Latest news with #Cheddar
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Cottage Pie, Shepherd's Pie: what's in a name?
Once upon a time, there was only Cottage Pie, no matter what meat was used in it. The term 'Shepherd's Pie' would only surface six decades later. So, when next an uppity food snob corrects you for calling a lamb version 'Cottage Pie', correct them right back. Cottage Pie dates to early 1790s England and had been around for six decades before Shepherd's Pie came along, the latter only appearing in the 1850s. For a very long time both were called Cottage Pie, because regardless of what we call it, it really is the same thing, whether the meat is beef or mutton. Cottagers in Britain in the late 18th century made potatoes a key part of their diet, so it made its way into various dishes, not least 'Cottage Pie', and whether the meat in it was beef or lamb, or for that matter venison nabbed in the wilds for the pot, it was simply the name of a 'pie' the cottagers made and ate. 'Pie' being a broader definition, for the British, than merely a description of a dish with a pastry crust; just as 'pudding' in the land of Blighty could be savoury or sweet. By the 1850s people began making a distinction if the meat in its making was lamb/mutton, which explains why even now many people are happy to call either of them 'cottage pie', given that the name does not indicate any type of meat. The 'Shepherd's Pie' entry in Wikipedia makes the puzzling claim that 'since the 21st century' (like, right now), 'the term shepherd's pie is used more commonly when the meat is lamb'. In the UK, that is. Honestly, does it really matter? Either way, it's the same thing: A layered 'pie' (we would say 'bake' in our time) of savoury minced/ground meat below, containing onions, other vegetables and aromatics, almost always including Worcestershire sauce, and creamy mashed potato on top, with or without cheese added. Some of the better recipes today call for Cheddar cheese to be grated and stirred into the mash before covering the top, and for beaten egg yolk to be brushed over to give it a pleasing golden glow. But it wasn't always layered in this way. Wikipedia explains that in earlier forms it was a way to use up leftover roasted meats, which were ground (after having been cooked, obviously). Mashed potato was used to line the bottom and sides of a dish, the meat was spooned in the middle, and it was topped with more mashed potatoes. Meanwhile, a Cumberland Pie can be either lamb or beef, with vegetables, but there's an extra topping of breadcrumbs mixed with grated cheese. Here's how I made a Cottage Pie this week: Ingredients 800 g beef mince/ ground beef 3 Tbsp olive oil 2 medium onions 2 or 3 garlic cloves 1 stick celery 2 carrots 2 lemon leaves (or bay) Zest of 1 lemon, grated finely 1 x 400 g can chopped tomatoes 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste For the topping: 700 g potatoes, peeled 2 heaped Tbsp butter 4 Tbsp cream 1 cup/ 225 g grated Cheddar Salt and pepper to taste 2 egg yolks Method Peel the potatoes and cut into smaller chunks. Boil them in plenty of salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve. Preheat the oven to 220℃ or a little higher. Chop and dice the onions, garlic, carrots and celery and sauté in olive oil until softened. Add the lemon leaves (or bay) and grated lemon zest and cook, stirring, for a minute. Add the tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce, season with salt and pepper, then add the minced beef and work it with a wooden spoon so that it does not form clumps. Simmer on a low heat for about half an hour for the meat to cook through and tenderise. Stir now and then to ensure it does not catch at the bottom of the pot. Mash the potatoes on a low heat, adding the butter and stirring until it melts and is absorbed, then adding cream and cooking until that has melted into the mash. Season to taste with salt and pepper; it's important to taste the mash while adding the salt until the right level of saltiness is achieved, so add only a little at a time, taste, add more, and so on, until you're happy with it. Grate the Cheddar and stir it into the mashed potato. Grease a suitable oven dish. Spoon in the meat mixture. Spoon the mash over the top and work it to all edges and corners, as evenly as possible. Beat the egg yolks with a fork and brush it all over the topping. Use a fork to make patterns on top of the mash. Bake until the topping turns golden. For me it took about 40 minutes, but all ovens are different so just check it every five minutes until it looks perfect. It doesn't need an accompaniment. DM
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Listicle: 10 animal actors who almost stole the show with their roles
