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The ultimate chicken pie recipe

<p>Looking for something impressive (but quite easy) to make this weekend? Look no further than this scrumptious pie. Served with a salad, it’s a delicious meal for summer that will impress the entire family. </p> <p><strong>Serves:</strong> Four to six</p> <p><strong>Preparation time:</strong> 15 minutes</p> <p><strong>Cooking time:</strong> 40 minutes</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>4 tablespoons butter</li> <li>1/4 cup onion, chopped</li> <li>1/4 cup celery, chopped</li> <li>1/4 cup carrot, chopped</li> <li>1/4 teaspoon salt</li> <li>2 tablespoons flour</li> <li>2 cups milk</li> <li>1/2 cup thick cream</li> <li>1 cube chicken stock, dissolved in hot water</li> <li>2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped</li> <li>1/2 cup frozen peas</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme plus more for garnish if desired</li> <li>Frozen shortcrust pastry</li> <li>Fozen puff pastry</li> <li>1 egg</li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Method:</strong></span></p> <ol> <li>Allow puff pastry to thaw at room temperature and then gently unfold.</li> <li>In a large pot, melt butter over medium high heat.</li> <li>Add onion, celery, carrot, and salt and sauté until onions are translucent and vegetables start to get tender.</li> <li>Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook for one to two minutes.</li> <li>Gradually whisk in milk, cream and chicken stock, and bring to a slow boil.</li> <li>Simmer gently over medium heat until sauce begins to thicken (should take about five minutes).</li> <li>Turn heat to low, and add chicken, peas and thyme.</li> <li>Preheat oven to 220.</li> <li>Line the base and side of a pie dish with the shortcrust pastry. Trim the edge. Line with baking paper and fill with rice or dried beans. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the paper, rice or dried beans and bake for a further 8 minutes, or until pastry is lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool a little.</li> <li>Pour chicken mixture into a baking dish.</li> <li>Place the puff pastry over the top to enclose the filling. Use a small, sharp knife to trim the edge.</li> <li>Using a pastry brush, brush egg onto the top of the puff pastry.</li> <li>Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The puff pastry will be a deep golden brown colour.</li> <li>Cool for 5 minutes before serving.</li> </ol> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Social media snaps map the sweep of Japan’s cherry blossom season in unprecedented detail

