Category Archives: Food

2025.02.08

How an outsider captured the intimacy of Gullah Geechee life in 13 portraits Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe’s exhibit at the Whitney Museum depicts the rich culture of Daufuskie Island Gloria Oladipo https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/feb/08/jeanne-moutoussamy-ashe-whitney-museum-gullah-geechee

Three-hundred-year-old Stradivarius violin sells for $11m in New York Proceeds from sale of 1714 instrument will be used to fund scholarships for violinists at New England Conservatory Richard Luscombe https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/stradivarius-violin-auction-sale

Rediscovered, a young English novelist’s warning of the Nazi threat Crooked Cross, Sally Carson’s ‘electrifying masterpiece’ from 1934, to be republished Vanessa Thorpe Arts and media correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/08/rediscovered-a-young-english-novelists-warning-of-the-nazi-threat

Splat’s entertainment: I watched Rotten Tomatoes’ 40 lowest-rated films to find out which was worst Our brave victim writer sits through the film site’s 0%ers to see what makes a bad movie. Will she emerge with her sanity intact – and are all these flops really so bad?

“It was the hardest movie I ever did,” Billy Bob Thornton said ahead of its release. “We were squeezing 10lb of shit into a 5lb bag. We didn’t have enough money or enough time […] We hope we do you proud with the film. If we let you down, I apologise in advance, but we sure gave it our best.” It’s a moving quote…

Rebecca Liu https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/08/watching-rotten-tomatoes-lowest-rated-films

Trump says he will appoint himself chair of Kennedy Center President plans to fire board members and chair David Rubenstein to bring about ‘golden age in arts and culture’ Dara Kerr https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/trump-kennedy-center

All 10 people aboard Alaska plane that crashed died, says US Coast Guard Authorities found the plane, which was carrying passengers across Norton Sound, about 34 miles south-east of Nome Marina Dunbar and agencies https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/alaska-missing-plane

Crew on boat that hit rocks off Tasmanian coast rescued by swimming police officer The 13-metre vessel, crewed by a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s, hit rocks near Wynyard just after midnight on Friday Cait Kelly https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/08/crew-on-boat-that-hit-rocks-off-tasmanian-coast-rescued-by-swimming-police-officer

Donald Trump revokes Joe Biden’s security clearance in latest revenge move US president cites Biden’s removal of Trump’s security clearance in 2021 in the wake of the January 6 attacks and attempts to overturn the 2020 election result https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/08/donald-trump-revokes-joe-bidens-security-clearance-in-latest-revenge-move

Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for beetroot risotto with curry leaf butter All the rich, savoury creaminess of a risotto with an enticing Indian temper of spice, chilli and lime Meera Sodha https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/04/vegan-beetroot-risotto-with-curry-leaf-butter-recipe-meera-sodha

2025.02.05

AI helps researchers read ancient scroll burned to a crisp in Vesuvius eruption Writing on PHerc. 172 papyrus, found at Roman mansion in Herculaneum, revealed after 3D X-rays and software competition Ian Sample Science editor https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/05/ai-helps-researchers-read-ancient-scroll-burned-to-a-crisp-in-vesuvius-eruption

‘Everyone is on tenterhooks’: Santorini streets empty after days of tremors Thousands of locals and tourists have fled Greek island amid fears of bigger earthquake or volcanic eruption Helena Smith in Athens https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/05/santorini-streets-empty-after-days-of-tremors-greece

Australian scientists produce kangaroo embryos using IVF for first time Team has produced more than 20 embryos using method used in humans, though there are no plans for live joeys Donna Lu Science writer https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/06/australian-scientists-produce-kangaroo-embryos-using-ivf-for-first-time

New Orleans clergy abuse: Lawyer says claims that Saints emails protected by court order have no basis Saints attorney maintains disclosure of messages showing team execs’ aid in softening media coverage was ‘violation’ Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/05/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-saints-emails

US Postal Service briefly halts packages arriving from China and Hong Kong Normal service resumes after initial suspension, in latest episode of growing trade war between the US and China Helen Davidson in Taipei and agencies https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/05/trump-in-no-rush-to-speak-with-xi-after-chinas-retaliatory-tariffs

The rise and fall of Emilia Pérez: how did it all go so wrong for the Oscar-nominated film and its star? Less than two weeks ago, the movie was flying high, with 13 Academy Award nods. Then came a social media scandal and a serious backlash Steve Rose https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/05/the-rise-and-fall-of-emilia-perez-how-did-it-go-so-wrong-for-oscar-nominated-film-star

