Celebrate Mother's Day With Some Fabulous Recipes

Wistful recollections of our childhood usually centre around food and baking. Nothing conjures up feelings of nostalgia better than the image of a little child, nose-pressed-to-the-oven door on a cold Sunday afternoon. With nostrils giddy with the scent of melted chocolate and eyes bigger than dinner plates, their delicate hands’ are poised, ready to grab a freshly baked cookie as soon as mom carefully plates them.


Grace Stevens, award-winning TV chef, confectionery connoisseur, and fellow mum, shares some delectable ways to ensure this Mother’s Day is the most special one yet.

 


Here Are Her Top 3 Tips:

Give the gift of food  


Food shared with loved ones always creates memorable moments. There is something wonderfully unforgettable about making and gifting special edible treats for those we love, and more so for our mums, as they do it all the time for us. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat mum to treasured cakes and bakes passed down from previous generations, over a steaming pot of fresh tea or coffee.


Bring the family together 


It is so special when Moms can be celebrated by spending quality time with their families, catching up, and sharing fond memories. A delightful alternative to taking mum out for a meal is to recreate her favourite restaurant dinner at home, with all the family. We absolutely love making homemade pizza together. It’s a lovely way of getting the whole family involved. From kneading the dough to roasting the tomato paste, grating the cheese, and chopping up toppings to scatter over, there is something every member of the family can do, irrespective of their age.

 


Make mum the focus 


Mother’s Day is all about spending quality time with your mom and making her feel special. Set aside time to just hang out with your mom and do something that she enjoys. Doing a craft class, helping with some gardening, or going on an outing together is a great way to spend precious time together. If you have more than one sibling, divide up the weekend and take your mom on a few different outings. This way she can relax and not be stressed with having to try and catch up with everyone at one time. 



Here are Grace’s beloved treats to create for Mum: 



Lemon and Blueberry Cake


Nothing beats sitting down to indulge in a delicate slice of cake for afternoon tea. I absolutely love a moist cake with light fluffy sponge layers, a citrus zing, and fresh bursts of fruits. The great thing about cakes is that they are easy to make, they taste even better after a day or two when the flavours have had a chance to mingle, and the little ones can go to town with the decorating.

 


Click here for the recipe: Blueberry & Lemon Cake - Grace Stevens


Shortbread


Shortbread is notable for its crumbly texture and butter-rich taste. My quick and easy recipe for candied orange peel shortbread packs a punch of flavour and is ideal for this time of year. They make the perfect food gift if you’re popping round to Mum for a cup of tea. Simply wrap them up in brown paper and tie them with a pretty ribbon to take with you. 


Click here for the recipe: Candied Orange Peel Shortbread - Grace Stevens 


Chocolate Chip Cookies 


Who doesn’t love to walk into a house that smells like cookies baking? I adore cookies and perfectly sweet and undeniably delectable chocolate chip ones are my favourite. The perfect cookie is crispy and firm on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and tastes scrumptious, served with a large cup of warmed hot chocolate. I love to keep a tin full of these in the house and serve them as an after-dinner treat, or late evening snack. You’ll look like a domestic goddess with minimal effort on your part.


Click here for the recipe: Choc Chip Heart Cookies - Grace Stevens 


Mother’s Day is all about taking the time out of our busy schedules to appreciate the selfless sacrifices and limitless compassion of our mum, which actually merits more than just one day of recognition. So, this Mother’s Day, let’s make our moms feel extra special by baking some delicious memories that will last a lifetime. 

 


For more delectable recipes, online tutorials, shop, and live classes visit www.gracestevens.co.za or follow her on Grace_stevenschef or Facebook grace_stevenschef


Roundups #49: M-Net Launches New 8 Part Series Desert Rose, Two New Shows Launch On History Africa And Aquaman: King Of Atlantis Heads To Cartoon Network Africa

Set on a remote farm in the Northern Cape, Desert Rose is an evocative, emotional, quirky and cinematic new family-centred drama premiering on M-Net on 2 June.

The eight-part drama mixes black comedy, suspense, crime, romance, and music while focusing on the unlikely reconnecting of a father and his children. The series stars Neil Sandilands, Amalia Uys, Kai Luke Brümmer, Christia Visser, Tinarie van Wyk and several others.

Desert Rose is directed by Cindy Lee (The Girl from St Agnes), written by award-winning screenwriter and showrunner Rohan Dickson (Reyka, Husk, Welcome to Hawaii ) and produced by Quizzical Pictures.