Dogpool, Deadpool and Wolverine. Before being cast, mixed-breed pug Peggy was famously 'Britain's ugliest dog'. Her off-beat looks landed her the part. Peggy started out shy, but adjusted quickly to life on set, revelling in the attention she was getting. We love a diva in the making. And that meet-cute when she and Deadpool see each other for the first time? Pure cinema. Eli, Killers of the Flower Moon. Martin Scorsese's film, based on a series of murders within a wealthy Native American tribe, had an A-list star cast. But even they agreed that Elisheva, or Eli, was the main character. The Eurasian eagle owl beat five others to the part. She was such a natural, she improvised the scene in which she flies directly into the camera. It gave everyone on set the chills. Snoop, Anatomy of a Fall. Messi, the French Border Collie, trained for two months for the role of Snoop. He had to learn to loosen his limbs, act lethargic, and let his tongue loll out to appear poisoned, which he did to perfection. Everyone on set teared up at the scene, says director Justine Triet. Such a good boi. Frodo, The Quiet Place: Day One. The chonky black-and-white kitty almost seems out of place in the horror movie. He looks almost bored by the apocalypse. But he's the one we're most terrified for. Two cat actors, Schnitzel and Nico (both social media influencers) took turns to play Frodo. At first, Lupita Nyong'o, who played Sam, was so terrified of them, she asked the director to use dogs. Now she has a kitty of her own. Perfect. Handsome, Maine Pyar Kiya. That snowy dove from the song Kabutar Ja, Ja, Ja holds half the love story together. Bhagyashree, who played love-struck Suman, developed a bond with the bird, who kept returning to her side instead of flying to Salman to deliver the letters. Handsome even made a savage comeback in the climax, taking out the villain. A true wingman. Cheddar, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The Pembroke Welsh corgi has won a Halloween Heist, wears booties in the snow, and once chewed Kevin's turtlenecks, turning them into regular necks. He's been played by several dogs over the series. As a fan phrased it, 'Every scene with Cheddar is a good scene'. Raymond Holt's entire personality was being Cheddar's owner. As it should be. Cat, Breakfast at Tiffany's. We had to include the classic. The floofy orange tabby, Audrey Hepburn's pet, was simply named Cat in the film. IRL, he was Orangey, and already had a decade of acting experience when he got cast. You know what that means. Orangey was a total diva, leaping out of character when the scenes ended, hiding on set to escape work. In his defense, he was thrown out of a cab in the rain in one scene. Couldn't they have used a plushie or something? Steven Seagull, The Shallows. First of all, 14/10 for the name. His real name is Sully, he outshone Blake Lively in this movie and was called the breakout movie star of the summer in 2016. The role involved accompanying Lively as she fights off sharks, marooned on a tiny rock. Director Jaume Collet-Serra called him the 'Marlon Brando of seagulls' because he knew when the camera stopped filming. What a cool guy. Dexter, Night At The Museum. Crystal, a tufted capuchin monkey, has a resume that outshines most stars. She's been in George of the Jungle, Malcolm in The Middle, Garfield: The Movie, The Big Bang Theory, and made her Bollywood debut in Total Dhamaal. But as Dexter in the Night At The Museum movies, she's at her best: Chaotic and distracting. She even slaps Ben Stiller, who's joked about how he dislikes working with her. Toto, The Wizard of Oz. Terry was cast in the 1939 film after the director turned down hundreds of dogs. The Cairn Terrier was a fighter. She already knew how to chase people on command, catch apples. And she hit it off immediately with Judy Garland, the most important test. Ultimately, Toto was the one who exposed who the Wizard really was. She became so famous after the film released that her owners kept the name Toto. From HT Brunch, June 21, 2025 Follow us on
India Today
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- India Today
Reduced screen time, better sleep: The pet effect on modern Indians
The modern Indian lifestyle is fast-paced, digital-heavy, and often stressful. Yet, a growing number of Indians are finding relief and balance through an unexpected source: their a pet is exceptionally good for mental health - as we all know. Pets help reduce stress and anxiety, increase social interaction, and provide a sense of purpose. Studies have shown that interacting with pets can also lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and increase oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone'.advertisementNew-age pet parents are reaping even greater benefits from having a furry companion at home. A new survey highlights the significant impact pets have on their owners' daily routines, mental well-being, and even digital habits. Indian pet owners, in a Mars (a global pet care company) X Calm India survey, admit to spending less time on social media because of their pets. Over half (57 per cent) of Indian pet parents report spending less time on social media because they prefer to engage with their pets. Real-time cuddles over Reels for them!Not just social media, 92 per cent of respondents said that their pets help them unplug from screens altogether. Pets help people unplug from screens altogether. (Photo: Unsplash) advertisementImproved sleep quality is another benefit modern Indian pet parents are enjoying in the company of their fur buddies. 