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adrian-dyer-387798">Adrian Dyer</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-dorin-12573">Alan Dorin</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carolyn-vlasveld-1442834">Carolyn Vlasveld</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/moataz-elqadi-1442833">Moataz ElQadi</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p>Social media contains enormous amounts of data about people, our everyday lives, and our interactions with our surroundings. As a byproduct, it also contains a vast trove of information about the natural world.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0367253023001019#sec0024a">new study published in Flora</a>, we show how social media can be used for “incidental citizen science”. From photos posted to a social site, we mapped countrywide patterns in nature over a decade in relatively fine detail.</p> <p>Our case study was the annual spread of cherry blossom flowering across Japan, where millions of people view the blooming each year in a cultural event called “hanami”. The flowering spreads across Japan in a wave (“<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom_front">sakura zensen</a>” or 桜前線) following the warmth of the arriving spring season.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=399&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=399&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=399&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=501&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=501&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=501&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="ALT TEXT" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Celebrating the cherry blossom is a centuries-old tradition in Japan.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami">hanami festival</a> has been documented for centuries, and research shows climate change is making <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac6bb4">early blossoming more likely</a>. The advent of mobile phones – and social network sites that allow people to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1574954116302321">upload photos tagged with time and location data</a> – presents a new opportunity to study how Japan’s flowering events are affected by seasonal climate.</p> <h2>Why are flowers useful to understand how nature is being altered by climate change?</h2> <p>Many flowering plants, including the cherry blossoms of Japan (<em>Prunus</em> subgenus <em>Cerasus</em>), require insect pollination. To reproduce, plant flowers bloom at optimal times to receive visits from insects like bees.</p> <p>Temperature is <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200549">an important mechanism</a> for plants to trigger this flowering. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01269.x">Previous research</a> has highlighted how climate change may create mismatches in space or time between the blooming of plants and the emergence of pollinating insects.</p> <p><iframe id="rtiQ0" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rtiQ0/2/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>It has been difficult for researchers to map the extent of this problem in detail, as its study requires simultaneous data collection over large areas. The use of citizen science images deliberately, or incidentally, uploaded to social network sites enables <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_data">big data</a> solutions.</p> <h2>How did we conduct our study?</h2> <p>We collected images from Japan uploaded to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a> between 2008 and 2018 that were tagged by users as “cherry blossoms”. We used computer vision techniques to analyse these images, and to provide sets of keywords describing their image content.</p> <p>Next, we automatically filtered out images appearing to contain content that the computer vision algorithms determined didn’t match our targeted cherry blossoms. For instance, many contained images of autumn leaves, another popular ecological event to view in Japan.</p> <p>The locations and timestamps of the remaining cherry blossom images were then used to generate marks on a map of Japan showing the seasonal wave of sakura blossoms, and to estimate peak bloom times each year in different cities.</p> <h2>Checking the data</h2> <p>An important component of any scientific investigation is validation – how well does a proposed solution or data set represent the real-world phenomenon under study?</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=591&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=591&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=591&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=743&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=743&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=743&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Blossom dates calculated from social media images compare well with official data.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ElQadi et al.</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Our study using social network site images was validated against the detailed information published by the <a href="https://www.japan.travel/en/see-and-do/cherry-blossom-forecast-2023/">Japan National Tourism Organization</a>.</p> <p>We also manually examined a subset of images to confirm the presence of cherry flowers.</p> <p>Plum flowers (<em>Prunus mume</em>) look very similar to cherry blossoms, especially to tourists, and they are frequently mistaken and mislabelled as cherry blossoms. We used visible “notches” at the end of cherry petals, and other characteristics, to distinguish cherries from plums.</p> <p>Taken together, the data let us map the flowering event as it unfolds across Japan.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=619&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=619&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=619&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=777&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=777&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=777&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="An animated map showing cherry blossom flowering across Japan" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Images uploaded to social media over a ten year period 2008-2018, let us map the cherry blossom front as it sweeps across Japan.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ElQadi et al.</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Out-of-season blooms</h2> <p>Our social network site analysis was sufficiently detailed to accurately pinpoint the annual peak spring bloom in the major cities of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo">Tokyo</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto">Kyoto</a>, to within a few days of official records.</p> <p>Our data also revealed the presence of a consistent, and persistent, out-of-season cherry bloom in autumn. Upon further searching, we discovered that this “unexpected” seasonal bloom had also been noted in <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45898333">mainstream media</a> in recent years. We thus confirmed that this is a real event, not an artefact of our study.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Cherry blossom photographs from Flickr taken within Japan from 2008 to 2018 show an April peak as well as an unexpected smaller peak in November.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ElQadi et al.</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>So, even without knowing it, many of us are already helping to understand how climate change influences our environment, simply by posting online photographs we capture. Dedicated sites like <a href="https://wildpollinatorcount.com/">Wild Pollinator Count</a> are excellent resources to contribute to the growing knowledge base.</p> <p>The complex issues of climate change are still being mapped. Citizen science allows our daily observations to improve our understanding, and so better manage our relationship with the natural world.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206574/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adrian-dyer-387798">Adrian Dyer</a>, Associate Professor, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-dorin-12573">Alan Dorin</a>, Associate Professor, Faculty of Information Technology, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carolyn-vlasveld-1442834">Carolyn Vlasveld</a>, PhD candidate, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/moataz-elqadi-1442833">Moataz ElQadi</a>, Adjunct Researcher, Faculty of Information Technology, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/social-media-snaps-map-the-sweep-of-japans-cherry-blossom-season-in-unprecedented-detail-206574">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Technology

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Ed Sheeran shoots for the stars with daughter’s name reveal

<p dir="ltr">When Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry Seaborn announced the birth of their second child in May 2022, they kept things simple. </p> <p dir="ltr">In a post to social media, Sheeran shared a picture of socks on a crochet blanket, with a caption reading “Want to let you all know we’ve had another beautiful baby girl. We are both so in love with her, and over the moon to be a family of 4”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple shared no ‘face reveal’ - opting to keep their children far removed from the public eye - and did not share their youngest daughter’s name with Sheeran’s 42.8m followers. </p> <p dir="ltr">But in a March interview with <em>Rolling Stone</em>, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter took everyone by surprise, opening up about his family life, and revealing the out-of-this-world moniker bestowed upon their youngest, Jupiter. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Me and Cherry were talking earlier about how it’s so lovely,” he told the publication, opening up about the little things in life that he and his family cherish the most. “We had an entire day. We did nothing but this. It’s so nice and wholesome having family on tour. </p> <p dir="ltr">“On the last tour, I’d party till 7 am, sleep till 4 pm, get up, and do the gig. But I was like, 26. It’s very different.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jupiter’s birth, and establishing their new “lovely” life, were no easy feats for the couple. In February 2022 - a month that was already proving determined to knock Sheeran down - when Cherry was six months along in her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with a tumour. Surgery was required, but couldn’t be performed until she had given birth. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Sheeran wrote in a post outlining plans for his album <em>Subtract</em>, “Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth. My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly, and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s nothing you can do about it,” he confessed to <em>Rolling Stone</em>. “You feel so powerless.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the course of his interview, Sheeran toyed with a chain bracelet - one gifted to him by his wife, with their daughters’ name engraved. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It felt symbolic,” he said of the swap to the silver from the rubber bands that had previously adorned his wrist, “to take off those bracelets and put on one for my family.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After the slew of tragedies to hit Sheeran in such a short span of time, it was Cherry who realised that he was in need of professional help, leading to the singer seeking out a therapist. </p> <p dir="ltr">“No one really talks about their feelings where I come from,” he said. “People think it’s weird getting a therapist in England … I think it’s very helpful to be able to speak with someone and just vent and not feel guilty about venting. Obviously, like, I’ve lived a very privileged life. So my friends would always look at me like, ‘Oh, it’s not that bad.’ ”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The help isn’t a button that is pressed, where you’re automatically okay,” he added. “It is something that will always be there and just has to be managed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And as Sheeran himself <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/writing-songs-is-my-therapy-ed-sheeran-reveals-further-heartbreak">wrote in his <em>Subtract</em> post</a>, “Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings … in just over a week I replaced a decade’s worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"Writing songs is my therapy": Ed Sheeran reveals further heartbreak

