope of inspiring.
Bucharest, Romania - Flights from £5 one way
Direct departures from London, Glasgow, Liverpool,
Bristol, Birmingham and Doncaster
Once known as Little Paris, Romania’s capital
city is steeped in atmosphere and history. Whilst
Ceausescu treated the town like an architectural
experiment- building, amongst other things, the
Palace of the Parliament, AKA the second largest
administrative complex on the planet- it doesn’t
take long to find yourself surrounded by pretty
cafes and ornate buildings indicative of the
country’s ancestral prestige.
Best for: Art, architecture, history, culture
Dublin, Ireland (pictured above) - Flights from £15
one way. Direct departures from Liverpool, Bristol,
Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Edinburgh,
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Exeter,
Doncaster and Southampton
The Fair City always lives up to its name. From the
mayhem of a night on the tiles in Temple Bar, to the
burgeoning arts scene comprising both national
and independent galleries, theatres and museums;
an entire quarter dedicated to rare antiques, some
of which are eye watering in price, to the silicone
economies of the new media and tech-heavy
dockland regeneration, you can make a weekend
here into whatever you want.
Best for: Art, food, drink, history, shopping, music,
fashion
14 Cestria Magazine

Cologne, Germany - Flights from £18
one way. Direct departures from
London, Manchester and Edinburgh
Germany’s fourth largest city
straddles the Rhine, and is steeped
in picture postcard sights. The
Hohenzollern Bridge, iconic
Cathedral, and Great St. Martin
Church are just three examples of
serious selling points this town
has to offer. Home to over 1million
people, it’s not all historic buildings,
either, with a bustling metropolis just
waiting to be explored. Hence this
now being a major European media
and creative hub.
The jewel in Poland’s city crown,
Krakow is amongst the bestpreserved
cities in Europe,
boasting huge town squares,
a jaw dropping riverside
castle, stunning churches and
an unmistakable ambience.
Famous for stag dos, whilst
partying is part of everyday
life here it’s also one of the
most romantic destinations
on our list and should be a
priority for any fan of Central
Europe.
Best for: History, nightlife,
food, drink, shopping
Paris, France
Best for: Nightlife, shopping,
religious sightseeing, food, drink,
markets, architecture
Cologne, Germany
Krakow, Poland - Flights from £39
one way . Direct departures from
London, Belfast, Bristol, Liverpool,
Leeds, East Midlands, Manchester,
Birmingham, Edinburgh and
Bournemouth
This enchanting city is
brimming with attractions
and activities, including
famous landmarks and
museums providing an insight
into centuries of
culture and creativity.
The Arc de
Triomphe, the Eiffel
Tower, Notre Dame
cathedral, the Champs
Elysees and the Louvre
are all household
names, and really
need to be included
in any trip to France,
where possible.
During the 19th
and 20th centuries,
France had built the
second-largest empire
of all time, and you
can see this mighty
manifestation mirrored in
such grand sites. The city has
a number of other attractions,
such as the spectacular
gardens of Versailles, whose
grandeur and opulence reflect
their regal heritage. Visitors
with an interest in culture and
the arts can visit Montmartre,
a popular haunt for creative
types.
Cestria Magazine
15

FITNESS
Make room for family
fitness
16 Cestria Magazine

Creating a family fitness room makes it easier than
ever to stick to your workout -and it’s a great place
for the kids to chill out, too.Obviously choose the
biggest space you can for the fitness area, but don’t
forget to create an atmosphere of warmth. That way
it will be an inviting space for the whole family.
Experiment with different types of lighting and use
cherry or walnut trim for added luxury. Durable,
self-adhesive carpet squares help cushion floor
exercises. Blinds offer privacy while one person is
working out and others are watching TV. Conversely,
keeping the blinds up allows exercisers to watch
TV or even incorporate exercise videos into the
workout.
Putting mirrored panels on the back wall not only
reflects light and gives the room a more open feel,
but also has a practical function. Being able to
see yourself when performing strength-training
exercises helps you check your posture for better
results and less risk of injury. And for the kids,
why not make the centrepiece of the room a wild,
wavy climbing wall? It will create an interesting
design element, and provide endless fun for the
youngsters. More importantly though, it will ensure
kids make exercise a lifelong habit. Variation keeps
families committed to exercise and improves fitness
because it encourages working out different muscle
groups in different ways.There are other practical
considerations to a family fitness room.
Safety aside, exercisers should be able to secure
or stow gear that little ones could hurt themselves
on. When everyone is done using the room, there
should be a place to put everything. So make
sure there’s plenty of storage room and space
for everyone to exercise.A wardrobe with ample
shelving and drawers for each person’s towel and
exercise clothes is essential. As is ample shelving
for holding equipment such as dumbbells, and a
few towel racks would be a good idea too.The space
behind the climbing wall could also serve to store
equipment when you need more floor space for
aerobics or the next time the kids want to roll out
the mats to do a little tumbling.For most families,
the key to fitness can be summed up in one word:
convenience. Few things are more convenient than
having all the essentials of a fitness club right in the
middle of your house. But the room ideally has to
work as part of a home and as a part of the lives of
the family using it. So remember, if you’re going to
commit a space in your home to fitness and exercise,
you have to make it inviting and motivating.
A weight bench and an old treadmill down in a dark
corner of the cellar won’t really work. You should
want to spend time there and make it so there’s
something for everyone: yourself, your spouse,
and even the youngest children.Picture:Work it out:
the key to a good home fitness area is comfort and
convenience.
Cestria Magazine
17

