Latest news with #RoryO'Connell
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Insider
3 kitchen staples you can prepare from scratch in under 10 minutes, by a chef who never eats ultra-processed foods
Americans eat a lot of ultra-processed foods, but they've been linked to many health problems. Part of their appeal is convenience, but you can make some dietary staples from scratch in minutes. A chef who never eats UPFs shared easy recipes for bread, pesto, and mayo. You've probably heard that eating lots of ultra-processed foods isn't great for your health. They've been linked to a host of chronic diseases, but with a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the time to make a home-cooked meal to replace convenient foods like protein bars or a store-bought burrito. Rory O'Connell, a chef and cofounder of the prestigious Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, has a remedy: dietary staples you can make from scratch in around 10 minutes, which can help you eat fewer UPFs overall. O'Connell spends most of his time at the cooking school, which sits on a 100-acre organic farm complete with a dairy, chicken coop, bakery, and fermentation shed. He and his colleagues are in a unique position, being in such proximity to fresh ingredients and working a job dedicated to making delicious food. The salad they serve is made of leaves freshly picked from their fields, and the yogurt they eat for breakfast, made from their own cows' milk, is fermented on-site. Most people who live and work in cities don't have the opportunity or time to eat this way, but there are some simple recipes O'Connell shared that could help. Irish soda bread "Knowing how to make a simple bread is a phenomenally useful skill," O'Connell told Business Insider. And soda bread, an Irish staple, is quick to make and doesn't require any yeast. Ingredients: 8 oz/ 2 cups plain white flour 8 oz/ 2 cups brown wholemeal flour 2 oz kibbled wheat 2 to 3 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 rounded teaspoon dark soft brown sugar 1 rounded teaspoon salt 1 level teaspoon bicarbonate of soda, finely sieved ½ oz butter 1 small egg 16 fl oz/ 2 cups buttermilk Method: Preheat the oven to 400°F Grease one 5 in x 8 in loaf tin In a large, wide bowl, mix the flours, kibbled wheat, sesame seeds, brown sugar, salt, and bicarbonate of soda together, then rub in the butter. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Break the egg into the bottom of your measuring jug and add the buttermilk to the 17 fl oz line, with the egg forming part of your total liquid measurement. Whisk to combine, then pour most of this mixture into the dry ingredients. Using one hand, with the fingers open and stiff, mix in a full circle, drawing in the flour from the sides of the bowl, adding more milk and egg mixture if necessary. Avoid over-mixing to keep the dough light and airy — the mixture should be soft and almost pourable. Transfer to a well-oiled bread tin, then sprinkle the top with the extra kibbled wheat and sesame seeds. Bake in the fully preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Remove the tin 10 to 15 minutes before the end of cooking time and return to the oven to continue baking. Tap the base of the bread to check it's cooked — it should sound hollow. Cool on a wire rack. Pesto You can make pesto in minutes, and it keeps for weeks covered with a layer of olive oil in a jar in the fridge, O'Connell said. It also freezes well, but for best results, don't add the Parmesan cheese until it has defrosted. "If you can make pesto, you have a sauce for chicken, fish, lamb, beans. You can have it just on toast with a poached egg," he said. Typically, pesto is made with basil and pine nuts, but you can substitute these for lots of different things. "There's always going to be something in season at any time of the year that you can use in that recipe," he said. Variations he likes include parsley, wild garlic, watercress, or kale pesto. Cashews and almonds are both great alternatives to pine nuts, he said. Makes about 2 x 7 fl oz jars Ingredients: 4 oz fresh basil or watercress ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 oz cashews or fresh pine nuts, chopped 2 large garlic cloves, crushed 2 oz finely grated Parmesan cheese Sea salt, to taste Method: Whizz the basil (or watercress) with the olive oil, chopped cashews or pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor or pound in a pestle and mortar. Remove to a bowl and fold in the Parmesan cheese. Season to taste. Mayonnaise Mayonnaise is another versatile sauce that