The festive season is upon us! During this time of the year, many take some much needed time off to relax and regain their strengths before 2024 arrives.

A new product has been released by a brand called Whistling Kettle. This Rooibos tea is referred to as their “Carrot Cake” tea and is set to be the go-to drink for those who are looking to unwind this holiday period. 

Their Carrot Cake tea is packed with a rich flavor and tastes like Christmas! 

Click here to find out more.   

Looking for a unique take on the classic Christmas gammon recipe? You can create this gammon with ginger beer and Rooibos at home in your instant pot!

Ingredients

1 large smoked gammon approx 1.5kg – 2.5kg
4 Rooibos teabags
750 ml strong ginger beer
2 celery stalks
2 medium carrots
1 small white onion
1 tsp allspice berries crushed
½ tsp black peppercorns
½ tsp cloves
3 bay leaves

For the glaze:

1.5 cups of cooking broth
¼ cup of honey
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch of cloves

Method

1. Bring the gammon to room temperature and remove all the outer casings including string. Boil the kettle.
2. Heat 1 cup (250ml) of the ginger beer in a jug in the microwave until hot and then add a cup of boiling water. Add the 4 Rooibos teabags to the liquid and allow it to infuse for at least 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags.
3. Roughly chop the celery, onion and carrots and place at the bottom of the Instant Pot. Put the gammon on top of the vegetables and then add the bay leaves and spices. Pour the 2 cups of tea mixture and the remaining 500ml of ginger beer over the gammon and adjust the vent to the sealing setting. Set the timer to the time necessary and then cook manual pressure on HIGH. Allow 15 minutes per 500 gms of gammon, so 2 kgs of gammon will cook for 60 minutes.
4. Cook the gammon and then allow for a natural release of pressure. Remove and set aside. Strain the solids out of the cooking broth.
5. To make the glaze, put 1.5 cups of the strained cooking broth into a small pot and bring this to a boil. Add the cloves and honey and cook this down until it has thickened. This will take around 30 minutes or longer.
6. Add the mustard around halfway through and stir to ensure it is incorporated. The glaze should thicken even more once it’s off the heat.
7. When you are ready to serve/glaze the gammon, remove the thick outer fat layer from the gammon and cut a crisscross pattern into the fat. Place it on an oven tray under a hot grill ensuring that it is not too close to the element. Drop the oven rack to low if necessary. Once about half of the fat has started to render off, start brushing the glaze over the gammon and return to the grill. Keep a close eye and keep basting it a couple more times. Remove and set aside to serve either straight away or at room temperature a little later. 8. Serve the leftover glaze on the side.
9. Decorate the serving platter with fresh bay leaves, rosemary, pomegranates or grilled peaches.

View the full recipe here. 

Two In A Bush Rooibos Cordials are available at House Of Rooibos in Clanwilliam and can be used this festive season to create truly bespoke cocktails! 

Their website contains a wide range of easy, yet tasty cocktail recipes. These include “tequila”, “G & Tea” and “Aperol Tea Spritz”.

Click here to download their recipe booklet and get mixing! Remember that you can order Two In A Bush from House Of Rooibos. Simply click here to contact them.