<p>In the wake of the tragic news of the <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/tragedy-strikes-ed-sheeran-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heartbreaking loss</a> suffered by his co-writer and touring partner, Ed Sheeran has taken to Instagram to share his struggle following a series of life-changing events – and how this has altered the course of his new album, Subtract.</p> <p>The singer shared how he “spiralled” into depression last year after his wife, Cherry, was diagnosed with a tumour during her second pregnancy, which couldn’t be treated until after she gave birth.</p> <p>The star explained that he was "trying to sculpt the perfect acoustic album" for almost a decade, when the series of events changed everything.</p> <p>“Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings. I wrote without thought of what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever tumbled out.</p> <p>“And in just over a week, I replaced a decade’s worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts," he captioned.</p> <p>“Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth.</p> <p>“My best friend Jamal [Edwards], a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety.</p> <p>“I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air".</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpPY7qyI6XB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpPY7qyI6XB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The four-time Grammy award winner shared that this album was a "trapdoor" into his soul, and a way for him to make sense of everything he's been through.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Sheeran</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span>announced the birth of his second daughter, Jupiter, in May of last year.Subtract will be released on the 5th of May 2023, through Asylum/Atlantic.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Shepherd’s pie with sweet potato topping

<p>Not only is this dish the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening, but it’s also a meal with an interesting history.</p> <p>Made to use up any leftover meat, Shepard’s pie dates back to the 1790s. When it is made with beef it's called cottage pie and if it is made with lamb, then it's shepherd's pie.</p> <p>The sweet potato really spices this recipe up a bit to give it some kiwi flavour.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>2 tbsp. butter, olive or coconut oil</li> <li>1 brown onion, finely chopped</li> <li>2 medium carrots, medium diced</li> <li>2 celery sticks, medium diced</li> <li>450g lamb mince</li> <li>1 ½ (375ml) cups beef stock</li> <li>1 tbsps. Worcestershire sauce</li> <li>40g tomato paste</li> <li>2 large sweet potatoes, peel and cut to quarters</li> <li>2 more tbsps. of butter</li> <li>Dash of cream or full fat milk</li> <li>½ cup mozzarella cheese grated</li> <li>¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated</li> <li>Freshly ground salt and pepper</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180°C for a fan forced oven.</li> <li>Heat butter in a large pan and on a medium heat add onions, carrot and celery.</li> <li>Cook stirring for 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened.</li> <li>Add lamb and cook until browned, for about 5-8 minutes, squashing any lumps with a fork.</li> <li>Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste.</li> <li>Season with salt and pepper.</li> <li>Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally and cook for 30 - 40 minutes or until sauce thickens.</li> <li>When meat sauce has thickened, spoon into an oven proof dish and spread with mashed sweet potatoes.</li> <li>Sprinkle with the two cheeses.</li> <li>Bake 20 minutes or until the top is golden and juices are bubbling through.</li> <li>Serve with some simple steamed broccoli.</li> </ol> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Shepherd’s pie

<p>For a hearty meal that is sure to satisfy, this family favourite Shepherd’s pie will be a hit with young and old alike.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves</span>:</strong> 4</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients</span>:</strong></p> <ul> <li>1 tablespoon olive oil</li> <li>1 brown onion, diced</li> <li>2 carrot, finely diced</li> <li>500g beef mince</li> <li>2 tablespoon tomato paste</li> <li>400g can peeled tomatoes</li> <li>1 cup beef stock</li> <li>1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce</li> <li>1 teaspoon mixed herbs</li> <li>750g potatoes, washed, peeled and chopped</li> <li>¼ cup milk</li> <li>50g butter</li> <li>Salt and pepper, to season</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method</span>:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat the oven to 180°C. Heat olive oil in a frying pan and cook onion and carrots for 5 minute or until softened. Add mince and cook for three minutes or until browned.</li> <li>Season with salt and pepper. Stir through tomato paste, tomatoes, stock, <br />Worcestershire sauce, and herbs. Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for a further 10 minutes.</li> <li>Meanwhile, add potatoes in saucepan of salted water. Boil and reduce to simmer. Cook until tender. Drain well and mash with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.</li> <li>Spread beef mixture evenly in an ovenproof baking dish. Spoon potatoes into large pastry bag fitted with star tip. Pipe rosettes over beef mixture. Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes or until topping is browned. </li> </ol> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Enchanting Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Sydney