How to protect yourself from scams: six easy ways to stay safe Whether on social media, online shopping or fielding calls, there is plenty you can do to cut the risk of being caught out Rupert Jones https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/05/how-to-protect-yourself-from-scams-six-easy-ways-to-stay-safe

How to make cassoulet – recipe A superbly rich bean stew laced with duck fat, sausages and pork belly Felicity Cloake https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/05/how-to-make-cassoulet-recipe-felicity-cloake

Paprikash fish and leek and olive stew: Irina Georgescu’s recipes from the Danube Two traditional and homely dishes from Romania Irina Georgescu https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/05/paprikash-fish-and-leek-and-olive-stew-recipes-mancare-irina-georgescu-romania

2025.01.31

‘Insanely tasty green food’: how the meaty Danes embraced a world-first plant-based plan Agreement between farmers, politicians and environmental groups led to a €170m action fund for plant based food By Damian Carrington https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/31/more-carrot-less-stick-how-meat-loving-danes-were-sold-a-plant-led-world-first

New technology could make fridges cheaper and more eco-friendly Using thermogalvanic technology as cooling mechanism may significantly reduce power usage, research says Olivia Lee http://theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/31/new-technology-could-make-fridges-cheaper-more-eco-friendly

US regulators approve new non-opioid drug to treat acute pain Oral drug from Vertex, branded as Journavx, represents alternative to addictive opioids that have fueled US crisis Reuters https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/us-regulators-fda-vertex-painkiller

New Orleans archbishop fires food bank leaders for refusing to fund abuse settlement Bankrupt Roman Catholic archdiocese replaced members at church-affiliated non-profit over $16m dispute David Hammer of WWL Louisiana in New Orleans https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/new-orleans-archbishop-fires-food-bank-leaders

Michigan priest defrocked after making apparent Nazi salute at anti-abortion summit Calvin Robinson said he made gesture as ‘a joke’ to mock those who denounced Elon Musk’s similar salute Marina Dunbar https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/michigan-priest-salute

Democratic governors criticize Chuck Schumer for weak resistance to Trump Exchange between six governors and Senate minority leader exposes divisions in party over opposition approach Robert Tait in Washington https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/chuck-schumer-democrats-criticism

Anger in Romania over theft of national treasures in heist at Dutch museum Revered Helmet of Coțofenești among items from ancient Dacian civilisation stolen while on loan at Drents Museum Ashifa Kassam https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/31/anger-romania-theft-dacian-artefacts-netherlands-drents-museum

Four years after the coup, chaos reigns as Myanmar’s military struggles A patchwork of armed opposition groups have made major gains over the past year, with the military facing further losses By Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jan/31/myanmar-military-coup-anniversary

Captain America: Brave New World to Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – 10 of the best films to watch this February Nicholas Barber https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250130-10-best-films-to-watch-in-february

Marianne Faithfull – a life in pictures The British pop icon, known for her work as a singer, songwriter and actor, has died aged 78. Her career spanned six decades Elena Goodinson https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2025/jan/30/marianne-faithfull-a-life-in-pictures

‘Groundbreaking’ sickle cell disease treatment approved for NHS use in England Clinical trials find one-time gene therapy exa-cel offers ‘functional cure’ in 96.6% of patients Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/31/groundbreaking-potential-cure-for-sickle-cell-in-england-approved-for-nhs-use

2025.01.26

Well! Herr Trump has managed to get two idiots, err, governors out of NoDak and SoDak!

Analysis Energized neo-Nazis feel their moment has come as Trump changes everything Ben Makuch Far-right chatrooms are abuzz as extremists plan to use the next four years as ‘breathing room’ and look to expand https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/neo-nazis-trump-extremism

Rediscovered Munch painting with ‘intriguing mystery’ to go on display in UK for first time Striking image will be unveiled at National Portrait Gallery in March, as part of a major exhibition of the Norwegian master’s portraits Dalya Alberge https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jan/26/rediscovered-munch-painting-with-intriguing-mystery-to-go-on-display-in-uk-for-first-time

From gay clubs to Maga anthem: the absurd, contested history of the Village People’s YMCA A barely recognizable version of the band performed the 1978 classic at Donald Trump’s inauguration, the latest chapter in a strange tale of disco, feuds and showboating Owen Myers https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/26/ymca-trump-village-people

Sky High Yorkshire Pudding Recipe METHOD Matters Most

2024.09.25

Interview
Will Ferrell and Harper Steele: ‘More people say they’ve seen an alien than a trans person’
Guy Lodge
Saturday Night Live writer Harper Steele came out as a trans woman in 2022 at the age of 61. Her friend of 30 years Will Ferrell had questions. So what else to do but jump in a van, cross the US, and make a documentary about it
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/25/will-ferrell-harper-steele-netflix-documentary-interview