 
 

Below are two upcoming highlights on History Channel

STRANGEST THINGS S1
20 May, Fridays 19h25

Strangest Things explores the stories surrounding some of the most unusual and interesting objects ever found or created. From the most distant man-made object in the universe to a 10,000-year-old shaman’s headdress, each show will feature three riveting objects and their stories. Using the latest scientific research, photographs, declassified files and expert testimony – combined with a unique visual style – we explore the strangest objects on Earth to reveal the true stories of what they really are.

BUILT THE WORLD

24 May, Tuesdays 20h15

As the latest instillation of the HISTORY Channel’s popular “That Built” franchise, The Engineering that Built the World sheds light on the iconic structures and engineering feats that have shaped and defi ned our world. From the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Panama Canal, Transcontinental Railroad, Statue of Liberty and beyond, this series tells the stories of the brilliant visionaries behind the most epic builds of the past two centuries. Up against insurmountable challenges, these are the unknown tales of rivalries, egos, backdoor politics and the brilliant engineering innovations that made the future possible.

 

Cartoon Network enters the world of Atlantis

Aquaman finally becomes king of Atlantis, but he has never ruled before. He begins to learn the ropes of kingdom administration with the help of his advisers, Vulko, a scholar, and Mera, a water- wielding warrior.

Aquaman: King Of Atlantis is a three-part miniseries based on the DC Comics character that was produced by the director of the 2018 live-action film and its upcoming 2023 sequel, James Wan serves as executive producer.

 

As of November 2021, The series is currently streaming on HBO Max which hasn't launched yet in South Africa and will likely arrive by 2025/6. In the meantime, the series will rollout on Cartoon Network internationally with Africa scheduled for June.

Other D.C. animated projects in development for the network include Teen Titans GO! The Night Begins To Shine, My Adventures With Superman and Batman: Caped Crusader.

All Rise For E! Africa's New Series Mathis Family Matters

The legendary and honorable Judge Greg Mathis, Sr. and his family are ready to share their unfiltered lives with the world.  The Judge might rule the courtroom, but at home he is just “Dad.” Judge Mathis and his wife, Linda Mathis and their four grown children – Jade Mathis, Camara Mathis Webb, Greg Mathis, Jr., and Amir Mathis – along with their own careers, relationships, personalities, and off the wall dynamics are ready to take Los Angeles by storm. The family docu-series offers a rare look into the Mathis’ exclusive Hollywood lifestyle and family fun. Mathis Family Matters premieres with back-to-back episodes on the 31st of July at 20:00 on E!.

Mathis Family Matters follows Judge Mathis and his wife, Linda as two of their adult children move back to Los Angeles to all find their way and join the rest of the family. Judge Mathis has had great success helping others, but when it comes to his family, his opinions and being an “expert on everything” sometimes falls flat as he helps to guide his children through adulthood. Linda, the matriarch of the family, has a fabulous quick with personality and since this is the first time the family has been under one roof in long time, it’s her mission to keep everyone together through  the ups and downs. The firstborn, Jade is living life to the fullest on both coasts, as she decides if her dreams of being a full-time motivational speaker outweigh her career in law. Camara can do no wrong in the eyes of the Judge, and with the nickname “Mother Mathis” she has started a family of her own along with her husband, Ryan and daughters Nora and Zara. Camara is trying to manage it all as she works on balancing family life and her law career. Greg Jr. and his long-term boyfriend, Elliott are busy working on multiple real estate ventures, and as they take their relationship to the next level, they struggle with sharing their true bond with the world.

 
 

The youngest, Amir is building his own production empire, and after a recent divorce he jumps right back into another serious relationship causing his siblings to intercede with a love intervention. The Mathis crew is ready to shake things up with fun, big laughs and family love at the core.

Meet The Mathis Family:

Judge Greg Mathis, Sr.

Judge Greg Mathis, a national figure and father known for his advocacy campaigns for urban youth and equal justice, is the longest-running African-American male host on television. His inspirational life story of a street youth who rose from jail to Judge has provided hope to millions who watch him on the Emmy Award-winning television court show Judge Mathis and now he is sharing what life is like with his family on E!’s Mathis Family Matters.

Judge Mathis’s public service career began in college where he led Free South Africa and voter registration campaigns on campus, while also working nights at McDonalds as a swing manager. After graduating from college in 1983, he joined the staff of Detroit City Councilman Clyde Cleveland and continued to work as an advocate for equal justice with Reverend Jesse Jackson’s PUSH Excel, where he currently serves as chairman. Judge Mathis has also served as a national board member of the NAACP and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

 
 

In 2018, Judge Mathis proved his passion for public service when he organized a caravan from Detroit to Flint, Mich., where he led a rally challenging Flint city officials to fix the water pipes. He then delivered 10,000 bottles of water carried by 18-wheeler trucks to the people affected by the ongoing crisis. He campaigned extensively to get the word out for the cause, appearing on national and local programs such as The View and Detroit’s Michigan Matters.

