Winter can be a time of hibernation for those who avoid setting foot outside in chilly winds and darker skies. There is a way to enjoy the colder months – wrap up in a scarf, light up that fireplace and, perhaps most importantly, get those hot chocolates out in full force. It’s a well-known fact that a luscious cup of cocoa melts away the winter chill.

Homemade hot chocolates are a great way to salute winter at home, as well as being a quick and easy treat to make. While, traditionally, the drink is the result of a few tablespoons of cocoa powder, this can sometimes leave a powdery texture and needs additional sweetening. Bittersweet owner Melissa Atkinson suggests there is another way to make your own hot chocolate even tastier – use chocolate callets.

Chocolate callets are chocolate buttons that make a smooth and creamy hot chocolate when melted down. Making the drink is easy – just drop a tablespoon or two’s worth of chocolate callets into the bottom of a mug and microwave to soften. Add to the chocolate some hot milk and stir to combine. Making your own hot chocolate also means you are able to add in additions to suit your tastes, like chilli powder or cinnamon.

Hot chocolate can take many forms and the callets available at Bittersweet come in white, milk and two dark chocolate forms (at 53% and 80% respectively.) Callets are available at Bittersweet for $8.00 per 250 g. If you are more of a traditionalist, cocoa powder is also available at Bittersweet at $8.00 a bag.

Mums who are fans of film can rejoice in the Mother’s Day gift options that are available at the Palace Cinemas. For a great gift idea, choose a gift cards – these are available for use on movie ticket or two, as well as that essential box of salty popcorn from the Palace Cinema bar. While the cards can carry any denomination there is a special that applies up until May 13. When a gift card is bought to the value of $50 to $99, an Admit One ticket will be complimentary. For those who plan on spending more than $100, an Admit Two ticket will come free as part of the deal.

New mums can also revel in the delights of cinema with the new season of the baby-friendly Babes in Arms sessions. Held every Thursday at 11:00 am, the screenings are designed for optimum comfort for mums and babies alike. There will be dimmed lights, lower volume and easy pram access via the onsite lifts. The next screening will commence on May 10 with the romantic comedy, The Five-Year Engagement.

Give your mum a glamorous new look courtesy of the Palace Barracks retailers.

Zoda Necklace/The Robe You may have heard your mum say more than once that she’s got nothing to wear – help her look and feel her best with this statement necklace. Whether dressed up or down, the colour of this chain and rope piece will pop against any winter outfit.

Limited-Edition Pevonia Set/Blossom Beauty Mother’s Day is all about treating mum to a bit of pampering to say thanks. Before you start the day of celebrations, make sure she’s looking her best with the Youthful Glace Eye Rejuvenation Gift Set. The pack is full of skin-saving delights, including C Evolutive Eye Gel, a soothing eye pad and a stylish cosmetic bag.

Theo Sunglasses/20/20 Optical If the eyes truly are the windows to the soul then why not make sure they are appropriately framed. These stylish sunglasses from Belgian designer Theo incorporate a classic shape with a contemporary twist, thanks to the multi-coloured detailing.

While breakfast in bed is a traditional start to the celebration of Mother’s Day, why not carry on the festivities all the way through. Treat your mum to a sumptuous salmon dinner that is not only nutritious but will delight the most ardent of critics, especially when accompanied with a good wine and a good hug. To make things just that little bit easier, the pistachio mixture can be made up to an hour in advance – just remember to coat it on the fish before cooking.

Serves 8/Preparation 15 minutes/Cooking 10 minutes + 5 minutes standing/Cost $6.00 per serve

Ingredients

2 x 85 g packets of pistachios, finely chopped

½ bunch dill, chopped

finely grated zest of 1 lemon

8 small salmon fillets (about 180 g each)

olive oil spray

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°C, or 170°C for a fan-forced oven, and line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Combine the pistachios, dill and lemon zest in a bowl.
2. Press the top side of each salmon fillet into the pistachio mixture to coat it evenly. Sprinkle any leftover mixture onto the fillets and spray with oil.
3. Bake the salmon for 5 minutes, then cover loosely with foil and cook for a further 5 minutes.  Uncover and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe courtesy of the Coles Autumn Magazine 2012. Pick up your copy and gain some dinnertime ideas at Coles at The Barracks or browse online here.

We asked how these shoppers at The Barracks will be spoiling mum this Mother’s Day. From Left to Right.

Beck: “I’m hoping to be a mum myself by then. I hope I’ll be spoiled.”

Michael: “We’re going to take her out for a nice seafood lunch.”

Laura: “I will be sending my mum a tissue box full of photos and trinkets to remind her of all the lovely memories we have together.”

John: “I’ll be getting the kids and the wife together to celebrate over lunch.”