takes under five minutes to make at home. "So useful. And it keeps in your fridge for up to three weeks," O'Connell said. "If you can make a bit of bread, hard boiled eggs, and a blob of mayonnaise, it's delicious and nutritious," he said. You only need a handful of ingredients that you've probably already got in your kitchen. Ingredients: 2 egg yolks, preferably free range 1/4 teaspoon salt A pinch of English mustard or 1/4 teaspoon French mustard 1 dessertspoon white wine vinegar 225ml oil (sunflower or olive oil or a mixture) - we use 175ml sunflower oil and 50ml oil Method: Put the egg yolks into a bowl with the salt, mustard, and the white wine vinegar. Put the oil into a measuring jug. Take a whisk in one hand and the oil in the other and drip the oil onto the egg yolks, drop by drop, whisking at the same time to create an emulsion. Within a minute, you will notice that the mixture is beginning to thicken. When this happens, you can add the oil a little faster, but don't get too complacent or it will suddenly curdle (split) because the egg yolks can only absorb the oil at a certain pace. Taste and add a little more seasoning and vinegar if necessary.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: The Murder of George Floyd, Wild Rose and Rematch
How to Cook Well in Morocco RTÉ One, 8.30pm Rory O'Connell travels to the Atlas Mountains in the penultimate leg of his journey. Feeling inspired, he then prepares a compote of apricots with saffron and pistachios, mint and labneh. Race Across the World BBC One, 9pm The teams have reached the halfway point of their expedition, but there's no time to rest on their laurels – the going is about to get even tougher thanks to a 7,000ft climb. Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd BBC Two, 9pm In May 2020, the death of African-American Floyd, due to his treatment by a white police officer in Minneapolis shocked the world, sparking numerous protests. Five years on, this documentary re-examines the story and Floyd's legacy, with help from his family and the police chief who testified against a colleague. Burkitt TG4, 9.30pm Documentary profile of Denis Burkitt, the Irish surgeon who discovered Burkitt's lymphoma. Director Éanna Mac Cana tells the story through his own experience of being treated for the disease, as well as via items from Burkitt's own archive. Wild Rose Film4, 11.25pm Jessie Buckley stars in this drama as Glaswegian singer and mother-of-two Rose-Lynn Harlan who, on her release from prison, sets about chasing her dream of becoming a country music star, with help from her new boss. Sophie Okonedo and Julie Walters also appear. Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark Netflix, streaming now Another bikini-clad dating show. Yaaaaaay. Six singles check into a motel looking for love, but there has to be a twist — their casual situationships are headbanging around there too. Can these hook-ups turn into real romance, or will there be too many distractions? Rematch Disney+, streaming now This psychological thriller, based on actual events, tells the story of the historic match-up between IBM's Deep Blue supercomputer and the greatest chess player of all time, Garry Kasparov. If you'd prefer to immerse yourself in the comforting confines of food rather than the ongoing human versus machine debate, maybe give Tucci In Italy a whirl instead. Untold: The Fall of Favre Netflix, streaming now Brett Favre is a Hall of Famer, three-time MVP, and Super Bowl champion, but that's not all. His legacy, disputes and jarring scandals — including a welfare fraud scheme — are unearthed in this week's edition. The Wimbledon Killer Prime Video, streaming now Rachel Nickell was fatally stabbed on Wimbledon Common in July 1992, resulting in Colin Stagg's wrongful arrest. Despite years of searching, the real killer remained unknown, while Robert Napper continued his violent spree across south London. Love Rat Netflix, streaming now As a recent divorcee doing her best Shirley Valentine in Cyprus, Sally Lindsay finds herself in serious trouble — until her holiday romance devolves into theft, deceit and intimidation. Bet Netflix, streaming now At an elite boarding school where the kids of bad people use gambling to dictate status, a new student disrupts the hierarchy, challenging the student council while secretly plotting revenge for her parents' deaths. Think Descendants but with a dash of Monster High meets The Winx Saga and something far more salacious. If real-world drama ignites you more, there's a short film set in a maximum prison called The Quilers.
