Recipes

I’m off on a business trip tomorrow morning, it’s not the most exciting of locations, so it’s probably just as well that there will be very little free time, but the timing of the trip itself, hasn’t exactly come at the most convenient moment. More about that later, but to put you in the picture, the trip is a repeat of the one I made with our Sales Manager, three years ago which, if you’ve been paying attention, was around the time when Covid-19, and its connection with the Chinese city of Wuhan first began making the headlines, and just...

Theme: "Down in Front" - IN is added to the start of each common phrase.3. Orchestra conductor's memo heading?: IN RE PERCUSSION. Repercussion. 6. So-so golf swings?: INDIFFERENT STROKES. Different strokes.10. How married couples may spend Thanksgiving?: IN-LAW ABIDING. Law-abiding.14. Baseball groundskeeper's problem?: INFIELD MOUSE. Field mouse.30. Religious seminary?: INVOCATIONAL SCHOOL. Vocational school.53. Dragon tattoos, e.g.?: INKING OF BEASTS. King of beasts.61. Take out a policy for replacement value?: INSURE ENOUGH. Sure enough. 63. Finding actors for a small-studio film?: INDIE CASTING. Die casting.See how "Down" added the extra elegance to this puzzle? I would have just used "In Front"...

The superb cooking and friendly service at the Mandarin will inspire you to start a new family traditionMandarin Kitchen, 14-16 Queensway, London W2 3RX (020 7727 9012; mandarin.kitchen). Starters and soups £4.30-£13.90, large plates £8.90-£55 (for sharing), desserts £4.20-£8.20, wines from £27.90London has many Chinatowns. They may not be as extensive as the throng around Gerrard Street, but they are very much there. When I was a kid, deep-braised in the sweet soy broth of privilege, my family would go once a year, just after Christmas, to the theatre; to bathe in the spot-lit thrill of the overture, the sequin...

The following animals are available for adoption at the Summit County Animal Shelter. Call the shelter at 970-668-3230 with questions. The most recent list of animals available for adoption can be found on the shelter’s website. Cats Chococat, 3 years, domestic shorthair, tabby calico, spayed female Coffee, 3 years, domestic shorthair, tabby calico, spayed female Cucumber, 7 months, domestic shorthair, black and white, spayed female Dewey, 8 years, domestic longhair, gray and white, neutered male Gidget, 1 year and 1 month, domestic shorthair, tabby calico, spayed female Maggie, 1 year and 8 months, domestic shorthair, gray tabby, spayed female Mocha, 3...

A comforting, savoury rice porridge topped with braised mushrooms and celery pickleCongee is one of my favourite “it’s going to be OK” dishes. For me, it has the same grounding power as a cup of tea or a bath of the perfect temperature after a long day. It’s gentle both to cook and to eat when abrasive or more interesting flavours just don’t feel right, and also it’s light, steadying and customisable beyond infinity. For all these reasons, it’s my first recipe for 2023. Even if you don’t need it now, treat it more like a tool you can whip...