Stormzy has asked me for a soup recipe (my work here is done). Something along the lines of the okra soup his mum makes at home. I wouldn’t dare attempt to emulate a much-loved family recipe, let alone that of Stormzy’s mum. I think back to the deep bowls of beef soup I have eaten in Ghana, rust-red with palm oil and tomatoes with enough chilli to make your chest burn. So James and I, who have cooked together for a decade, drop everything and spend a day at the stove roasting beef ribs and shredding ginger, slicing okra and being very, very careful with the angry, scarlet Scotch bonnet chillies. They make every cut on our fingers sting. As the evening draws in, we end up with a casserole of broth that is both warming and lively; the meat is soft and sweet and Stormzy’s beloved okra has added a quality that is simultaneously soothing and unsettling. The next day, after a night in the fridge, the stew gets heated up again in a big pot over a low heat and I notice its … [Read more...] about Nigel Slater’s beef and okra soup recipe for Stormzy
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20 most amazing Grand Designs homes – from the 100ft water tower to the £3million tree house
It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since Kevin McCloud first started following the home building exploits of pregnant people living in caravans with a cash flow problem. From towering tree houses to homes literally dug out of the ground, for two decades Grand Designs has showcased the weird and wonderful houses of the UK and beyond - and the compelling stories behind them. Last night, Kevin revealed his own top five pics in a commemorative episode of the Channel 4 show, titled Grandest Designs. Among them wass a Devon home crafted into the shape of a fossil shell and an old recording studio used by the likes of Queen and John Lennon. But they're not the only properties worth shouting about. From the London water tower to the entire home devoted to disco, here's 20 of the most mind-blowing homes from the show's entire history... 1. The Glass & Timber House, London In 2002, master carpenter Bill Bradley and his wife Sarah set about turning his wood yard into two light-filled … [Read more...] about 20 most amazing Grand Designs homes – from the 100ft water tower to the £3million tree house
As the Taylors move to Walford… EastEnders’ best and worst families to hit the square
EastEnders is introducing the Taylors to the square and viewers can expect a huge shake up as it’s revealed the new family have a BIG secret. Single mum Karen Taylor (played by Lorraine Stanley) and her children Keanu (Danny Walters), Bernadette (Clair Norris) and twins Riley and Chatham (played by real life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs) will hit Albert Square this summer. But Eastenders is long known for its series of chaotic and dysfunctional families, serving up shocking story lines and dramatic duff duffs. Here are some of the best (and worst) families to grace our screens on EastEnders. Missed out your favourite? Have your say in the comments below. The Jacksons: Carol and Alan Jackson were a very modern blended family. Parents to son Billie, Carol was also a mother to daughters Bianca and Sonia and son Robbie. The family had their fair share of dramas. Bianca was left horrified when she discovered that her real father was lothario David Wicks and she left viewers … [Read more...] about As the Taylors move to Walford… EastEnders’ best and worst families to hit the square
EastEnders’ infamous Little Mo and Trevor Morgan reunite for the first time in FIFTEEN years
EastEnders' Little Mo and Trevor Morgan are back together for the first time in fifteen years - after being reunited in London last week. Actors Kasey Ainsworth and Alex Ferns got back together at the press night of Out There On Fried Meat Ridge Rd at Trafalgar Studios in London, which Ferns is appearing in. Trevor - played by Ferns from 2000 to 2002 - had the nation appalled at the turn of the century for his horrific treatment of wife Little Mo, abusing her physically and emotionally throughout their marriage on screen in EastEnders . Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Viewers were shocked when Trevor beat, raped and burned Little Mo, putting her through many despicable and unforgivable ordeals. Little Mo once managed to hit Trevor with an iron, and he left the soap in 2002 when he died in a house fire. He lost his life when the Slater family home exploded after Trevor himself started the fire, and … [Read more...] about EastEnders’ infamous Little Mo and Trevor Morgan reunite for the first time in FIFTEEN years
Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace on their friendship: ‘We argue like brother and sister – but we’ve got each other’s back’
Jessie Wallace is sat with a face like a boot. The former EastEnders actress is an attractive woman, but if looks could kill we wouldn’t want to be Shane Richie right now. Her famously gobby co-star – who won the nation’s heart playing loveable rogue Alfie Moon – is doing a wickedly accurate, if not very flattering, impression of Jessie, while recounting an argument they had last summer. "We were doing a play together in Edinburgh," explains Shane. "We always stay together on tour, we’ll share a two-bed apartment… and it drives me mental," he adds under his breath, grinning, while Jessie narrows her eyes. "Anyway, we came out one day and she was like, 'F***ing hell, I can’t find me f***ing passport,' and I went, 'What do you need your passport for?' And she went, 'I’m in Scotland, ain’t I? You’ve gotta take ya passport in Scotland?' I said, 'You don’t need your passport in Scotland you f***ing idiot.' She goes, … [Read more...] about Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace on their friendship: ‘We argue like brother and sister – but we’ve got each other’s back’
Tom Watson faces growing calls to apologise in parliament for his ‘false and reckless’ VIP paedophile ring claims – as real victims accuse him of ‘weaponising child abuse’
Tom Watson should apologise in Parliament for making false statements about the bogus VIP paedophile ring, MPs said today, as the Labour deputy leader was accused of 'weaponising child abuse'. Watson has been slammed by the distinguished figures and their families who were wrongly tarnished by Carl Beech's bogus claims. Watson tried to deflect attention on Twitter today, by tweeting about Boris Johnson, but critics repeatedly demanded he apologise for his own conduct before commenting on that of others. MPs said today Watson should apologise in Parliament for making 'false and reckless allegations' in the House. Andi Lavery, who is a genuine victim of a paedophile Catholic priest, today accused the West Bromwich MP of 'weaponising child abuse'. Tom Watson arrived at the Houses of Commons today as he faces growing calls to apologise over his airing of false claims of a VIP sex abuse ring in Westminster Daniel Janner (left), the son of the late Labour peer … [Read more...] about Tom Watson faces growing calls to apologise in parliament for his ‘false and reckless’ VIP paedophile ring claims – as real victims accuse him of ‘weaponising child abuse’
