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NDTV
6 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
All About French Onion Soup : A Dish That Feels Like A Hug
There is something universally comforting about soup. No matter where you are in the world, soup has a place at the table - warm, nourishing, and endlessly adaptable. It is a dish that does not follow strict rules but instead reflects the flavours, ingredients, and traditions of the people who make it. From the spicy complexity of Thai tom yum to the rustic charm of Italian minestrone, soup is both an everyday staple and a culinary art form. And among the world's great soups, one stands out for its blend of humble beginnings and rich, indulgent flair. It starts with onions and ends with a flourish: French onion soup. Also Read: This Thai Soup Has Made It To UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List From Humble Roots To Haute Cuisine: A Brief History French onion soup is a perfect example of how simple ingredients - onions, broth, bread, and cheese - can come together to create something extraordinary. According to Alexandre Dumas in his Grand Dictionnaire de Cuisine (1873), the soup gained popularity at the royal court of Versailles in the 1700s. The story goes that King Louis XV's father-in-law, the exiled Polish King Stanislas, tasted the soup at an inn, loved it, and insisted on learning the recipe. That early version was incredibly simple: just fried onions, water, and croutons. Another recipe from the same era added a spoonful of lean broth for extra flavour. Interestingly, these early versions did not include cheese or the golden, bubbly top we associate with the dish today. Because onions were cheap and widely available, the soup was often referred to as "peasant-style". It was considered poor man's food - until its rich, caramelised flavour won over even the most refined palates. Over time, it evolved into the luxurious, cheese-topped version we know and love. Also Read: Mulligatawny Soup: Is It India's First Soup? What Is It Made Of? Photo Credit: Pexels What Makes French Onion Soup So Special? At first glance, the ingredients are modest. But together, they create something deeply satisfying: 1. The Onions: Caramelising onions slowly is the soul of this soup. It is a patient process that draws out their natural sweetness and transforms them into golden, melt-in-your-mouth strands. It takes time - but it is worth every minute. 2. The Broth: Traditional recipes call for a rich meat stock, which gives the soup its deep, savoury base. Some modern versions use chicken or vegetable broth, but beef remains the classic choice for its bold, umami flavour. 3. The Bread: Slices of baguette or rustic country bread are toasted until crisp, then floated on top of the soup. They soak up the broth and add a hearty, satisfying texture. 4. The Cheese: Gruyere is the star here - nutty, melty, and perfect for forming that irresistible golden crust when broiled. It is the finishing touch that turns a simple soup into something truly special. Find the detailed recipe for French Onion Soup here. Also Read: Chicken Vegetable Soup Is The Protein-Rich Winter Dinner Recipe You Were Looking For The Final Sip: French onion soup is more than just a dish - it is a connection to centuries of tradition, to cosy kitchens and bustling Parisian cafes. It is proof that with a little time, care, and a few humble ingredients, you can create something deeply comforting and undeniably elegant. So, the next time the weather turns chilly or you are craving something nostalgic and hearty, remember the magic that happens when onions meet broth, bread, and cheese. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: French Onion Soup Italian Food Global Cuisine Show full article Comments
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa considers quotas for foreign nationals in the labour market
As unemployment rates soar, the government is considering introducing quotas limiting the number of foreign nationals in various sectors. Image: Ron Lach/Pexels THE government appears not to know the number of foreign nationals in the country's labour market and is considering introducing quotas to limit them from competing for the few available technical and low skilled jobs. The national labour migration policy approved by Cabinet this week, has noted that imposing quotas is a worldwide phenomenon and that European Union member states also implement such measures for managing labour migration from developing countries. In South Africa, the Constitutional Court in 2022 affirmed that the constitutional reservation of the right to trade, occupation or profession to citizens is not uncommon in democracies and that the country has an obligation to protect its citizens' interests. Despite the apex court's judgment, the policy also accepted that a number of Supreme Court of Appeal rulings have found that the total exclusion from work of migrant workers, or particular categories, may amount to the impairment of the constitutional right to human dignity. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, the government admitted that such a move would require enabling legal provisions. 'The imposition of quotas to limit the number of foreign nationals from competing for the few technical and low skilled jobs available is being considered,' stated the policy. In addition, it noted that the imposition of quotas to regulate competition between South African and foreign workers in the informal economy for limited available public space and access to markets and other resources needs to be considered. 