China Slams Bulgari For Not Showing Taiwan As Part of Country
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'We won't need bullets': Taser boss says electric gun saves lives
Rick Smith, founder of Taser-maker Axon, pointed one of his company's yellow stun guns at a target and discharged its electric darts to demonstrate its effectiveness...
2023-11-17 22:49
British Tomato Fortnight: Three perfect pasta recipes
In the face of mounting pressure from labour shortages, supply delays and skyrocketing energy prices, celebrating British produce is more important than ever. If you’re in a supermarket during the next two weeks, look out for a British Tomato Fortnight sticker. Running until 11 June, the campaign hopes to shine a light on locally grown varieties and encourage consumers to buy British. Not only is that a boon to your carbon footprint and your health, but also to your plate – juicy and packed full of flavour, British toms are an extremely versatile cooking ingredient. They go especially well in this pasta puttanesca, which takes no more than 30 minutes to get onto the table, as well as the tomato, lemon zest and sage risotto with burrata – ultimate comfort food that’s balanced by the natural sweetness of the whole toms. Lastly, in the saffron chicken, tomato, orzo and squash stew, the toms are left whole and added it right at the end for a delightful sweet note. Get stuck in. Piccolo pasta puttanesca This dish doesn’t take much longer than the 30 minutes needed to roast the Piccolo cherry tomatoes. Perfection. Serves: 4 Ingredients: 750g Piccolo cherry tomatoes Olive oil 300g spaghetti 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 red chilli, finally chopped 1 tsp tomato purée 100g pitted black olives, roughly chopped 8 anchovy fillets in oil, drained, roughly chopped 2 tbsp capers, drained 1 heaped tbsp chopped fresh basil To serve: Freshly grated parmesan Fresh basil, to garnish Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 5. Tip the Piccolo cherry tomatoes onto a baking tray and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes. Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions. Heat a dash of olive oil in a saucepan, add the garlic and red chilli and cook for a few minutes until aromatic. Add the tomato purée and cook for another minute. Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven, pour any excess liquid into a bowl and set aside. Add the tomatoes (along with the chopped olives, anchovies and capers) to the pan with the garlic and chilli. Sprinkle over the chopped basil. Add a splash of the excess tomato liquid if necessary. Drain the spaghetti and serve with the puttanesca sauce topped with freshly grated parmesan and extra basil. Tomato, lemon zest and sage risotto with burrata The ultimate in comfort food, this risotto really packs in the flavour, balanced by the natural sweetness of the whole Piccolos. Serves: 4 3 tbsp olive oil 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1½ tbsp tomato purée 280g risotto rice, such as Arborio Knob of butter 100ml white wine 1 litre stock (made with 1 vegetable or chicken stock cube) 1 lemon, zest only 10 sage leaves, chopped 50g Parmesan, finely grated 250g Piccolo cherry tomatoes, left whole, stalks removed if preferred 115g burrata, divided into quarters 1 heaped tbsp toasted pine nuts Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling Method: Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the shallots, stir well then cover and cook over a low heat until soft and lightly browned. Add the garlic and tomato purée and cook for another minute. Stir in the rice with a knob of butter, continue to stir and cook for another minute. Pour the wine into the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook for a minute for the rice to absorb the liquid. Add a quarter of the stock and cook to allow the liquid to be absorbed – keep adding more stock as it is absorbed. Stir from time to time. Add the lemon zest and chopped sage. Cook uncovered, stirring from time to time, for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and very creamy. Finally, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Meanwhile, heat another pan with a dash of olive oil and cook the tomatoes over a high heat until softened. Divide the risotto among four plates, topped with the Piccolo cherry tomatoes, a quarter of the burrata for each serving, some toasted pine nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil. Saffron chicken, tomato, orzo and squash stew Piccolo cherry tomatoes are left whole and added right at the end of this stew to retain their shape and add a delightful sweet note. You will not be disappointed! Serves: 4 Time: 40 minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, sliced 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into chunks (about 400g total weight) 1 small butternut squash (about 600g/1lb 4oz), peeled and chopped Generous pinch saffron 500ml chicken stock 150g orzo400g whole Piccolo cherry tomatoes Salt and freshly ground black pepper Small handful roughly chopped flatleaf parsley, to serve Method: In a large pan, heat half of the olive oil, then fry the onion for five minutes, or until the onion is softened. Add the garlic and cook for a couple more minutes. Remove from the pan. Add the chicken to the pan and cook on all sides until nicely browned. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper Add the chopped squash and cook for a further few minutes. Add the saffron and chicken stock and return the onion and garlic to the pan. Cook at a simmer for about 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to a boil, tip in the orzo and turn the heat back to a simmer. Cook for a further 10 minutes, adding a splash more water if it starts to dry out. Tip in the Piccolos and cook for a further few minutes to soften. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and serve garnished with parsley. Learn more about British Tomato Fortnight at britishtomatoes.co.uk/british-tomato-fortnight Read More These recipes will keep you hydrated on hot days Uncorked: How do I keep my wine cool at a picnic? Banging brunch recipes worth getting out of bed for Think pink: Three ways with rhubarb to make the most of the season ‘Indian food is so much more than rubbish chicken tikka masala’ This vegetarian kebab won’t have you missing meat
2023-05-30 19:46
Makeup By Mario’s Lip Plumping Serum Doesn’t Fake Filler — & It’s Not Trying To
As a fan of pretty much everything Mario Dedivanovic does, my expectations are high when a new product bearing his name comes out. I’ve yet to be disappointed. Among my vast collection of makeup, I count his long-lasting lip liners, pigmented matte shadows, inky eyeliners, and more among my daily favorites. Naturally, I was excited to try his signature lip treatment, the MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum.
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English protesters demand end to criminalisation of abortion
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4 signs you’ve eaten too much salt
Feeling the urge to glug a glass of water shortly after you’ve munched a packet of crisps, bowl of popcorn or handful of peanuts, is a clear sign your snack was on salty side – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “Salt is a necessary requirement to eat – and not for flavour,” says Pippa Hill, nutritionist and founder of The Weight Loss Guru. Table salt, aka sodium chloride, contains around 40% sodium, an essential nutrient. “Eaten in a small quantity, sodium helps the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation, and helps maintain the balance of water and minerals,” she continues. “A lack of salt can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, fatigue and light-headedness.” However, consuming more than the 6g a day recommended by the NHS for adults – equating to around one teaspoon – can be detrimental for your health. “A high salt intake disrupts the natural sodium balance in the body,” says Olivia Burley, registered associate nutritionist who is currently working on the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This can result in high blood pressure, she explains: “Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure remains elevated over time, which can increase the risk of heart and circulatory diseases.” Unless you keep a very close eye on food labels, it’s not always obvious how much salt you’re eating in a day. “Examples of foods high in salt can be canned fish or poultry, frozen foods such as breaded meats, salted nuts, canned beans, cured meats, soup and sandwiches,” says Hill. And just because you’ve drunk enough water to quench your thirst doesn’t mean you’re negating the effects of too much salt, which is why it’s important to be aware of other health indicators. “If you are experiencing any or all these symptoms, it is always best to seek medical advice,” Burley advises. 1. Headaches The dehydration caused by excess salt intake can lead to severe headaches. “These headaches tend to be more painful than a mild one, giving a throbbing sensation as the blood vessels are being expanded,” Hill says. “They tend to come on between an hour or two after you’ve eaten, as sodium levels rise through the body.” They may come on quicker if you have high blood pressure or suffer from chronic headaches in general, but can often be solved by rehydrating. “As your water levels are imbalanced, by drinking more water you’re able to minimise and get rid of the headache.” 2. Swollen feet and hands Also known as edema, swelling of the fingers, ankles or feet can be a delayed reaction to a spike of sodium. “When too much salt is consumed, the body retains the extra sodium and increases the fluid outside of the cells, Burley explains. “This causes the kidneys to have reduced function, remove less water and therefore increase blood pressure.” Swelling may occur more when sitting down for too long or on long journeys. “This isn’t an instant response after eating, but if in the next 24 hours of having eaten salty foods you notice swelling in these areas, it could be a link,” Hill says. “It’s best to seek medical advice if this is an ongoing occurrence, as it could be a sign of a more serious health concern.” 3. High blood pressure “Salt is the largest cause of high blood pressure,” Hill warns. “Within just 30 minutes, eating excess salt will have a bodily reaction to the blood vessels.” Also called hypertension, if left untreated it can increase your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Hills says: “If after eating a salty diet, your symptoms include blurred vision, chest pain such as a tight feeling, palpitations, shortness of breath or sudden nosebleeds, it could mean you have a raised blood pressure.” Burley adds: “Hypertension can often have no symptoms and the only way to know your blood pressure is to get it monitored using a machine.” 4. Frequent urination “Excessive thirst is a common response to eating salty foods and naturally leads to an increase in fluid consumption, causing excessive urination,” Burley says. By sending the signal that you need to guzzle lots of liquid, the body aims to remove the excess salt build-up. “Although drinking more fluids in response to an increase in salt is one of the main reasons for urine production, it could be a symptom of other conditions like polyuria, therefore medical checks are best.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Am I just tired or is it ME? Dr Alex George: Five months of sobriety has made a ‘huge difference’ Everything you need to know about Sophie, the new Duchess of Edinburgh