In his efforts to reach out to youth and l ex-offenders both in and outside of the courtroom, Judge Mathis opened the Mathis Community Center in Detroit and has assisted thousands of youth with his non-profit agency Young Adults Asserting Themselves (Y.A.A.T.), an agency that provides career, business start-up and job opportunities, as well as job training and college enrollment assistance. In honor of his years of work and commitment to his hometown of Detroit, the city named one of the streets, Mathis Avenue, after him. The street is part of a new housing development, which replaced the housing projects he grew up in.

Judge Mathis has received numerous awards and keys to the city from government officials and is the recipient of honorary doctorates from both Florida A&M University and Eastern Michigan University. He has been recognized for his efforts by numerous newspapers, magazines and television networks, and has appeared on such shows as The View, The Real, The Tonight Show, Today and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In May 2022, Judge Mathis will be awarded a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, an honor bestowed on luminaries of the entertainment industry. He is also executive producer of the BET+ series American Gangster: Trap Queens.

Judge Mathis is married, and the proud father of four children, and two adorable granddaughters.

Linda Mathis

Linda Mathis is a mother, entrepreneur and wife of Judge Greg Mathis, Sr.

Linda was raised in Detroit and the surrounding suburbs of Oak Park, Mich., along with her two sisters and grew up with a very loving and close-knit family that always spent quality time together. She graduated from Oak Park High School and followed her sister to Eastern Michigan University. While in college majoring in education, Linda met Greg and their four-year courtship continued throughout college. After graduation, Linda and Greg got engaged and married. They raised their family in the suburbs of Detroit, where Linda pursued her career as a teacher with the Board of Education, and a few years later she opened several educational centers.

 

In 2005, Linda and Greg had several goals and decided to relocate to Los Angeles with younger sons Greg Jr. and Amir while daughters Jade and Camara were in college. As the matriarch of the Mathis family, Linda transitioned her career to dedicate all her time to focusing on the children, household and family life. As their kids grew into adults, Linda found a new passion and created She Social with Camara. She Social is an event that unites women from different backgrounds to network, grow together, support each other and celebrate sisterhood.

When Linda is not planning her next event, she enjoys power walking with friends, traveling the world with her family and spending time with her grandkids.

Jade Mathis

Jade Ellis Mathis is the firstborn of the Mathis children and referred to by the Mathis crew as the most similar to Judge Mathis. Jade is an attorney, public speaker and mental health advocate who has experienced several obstacles and setbacks on her challenging road to becoming an attorney.

After receiving a life-changing mental health diagnosis while in college, Jade was determined to change the way the world views mental health. Jade’s bold, authentic, unapologetic and unashamed approach to addressing mental health is admired and respected by many. In 2016, Jade captured the attention of millions across the world by sharing her story of resilience and perseverance in her “Don’t Quit, Anything Can Happen” viral testimonial video, changing countless lives. 

Dubbed the “Expungement Guru,” the former non-traditional prosecutor observed firsthand the disparities and deficits in the criminal justice system and created unique diversion programs as alternatives to incarceration. Also known as “The Resilient JEM,” Jade has been featured in media outlets and serves as an influencer, moderator, panelist and keynote speaker for national organizations.

 

A strong believer in her faith, Jade is active in her church and dedicated to a life of service and motivating others to remain resilient in the face  of adversity.

Camara Mathis Webb

Camara Mathis Webb was born in Detroit and is the second child of Greg and Linda Mathis. She’s affectionally known to the family as “Momma Mathis,” because as a big sister growing up she always had a big heart and nurturing qualities.

Camara is a natural-born leader, and this has followed into her career. Camara attended Michigan State University, and after graduation, she pursued a career in the legal profession and is currently an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles, CA. Camara has been practicing law for nine years as a business and legal affairs executive.

In addition to nurturing her family, Camara is also passionate about uplifting and nurturing other women. That passion inspired Camara, alongside her mother, to create She Social, an event that unites women from different backgrounds to network, grow together, support each other and celebrate sisterhood.

Camara is a boss in every sense of the word, as she is a wife and mother to two beautiful daughters — 5-year-old Nora and 8-month-old Zara. When she’s not managing her family’s real estate ventures and bringing them together for game night, Camara is committed to a lifetime of continuous learning and loves traveling the world with her husband and children.

 

Greg Mathis, Jr.

