• On a hot afternoon, there are few pleasures as simple as a scoop of something cold and creamy. But stand in front of a gelateria or freezer aisle and the question pops up: gelato or ice cream? They may look similar, but these two frozen favourites have very different personalities.  Milk vs cream Both start with dairy, yet the balance shifts. Ice cream leans heavily on cream, while gelato uses more milk. That small change makes a big difference. Ice cream is richer and heavier, while gelato tastes cleaner on the palate, without that lingering fatty feel.  Fat content matters Traditional ice cream must meet a higher fat level,…

    Funfetti pancakes are the perfect return to childhood, when everything was more colourful, sweeter and covered in sprinkles. There’s no age limit on these breakfast treats, though, and they’re so light and fluffy that the entire family will be begging for more. Made this  Funfetti pancake recipe? Tag us @foodandhomesa #CookingWithFH on Instagram! Also See: Day-ahead festive strawberry and Prosecco jelly https://www.foodandhome.co.za/recipes/day-ahead-festive-strawberry-and-prosecco-jelly

    An indulgent baked cheesecake that’s a delicious, sweet end to a Christmas meal. To make your life a little easier on the day, set some time aside to bake this cheesecake up to 3 days ahead, and store in the fridge, wrapped in cling film – without removing it from the cake tin. The texture of the cheesecake is silky smooth. This is thanks to baking it in a water bath – which sounds daunting, but really isn’t! You really must wrap the tin twice in heavy-duty foil, though. ALSO SEE: BERRY ETON MESS CHEESECAKE Recipe and styling by Claire…

    Bring everyone together with this indulgent Toasted s’mores cake — a dreamy twist on the classic campfire treat. Gooey layers of marshmallow, rich chocolate ganache and buttery cake…

    For many families, the festive season is a time of celebration. But for veterinarians, it’s one of the busiest and most stressful periods of the year. Emergency animal hospitals around the world report dramatic spikes in cases over the year-end holidays, with many linked directly to festive foods, decorations, and routine disruptions. Cats and dogs are exposed to a completely different environment during the holidays,” explains Dr Karien Brink from Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “There are rich foods, tempting decorations, new visitors, travel, and stress. All of these increase the risk of serious, but preventable, emergencies.” Here’s what vets see most…

    There’s something about the festive season that calls for baking. The oven’s on, the house smells warm and buttery, and there’s always a tin of something sweet within reach. That’s what makes a cookie swap such a lovely way to gather before the rush really hits. It’s relaxed, joyful and everyone leaves with more than they arrived with.  If you’ve never hosted one before, don’t overthink it. A cookie swap is simply friends, good company and a table filled with homemade treats.  Try this recipe: 2-min choc chip cookies Keep the guest list small Eight people is the sweet spot. It gives you a good mix of bakes without becoming overwhelming. Ask each guest to bring the…