2023-05-12 15:25
UNESCO recommends putting Venice on heritage danger list
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The ultimate (and speedy) butter chicken recipe
Butter chicken is often considered to be one of those dishes that takes ages to prepare and to cook, but this version will give you flavourful results in almost half the time with half the effort,” says Sanjay Aggarwal, author of Spice Kitchen. “Just allow your chicken to marinate overnight so that the meat is more succulent and the flavours can develop.” Ultimate (and speedy) butter chicken Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500g boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks 2 tbsp vegetable, sunflower or rapeseed oil 2 tbsp ghee 1 tbsp Tarka (see below) 1 onion, sliced 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (see below) 1 tbsp garam masala (see below) 400g can plum tomatoes ½ tsp harissa (see below) 1 tsp salt 50ml double cream 1 tsp sugar For the marinade: 100g Greek-style yoghurt 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste 1 tbsp garam masala ½ tsp harissa 1 tsp salt To serve: Naan 300g rice 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander, optional For the tarka: 50g black mustard seeds 50g cumin seeds For the garam masala: 35g cumin 28g coriander 11g black peppercorns 6g ginger powder 3g cloves 8g cinnamon 4g star anise 2g nutmeg, grated 2g cardamom For the harissa: 21g paprika 3g coriander 3g caraway 3g cumin 27g chilli powder 27g chilli flakes (red pepper flakes) 5g garlic granules 10g salt For the time-saving ginger-garlic paste: 125g fresh ginger 125g garlic cloves ½ tsp salt 1 tbsp vegetable, sunflower or rapeseed oil Method: 1. For the tarka: This blend uses whole spices; simply mix the seeds together and store in a jar for when you need them. 2. For the garam masala: Put any whole spices into a coffee grinder or pestle and mortar. Grind. Then add in any powdered ingredients and mix by hand to combine. Label and store in a clean jar in a cool, dark place for up to six months. 3. For the harissa: Put any whole spices into your coffee grinder or pestle and mortar. Grind to your desired consistency. Then add in any powdered ingredients and your chilli flakes, garlic granules and salt. Mix by hand to combine. Label and store in a clean jar in a cool, dark place for up to six months. 4. For the time-saving ginger-garlic: Peel and roughly chop your ginger and garlic and add to your blender with the salt and oil. Blend until you have a smooth paste. Either scoop into a clean jar or bottle and store in the fridge or freeze in ice-cube trays and pop out a cube when you need to cook. 5. For the butter chicken: First make the marinade by combining all the ingredients in a large, non-metallic bowl. Add the chicken and give everything a good stir to combine. Cover and leave in the fridge overnight if you can, or for at least two hours to permeate the meat. 6. When you are ready to cook, heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chicken pieces with the marinade, and fry until browned, turning just once and resisting the urge to move them around the pan. They will need about three minutes on each side (you will finish cooking the chicken later in the sauce). Set aside. 7. Give the pan a quick wipe and put it back over the heat. Add the ghee and, when hot, add the tarka and allow the seeds to sizzle and pop for around 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Next, add in your onion slices and stir to coat them in the spice-infused ghee. Cook gently for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Once the onions have started to sweat and become translucent, add in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for about a minute. When the raw smell has disappeared, add in the garam masala. Cook for a further 10 seconds, stirring to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan and burns. 8. Next, add the tomatoes, harissa and salt. Cook over a low-medium heat for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool a little, then, using a stick blender directly into the pan, carefully blend your sauce until it is completely smooth. If you’re finding the sauce is splattering around too much, transfer it into a deeper pan for this step. You can also stir in a little water if the mixture is too thick. 9. Add the cream, sugar and chicken to the pan and give everything a good stir. Simmer for a further 10 minutes to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve with fresh naan bread, rice and chopped coriander scattered over the top. Recipe from ‘Spice Kitchen’ by Sanjay Aggarwal (Quadrille, £22).