<p dir="ltr">The wildly popular Cherry Blossom Festival is returning to Western Sydney following a two-year hiatus, promising two weeks of live entertainment, delicious food, and the iconic pink blossoms.</p> <p dir="ltr">The festival, held in Auburn’s Botanic Gardens, will run from August 20-28 and ring in the start of cherry blossom season, all while paying homage to Japanese culture.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <a href="https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/sydneycherryblossomfestival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cumberland City Council website</a>, the festival will include a return of the popular ‘Cherry Trail’ and the Japanese fusion food village, as well as plenty of spots to take photos.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tickets are expected to cost just $10 and can be booked via the council’s websites, where you can also find the latest updates on what’s in store.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3384b697-7fff-01ae-b776-565dcc492d61"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Cumberland City Council</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Slow-cooked meat pie hack dubbed a "game-changer"

<p>A fan of a slow cooker has surprised others by using it to cook a meat pie, potatoes and mushy peas.</p> <p>Home cook Alison came up with the idea after seeing a similar meal online and posted it to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/slowcookedwonders" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Wonders</a><span> </span>Facebook group.</p> <p>"Husband's dinner tonight, hope it works!" she wrote.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842268/slow-cooker-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7f3bbd4791454a5faa4d29fa4ff8fd04" /></p> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Many were fascinated by the idea.</p> <p>“I hope this comes out good, it’ll revolutionise teatime,” said one.</p> <p>“I need to know too, please, would be a game changer for me.”</p> <p>Others were surprised by the backlash, as group members were quick to criticise.</p> <p>“Those mushy peas (are) definitely going to run all over the pie lid and potatoes! Good idea if it works, but I would definitely put a few air holes in that pie lid or it might explode,” one group member pointed out.</p> <p>“Why can’t people just be kind? She’s cooking, it’s her husband. Are you eating it? No, her husband is. What’s wrong with experimenting and trying things? Jeez, get a grip,” said one.</p> <p>“The peas will soggy it all and potatoes won’t cook. Intrigued.”</p> <p>Alison did not mention how the meal went or whether her husband enjoyed it.</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Facebook</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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Sweet potato crusted shepherd’s pie

<p>Take out your casserole and try this recipe for the weekend.</p> <p><em>Serves 4 </em></p> <p><strong>Ingredients: </strong></p> <ul> <li>1kg sweet potato, peeled, diced</li> <li>150g butter</li> <li>Salt and black pepper</li> <li>3 tbsp olive oil</li> <li>1 onion, finely sliced</li> <li>1 carrot, finely diced</li> <li>1 stick celery, finely diced</li> <li>2 clove garlic, finely chopped</li> <li>500g lamb mince</li> <li>2 tbsp tomato paste</li> <li>2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce</li> <li>½ cup red wine, optional</li> <li>1 cup chicken stock</li> <li>1 x 400g tin tomato</li> <li>1 cup frozen peas</li> <li>½ cup grated cheddar cheese</li> <li>Green leaf salad, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong>Method:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Steam or boil the sweet potato until cooked and soft then drain, mash and mix with the butter, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.</li> <li>Heat a medium saucepan over a high heat, add the olive oil, onion, carrot, celery, garlic and lamb.</li> <li>Season with a little salt and cook over a medium to high heat to colour the lamb and cook the vegetables, stirring to break up with a spoon as it is cooking. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook for another minute then add the Worcestershire sauce, red wine, chicken stock and tinned tomato and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for approx. 30 minutes.</li> <li>Preheat the oven to 190C. Adjust the seasoning of the lamb ragu then spoon the lamb mix into a baking dish, stir through the peas and top evenly with the mash sweet potato. Cover with the cheddar then bake for 15 -20 minutes before serving with a green salad if preferred.</li> </ol>