Greg Mathis, Jr. (also affectionately known as “Bobby” to his family) is an entrepreneur and longtime political advocate. Greg was born in Detroit and spent nearly a decade living in Washington, D.C. He manages multiple successful real estate ventures alongside long-term boyfriend Elliott Cooper. In addition, Greg previously worked as a political staffer for close to a decade in Washington, D.C., and remains dedicated to many political and charitable causes.

Greg’s career in politics includes several years as a senior advisor in the United States Senate, as well as previous work for two members of the United States House of Representatives and the President of the United States. During his time there, Greg worked directly to advance several key initiatives he is passionate about. including funding for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, increasing direct mental health and general healthcare and support services to LGBTQ individuals, and authorizing the nation’s first national program to better identify victims of human trafficking in health care settings.

Most recently, Greg is now managing his family’s various talent and business endeavors, his real estate businesses and engaging in LGBTQ advocacy.

Greg currently lives in Los Angeles with Elliott and their two French Bulldogs – Knox and Dax. When he is not busy at work, Greg enjoys traveling, working out, trying out various restaurants and spending time with family and friends.

Amir Mathis

Amir Mathis is the youngest of the Mathis kids and is often referred to as “the baby” and free spirit of the family. While seen by his siblings as the child who uses his charm to get anything out of his parents, he’s also seen by his peers as an established television producer and great networker with an eclectic group of friends.

 

Growing up in the entertainment industry, he recognized from an early age that he wanted to be a producer. He got his start in television working as a production assistant on his dad’s show and has since worked on multiple Emmy Award-nominated shows. After more than 10 years in the industry, he recently started his own production company and is an executive producer.

When not working on new TV projects or trying to persuade his dad to cover club tables that he sees as a “networking expense,” he enjoys long hikes, Malibu beach days and taking advantage of any moment to travel.

Mathis Family Matters is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Shed Media, Telepictures and Cube Five with Lisa Shannon, Dan Peirson and Charles Davis, Bridgette Theriault, Greg Mathis Sr., Amir Mathis and Simone Spira serving as Executive Producers.

Roundups #48: Ellen's Game Of Games Makes Its Free-To-Air Debut On eReality, Vice TV Calls Its Quits For Dark Side Of The Ring And Disney Junior Announce Four New Series

Ellen is now on eReality

Earlier in the year, the controversial talk show host wrapped production of Game Of Games which was currently seen on M-Net saw contestants play in one of four preliminary games. The winner
of each game advances to the semi-final round for a chance to win $100,000.

Through several ads, it was confirmed that the cancelled game show would be made available to eReality from the 29th May at 6pm - eMedia basically proved MultiChoice's hypothesis with them duplicating their offering.

 
 

Dark Side Of The Ring canned???

The news comes as a bit of a surprise, as Dark Side of the Ring had become the most-watched series in Vice's history. Its third season was even given a supersized order of 14 episodes, up from the 10 given to season 2 and only six episodes for season 1. The docuseries had also garnered acclaim from critics and viewers.

Meltzer claims that the series was likely canceled due to controversy stemming from season 3. In particular, the "Plane Ride from Hell" episode had drawn some criticism as there were "inconsistencies" in some stories told, perhaps with wrestlers mixing up details from that infamous plane ride with others that had happened around that time.

 

The producers are teaming up with Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions to develop a new wrestling-based docuseries for the network. It is said to follow the territory days of pro wrestling that were around before Vince McMahon's WWF (now WWE) completely changed the business in the 1980s.

Disney Junior greenlit four series

Disney Junior has unveiled new original content, including four series and two shorts, that will be launching across the preschool channel and Disney+ through 2024.

Hey A.J., based on the books by Martellus Bennett, is produced by LA-based Surfing Giant Studios in association with Disney Junior. The series features seven-year-old girl A.J., who uses her imagination to find excitement in ordinary activities. Bennett, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and Michael Hodges will serve as EPs.

 

The kidscaster is also teaming up with Dublin-based Brown Bag Films on Robogobo. The series follows a group of adopted pets who become superheroes with the help of robo-suits from a kid inventor named Jax. Robogobo is being developed for TV by Matt Hoverman, who is also a co-EP and story editor, while creator Chris Gilligan also serves as an EP and supervising director.

LA-based Oddbot Entertainment will bring Broadway to the classroom with Kindergarten: The Musical, a co-pro with Disney Junior. The series enters the world of five-year-old Birdy who tackles everyday challenges by expressing her emotions through musical numbers. Creators Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus will serve as EPs along with ​​Tom Warburton, Kay Hanley, and Dan Petty. Co-EP Laurie Israel is also attached as story editor.