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Race Across the World, The 355 and The Devil's Plan
Champions League Live RTÉ2, 7.30pm Arsenal travel to Parc des Princes to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final second-leg match, with both teams aiming to lift the trophy for the first time in their respective histories. How to Cook Well in Morocco RTÉ One, 8.30pm Despite a late arrival in Marrakech for Rory O'Connell, there's still plenty to see, including the hawkers and traders setting up to sell their produce at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city's main square. Saving Lives in Cardiff BBC Two, 9pm The squeamish should probably look away when neurosurgery consultant George Eralil delves deep into the brain of a 65-year-old with one of medicine's most painful conditions — trigeminal neuralgia, which causes excruciating facial pain. Race Across the World BBC One, 9pm Can the five pairings find Shangri-La? It certainly isn't easy to get to thanks to its remote position clinging to the edge of a Tibetan plateau near the Himalayan foothills. Formerly married couple Yin and Gaz hope their journey will be quick — they're now 44 hours behind the leaders. The 355 RTÉ One, 9.35pm Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger and Lupita Nyong'o head the cast of an espionage thriller focusing on an all-female group of agents who are hunting for a top-secret weapon that has fallen into the wrong hands. However, a mysterious woman is keeping a very close eye on their activities... ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Untold: Shooting Guards Netflix, streaming now We're getting treated to our annual dose of Untold a little bit earlier this year. Usually released in the autumn, the always revelatory and expertly shot documentary series continues to chronicle the untold aspects of some of sport's darkest stories. With three all-new films releasing weekly across May 6, 13, and 20, this new series kicks off with an anatomy of former Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton. Their collective claim to fame is jarring the world of basketball by drawing guns on each other in their NBA locker room in 2009. Through raw first-hand accounts, Arenas and Crittenton unpack the events that had a life-altering impact on both men, which ultimately led Crittenton down a dark and tragic path. Keeping with sporting releases, season two of Full Speed lands today, chronicling all the drama surrounding the 2024 NASCAR championship. The Devil's Plan: Death Room Netflix, streaming now Prepare to be amazed, enraged, and very confused at certain junctures as a clutch of new contenders convene for a new battle of minds (and those all-important pieces). From a poker pro to the mandatory 'Go' legend, to a Hollywood actor and another lawyer, who will triumph through this season's endless challenges? Star Wars: Tales Of The Underworld Disney+, streaming now Where else would you be getting yet more unsolicited Star Wars-related viewing? This time it's animated and features the tribulations of bounty hunter Asajj Ventress and outlaw Cad Bane over six episodes. The Handmaid's Tale Prime Video, streaming now While I still can't bring myself to watch it, for those of you fully immersed in the 'fictional' realm of Gilead, the sixth and final season is now available. The Four Seasons Netflix, streaming now Three couples — Kate (Tina Fey) and Jack (Will Forte), Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), plus Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani) — face serious introspection when one of the couples announces their split. For more saccharine aspirational viewing, Prime Video has released Another Simple Favour, starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. Arriving in 1960s New York armed with his guitar, 19-year-old Bob Dylan (portrayed by Timothée Chalamet's impressive jawline) is set to revolutionise American music. Angi: Fake Life, True Crime Netflix, streaming now In 2008, the remains of 35-year-old designer Ana Páez were discovered in Barcelona. Dubbed 'The Almost Perfect Crime', this documentary revisits the case and explores the dark past of María Ángeles Molina ('Angi') and her late husband. In other European offerings, the final instalment of Lost Bullet arrives Wednesday, while AppleTV+ is now offering pastry, espionage, and Bridgerton levels of fornication in Carême.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Genius Game, Priest and Turning Point
