Netherlands wins toss, sends high-flying New Zealand into bat at Cricket World Cup
Netherlands has won the toss and elected to field against a New Zealand lineup that will be missing skipper Kane Williamson for a second successive game at the Cricket World Cup
2023-10-09 16:31
Seasonal affective disorder: Can you eat to improve your mood?
As the clocks go back and the days get shorter, we could all do with a boost in serotonin to fight the winter blues. One way to get just that is a spicy, vibrant, warming meal. Recent studies show that one in three Brits admit to being affected by seasonal affective disorder, with younger adults more likely to experience the mood disorder. In an attempt to lift moods through foods, I’ve created a dish that contains ingredients scientifically proven to boost your mood and warm the winter nights ahead. This beef cheek jungle curry brings the heat, with jungle curry being one of the spiciest curries to come out of Thailand. The chemical capsaicin, found in chillies, acts as an endorphin that makes our body release serotonin, which helps to lift your mood. Originating from northern Thailand, the dish is traditionally cooked out using only stock rather than coconut milk, adding to this fiery curry’s intensity and vibrant orange colour. Research has shown that bright colours can also trigger the release of serotonin to help fight those winter blues. The science Heat It’s reported that even a whiff of ginger can improve your mood. No Thai curry would complete without a healthy amount of ginger and garlic, but it’s fresh chillies that really pack a punch. Capsaicin, a chemical compound found in chillies, triggers the release of endorphins that can boost your mood, and may even reduce stress and anxiety. Increase the heat levels to give yourself a boost, and to keep warm when the cold weather kicks in. Colour Our brains respond to colour by stimulating glands which regulate hormones, including serotonin. Research has shown that bright colours can trigger the release of serotonin, which is responsible for making us feel happy and satisfied. The bright reds of my jungle curry signal excitement to the brain, whilst orange and yellow hues are the feel-good colours of the rainbow, eliciting feelings of happiness, optimism and hope. Lean proteins It’s no secret that protein is vital for a balanced diet. According to mental health charity MIND, diets high in protein can support your mental health. Protein contains amino acids which your brain needs to produce neurotransmitters – these help regulate thoughts and feelings. Beef cheek is inexpensive and packed with protein, it works perfectly in this jungle curry. Beef cheeky jungle curry recipe Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 pot jungle curry Payst 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp coriander roots, washed and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, peeled 2 tbsp wild ginger, krachai, peeled and roughly chopped (regular ginger can be used instead) ½ tbsp coarse sea salt 200g beef cheek, trimmed (any slow cook beef can be used) 2 whole stick lemongrasses, bruised in a pestle 20g galangal, bruised in a pestle 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn slightly to release flavour 2 tbsp table salt 1 whole garlic head, sliced in two across the cloves 4 banana shallots, chopped in half 1 tbsp caster sugar 2 tbsp fish sauce 10g hot Vietnamese mint (optional) 10g betel leaves (optional, spinach can be used instead) 10g coriander 10g Thai sweet basil 10g fresh curry leaves 30g new potatoes, chopped in half 30g green beans 1 head pak choi, core removed and chopped into bite sized pieces. Fresh chillies to taste Method: 1. Firstly, braise the beef cheeks. In a large oven-proof pan submerge the beef cheeks in water and then add the lemongrass sticks, bruised galangal, lime leaves, banana shallots, table salt and whole garlic. Cover the surface of the liquid with parchment paper and the pan with tin foil to protect from the direct heat of the oven and then cook in a pre-heated oven at 100C for 8 hours (this is best cooked overnight). Check the beef cheeks before removing from the oven, they should easily be chopped with a spoon with tenderness. When cooked, remove from the oven and leave to one side to use immediately. 2. In the meantime, cook out the paste. When cooking a jungle curry, it is fried in 2 stages and then boiled, this is for depth of flavour. To start, pound the coriander root, wild ginger and garlic cloves to a paste, using the sea salt as an abrasive. 