Food & Wine

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Chocolate sour cherry slice

<p>A sultry taste sensation for those who love sweet things with a touch of cherry sour.</p> <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p> <p><strong>For the base</strong></p> <ul> <li>2 cups raw cashew nuts</li> <li>2 cups unsweetened desiccated coconut</li> <li>1/2 cup raw cacao powder</li> <li>Pinch of sea salt</li> <li>1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil + 1/4 cup cacao butter* (or 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil)</li> <li>1/2 cup rice malt syrup</li> <li>1 x 20ml tablespoon pure vanilla extract</li> <li>3/4 cup unsweetened dried sour cherries</li> </ul> <p><strong>For the topping</strong></p> <ul> <li>200g dark chocolate</li> <li>2 x 20ml tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil</li> </ul> <p><strong>Method:</strong></p> <p>1. Line a 22 x 11 cm loaf tin with baking paper or cling film.</p> <p>2. Process the cashew nuts and desiccated coconut in a food processor until you get fine crumbs.</p> <p>3. Add the cacao powder and salt and process until well combined.</p> <p>4. Melt the coconut oil (and cacao butter, if using) in a large saucepan over the lowest heat on your stove.</p> <p>5. Add the rice malt syrup and vanilla extract and stir to combine.</p> <p>6. Take the saucepan off the heat, tip the dry ingredients from the food processor and the sour cherries into the saucepan and stir everything together until well combined. Press the mixture into the prepared tin, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon (and your hands, if need be). Place the tin in the freezer to chill.</p> <p>7. To make the topping, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in a double boiler or in the microwave. Remove the slice from the freezer and pour over the topping. Return the slice to the fridge for a few hours to set. Once set, remove the slice from the tin and cut into squares. Store in the fridge or freezer.</p> <p><strong>Tips:</strong></p> <p>The recipe uses 1/4 cup coconut oil + 1/4 cup cacao butter for the smooth and creamy texture that cacao butter provides. You can buy cacao butter at health food stores or online, or just use 1/2 cup coconut oil if you prefer.</p> <p><em>Recipe originally appeared on <a href="https://www.rfhb.com.au/blog/chocolate-sour-cherry-slice/">Real Food Body Health</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/chocolate-sour-cherry-slice.aspx" target="_blank">Wyza.com.au</a>. </em></p>

Food & Wine

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Cherry choc chip ice-cream sandwiches

<p>These are the heavenly ice-cream sandwiches of your childhood. Even better – the ice-cream recipe doesn’t begin with a custard, and so avoids the ‘will it or won’t it?’ curdling fear.</p> <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p> <ul> <li>2 cups (500 ml) thickened cream</li> <li>1 cup (250 ml) full-cream milk</li> <li>¾ cup (165 g) caster sugar, plus 1 teaspoon extra</li> <li>1½ cups (225 g) frozen cherries, partially thawed</li> <li>85 g dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa), roughly chopped</li> <li>36 plain chocolate biscuits (Choc Ripple biscuits or similar)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions:</strong></p> <p>1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, milk and sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Churn in an ice-cream machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.</p> <p>2. Toss the cherries with the extra teaspoon of sugar. Add the cherries, along with any juice, and the chocolate to the ice-cream mixture. Transfer to a container with a lid and freeze until firm enough to scoop.</p> <p>3. To assemble the sandwiches, spread 1/3 cup (80g) of ice-cream over a biscuit and top with another biscuit. Repeat with the remaining biscuits and ice-cream. Wrap tightly in baking paper and freeze until ready to serve.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong></p> <p>The sandwiches will keep for 24 hours in the freezer.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-edible-city-indira-naidoo%2Fprod9781921383816.html" target="_blank"><em>Recipe from<span> </span><span>The Edible City by Indira Naidoo</span>, published by Penguin Books.</em></a></p> <p><em>Republished with permission of </em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/cherry-choc-chip-ice-cream-sandwiches.aspx" target="_blank"><em>Wyza.com.au</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Food & Wine

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A sweet treat: apple pie from Milan

<p>Serves 8</p> <p>Is there anything better than a delicious home cooked apple pie? Get ready for rave reviews to roll in!</p> <p>“I have such beautiful memories of my early days in Lombardy. The lessons I learned about family, food and tradition, and how intertwined they are, are at the heart of everything I do today,” says chef Alessandro Pavoni. “This dish reminds me of British apple pie. Russet apples have the perfect texture for it, plus they don’t release too much liquid. If they’re unavailable, use another similar apple that’s not too juicy, such as gala.”</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li>1 kg russet apples</li> <li>1/3 cup (80 ml) dry white wine finely grated zest of 1 lemon 180 g caster sugar</li> <li>1 pinch of fine salt</li> <li>¼ cup (40 g) sultanas 60 g mixed peel</li> <li>60 g unsalted butter 18 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed</li> <li>1½ tablespoons dark rum Mascarpone Cream (to serve)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <p>Preheat the oven to 180°C.</p> <p>1. Peel and core the apples and cut each one into 16 thin wedges. Place in a heavy-based saucepan over high heat with the wine, lemon zest and 90 g of the caster sugar. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover, add the salt and cook for another 15 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.</p> <p>2 Remove from the heat, stir in the sultanas and mixed peel, then cover and set aside.</p> <p>3. Beat the butter and remaining sugar with a wooden spoon until well combined. Use three-quarters of this mixture to butter the base and side of a 23 cm round springform cake tin. Completely line the base and side of the tin with the bread, cutting the slices to fit as necessary and reserving some for the top, pressing gently to secure them in place.</p> <p>4. Fill with the apple mixture, then top with the remaining bread and spread the remaining butter mixture over the top.</p> <p>5. Bake for 40 minutes or until the bread is lightly golden. Remove from the oven, immediately pour the rum over the top and set aside for 30 minutes.</p> <p>6. Serve warm with a bowl of mascarpone cream on the side.</p> <p>Recipes from the book, <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/products/9781921383380/lombardian-cookbook"><em>A Lombardian Cookbook</em></a> by Alessandro Pavoni and Roberta Muir, with photography by Chris Chen, published by Lantern, RRP $59.99.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/apple-pie-from-milan.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Food & Wine