79 per cent of Indian pet parents and 59 per cent of global pet parents report that their pets help improve their sleep presence of a pet provides comfort and a sense of security, which can ease anxiety and promote relaxation at are also helping people become more socially connected and making them go outdoors.'We live in a high-rise society in Ghaziabad, and our pet poodle, Cheddar, is the reason we're socially active,' says Aparna, a law student. 'People in the society know us because of Cheddar. He gets so much attention that we end up chatting with other pet lovers and parents. We're even invited to pet birthday parties! I don't think we would've been even a little socially active if it weren't for him,' she tells is, of course, not alone. Almost 70 per cent of Indian pet parents feel their pets have improved their social lives, often through interactions with other pet owners or community activities. That's not all. Their outdoor activities are also courtesy of their four-legged new survey says that 61 per cent are motivated to go outdoors and walk specifically because of their balance? Well, 93 per cent of Indian pet parents say that their pets prompt them to take breaks from work or pets are undoubtedly emerging as silent therapists and offering much-needed emotional support, India is also grappling with a growing pet abandonment more Indian couples choose a DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) lifestyle and welcome pets into their homes, an alarming trend is surfacing - that of giving them up. A 2024 report revealed that 38 per cent of respondents were considering giving up their pet dogs, while a staggering 57 per cent were thinking of parting ways with their pets bring immense joy and emotional well-being, but it's equally important to acknowledge the responsibility that comes with being a pet Reel
Daily Maverick
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Chicken moussaka with yoghurt, garlic & lemon
This recipe takes the traditional Greek lamb or beef moussaka and adapts it to chicken. Rather than a béchamel sauce, it uses Greek yoghurt laced with garlic and lemon. The oregano, garlic, lemon and even a hint of cinnamon (common in Greek cuisine) in this recipe ensure that this alternative take on a moussaka is very Greek in style. In addition to layers of cooked aubergine/brinjals, I also used zucchini (courgettes), which are sometimes included in traditional moussaka. Another frequent inclusion in moussaka is potato, but I decided against that. If you do choose to add it, first steam scallops of potato until almost tender, then cool them before laying them out at the bottom of the oven dish with salt and pepper. If minced chicken meat is not available, buy some breast fillets and ask a butcher to mince it for you. Ingredients 800 g chicken breast meat, minced Olive oil, as needed 1 large onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 additional garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 heaped tsp dried oregano 1 Tbsp picked fresh thyme leaves Zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 scant tsp ground cinnamon 500 ml plain Greek yoghurt 2 or 3 aubergines/eggplants, sliced lengthwise 6 medium zucchini, sliced thinly lengthwise Garlic powder 1 x 400 g can chopped tomatoes Salt and white pepper to taste 300 g grated melting cheese such as Cheddar, or Greek Kefalotyri if you can get it 1 Tbsp cornflour dissolved in 3 Tbsp water White pepper Coarse sea salt Method Sprinkle a little garlic powder, salt and black pepper on the sliced aubergines and courgettes/zucchini. Grease a heavy frying pan with olive oil spray and cook the brinjal slices for 3 or 4 minutes on each side on a moderate heat until golden brown, and set aside. Do the same with the zucchini slices. Add olive oil to the pan and cook the chopped onions with the chopped garlic and oregano until softened. Add the minced chicken and cook, while working it with a wooden spoon so that it does not form clumps, until the chicken is cooked through. Add the chopped tomatoes along with the ground cinnamon. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring now and then to prevent sticking. Dissolve 1 Tbsp cornflour in 3 Tbsp water and stir it in, then cook for another three or four minutes. Preheat the oven to 220℃ and grease a deep oven dish. Take the cooked chicken off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Stir the 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, lemon juice and zest into the yoghurt and season with white pepper and salt. Stir one third of the lemon-garlic yoghurt into the cooled chicken. Spoon half of the chicken mixture into the oven dish. Lay out half of the eggplant and zucchini, then the remainder of the chicken, then the rest of the vegetables. Spoon the remaining yoghurt on top. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about half an hour or until the topping has turned golden and delightful. Leave the moussaka out of the oven on a rack for about 20 minutes for it to firm up, before serving. DM
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Toyota's EV evolution: Three new models are coming to redefine the brand