The kidcaster is also co-producing SuperKitties with New York- and London-based Silvergate Media to tell the story of four superhero kittens who take on bad guys and hope to make Kittydale a “pawesome” place. Creator Paula Rosenthal will serve as EP with Kirk Van Wormer attached as co-EP.

The Alleged Real Life Story Of DreamWorks Shrek

Voiced by Mike Myers, Shrek is the reluctant hero of the 2001 fairy tale comedy of the same name, which was based on a children's book by William Steig about a brutish ogre with a distinctive look. Although Dreamworks, the production company behind Shrek, has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, many believe that Shrek was inspired by a French wrestler from the 1930s and '40s named Maurice Tillet. You have to admit, it is kind of uncanny.

The French Angel
Maurice Tillet was born in 1903 in Russia to French parents who soon moved back to France to raise their son. By all accounts, he had a relatively normal childhood with no major health issues. In fact, he had such a cherubic face that he earned the nickname "The French Angel " in the course of his wrestling career, but wrestling wasn't always Tillet's dream. He initially hoped to become a lawyer. That all changed, however, shortly after his 20th birthday.

 
 

Tillet And Acromegaly
As he entered his twenties, Tillet started to notice unusual swelling in his hands, feet, and head. When the issue persisted, Tillet sought medical attention, and after running a battery of tests, the doctor gave Tillet a chilling diagnosis: He had acromegaly.

What Is Acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a medical condition that causes a benign tumor to grow on the pituitary gland in the brain. The tumor causes the pituitary gland to release excess amounts of growth hormones, which means the tremendous growth spurts that a person experiences in childhood continue unabated into adulthood in patients with acromegaly. People who suffer from acromegaly are much larger than the average adult, with bones that thicken as they lengthen. The bones in their hands, feet, and face are affected the most. As you can imagine, this greatly alters the appearance of the patient.

No Longer An Angel Face
As his acromegaly progressed, Maurice Tillet's once angelic face drastically changed. His jaw took on a square shape as it grew, protruding slightly, and his entire face broadened. His skull elongated until his ears appeared out of place. His hands and feet were gigantic, and he had to relearn how to navigate the world with giant mitts and clumsy feet.

 

The Wrestler
As he grew disillusioned by his diagnosis—a career in the legal profession was right out—Tillet made the acquaintance of a professional wrestler from Lithuania named Karl Pojello in 1937. Pojello was impressed by Tillet's powerful build and persuaded him to become a wrestler, even moving to Paris to train him. Tillet found moderate success as a professional wrestler in France and England until the outbreak of World War II, when he immigrated to America.

The Champ
In the early 1940s in Boston, Tillet connected with wrestling promoter Paul Bowser, and it was here where he truly flourished as a wrestler. He maintained an undefeated winning streak for more than a year and a half, holding the title of AWA World Heavyweight Champion from 1940–1942. He even inspired a slew of imitators: The Irish Angel, Russian Angel, Czech Angel, Canadian Angel, etc. Only one of them—Paul Olaffsen, the Swedish Angel—also suffered from acromegaly.

 

An Early Demise
Unfortunately, as with nearly all acromegaly patients, Tillet's condition cut his life short. At the age of 51, his heart and vascular system could no longer keep up with the demands of his oversize frame, and he died of cardiovascular disease on September 4, 1954 in Chicago. A few years before his death, however, Tillet allowed a Chicago-area sculptor named Louis Linck to craft several plaster busts of his face to both commemorate his wrestling career and document the effects of acromegaly. One of Linck's busts of Tillet is currently housed at the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago.

 

Does Shrek Resemble Tillet?
From these busts and photos taken of Tillet during his life, it's clear that he bears more than a passing resemblance to the lovable ogre, from the protruding jaw to the lopsided grin to the minuscule and misplaced ears. Still, there is no concrete proof that Shrek's appearance was based on Tillet. It could simply be a coincidence.

Other Acromegaly Sufferers
After all, it's not like Tillet was the only high-profile figure who suffered from acromegaly. Although the disorder is rare, its effects result in such striking features that those who suffer from it often use their appearance to make money (and often have no other choice). Andre the Giant, a fellow professional wrestler and actor best remembered for his role as the cuddly brute Fezzick in The Princess Bride, also suffered from acromegaly. Other performers afflicted with the disorder include the 6'9" Ted Cassidy, who played Lurch in The Addams Family , and Richard Keil, who played the villain Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. Shrek's appearance could have been influenced by any or none of these men, and although it might be a dubious honor to inspire a literal ogre, he does have a way with the ladies (not unlike Andre the Giant himself ).

Credit: Karen Harris