etirement: Arguably the best thing
in the world, ever!
They are not called the Golden Years for nothing- so go out and enjoy the
new-found freedom to do all the things you couldnt do while you were
working.
There’s a strange awkwardness that comes with getting older. We were once the lifeblood of a nation,
working in the engine room of Britain’s economy - whether that’s an office or building site. Now it can feel
like we’re stepping ever closer to becoming a burden.
People are living longer, putting a greater strain on the NHS, social services and pension pots. Meanwhile,
other reports concerning retirees are hell-bent on hammering home the risk factors involved in Not Having
A Purpose. Poppycock, we say - for what greater purpose is there than to enjoy life?
Many of us feel a sense of dread, regret and nervousness when our time comes to say goodbye to the
working world, which is a ghastly trick that has been played on us by the powers-that-be. Convinced that
our very existence is based on a need to serve some higher profit-making purpose, we’re guilt-ridden at the
idea of not getting up at 7am every morning to battle through the god-awful commute, before having a ton
of pressure piled on us in order to meet some ridiculous target. But, given the decades we have committed
to the cause of employment, it’s hardly fair to make retirement synonymous with uselessness.
Of course, we don’t need to listen to the spurious spoutings of younger people turning green with envy at
the fact they do indeed need to make that meeting first thing tomorrow. The rise of the retiree has been
charted for some time now; for proof just think of all those “I’m spending my kid’s inheritance” holiday
t-shirts that did the rounds in the early 1990s, and the 70-year-old wearing it whilst looking over-themoon
at his brand-new speed boat. We probably don’t condone splurging every bit of savings and leaving
nothing to your heirs; it’s nice to pass things on, yet the fundamental principles of that attitude represent
the correct mental approach when facing retirement.
In short then, although school is where you discovered
the opposite sex and took the first tentative steps
towards becoming a real person, and universities and
college convert that into adulthood, the best time of
your life should really be the so-called Golden Years.
Why the hell else would they call them the Golden
Years? From indulging in time-consuming hobbies to
packing your bags and embarking on a grand voyage,
offering time to charities or simply catching up on all
those Hitchcock films you never found an opportunity
to watch, this is your time, you deserve it, so for Pete’s
sake go enjoy it, because nobody else is will do it for
you.
18 Cestria Magazine

Cestria Magazine
19

TRAVEL
Santorini, Greece
a brief guide to greece
Greece is a country of contrasts and boasts a multitude of places to explore,
both on the mainland and around the islands.
The Hellenic region remains
one of the world’s most
fascinating. Here the foundations
for democracy and Western
civilization were first laid, and
several millennia-worth of
history, along with the resulting
melting pot of cultures, have all
combined to create the country
we see today.
Although not particularly vast
in terms of land area, Greece’s
offering is huge. You could lose
yourself in the country’s most
southerly island, Crete, for more
than a fortnight alone - exploring
its gorges, mountains and lost
beaches, or simply sitting back
in a traditional village taverna.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles
north, the mainland’s coast
remains largely untouched by
mass tourism, with cities such as
Thessaloniki resplendent with
ancient monuments, museums,
and world-famous markets. With
so much choice it can be difficult
to decide exactly where to plant
your holiday flag, and as such
we’ve put together this quick
reference guide to the various
options. Happy planning.
Mainland:
In a nutshell - The Greek mainland
is largely overlooked by tourists
travelling from outside the
country, and much to their loss.
Less crowded, even in the peak
season months, it’s far less
developed and as such hides
some of the most serene parts of
the country.
20 Cestria Magazine