Toyota's EV evolution: Three new models are coming to redefine the brand Show Caption Hide Caption Self-driving tech coming to personally owned vehicles Waymo & Toyota have announced a partnership to co-develop autonomous vehicle platforms, aiming to integrate Waymo's self-driving technology into Toyota's POV's. Cheddar The vehicles are an overdue response to critics who said Toyota was hostile to electric vehicles. 3 new EVs are the Lexus ES, the Toyota bZ Woodland and the Toyota CH-R. Toyota showcased the upcoming vehicles in May at its North American HQ in Plano, Texas. Critics who believed Toyota would remain a perpetual EV laggard are about to be proven wrong. The world's largest automaker was slow to begin its deployment of electric vehicles, but it's a legendarily fast follower. Toyota measures twice and cuts once, and the cutting just began. Toyota and Lexus brands will make up for lost ground with three new EVs slated for sale in the United States this year and next ― Lexus ES, Toyota bZ Woodland and Toyota CH-R. That's on top of major upgrades to the pair it already sells here, the lackluster Toyota bZ4X, now badged the bZ, and Lexus RZ. What took them so long The vehicles are an overdue response to critics who said Toyota was hostile to electric vehicles. Company statements praising the hybrids it specialized in at the expense of EVs fostered that impression, even suggesting the two related and complementary technologies were somehow at odds. They're not, and the spin toward hybrids understandably infuriated environmental groups who had been among Toyota's biggest supporters as the automaker popularized the fuel-saving technology in the early 2000s. EV updates: Toyota's electric vehicle is about to get a major upgrade. Here's why it could use one It was dizzying to hear the automaker that rode the Prius to global leadership cast as an environmental villain. The disappointing 2023 bZ4X, Toyota's first mass-produced EV, fueled arguments that Toyota only talked a good environmental game. My recent drive of a 2026 bZ ― Toyota dropped the "4X" for model year 2026 ― proved Toyota took the criticism seriously, reworking its drivetrain and other systems with unusual haste. Toyota's seldom the first with a new technology. Its reputation for quality and durability rests on continually refining proven systems, not being first to market. It's unlikely Toyota's upcoming burst of EVs will break much new ground, but it'd be a shock if they don't work pretty much as advertised, first time and every time. Toyota's not an early adopter. The millions of people who buy its vehicles don't want it to be. Toyota's unprecedented EV rollout Toyota showcased the upcoming vehicles in May at its North American HQ in Plano, Texas. I drove the bZ there and expect to drive all of them, over the next few months. I'll report on them as it happens. Prices for all the vehicles will be announced closer to when sales begin. All should come with Tesla-style NACS charging ports. Until then, here's what we know by model: 2026 Toyota bZ Renamed and vastly improved from its predecessor ― the 2022-25 bZ4X ― this compact SUV now has competitive range and power. Key facts: On sale this fall Maximum range increases 25% to 314 miles Power increase more than 50% to 338 hp Faster New lights and body-color exterior trim salvage what had been a cluttered appearance 2026 bZ Woodland A midsize SUV developed alongside the nearly identical Subaru Trailseeker, the Woodland shares its architecture with the bZ, but is about is about 6 inches longer. We can hope it doesn't share the Subie's cloying slogan: Powered by love. Key facts: On sale early 2026 Standard all-wheel drive 375 hp Up to 260 miles range 8.3 inches of ground clearance 3,500-pound towing capacity 2026 Toyota CH-R The sporty little 2026 CH-R revives the name of an oddly styled little SUV, but graces it with looks reminiscent of the bigger Toyota Crown Signia hybrid. A compact, expect it to fit between the bZ and Woodland. With its arrival, the Toyota brand will have entries in three key vehicle segments. The new CH-R aims to be Toyota's first sporty EV, promising 0-60 mph in about 5 seconds. Key facts: On sale in 2026 338 hp 290-mile range 74.7 kWh battery 2026 Lexus RZ Lexus' first EV, the midsize RZ, gets updates in line with the bZ. A bigger battery increases range, new motors boost power, and charging speed improves. It will also be the first Lexus EV to have a model in the brand's performance sub-brand, F Sport. The RX 550e F Sport will reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Key facts: On sale this fall Up to 402 hp 300-mile range Bigger battery 'M Mode' mimics a manual transmission, via paddle shifters More shade from glass roof 2026 Lexus ES Lexus' popular midsize sedan gets the biggest changes in its history, moving to a new architecture that supports both EVs and hybrids. The car is longer, wider and taller than the current ES. The sleek ES is by far the brand's best looking sedan ever, embodying the Lexus theme: 'Experience elegance and electrified sedan.' The 2026 ES raises two immediate questions: Will there be a plug-in hybrid? Does the ES foreshadow an EV version of the next-generation Camry? Key facts: On sale in 2026 Front- and all-wheel drive 338 hp from ES 500e Up to 300-mile range 0-60 mph 5.4 seconds Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
