Home & Lifestyle Spring 2018

There are many benefits to planting hedges A striking, well-manicured yard helps to frame the exterior of your home. An added benefit of planting shrubs and hedges is that they can help define or shape a property. They offer privacy, shade, and noise reduction by providing shelter around a house and garden, tender plants are protected from damaging winds and they will grow twice as fast. Hedges and shrubs can add height and create unique perspectives and dimensions for a property, creating interesting focal points, accents and backdrops. Additionally, they can be trimmed to specific shapes for added beauty and curb appeal. Strategically planted hedges and shrubs can help disguise problem areas of property or hide secure areas of the property. One of the best benefits of shrubs and hedges is that they can often be very low maintenance. Many varieties are easy to maintain and keep healthy, with little pruning or trimming needed throughout the year. There are also a wide variety of shrubs and hedges to choose from, depending on owner preferences regarding leaf size, future growth patterns, shapes, flowering options, and colours. In addition, most shrubs and hedges are evergreen so the property owner can enjoy lush green colour throughout the seasons. Tasty Salmon and Spinach parcel

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C, fan 200°C. Put the salmon on a sheet of baking paper. Season, drizzle over 1 tbsp oil and wrap to seal. Roast on a baking tray for 12-15 mins until just cooked through. Once cool, flake and set aside. 2. In a pan over a medium heat, add 2 tbsp oil and fry the shallots for 5 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. Add most of the spinach, stirring until wilted. Stir in the soft cheese and dill. 3. Line a baking tray with baking paper and put the pastry on top. Slice a 2.5cm long strip off the shortest side and set aside. Spoon the spinach onto one side of the pastry, leaving a 2.5cm gap at the edge. Top with the fish and drizzle with a little lemon juice. 4. Fold the unfilled side of pastry over the fish and seal the edges. Crimp the edges and prick the top with a fork. Shape fish from the reserved pastry and stick on top. Brush with egg, then bake for 20-25 mins. Serve with the remaining spinach and lemon wedges.

Ingredients: 500g skinless boneless side of salmon, or salmon fillets 3 tbsp olive oil 100g shallots, peeled and sliced 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 150g spinach

150g soft cheese 15g dill, chopped (optional) Ready-rolled puff pastry half lemon, cut into wedges 1 egg, beaten

& Lifestyle Magazine | Spring 2018

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