Cyclades Islands
Highlights - Santorini, Folegandros, Mykonos, Naxos, Kea
In a nutshell - The most famous of the island groups is amongst the most
beautiful. Although you need to be under 25 to enjoy the nightlife on Ios,
party and family-friendly Mykonos, traditional Folegandros, and luxurious
Santorini are far more universal.
Northern Aegean Islands
Highlights - Chios, Ikaria, Limnos, Samos, Lesvos
In a nutshell - Perhaps the least visited, certainly in terms of mass tourism,
this island group is regarded as the most unspoilt in the eyes of many
Greeks, with Limnos having almost avoided holidaymakers altogether. Ripe
for exploring, you might say.
Saronic Islands
Highlights - Hydra, Aegina, Angistri, Poros
In a nutshell - If you fancy seeing the sights of Athens but staying on an island
then the Saronics are for you. Hydra’s ultra-cool-yet-hyper-traditional
atmosphere makes it a hit despite lacking beaches, and Angistri is a longestablished
favourite
Sporades Islands
Highlights - Skyros, Skopelos, Skiathos, Alonissos
In a nutshell - Alonissos boasts Byzantine ruins and pine forests, Skopelos is
allegedly the greenest island in the Aegean, and Skyros has been attracting
holistic travellers from across the planet for decades now. Definitely best
suited to the naturally-minded.
Dodecanese Islands
Highlights - Halki, Karpathos, Kos, Rhodes,
With huge contrasts between islands, it’s no wonder the Dodecanese prove
so eternally popular. Halki and Karpathos are like stepping back in time,
perfect for rest and relaxation, whilst touristic Kos and Rhodes have abundant
historic sites and facilities.
Elsewhere
Highlights - Crete, Cyprus, Elafonissos, Evia, Zante
Crete is nicknamed the mini-continent, thanks to its dramatic peaks,
endless wildernesses, bustling towns and cities. Cyprus is a true yearround
destination, boasting enough charm and history to satisfy anyone.
Evia is the country’s second largest island, and Elafonissos is said
to have some of the most jaw-dropping beaches in Greece.
Cestria Magazine
21

chocolate and orange pancakes
When it’s Pancake Day, everyone loves taking part in the
Shrove Tuesday celebration of cooking up some simple
ingredients to make a delicious pudding. These chocolate
and orange pancakes make a nice change from plain
versions.
INGREDIENTS :
METHOD :
90g plain flour
20g cocoa powder
25g caster sugar
1 large egg
300ml semi-skimmed milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
Sunflower oil, for frying
For the filling:
2 medium oranges
250g tub ricotta cheese
25g plain chocolate, grated
25g sugar
Grate the zest from one of the oranges into a bowl.
Cut away the peel and pith from both oranges and cut
into segments, allowing the juice to drip into the bowl,
but put the segments on a plate to one side. Beat the
ricotta into the orange rind and juice until smooth and
fold in the grated chocolate.
To make the pancakes:
Sift the flour and cocoa into a bowl and add the sugar.
Beat the egg, milk and vanilla extract together then
add to the dry ingredients and whisk to make a smooth
batter. To cook the pancakes, warm a non-stick frying
pan, add a teaspoon of oil, then pour in a very large
tablespoon of batter which should be enough just to
cover the base thinly. Tilt the pan to distribute the batter
evenly. Place on the hob and cook over a medium
hot setting. When the edges are golden and the batter
looks set, toss or turn with a palette knife and cook the
other side for about 1 minute until golden. Remove
from the pan and keep warm. Lift the pan off the hob,
add another teaspoon of oil and add another spoonful
of batter. After tilting the pan, set back on the hob to
cook. Continue cooking the pancakes in this way until
all the batter is used. Place a tablespoon of the ricotta
filling onto each pancake and either roll up or fold into
a cornet, and decorate with two orange segments.
BOOK review - french
kissing
If only every girl could have a French penfriend like
Alexandre...
28-year-old Anna Mitchel has been writing letters to
Alexandre since they met on a school exchange trip
as young teenagers. Exam results, first jobs, and new
partners are detailed in their letters as time goes by,
but Anna never seems to have the time to hop on the
Eurostar and see her friend again after all these years. But
when Paris-based Alex, now a successful photographer,
is offered a job in London
and needs a place to stay,
Anna offers to put him up.
To her surprise, the
shy, skinny boy she
remembers is now tall,
broad-shouldered - and
gorgeous. Anna’s female
friends are soon swooning
over Alex, but he has just
broken up with his longterm
girlfriend, and has
no intention of embarking
on a relationship with
anyone else. Anna’s
steady boyfriend Nick is jealous of her friendship with a
handsome single man. Months go by, and Anna and her
penfriend grow closer and closer, till one day, Alex has
to return to Paris for a photography exhibition, and asks
Anna to accompany him, finally giving her the chance to
see the city he adores...
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Strolling along the banks of the Seine and exploring the
narrow winding streets of Montmartre, Anna discovers
that Paris is also a city where it would be very easy to fall
in love. Even if the man you long to kiss still has feelings
for his ex, and regards you only as his amie Anglaise - his
English friend.
French Kissing is an original and witty novel, a pageturning
contemporary romance that is, at different
times, both light-hearted and sensuous. As the action
moves from London to Paris, these two vibrant cities are
brought vividly to life, while the chemistry between the
main characters simply leaps off the page.
22 Cestria Magazine

Cestria Magazine
23