Latest news with #Esters
The Guardian
22-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
What's the secret to the perfect spring breakfast?
Breakfast normally means porridge, but what are the alternatives in spring?It's a truth universally acknowledged that most breakfast binds can be solved with oats. But when porridge doesn't float your boat, it's got to be bircher muesli or overnight oats. 'I have always been a bit rude about overnight oats,' says Will Bowlby, co-founder of Kricket, whose Shoreditch arm recently launched a breakfast menu. 'But when the weather is warm, soaking oats in coconut water, mixing them with jaggery, then throwing in things like fresh coconut, rhubarb or raspberries is a really nice alternative to porridge.' And it's those extras that will set your oats apart, says Nia Burr of Esters in north London. 'Flavour a big batch of yoghurt at the beginning of the week with honey and some kind of citrus, such as lime or blood orange, and make a rhubarb compote,' she says. 'We then top it all off with a polenta-based crumb mixed with pumpkin seeds [though any nuts or seeds would be delicious.' Keep all the different elements separate, 'so it doesn't become stodgy', then simply build your bowl in the morning. Alternatively, Bowlby would strain Greek yoghurt overnight ('it makes it really luscious') and mixes with condensed milk and fresh vanilla. 'Serve it with poached fruit and granola – we roast oats, almonds, cashews, barberries, coconut, orange juice and jaggery.' If you've got a few slices of bread, you're also minutes away from breakfast. 'The base has to be sourdough or pitta toasted on both sides with a little oil,' says Hisham Assaad, author of Bayrut. When it comes to toppings, though, you have many options: 'Labneh with sliced tomatoes, sumac and pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar; hummus or muhammara topped with a fried or poached egg, or a sliced boiled one.' And if you want to push the boat out at the weekend, Assaad makes his toast part of a platter, alongside chickpeas with yoghurt, tahini and garlic topped with toasted nuts, and perhaps a little parsley, paprika and cumin. 'Or top hummus with fried mince, then mash and warm some fava beans and dress with olive oil, lemon juice and salt, then add some chopped tomatoes and parsley.' You can never have too many egg recipes up your sleeve, either, and Burr has been making a lot of frittatas of late, particularly kuku sabzi to eat with yoghurt, za'atar and toast. That same Persian omelette is also good for using up a glut of herbs. Guardian columnist Tom Hunt softens leeks and/or spring onions in butter or oil, then wilts 350g mixed herbs and greens (think parsley, dill, coriander, carrot tops, spinach, lettuce) – 'If you're short of fresh herbs, add a tablespoon or two of dried instead.' He then mixes six eggs with a teaspoon each of turmeric and baking powder, some chopped walnuts, a tablespoon of barberries and some seasoning, then combines with the greens. Cook in a hot frying pan until set, then pop under a hot grill for about five minutes, until set. Another cracking (sorry) idea is eggs bhurji, AKA masala scrambled eggs, says Bowlby. 'Cook them with butter, cumin seeds, curry leaves, tomatoes and green chilli, then make a little green chutney by blending wild garlic, coriander, oil and lemon juice.' Spread the chutney on toasted sourdough, top with the eggs and finish with grated cheddar. Now that's guaranteed to make your morning. Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@
Express Tribune
02-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Turn crop waste into SAF'
Crop residues burned during both winter and summer in Pakistan represent an underutilised resource with immense potential for SAF production. photo: REUTERS Listen to article Promoting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production can help Pakistan boost national energy security, large-scale economic activity, and foreign direct investment while reducing crop waste and air pollution, economic and energy experts and environmental activists said. They said that Pakistan is uniquely positioned to harness its abundant agricultural resources and establish itself as a key player in SAF production. By leveraging its vast agricultural base, the country can simultaneously address four critical challenges: enhancing national energy security, stimulating large-scale economic activity, attracting foreign direct investment, and mitigating crop waste and the air pollution caused by its burning. Speaking with The Express Tribune, they said that globally, nations across various industrial sectors are striving to reduce emissions, and the aviation industry is no exception. As efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel gain momentum, sustainable aviation fuel is emerging as a transformative solution. They noted that with mandates in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK), along with the United States' strategic initiatives driving SAF adoption, Pakistan can capitalise on SAF production while repurposing its crop residues. With global aviation fuel demand exceeding 250 million metric tonnes annually, the shift to SAF presents both a monumental challenge and a transformative opportunity. SAF is a renewable, low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel, produced from sustainable feedstocks such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and non-food biomass. Commercially, two key technologies dominate SAF production: Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ). The selection of technology depends on the type of biomass available for SAF production. HEFA technology is utilised for lipid-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and non-edible vegetable oils, while ATJ technology is best suited for sugar-based feedstocks, such as wheat straw, rice husks, and bagasse waste. SAF produced through these two technologies provides a "drop-in" fuel that is fully compatible with existing jet engines and infrastructure. An emerging and highly promising third technology involves utilising carbon dioxide as a feedstock, though it is not yet commercially available. Eminent energy scientist and expert in a circular economy Dr Adeel Ghayur said that commercial SAF technologies offer production capacities ranging from 100,000 tonnes to as much as one million tonnes annually. He explained that refineries on the higher end of this spectrum require multibillion-dollar investments but have the potential to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, boosting economic activity in their regions. He noted that currently, SAF is priced at approximately $2,500 per metric tonne, significantly higher than conventional aviation fuel, which costs around $700 per metric tonne. As the international community tightens its regulatory frameworks for sustainable aviation, Pakistan is presented with a unique window of opportunity that represents both an environmental imperative and a tremendous economic prospect. Crop residues burned during both winter and summer in Pakistan represent an underutilised resource with immense potential for SAF production. In Punjab alone, it is estimated that millions of tonnes of rice residue are burned each winter to prepare fields for the next planting season. Furthermore, additional crop residues become available during the wheat harvest. Together, these biomass resources hold the capacity to support the establishment of multiple SAF refineries, transforming a major environmental challenge into an economic and ecological opportunity. He said, "The starting point for Pakistan's SAF transformation lies in developing a well-rounded, multipronged strategy focused on attracting foreign investment, equipping local industries with the necessary knowledge, infrastructure, and skills, and fostering the development of robust indigenous research and development (R&D) capabilities. Strengthening R&D is essential for Pakistan to remain competitive in the global SAF market, secure its position as a hub for innovation, and maintain leadership as SAF adoption rises across Asia. This comprehensive policy roadmap will serve as both a blueprint and a catalyst to propel Pakistan to the forefront of the global SAF revolution."