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Feel fuller for longer with a roast sweet potato and cherry tomato omelette

<p>A perfect breakfast after an early morning walk or workout, this omelette is sure to leave you feeling full and satisfied.</p> <p><strong>Serves: </strong>1</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li>3 eggs</li> <li>½ small sweet potato (cubed)</li> <li>¼ bunch of fresh parsley finely chopped</li> <li>6 cherry tomatoes</li> <li>2 large handfuls fresh spinach</li> <li>½ tsp smoked paprika</li> <li>Salt and pepper</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Cut the sweet potato into small cubes and lay onto an oven tray and roast until soft at 180°C. They should only take about 10-12 minutes. Half way through cooking throw the cherry tomatoes onto the tray and roast for the remaining time.</li> <li>Microwave the spinach in a bowl for 30s.</li> <li>Whisk the eggs then season with salt and pepper and smoked paprika, pour into a pan on medium heat. Stir the eggs quickly once or twice then evenly scatter the sweet potato and cherry tomatoes across half of the omelette, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top then carefully fold the other half over the top.</li> <li>Slide onto a plate and serve. I love a little squeeze of spicy sriracha sauce over the top.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of Richard Kerrigan, <u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rkthebeachlife/">The Beach Life</a></u>, Qualified Chef and Personal Trainer. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/roast-sweet-potato-and-cherry-tomato-omelette.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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4 Ingredients: Delicious shepherd's pie

<p>This recipe serves eight.</p> <p>Serve up the perfect winter warmer dish with just only four ingredients!</p> <p><strong>Ingredients </strong></p> <ul> <li>500g lean beef mince </li> <li>300g fruit chutney </li> <li>800g potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed </li> <li>¾ cup (75g) grated cheddar cheese</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <p>1. Preheat oven 180˚C.</p> <p>2. In a nonstick frying pan over moderate heat, brown the mince, season and stir through chutney. Reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes.</p> <p>3. Pour into a casserole dish, top evenly with mashed potato and sprinkle with grated cheese (a combination of cheddar and parmesan is also nice).</p> <p>4. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is nice and bubbly.</p> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <p>Slice a tomato or two over the mince before topping with potato or finely chop in any number of vegies to the mix. It’s the delicious sweet and savoury flavour of the chutney that the children like. Serve with healthy steamed greens.</p> <p><em>Featured in <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2F4-ingredients-menu-planning-kim-mccosker%2Fprod9780980629491.html">4 Ingredients: Menu Planning</a> By Kim McCosker, RRP $24.95.</em></p> <p><em>Written by Kim McCosker. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/4-ingredients-shepherds-pie.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Food & Wine

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Indulge yourself with chocolate coconut porridge and poached cherries

<p>Wake up with a treat and whip up this quick chocolate porridge for breakfast - it's the perfect end-of-week indulgence (without the guilt)!</p> <p><strong>Serves: </strong>2</p> <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p> <p><strong>For the poached cherries</strong></p> <p>160g cherries, de-stoned and halved</p> <p>½ a vanilla pod, split</p> <p>100ml water</p> <p><strong>For the porridge</strong></p> <p>80g coconut flour</p> <p>60g desiccated coconut</p> <p>40g coconut flakes</p> <p>2 tablespoons raw cacao powder</p> <p>300 ml coconut milk</p> <p>50 ml double cream, to serve<span> </span></p> <p>2 tablespoons grated 85% dark chocolate or 20g cacao nibs, to serve</p> <p><strong>Directions:</strong></p> <p>1. Place the cherries, vanilla pod and water into a small saucepan and put over a low heat for 20 minutes. The poaching process should be gradual so the fruit releases its natural sugars and juices.</p> <p>2. While the fruit is poaching, place all the porridge ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan and place over a low heat.</p> <p>3. Gently cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until the porridge starts to thicken and become creamy. Continue until the porridge has reached your preferred consistency.</p> <p>4. To serve, divide the porridge between two bowls, add the fruit and syrup, drizzle with cream and top with cacao nibs.</p> <p><strong>This is an edited extract from <span><a rel="noopener" href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=https://www.booktopia.com.au/pioppi-diet-dr-aseem-malhotra/prod9781405932639.html" target="_blank"><em>The Pioppi Diet</em>  by Dr Aseem Halhotra &amp; Donal O'Neill</a></span>, Penguin Books, RRP $24.99.</strong></p>

Food & Wine

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Enjoy a tasty cherry tomato, macadamia, walnut & silverbeet pasta

