Magical Meringues Recipe

Made from whipped egg whites and powdered sugar, meringues are light, airy and very sweet. Follow this easy recipe to make perfect meringues - or use it as a basis for other desserts such as pavlovas or lemon meringue pudding, or simply as a treat on its own. So easy to make, and an inexpensive recipe to demonstrate. For an extra special touch, place meringues in an attractive glass jar for your next Sunday afternoon tea and catch the compliments!

Makes approximately 50 small meringues

•  3 large egg whites
• 210g castor sugar (250ml or 1 cup) 
• 5ml vanilla essence (1 teaspoon) or 1 vanilla bean pod, scraped
• 5ml white vinegar
• 30ml boiling water (2 tablepoons) 
• 10ml baking powder (2 teaspoons)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 100 degrees. 
2. Line baking trays with baking powder, do not grease (do not use greaseproof paper).
3. Using a clean, dry bowl of the electric food mixer, whisk egg whites until a soft peak is formed. 
4. Add sugar spoon by spoon, slowly whisking all the time. 
5. With the last teaspoon of sugar, mix in vanilla essence, or the vanilla bean paste and whisk well. 
6. Add boiling water and whisk again for 5 minutes. 
7. Lastly, add baking powder and whisk for a minute. 
8. Place mixture into a piping bag which has been fitted with a nozzle. 
9. Pipe onto prepared baking trays.
10. Bake for 60 minutes. Switch off the oven and leave in the oven, if possible, for a further 30 minutes. 

My tried and tested tip is to make the meringues smaller so that they will cook slightly quicker! Using a disposable piping bag makes for easy cleaning up after so you have less washing up to worry about and more time preparing for guests. 

Try this out and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Love,
Yo Homi

THE SEARCH FOR GATEWAY’S 2017 AMBASSADORS IS ON…

Gateway launched the search for their 2017 ambassadors at a prestigious media launch on Thursday, 19th January, where they offered guests some insight into what the competition is all about.

The centre is looking for a male and female who represent Gateway’s lifestyle and values in their own lives. They are searching for two people who are social, have great personal style, are outgoing and confident in front of a camera and who love to have fun at Gateway Theatre of Shopping. The centre stated that it’s also important for the chosen ambassadors have a good nature, congenial personality and a respectful way of interacting with others. 

Lisanne Lazarus, current brand ambassador for Gateway, described her experience as one that exceeded her wildest dreams and expectations. “I’ve learnt and matured so much from the people I've met and the opportunities that were afforded to me over this last year. This opportunity comes once in a life time and is almost too good to be true”, said Lazarus. 

Thabiso Thedi, who shares the stage with Lazarus as an ambassador, described his experience as EPIC! “It's been an absolute delight. I got to rub shoulders with some of SA's top celebrities, host red carpet events, shop at all the amazing stores Gateway has & experience the 5 Star Gateway VIP lifestyle.” Thedi further commented that being a Gateway Brand Ambassador has led him to truly explore & experience the three main facets which he believes Gateway has built its foundation on, these being “FASHION, FOOD & PEOPLE .... that's what it's all about.” 

The 2017 Ambassadors will walk away with over R120 000 in prizes from sponsors, some of which include:

• Vodacom Nxt Lvl
• Tsogo Sun Garden Court Umhlanga Hotel
• Beluga,
• The Hussar Grill,
• Circus Circus, 
• RJ’s 
• John Dorys, 
• Gerald Wells, 
• Kryolan, 
• Nail It, 
• Ster Kinekor, 
• Chateaux Gateaux 
• Auto Spa Express.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping offers an unprecedented 5 Star shopping experience ranging from local to international retail and also boasts one of the largest entertainment offerings under one roof. For more information on the competition, entry process and mechanics, detailed list of prizes terms and conditions visit www.gatewayworld.co.za 

Look out for Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

#GatewayAmbassador @GatewayUmhlanga 

Gateway Theatre of Shopping in LIGHTS!

Beluga catered the event with a selection of delicious canapes, fresh sushi, prawns and cocktails.

2016 Gateway Ambassador's, Lisanne Lazarus and Thabiso Thedi.

Sponsors for the Gateway Brand Ambassador campaign, Gerald Wells from Gerald Wells Hair Professionals, Durban business owners of Kryolan KZN, Aldytha da Silva and Rob da Silva.

2017: This is OUR year.

So you thought 2016 was going to be your year. You had it all planned out - dreams bigger than Moses Mabhida Stadium and full of depth and hope that THIS year, was going to be the final frontier. But then life got in the way, famous people started dying, your workout goals became less frequent and you're filled with doubt about the next chapter.

Don't be despondent. Some great occurrences did happen, (believe it or not).  

• There's an Ebola vaccine now
• Child mortality rates globally are down 
• Leonardo Dicaprio FINALLY got that Oscar (YAAAS!) 
• Humpback whales are no longer endangered
• The Ozone layer is repairing itself 
• Durban was named the city in South Africa with the highest quality of life  

Turn that frown upside down - let's get the positive thoughts vibing in that beautiful mind of yours. Here's what you have going for you right now...

• You have internet access. That means you can Google CAT VIDEOS.
• You're more aware than ever that 2017 is going to set you up for challenges. Challenges that you can now face since 2016 has HUMBLED YOU. 
• New Year resolutions are solidifying in your mind - you're more keen than ever to save money, drop a dress size, learn to strobe, perfect your bullet form to-do lists and get around to trying out hot yoga. 
• You have the ability to control your thoughts. 
• You also have the ability to leave behind all the toxic thoughts, behaviours, habits and people that held you back in 2016. LOOK AT YOU! 

 “It's crazy, how similar we are. Here's both of us, working through our stuff, trying to make something positive out of something really bad.”
― Jenny Han, Fire with Fire

Now build yourself up and face it head on - this year is going to be a wild ride.

Love, 
Yo Homi