Latest news with #Claus
The Guardian
15-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Dear chefs: what are the perfect sides for Easter lamb?
What are the best sides to pair with lamb at Easter? 'Lamb has a deep, rich flavour; it's distinctive, but it's versatile, too,' say Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver of Rake at The Compton Arms in north London. 'As long as you render the fat slowly and fully, so the flavour is released and the lamb is tender, you can take it in all sorts of directions.' Something 'with good salinity', be that gherkins or anchovies, is as good a start as any in their book, as is erring towards a 'Greek vibe' for Anna Hedworth, author of Service (think 'yoghurty, fresh or sharp things, such as tzatziki or salsa verde'). Happily, lamb also lends itself 'beautifully to an abundance of fresh herbs, and to spring produce – asparagus, wild garlic, peas, fennel and globe artichokes,' adds Ben Allen, head chef at the Parakeet in north-west London. When it comes to specific sides, however, that all really depends on how you're cooking the lamb. That said, we can all agree potatoes are non-negotiable. 'If the lamb is quite simple [with herbs and garlic, say], it can take the robustness of a dauphinoise,' says regular Guardian columnist Georgina Hayden. The richest spud dish of all gets Claus and Pickhaver's vote, too – but with added anchovies to tick their salty box: 'Slice potatoes and onions thinly, add anchovies and layer in an oven dish. Cover with cream, milk and some butter, then bake gently.' Hedworth, meanwhile, keeps things simpler, preferring to roast cubes of potato with lots of olive oil, garlic, rosemary and lemon peel, until 'crisp on the outside and soft inside'. Don't forget to eat your greens, either. Hedworth suggests braising cabbage or cavolo nero to dress up with salsa verde: 'Blitz whatever herbs you can get your hands on – mint, tarragon, dill, parsley – with garlic, dijon, red-wine vinegar, olive oil and salt.' Otherwise, give peas a chance: 'These should be Birds Eye and unsullied by anything more creative than salt and butter,' say Claus and Pickhaver. Carrots, on the other hand, should be accompanied by thyme and honey and cooked 'so they're really sticky', Hayden says, or a mustard cream, which is on Rake's menu alongside a Barnsley chop: 'Thin strands of carrot are soaked in sweet vinegar, then we add creme fraiche and a lot of dijon; the creaminess matches the fatty lamb, but it's light and sweet.' For a taste of sunnier climes, Hedworth puts cherry tomatoes (halved, if large) in a tray with smoked paprika, onion seeds, sugar, salt, olive oil and a mix of toasted and ground coriander seeds, cumin seeds and cardamom seeds. Roast until 'fully soft and starting to blacken', then pile on to Greek yoghurt: 'The lamb juices melt into the tomatoes and yoghurt, making them really delicious.' For another simple side, Allen would be inclined to knock up a Turkish-style salad with chickpeas, cucumber, plenty of herbs and sumac. 'Then just toss everything in olive oil and a squeeze of lemon for a vibrant, refreshing side.' And if you're going down the spiced lamb route – a slow-cooked shoulder with harissa, for example – rice would be very nice. 'I'd make a lovely, herby pilaf to soak up all of those juices,' Hayden says, alongside some spiced carrots and braised fennel to seal the deal for the weekend's big meal. Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Firefighters may face increased risk of brain cancer due to chemical exposure: Study
Firefighters may face a heightened risk of developing brain cancer due to their persistent exposure to certain chemicals, a new study has found. In a set of patients who had gliomas — the most common type of malignant brain tumor — cancer-causing gene mutations linked to toxic exposures were more prevalent in firefighters than in individuals from other professions, according to the study, published on Monday in Cancer. The compounds in question, called haloalkanes, are found in flame retardants, fire extinguishers, refrigerants and pesticides and have previously been associated with a specific gene mutation that causes gliomas, the researchers noted. 'Glioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality,' the authors warned. Examining the histories of 35 participants in the University of California Adult Glioma Study, the scientists — from multiple researcher institutes across the country — determined that 17 individuals had an occupational history of firefighting. These participants worked as firefighters for an average of 22 years and received their diagnoses about seven years after their least reported occupational exposure, per the study. Looking for the presence of a specific mutational 'signature,' or pattern, linked to haloalkanes exposure, the researchers found that the firefighters were much more likely to have the signature than the other 18 participants. Within the non-firefighter contingent, the mutational signatures appeared more in individuals whose careers also possibly exposed them to haloalkanes, including painters and auto-mechanics. Senior author Elizabeth Claus, a professor at Yale University School of Public Health, acknowledged in a statement that the study's results were only preliminary and that a much larger data set across a broader range of professions is needed to confirm the findings. But she and her colleagues also stressed that pinpointing potential links to exposure-related mutations in cancers 'is extremely important because they may inform public health intervention.' Such knowledge, they explained, could help researchers develop strategies to prevent the gene mutations that cause cancer formation. And in the haloalkane scenario, awareness about the possible connection could also help firefighters to prevent certain exposures, the scientists added. 'Identifying exposure to such mutational agents is important to inform public health intervention strategies and pinpoint occupational hazards that may be avoidable,' Claus said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
10-03-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Firefighters may face increased risk of brain cancer due to chemical exposure: Study
Firefighters may face a heightened risk of developing brain cancer due to their persistent exposure to certain chemicals, a new study has found. In a set of patients who had gliomas — the most common type of malignant brain tumor — cancer-causing gene mutations linked to toxic exposures were more prevalent in firefighters than in individuals from other professions, according to the study, published on Monday in Cancer. The compounds in question, called haloalkanes, are found in flame retardants, fire extinguishers, refrigerants and pesticides and have previously been associated with a specific gene mutation that causes gliomas, the researchers noted. 'Glioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality,' the authors warned. Examining the histories of 35 participants in the University of California Adult Glioma Study, the scientists — from multiple researcher institutes across the country — determined that 17 individuals had an occupational history of firefighting. These participants worked as firefighters for an average of 22 years and received their diagnoses about seven years after their least reported occupational exposure, per the study. Looking for the presence of a specific mutational 'signature,' or pattern, linked to haloalkanes exposure, the researchers found that the firefighters were much more likely to have the signature than the other 18 participants. Within the non-firefighter contingent, the mutational signatures appeared more in individuals whose careers also possibly exposed them to haloalkanes, including painters and auto-mechanics. Senior author Elizabeth Claus, a professor at Yale University School of Public Health, acknowledged in a statement that the study's results were only preliminary and that a much larger data set across a broader range of professions is needed to confirm the findings. But she and her colleagues also stressed that pinpointing potential links to exposure-related mutations in cancers 'is extremely important because they may inform public health intervention.' Such knowledge, they explained, could help researchers develop strategies to prevent the gene mutations that cause cancer formation. And in the haloalkane scenario, awareness about the possible connection could also help firefighters to prevent certain exposures, the scientists added. 'Identifying exposure to such mutational agents is important to inform public health intervention strategies and pinpoint occupational hazards that may be avoidable,' Claus said.