<p>Up your nut intake with this easy and simple recipe.</p> <p><strong>Preparation</strong> <strong>time</strong>:<span style="font-weight: 400;"> 5 mins</span></p> <p><strong>Cooking</strong> <strong>time</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: 15 mins </span></p> <p><strong>Serves</strong>:<span style="font-weight: 400;"> 4 </span></p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong> </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2 Tbsp olive oil </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2 cloves garlic, crushed </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1/2 cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped (60g) </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1/2 cup raw, unsalted macadamias, roughly chopped (70g) </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1 cup fresh breadcrumbs </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">400g dry spaghetti </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">500g cherry tomatoes, halved </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1/2 bunch silverbeet or kale leaves, torn </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">zest of 1 lemon </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1/4 cup chopped parsley </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sea salt and fresh cracked pepper </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Method</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Warm half the olive oil and half the garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Add all the breadcrumbs, and half the walnuts and macadamias. Cook, stirring regularly for 5-6 minutes until fragrant and toasted. Tip into a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and set aside. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cook spaghetti according to packet directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">While pasta cooks, return the large skillet to medium-high heat and drizzle in remaining olive oil. Add cherry tomatoes and remaining garlic. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes, until tomatoes begin to break down. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add reserved pasta cooking water, silverbeet, and remaining walnuts and macadamias to pan with tomatoes. Cook for a minute or two, until greens are just wilted. Remove from heat and stir through lemon zest. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add parsley to cooled breadcrumb mixture. Serve pasta with generous spoonfuls of sauce, and plenty of nutty breadcrumbs on top. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></li> </ol> <p><strong>Tips</strong> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can find fresh breadcrumbs at good grocery stores, or make your own by pulsing a slice or two of day-old sourdough in a food processor. </span></p> <p>Recipe and images by Jennifer Jenner for <a href="https://www.nutsforlife.com.au/">Nuts for Life</a> </p>

Food & Wine

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This beef red wine pie will melt in your mouth

<p>These tasty pies are full of flavour and a great winter warmer!</p> <p>Recipe reproduced with permission. © 2015 National Heart Foundation of Australia. For more healthy recipes visit <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes" target="_blank">www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes</a> or speak to the Heart Foundation’s Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87.</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <p>2 tsp peanut oil*<br />1 large onion, chopped<br />2 cloves garlic, crushed<br />1kg beef chuck steak trimmed of all fat and cubed*<br />2 tbs plain flour<br />200g Swiss brown mushrooms, quartered<br />2 tbs fresh thyme chopped<br />2 tbs fresh parsley chopped<br />2 sheets canola puff pastry defrosted<br />1 tbs reduced fat milk*<br />375ml red wine<br />375ml reduced salt beef stock<br />2 carrots thinly sliced<br />2 tbs reduced salt tomato paste<br />Mashed potato and steamed beans to serve</p> <p><em>*Products available with the Tick. Remember all fresh fruit and vegetables automatically qualify for the Tick.</em></p> <p><strong>Method</strong></p> <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ctl10__ControlWrapper_RichHtmlField" class="ms-rtestate-field"> <p dir="ltr" align="left">1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. You will need 6 x 2 cup capacity ovenproof pie dishes.<span> </span><br /><br />2. Heat the oil in a large pot, add the onion and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Add the garlic and the beef and cook for 5 minutes until the beef is browned.<br /><br />3. Add the flour and tomato paste and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the red wine and stock and bring to the boil. Add the carrots, mushrooms and chopped thyme. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour then remove the lid and cook for a further 45 minutes until the beef is tender and the sauce is reduced and thickened. Stir through the parsley, transfer to a bowl and allow the filling to cool completely.<br /><br />4. Using the top of a pie dish as a guide, cut 6 circles from the pastry, about 2cm larger than the dish. Spoon the cooled filling into the dishes. Brush the edges of each pastry circle with a little water then cover the dishes (damp side down); pressing the pastry to the side of the dish to seal. Cut a small cross in the top of each pie, insert a sprig of thyme and lightly brush with milk.</p> <p dir="ltr" align="left">5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden and the filling is hot. Serve the pies with mashed potato and steamed beans.</p> <p dir="ltr" align="left">Would you try this delicious pie? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p dir="ltr" align="left"><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/beef-and-red-wine-pies.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a></em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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Delicious chicken pie

<p><span>In just 35 minutes, this hearty chicken pie will be ready to be served up, hot and fresh - it's sure to keep you warm this winter.</span></p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li>1 tbs olive oil*</li> <li>460g skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat, cut into 5-cm strips*</li> <li>200g mushrooms, sliced </li> <li>250g can chicken soup*</li> <li>1/2 cup frozen peas*</li> <li>1/2 tbs low fat Greek-style yoghurt</li> <li>Cracked black pepper, to season</li> <li>1 bunch broccolini, stalks trimmed  </li> <li>1 1/2 sheets reduced fat puff pastry, thawed*</li> <li>1/2 egg yolk, beaten* </li> <li>Steamed vegetables or green salad, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong>Method</strong></p> <p>1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).  </p> <div>2. Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large frypan and brown chicken strips for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.</div> <div><br />3. Heat remaining oil and sauté mushrooms for 2 minutes.</div> <div><br />4. Return chicken to pan with mushrooms; add soup, peas and Greek yoghurt.<br />Season with cracked pepper. Bring to the boil, then turn off the heat.</div> <div><br />5. Transfer mixture to a pie dish approximately 28 cm x 21 cm.</div> <div><br />6. Arrange broccolini on top of chicken filling.</div> <div><br />7. Cover pie dish with puff-pastry sheets, cut a hole in the centre using a sharp knife and press down edges with the prongs of a fork.</div> <div><br />8. Brush pastry surface with beaten egg yolk and cook in oven for 25 minutes.</div> <p>9. Serve with extra steamed vegetables or salad.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of<a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/chicken-pie.aspx"> Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