Also see: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/sep/24/donald-trump-presidency-republican-lawmakers-targeting-lgbtq-policies

It’s Banned Books Week. LGBTQ+ content tops the most-challenged list.
Attempts to censor or restrict books from U.S. schools and libraries have risen since 2020, reports show. (PayWalled)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/09/24/banned-books-week-lgbtq-challenges/

How newly named Hennepin Arts is charting the ebbs and flows of downtown Minneapolis
In hindsight, buying historic theaters was one of downtown Minneapolis’ all-time best moves.
https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2024/09/how-newly-named-hennepin-arts-is-charting-the-ebbs-and-flows-of-downtown-minneapolis/

Viking Age Expert Answers Viking Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

Ready or not? The expert guide to buying fruit – so it is always ripe and delicious
Whether you are planning to eat it today or keep it for later, here is how to pick the perfect produce, every time
Tim Dowling
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/sep/25/ready-or-not-the-expert-guide-to-buying-fruit-so-it-is-always-ripe-and-delicious

Dining at the Wild Parties of Regency England
How Refugee Chefs are Bringing Myanmar’s Food Out of the Shadows

The power of the pint: is it time to retire one of the world’s biggest beer measures?
A study suggested last week that adopting a two-thirds serve could improve public health. But is the pint really the problem?
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/sep/24/the-power-of-the-pint-is-it-time-to-retire-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-beer-measures

2024.09.07

Of local interest: HUGE Theater closing in October
After moving into a larger venue, financial barriers are keeping the improv theater from continuing operations.
Melody Hoffmann
https://www.southwestvoices.news/posts/huge-theater-closing-in-october

‘“Well, I would do that, and we’re sitting down — you know, I was, uh, somebody, we had Sen. Marco Rubio [(R-Fla.)] and my daughter, Ivanka, was so, uh, impactful on that issue. It’s a very important issue.
But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that I’m talking about, that — because child care is child care. It’s, couldn’t — you know, it’s something, you have to have it. In this country, you have to have it.
But when you talk about those numbers compared to the kind of numbers that I’m talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that they’re not used to but they’ll get used to it very quickly. And it’s not going to stop them from doing business with us, but they’ll have a very substantial tax when they send product into our country.
Those numbers are so much bigger than any numbers that we’re talking about, including child care, that it’s gonna take care. We’re gonna have — I, I look forward to having no deficits within a fairly short period of time. Coupled with, uh, the reductions that I told you about on waste and fraud and all of the other things that are going on in our country — because I have to say with child care, I want to stay with child care, but those numbers are small relative to the kind of economic numbers that I’m talking about, including growth.
But growth also headed up by what the plan is that I just, uh, that I just told you about. We’re gonna be taking in trillions of dollars, and as much as child care is talked about as being expensive, it’s, relatively speaking, not very expensive compared to the kind of numbers we’ll be taking in.
We’re going to make this into an incredible country that can afford to take care of its people and then we’ll worry about the rest of the world. Let’s help other people. But we’re gonna take care of our country first. This is about America first. It’s about: Make America great again. We have to do it, because right now we’re a failing nation. So we’ll take care of it. Thank you. Very good question.”’
Following Trump’s train of thought as it derails on a child care question
Trump sought out an applause line as if it were the sole exit in a flame-filled room.
Asked about paying for child care, Trump pivots to tariffs
Column by Philip Bump (DePayWalled)
https://wapo.st/3Xoz1B8

‘I’m a new racist’: Michigan judge suspended after insulting gay, Black people on recordings
Court worker secretly recorded calls in which Kathleen Ryan made homophobic slur and called Black people lazy
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/07/michigan-judge-kathleen-ryan-suspended

Missouri sees first positive bird flu case without known animal contact Also first time for someone with H5 virus to be hospitalized, and CDC says it is studying patient specimen more https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/06/missouri-bird-flu-positive-hospitalized

Interview Pedro Almodóvar: ‘Life needs fiction to make it bearable’ Sam Jones The Spanish film-maker on the raw, real life experiences behind his first collection of short stories – and why his mother is his inspiration https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/sep/07/pedro-almodovar-life-needs-fiction-to-make-it-bearable

Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for white cabbage, peanut butter and gochujang noodles You don’t need to be a straight A student to cook these easy instant noodles https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/sep/07/student-recipe-vegan-cabbage-peanut-butter-noodles

Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes dies aged 83
Mendes, who popularised bossa nova among global audiences in the 1960s, had been suffering from the effects of long-term Covid, his family said
https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/sep/06/brazilian-musician-sergio-mendes-dies-aged-83