'This would require enabling legal provisions to this effect at local government level – taking into account the requirement that the imposition of quotas has to be informed by comprehensive statistical evidence with regard to each work sector in the informal economy,' the policy explained. Among other concerns is that the continued employment of foreign nationals in excess of a quota imposed on the sector or occupation, especially those who are permanently employed, is a particularly contentious area as termination of employment under such circumstances may raise labour law procedural considerations in addition to constitutional concerns. Complicating matters further is that South Africa does not currently have adequate data to measure reliable estimates of the stocks and flows of foreign labour in the country, which makes it difficult to measure the impact of migration on the local labour market. 'It is crucial to obtain reliable information on this to inform appropriate policy responses, especially in view of commonly held public perceptions that the labour market participation of foreigners, including asylum seekers, have a negative impact on the South African labour market and on the ability of South Africans to participate in the labour market,' reads the policy. Also approved by Cabinet for submission to Parliament is the Employment Services Amendment Bill providing the policy framework and legal basis to regulate the employment of foreign nationals in businesses while promoting national security and interests. While the existing Employment Services Act has usefully strengthened labour legislation, its current state leaves unaddressed a number of concerns such as the explicit authorisation for private employment agencies to facilitate the recruitment of foreign workers into South Africa and the sourcing and recruitment of foreign workers abroad for employment. The recruitment of South African workers for overseas placement by South African or foreign private employment agencies or the partnering between local and foreign agencies as well as the activities of foreign private employment agencies, locally or foreign-owned private employment agencies online recruitment activities are other areas of concern in existing legislation. The bill also proposes the regulation of labour brokers to prevent worker exploitation such as the provision of cheap labour through undocumented foreign nationals. Trade union federation Cosatu said enabling Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth to set limits on the number of documented migrant workers that can be employed in a workplace and an economic sector, is critical for an economy battling dangerously high and rising unemployment levels of 43.1% overall and 72% for youth.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Health
- IOL News
New US report reveals myocarditis risks linked to Covid vaccines for South Africans
A damning new report by US Senator Ron Johnson reveals that American authorities were alerted to a potential link between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and conditions like myocarditis and pericarditis as early as February 2021, yet delayed warning the public for months. Image: Pexels As the world scrambled to roll out Covid-19 vaccines in 2021, millions of South Africans received mRNA jabs with confidence — unaware that top US health officials were sitting on growing concerns about serious heart-related side effects. A damning new report by US Senator Ron Johnson reveals that American authorities were alerted to a potential link between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and conditions like myocarditis and pericarditis as early as February 2021, yet delayed warning the public for months. Implications for South Africa Now, as South Africans report similar complications, questions are being raised about whether local authorities were also kept in the dark — and what that has meant for informed consent. As many South Africans continue to report post-vaccine complications, the findings have reignited concerns around the adequacy of information provided to the public during the country's rollout. For those who experienced symptoms like heart inflammation, the silence from health authorities now feels like a betrayal. According to the 54-page interim report, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were aware of 'large reports of myocarditis' among young vaccine recipients, but only moved to update the vaccine safety labels in late June 2021. This means millions of people across the globe — including in South Africa — received mRNA shots without being informed of these potential risks. 'Even though CDC and FDA officials were well aware of the risk of myocarditis following Covid-19 vaccination, the US administration opted to withhold issuing a formal warning to the public for months about the safety concerns,' the report states. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading What is Myocarditis? Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, inflammation of the sac around the heart, can cause chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, and in rare cases, long-term cardiac damage. Myopericarditis, a combination of both, has also been reported. While these side effects are rare, they appear more frequently in young males and often emerge shortly after the second dose of the vaccine. South Africa relied heavily on Pfizer's mRNA vaccine during its national rollout. The US report raises concerns about whether international partners like South Africa received the necessary data to make timely and transparent decisions about public health messaging. If US authorities withheld warnings, were local health departments in a position to issue appropriate guidance — or were they operating under incomplete information? One pivotal moment came on 28 February 2021, when an Israeli health official contacted the CDC and FDA to flag 40 cases of post-vaccination myocarditis in young people. Despite the warning and Israel's significantly higher vaccination rate at the time, the US chose not to act publicly for several more months. During this silence, frontline doctors who attempted to raise red flags about the potential risks were reportedly censored or discredited. 