3. Next heat the vegetable oil in a wok or non-stick pan and then proceed to fry out the paste, scraping and stirring constantly. When the paste begins to darken slightly, add the jungle curry paste and continue to cook out the paste, making sure it doesn’t stick and burn, at this point add the kaffir lime leaves and the lemongrass from the beef braising stock. Continue to fry the paste until it begins to darken in colour and then add the sugar and fry for a further minute until the sugar has caramelised and the paste has darkened a little more. 4. Next de-glaze the pan with the fish sauce, 300ml of beef braising stock and bring to a simmer. Once simmering add the potatoes and continue to simmer for 10 minutes until the potatoes are beginning to soften. At this point add the pak choi, green beans and beef cheeks and use a little more braising stock if needed, then continue to simmer until all ingredients are softened and edible. 5. Lastly add all the herbs and gently toss them through the hot curry and then serve immediately, the curry should be loose, yet rich and spicy with a salty edge. Serve the beef cheek jungle curry in bowls with steamed jasmine rice, if you like top with crispy garlic, shallots and fresh chillies. The winter Mood Boosting recipe has been created by Sebby Holmes, Head Chef and owner of Farang and PAYST Read More The Independent high street Christmas sandwich and drink taste test How to host a dinner party for under £2 per portion Three new cookbooks worth buying, from James Martin to the Hairy Bikers Pearly Cow, Margate, restaurant review: Go for the steak, but stay for the potatoes What does Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt cook at home? Don’t throw away Thanksgiving leftovers - here’s what you can do with them
2023-11-24 14:30
Beyonce orders $2.2K pitta and chicken takeaway to treat her crew during Renaissance world tour
Beyonce ordered 110 chicken burgers, 90 pittas, and nine chicken thighs for her crew members, along with some vegetarian options
2023-05-22 12:25
NFL lets Deshaun Watson slide but takes low-paid Steelers player's entire paycheck
The NFL handed out several fines from this past Monday night's matchup between the Browns and Steelers.
2023-09-25 02:37
Ford decides to keep AM radio on 2024 models, will restore AM on two electric vehicles from 2023
Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all
2023-05-23 23:10
Christiane Amanpour reflects on her 40 years at CNN and explains why her 'be truthful, not neutral' mantra is more vital than ever
Christiane Amanpour still remembers her humble beginnings at CNN.
2023-09-13 12:12
Best Black Friday TV Deals at Walmart: All Sets Under $500
We are in the heart of Black Friday, valiantly snatching deals as they whip by
2023-11-24 23:01
Who is Fousey? Kai Cenat backs YouTuber amid controversy surrounding racial slur during livestream, trolls say 'always trauma dumping'
During a recent live stream on Twitch, Cenat demonstrated his empathetic side by coming to the defense of YouTuber Fousey
2023-08-05 22:05
UAE to Set Up Carbon Registry to Gauge Companies’ Emission Cuts
The United Arab Emirates is developing a carbon registry that will measure companies’ progress in reducing emissions, and
2023-11-16 21:22
'Black Mirror' ep "Demon 79" picked one hell of a disco song to reference
In the midst of all that murder and mayhem in Black Mirror's "Demon 79" lies
2023-06-21 20:15
Man Utd end disastrous week with a second half humbling at Tottenham
Man Utd were defeated at Spurs in the Premier League and questions will now be asked over their decisions in the transfer market, with midfield again overpowered and the attack impotent.
2023-08-20 04:05
Appeals court reinstates gag order that barred Trump from maligning court staff in NY fraud trial
A New York appeals court has reinstated a gag order that barred Donald Trump from commenting about court personnel after he disparaged a law clerk in his New York civil fraud trial
2023-12-01 00:24
You Might Like...
15 Surprising Facts About ’Suits’
Waugh says no 'us versus them' battle but LIV not sustainable
Western Exploration Reports Average of 69.3% Gold Extraction from First Round of Metallurgical Test Work at Doby George, Aura Project, NV
Richard Linklater fears for the future of indie cinema
Get 2 user-friendly drones for the price of one, just $110
Analysis-US corporate debt binge could be hard to sustain
US Wants to Seek UN Approval for Kenya-Led Haiti Force Next Week
Massachusetts teen arrested for allegedly trying to raise money for ISIS with gift card scheme