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Top 5 places to see the world's best cherry blossoms

<p><span>No matter where you are in the world, it’s always nice to enjoy the view of cherry blossoms when they are in season. Here are some of the best places in the world to see the beautiful flowers in bloom.</span></p> <p><strong><span>1. Arakurayama Sengen Park, Japan</span></strong></p> <p><span>This scenic gem in Yamanashi shines in April when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, complemented by a classic five-storey pagoda from the Arakura Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine and majestic views of Mount Fuji in the distance.</span></p> <p><strong><span>2. Kungsträdgården, Stockholm, Sweden</span></strong></p> <p><span>While Stockholm is lined with pink trees every spring, Kungsträdgården is where you can see the flowers form a cotton candy canopy over the entire park. In mid-April you can also stroll through the stands and get some snacks from the annual Japanese festival taking place at the site. Expect the peak around mid-to-late April.</span></p> <p><strong><span>3. Jerte Valley, Spain</span></strong></p> <p>Located between Salamanca and Cáceres, the valley has two million white cherry trees that create a stunning, snow-like panorama. As the locals tell it, <em>Valle del Jerte</em> <span>comes to life every March in three stages: <em>despertar el valle </em>(the valley wakes)<em>, cerezo en Flor </em>(cherry trees in bloom)<em>, </em>and<em> lluvia de Pétalos </em>(shower of flower petals). </span></p> <p><strong><span>4. Washington DC, US</span></strong></p> <p><span>Cherry blossoms first arrived in DC in 1912 as a gift from Japan. To commemorate the occasion, the city celebrates the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, allowing visitors to enjoy the sea of pink and white from the 3,000-plus trees around the Tidal Basin from late March to mid-April.</span></p> <p><strong><span>5. Pingba, Guizhou, China</span></strong></p> <p><span>According to local media, the region boasts more than 500,000 cherry trees along with azalea and apricot trees. When they blossom in late March to early April, the aerial view of the region shows a lush display of white-pink petals covering the county.</span></p> <p><span>Click through the gallery above to see the cherry blossoms at these spots.</span></p> <p><span>Will you be visiting any of these places? Let us know in the comments.</span></p>

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Delicious apple pie

<p>A warming slice of apple pie is a classic dessert and a perfect finish to any meal!</p> <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p> <p><strong><u>Pastry:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>185g butter, chilled</li> <li>335g flour</li> <li>75g sugar</li> <li>2 teaspoons milk</li> <li>2 eggs</li> </ul> <p><strong><u>Filling:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>6 Granny Smith apples</li> <li>110 g brown sugar</li> <li>2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</li> <li>45g unsalted butter</li> <li>40g pecans, chopped</li> </ul> <p><strong><u>To serve:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>1-2 eggs, whisked to become an egg wash</li> <li>Raw sugar, to finish</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions:</strong></p> <p><strong><u>Pastry</u></strong><br />1. Grate the chilled butter into a food processor then add the flour, sugar, milk and eggs and blend until the mix forms a dough. Do not overwork at this will make the dough tough.</p> <p>2. Remove from the food processor and gently knead until the dough is well combined.</p> <p>3. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling.</p> <p><strong><u>Filling</u></strong><br />4. While the pastry is resting, core and peel the apples then chop into 2cm cubes.</p> <p>5. Place the apples in a pot with the brown sugar, cinnamon and butter then gently cook for 25 minutes until the apple is tender. Once the apple is cooked, allow the mix to cool then stir the pecans into the mix.</p> <p><strong><u>To serve</u></strong><br />6. Preheat oven to 160°C.</p> <p>7. Cut the dough in half then roll 1 piece of pastry into a circle large enough to fit into a deep tart shell.</p> <p>8. Gently lift the pastry into the tart shell, pushing the pastry into the sides. Trim the edges to fit.</p> <p>9. With the remaining pastry, roll to 5mm thick and cut into ribbons. Fill the pastry shell with the cooked apple mix, then criss-cross the pastry over the top of the pie.</p> <p>10. Egg wash the apple pie then sprinkle with raw sugar. Place in oven and bake for 40 minutes.</p> <p>11. Remove, allow to cool slightly and then serve.</p> <p><em>This recipe is featured in <a href="https://smudgeeats.com.au/product/flavours-of-sydney/">Flavours of Sydney 2nd Edition</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/centennial-homestead-apple-pie.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.</em></p>

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