2023-06-21 23:15
Strictly’s Amy Dowden finding it ‘so hard’ as she shares hair loss update during cancer treatment
Amy Dowden has shared an update on her hair loss after announcing she has breast cancer. The professional dancer, who is best known for appearing on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2017, revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. The dancer told fans that she underwent a single mastectomy after she was first diagnosed in May. Last month, however, she was told by doctors that she needed to undergo chemotherapy after further tumours were discovered following the surgery. Dowden, 33, has been keeping her fans updated as she navigates the treatment. In her latest update, shared on Wednesday (23 August), the dancer revealed she has been experiencing hair loss and was finding it “so hard”. Telling fans she had returned home after receiving treatment in the hospital, Dowden shared a picture as she held a clump of her hair, writing: “Welcome home,” with a series of broken heart emojis. She added: “So much everyday! So hard! One day at a time!” In a previous post, Dowden shared a video of her hair that had fallen out, writing: “The reality when I gentle comb,” with a broken heart emoji. Dowden told fans in a separate post that she had some blood clots but was “feeling good” following the treatment. “And I’m going home to my own bed,” she told fans. “Thanks again to the marvellous NHS! Got some blood clots but I’m feeling good other than a sore and swollen arm. Another hurdle along this journey. But again forever grateful to the nhs and my heroes around me.” Earlier this month, Dowden showed her followers the bespoke wig she had made to deal with her ongoing hair loss. Both Dowden and the owner of Be Unique Wigs by Charlotte shared a screenshot of their messages to Instagram, as Dowden thanked her for making the wig. Charlotte, the wigmaker, wrote: “I’ve been working on a wig for the beautiful @amy_dowden and just received this lovely message from her! “I love her,” wrote Dowden in the messages, asking if she could order another one. “Thank you so so so very much.” The wigmaker said in an Instagram post that it was an “honour” to make the wig for the Strictly professional. “I’m hoping it will give you some comfort in a difficult time, I’ve said many times on here... it’s not just hair!” she said. “Losing your hair can make such a difference to your confidence. It’s almost like losing part of your identity,” Charlotte added. After announcing her diagnosis earlier this year, Dowden told fans that she would not be able to dance in a competitive capacity on this year’s season of Strictly. “This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible,” she wrote in a post on social media last month. “The rest of the year looked very different to what was planned but hopefully I’ll enter 2024 cancer free and I’ll never take anything for granted and promise to live life to the full.” Dowden joined Strictly in 2017, and has competed in every series since, reaching the final in 2019 with kids’ TV presenter Karim Zeroual. Read More Former royal chef explains why Prince William and Kate’s children don’t eat with them Barbie drooling over Darcy? Why we still ardently love the BBC’s 1995 Pride & Prejudice Prince Harry to return to UK on eve of Queen’s death anniversary for charity event Amy Dowden shares pictures of new wig amid chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer How to help your teen with comparison culture on GCSE results day Women more severely affected by ME, study claims
2023-08-24 17:15
Biden Rents Tahoe Home From 2020 Primary Foe Steyer
President Joe Biden and his family are vacationing at a Lake Tahoe home belonging to billionaire Tom Steyer,
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When will 'Worst Cooks in America: Love at First Bite' Season 27 air? Release date, time, and how to watch Food Network show
Sixteen singles with amateur cooking skills come together on the Food Network show
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