For you Novavax fans out there — you know who you are: FDA Authorizes Updated Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-updated-novavax-covid-19-vaccine-better-protect-against-currently-circulating

Opinion
The Checkup With Dr. Wen: When to get the new coronavirus shot? That question and more, answered. When is the optimal time to get the updated shot? It depends. (DePayWalled)
https://wapo.st/3TcZeB1

Star Tribune reports Ladan Mohamed Ali plead guilty Thursday to federal charges connected to an attempted bribe in the Feeding Our Future Trial. Ali, also admitted to stealing $80,000 of the cash the defendants gave her to bribe the juror. — MinnPost

Did the media learn nothing from its disastrous coverage of Trump and Clinton in 2016?
Rebecca Solnit
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/sep/06/trump-clinton-harris-election

Stonehenge tale gets ‘weirder’ as Orkney is ruled out as altar stone origin
Weeks after revelation that megalith came from Scotland, researchers make surprise discovery
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/05/stonehenge-tale-gets-weirder-as-orkney-is-ruled-out-as-altar-stone-origin

Meanwhile in Amsterdam:
Amsterdammers left bemused at plan to tackle flowerpot ‘jungle’
Authorities in Dutch capital launch ‘Operation plant pot’, saying excessive pot placement threatens accessibility
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/06/amsterdam-plan-to-tackle-flowerpot-jungle

Thai Chef Makes KHAO SOI From Scratch!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/gwV9SJtewCY?si=YiXS2AO6x1HFRBtn

2024.09.04 — Food! Glorious Food!

Speedy, silky and saucy: Alice Zaslavsky’s prawn, macadamia and asparagus stir-fry – recipe Alice Zaslavsky https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/05/easy-stir-fry-recipe-prawn-macadamia-asparagus-alice-zaslavsky

How to make dan dan noodles – recipe A step-by-step guide to making this quick noodle dish laced with smoky chilli oil and tingly Sichuan pepper Felicity Cloake https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/sep/04/how-to-make-dan-dan-noodles-recipe-felicity-cloake

Apple doughnuts and pumpkin snickerdoodles: Edd Kimber’s cookie recipes Apple doughnut-flavoured cinnamon cookies and pumpkin cookies with masala chai spicing Edd Kimber https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/sep/04/apple-doughnuts-pumpkin-snickerdoodles-recipe-edd-kimber-cookie

‘A drizzle, a dollop and a crunch’: the secret to plant-based eating Bettina Campolucci Bordi, as told to Isabelle Rodney https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/sep/03/a-drizzle-a-dollop-and-a-crunch-the-secret-to-plant-based-eating

Plant-based cooking is its own cuisine. We all can learn from it. You don’t have to be vegan to want to learn to cook good plant-based dishes. Column by Joe Yonan https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2024/09/01/vegan-plant-based-cooking-joe-yonan/

2024.08.28 — Food! Glorious Food!

‘Don’t be scared of beans’: how readers are handling US grocery inflation
Food prices have increased 22% in last four years and people are feeling the pinch. Readers share their strategies to cope
Aliya Uteuova

How to make the perfect blueberry pie – recipe
It is said there’s no such thing as a perfect blueberry pie, but let’s see how close our resident perfectionist can get …
Felicity Cloake

Have pastry-making methods changed?
Chill and rest are still the classic tips
Anna Berrill

Nigel Slater’s recipe for chilled rice pudding and late summer compote
Nigel Slater

From kimchi to kombucha, it’s easy to ferment at home. Here’s all the kit you need
Clare Finney

Thomasina Miers’ late-summer sausage and pea cassoulet with a butter leaf salad – recipes
A tempting sausage meatball stew with beans, peas, onions and fennel in a garlicky sauce, plus a summery butterhead lettuce salad with a burnt lemon and tarragon dressing
Thomasina Miers

Four things you can’t get around here:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/06rnL9kv_7I?si=WR_-F4WUyqLli71K

Food! Glorious Food!

Every restaurant in Glasgow, Scotland seemed to have halloumi on the menu:
Beyond frying: alternative ways to cook with halloumi
Yes, you can grill halloumi, too, but the cheese’s texture also makes it ideal for fritters, traybakes and even ‘croutons’
Anna Berrill

Nigel Slater’s recipe for broad beans with dill and bacon
A green and herby warm salad for warm days
Nigel Slater

Tamal Ray’s recipe for pork and tarragon meatballs with lemony leeks
These are a cinch to make, and feature bright notes from the citrussy leeks offset by the crunch of salty, spicy breadcrumbs
Tamal Ray

What Was A Real Viking Funeral Like?

What was a Viking Funeral really like?