'Around the time of internal CDC deliberations over myocarditis,' Senator Johnson writes, 'his office received a growing number of letters from doctors and other healthcare professionals who experienced suppression and censoring of this information they were experiencing.' Eventually, on June 25, 2021, the FDA added warnings to the Pfizer and Moderna labels about the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. But by then, millions of people — including many South Africans — had already been vaccinated without that knowledge. The report's release comes just a day after the FDA announced tighter requirements for booster shot administration, adding further fuel to the debate about transparency, trust, and accountability in the global vaccine effort. IOL Lifestyle Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Tired Before 10 AM? This Desi Haldi-Adrak Chai Might Just Save Your Day
You know the drill. The alarm rings, but instead of springing into action, you are mentally bargaining for "five more minutes". Your limbs feel like they are made of lead, your head is still stuck in dream mode, and even thinking about putting on clothes feels like a chore. Relatable? Welcome to weekday mornings. You have work to do, calls to take, deadlines to chase - and absolutely no time to laze around. That is usually when the search for an energy fix begins. Yes, coffee is the default fix. But what if there is a more natural, kinder option that people have been using for generations? Say hello to turmeric-ginger tea. This humble, golden blend does more than warm your soul - it offers a steady energy boost minus the caffeine jitters. Here is why this homemade morning tea is finding a permanent place in so many kitchens. Also Read: How to Boost Your Energy: 6 Foods You Must Include In Your Diet What Causes Morning Fatigue? | Why You Might Feel Exhausted Even After Sleeping: Still feeling wiped out after 8 hours of sleep? You are not the only one. Morning tiredness is not always about staying up too late or sleeping badly. Nutritionist Lovneet Batra says it might be your body waving a red flag. According to her, here are some major reasons why you might feel completely out of it in the morning: 1. You Might Be Missing Out on Key Nutrients: Your body needs fuel, and not just any fuel. We are talking about crucial vitamins and minerals. If you are short on these, your energy levels could take a serious hit. Iron: Low iron? Your cells are starved of oxygen. Result: you feel wiped out. Vitamin B12: This vitamin helps produce energy and carry oxygen. A deficiency can leave you feeling like you have run a marathon before breakfast. Vitamin D: Helps power up your cells' energy factories. Low levels can mean low energy and poor stamina. 2. Your Hormones Might Be Acting Up: Melatonin, the hormone that manages your sleep cycle, can mess things up if it is out of sync. When melatonin is not doing its job right, your sleep might not feel like proper rest, and you wake up feeling foggy and tired. 3. Poor Oxygen And Blood Circulation: When blood and oxygen do not circulate properly, your body builds up toxins and stress. This slows everything down, including your sleep quality, which means fatigue greets you first thing in the morning. Also Read: Watch: 5-Min Till Mawa Ladoo Recipe For Good Immunity, Strong Bones And Loads Of Energy Photo Credit: Pexels Why Haldi-Adrak Chai is the Morning Boost You Did Not Know You Needed: Health Benefits Of Ginger: Ginger is not just a cooking essential - it is also packed with gingerol, a compound known for fighting pain, fever, and bacteria. Then there is zingerone, a strong antioxidant. As per Healing Foods by DK Publishing, these elements help strengthen your immune system, aid digestion, and support a healthier gut. The result? You feel less bloated, more energetic, and ready to take on whatever your day throws at you. Health Benefits Of Turmeric: Consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta says turmeric is loaded with curcumin, a compound famous for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing effects. This combination supports immunity, aids digestion, and helps cleanse the liver. All of which makes you feel less sluggish and more switched on in the morning. Also Read: Feeling Tired All The Time? These 5 Drinks May Help Photo Credit: iStock How To Brew This 2-Ingredient Tea That Will Make You Forget Coffee: Step 1: Take half a raw turmeric root and a half-inch piece of fresh ginger. Step 2: Pour one and a half cups of water into a pan and bring it to a boil. Step 3: Lightly crush the turmeric and ginger, toss them into the boiling water, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. Step 4: Strain into a cup and sip slowly. Want a touch of sweetness? A little honey works wonders. So, the next time you wake up feeling like you have been hit by a truck, skip the caffeine chaos. This turmeric-ginger tea could be your simple, soothing answer to morning fatigue. Just remember - moderation is key. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Haldi Adrak Chai Turmeric Ginger Tea Tea For Morning Fatigue Show full article Comments
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Make safety checks and certification for power banks mandatory now
Wake-up call: There have been a number of incidents involving power banks, including fires on public transport and explosions during charging. — Pexels THE Alliance for a Safe Community urges the government to immediately introduce mandatory safety checks and Sirim certification for all power banks sold in Malaysia. At present, power banks are not subject to compulsory safety testing, nor are they required to carry the Sirim certification mark. This regulatory gap exposes consumers to serious risks, including fire hazards, battery explosions, overheating, and electric shock – particularly when using low-quality or counterfeit devices that do not meet safety standards.