How to Cook Well in Morocco RTÉ One, 8.30pm Rory O'Connell heads south, stopping off in the small but historically important town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, where the founder of the first Moroccan dynasty is buried. He then continues his journey to Fez, where he samples a local salad. Race Across the World BBC One, 9pm The teams make their way through some stunning scenery while journeying towards their second checkpoint in Sanya, one of China's most southerly cities. However, a typhoon is brewing that may scupper their chances of reaching their destination. Genius Game Virgin Media One, 9pm As well as appearing in The Assembly on Sunday, David Tennant is hosting a new game show in which 11 players must work together to successfully complete various weird and wonderful challenges. The fun continues on Thursday. Téacs Taistil TG4, 9.45pm The trio head for Brno in the Czech Republic. They're guided around by local chap Proinsias, who shows off his Del Boy Trotter impersonation at the city's market, but it's the accommodation — a couples hotel and a Soviet-era underground bunker — that raise the most laughs. Priest BBC Four, 10.15pm Acclaimed drama directed by Antonia Bird and written by Jimmy McGovern. A gay Catholic priest struggles to conceal his homosexuality while considering breaking the sanctity of the confessional to reveal a case of sexual abuse. Linus Roache and Robert Carlyle head the cast. ADVERTISEMENT Turning Point: The Vietnam War Netflix, streaming now "The story of the United States in Vietnam was one of ignorance, hubris, and arrogance.' This comes from one of the many contributors with direct knowledge of this turning-point war. They also highlight the gap between what US presidents said publicly versus what they believed privately. In short, they were 'sincere in what they were doing – the problem was, they didn't know what they were doing.' Directed by Brian Knappenberger, the docuseries digs into one of history's most divisive conflicts, exploring its lasting impact on America's identity and global role. Using CBS News archives, rare footage, declassified records, and recordings, it outlines the political and cultural repercussions over two decades, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. To say it offers a timely exploration of how the war's unresolved wounds, unlearned lessons, and enduring consequences continue to shape the world today would be a gross understatement. Cheat: Unfinished Business Netflix, streaming now In case you've ever wondered what Amanda Holden's been doing with herself, she's hosting this volatile reunion retreat comprising eight former couples who split as at least one of them cheated. The Eternaut Netflix, streaming now This week's foreign language offerings include K-Drama Weak Hero, Germany's Exterritorial (featuring a bilingual Dougray Scott), and this one featuring toxic snow in Argentina. Suspect: Shooting of De Menezes Disney+, streaming now Daniel Mays, Conleth Hill, Max Beesley, Emily Mortimer, Russell Tovey, and Edison Alcaide star in this recounting of one of the most catastrophic errors in British policing, the killing of an innocent Brazilian man in the wake of the 7/7 London bombings. Chef's Table: Legends Netflix, streaming now Celebrating culinary icons shaping modern food while marking the franchise's 10th anniversary, this series showcases four legendary chefs whose influence inspires generations globally. And one of them is Jamie Oliver. You Netflix, streaming now I won't lie, I haven't viewed even a single episode of this on account of the hammy narration provided by Penn Badgley's psychotic Joe (watching through Gogglebox was more than enough) and the parade of gormless sorts he's managed to slay on both sides of the Atlantic. Now, for season 5 (yes, five seasons) and 'the killer finale', he's back in New York to address yet more skeletons in his closet. Wear Whatever The F You Want Prime Video, streaming now Also returning to New York for another season, we have Clinton Kelly and Stacy London inspiring those in a fashion funk to express their unique style, even if it breaks all the style rules. Havoc Netflix, streaming now To save a politician's estranged son after a failed drug deal, a perpetually dishevelled detective (Tom Hardy) rampages through the criminal underworld, revealing layers of corruption permeating East LA. This is quite the filming feat, given it was partially shot in the mean streets of Barry Island Pleasure Park, Wales. Flintoff Disney+, streaming now Chronicling Freddie Flintoff's remarkable cricket career, multitude of presenting gigs (A League of Their Own, Living With Bulimia, Australian Ninja Warrior), two Ashes wins with England, his status as a national sporting icon, and his return to cricket after a life-altering Top Gear car crash in 2022. If you only visit Disney+ to watch Star Wars-related fodder, there are new episodes of Andor: A Star Wars Story.
