Don’t chuck your parmesan rind – it is an excellent stock cube – recipe | Waste not
Parmesan rinds are the ultimate zero-waste hack – like a cheesy stock cube, they enrich stews, sauces and all sorts, and add pure deliciousness in the form of umami depth and creamy texture,Stored in the fridge or freezer, they keep almost indefinitely,This week’s recipe uses them in a thrifty, creamy corn orzo that transforms a few simple ingredients into comforting autumn fare,This dish was a happy accident, and left me and my family drooling for more,I was planning a classic tomato orzo to use up that half-bag in the cupboard left over from making a pasta salad, but wanted something more seasonal.
Fresh corn cobs are one of autumn’s fleeting treats, as short-lived as asparagus, and during their brief season I eat them weekly.In the spirit of this column, I thought it would be good to use the whole cob – not just the sweet kernels, but also the starchy, flavourful pulp and the spent cobs.That extra flavour, combined with a parmesan rind, onion, butter and a splash of cream or water, turns a single cob into a generous and deeply satisfying dish for two.Serves 2 generously1 fresh corn cob 50g butter 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped250g orzo 40-50g parmesan rind – grate off and reserve any remaining cheese100ml double cream, optional Salt and black pepperExtra-virgin olive oil, to finishTo get the most flavour from your corn cob, stand it on one end, cut off the kernels in long strips, then break up the cobs by hand.Next, using a spoon, quickly scrape the starchy, milky pulp from the cobs into a bowl.
Put the spent cobs in a pan with 750ml water, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer, cover and leave to cook on a low heat.Melt the butter in a second large pan on a medium-low heat.Add the onion and garlic, cook gently, stirring, for about five minutes, until soft, then add the corn kernels and orzo, and saute for three minutes.Add the parmesan rind, double cream, if using, and the reserved corn pulp, bring to a simmer and cook for two minutes, stirring to make sure the mix doesn’t catch and burn.Strain the hot corn stock into the orzo pan, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for about seven minutes, until the orzo is al dente and the mixture is loose and creamy; add a little extra water to loosen, if need be.
Season to taste, and serve topped with extra butter and a sprinkling of the reserved grated parmesan.
Dozens of Labour MPs warn of chaos for firms over gender recognition advice
Dozens of Labour MPs have written to ministers warning that upcoming regulations on how to implement rules on gender recognition could cause chaos for many businesses.In a private letter to the business secretary, Peter Kyle, the MPs said they had been contacted by large numbers of companies that were deeply alarmed at the implications of the guidance, citing significant potential costs and a “minefield” of competing legal rights.Ministers are still considering the final guidance, drafted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), so it is not yet public. Sources at the watchdog, however, have briefed that it is broadly similar to interim advice issued shortly after April’s landmark supreme court ruling that sex in the Equality Act refers only to biological sex.The interim advice, which was withdrawn last week, said the supreme court ruling meant transgender people should not be allowed to use toilets meant for the gender they live as, and that in some cases they could not use toilets consistent with their birth sex
Care Quality Commission chief quits over maternity inquiry into NHS trust he led
The chief executive of the Care Quality Commission has quit after the announcement of an independent inquiry into maternity failings at an NHS trust he led for a decade.Sir Julian Hartley said staying in his current role was “incompatible” with the investigation into Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust (LTH), which he led for 10 years until 2023, and said it could “undermine trust and confidence in the regulator”.In a statement, he said: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision. However, I feel that my current role as chief executive of CQC has become incompatible with the important conversations happening about care at LTH, including during the time I was chief executive there.“I am so sorry for the fact that some families suffered harm and loss during this time
NHS health checks in England to have questions on menopause for first time
NHS health checks are to include questions about the menopause for the first time, ministers have announced, with millions of women in England expected to benefit.Adults aged from 40 to 74 who do not have a pre-existing long-term health condition are eligible for an NHS health check every five years. The checks are intended to identify those at higher risk of heart and kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and stroke.The checks will also include questions about the menopause, which the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimates could help as many as 5 million women. The questions will be written over the next few months and ministers hope the change will take effect from 2026
The housing crisis needs better solutions than this | Letters
John Harris’s article on poverty and housing in the UK’s hinterlands is both moving and a vital element of the combined analytical framework that describes the situation in modern Britain (A waiting list of thousands, and just five new homes for social rent: this city shows the depth of Britain’s housing crisis, 19 October).Harris notes, though, that “On the upside, the renters’ rights bill … is about to receive royal assent”. I appreciate the sentiment, but it misses two vital points. First, does anyone believe that a bill imagined by the previous Tory government and written by this current Labour one will be effectively worded and enforced? This would require courage and competence.Second, and more importantly, the new bill actively alienates landlords rather than viewing them as partners in a process of reciprocal and mutual need
Samaritans accused of stifling dissent and bullying over branch closure plans
Samaritans has been accused of bullying behaviour and shutting down dissent after suspending a number of senior volunteers who spoke out publicly against its controversial plans to close as many as half of its 200 UK branches.The mental health charity suspended at least two of its branch directors and one former branch director on Tuesday, 48 hours before its annual general meeting.It refused to elaborate on the suspensions other than to say complaints had been received about “the recent conduct of a small number of volunteers” and that these would be investigated “in the normal way”.One volunteer said the suspensions had been greeted with outrage and disbelief. “It’s petty and stupid and self-defeating,” they said
NHS staff: have you seen or been affected by violence in hospital?
According to the Royal College of Nursing, incidents of violence against A&E nurses have almost doubled over the last six years, often due to people being frustrated at waiting so long for care. Incidents include nurses being punched, spat at and pinned up against a wall.We would like to hear from NHS staff about their experiences of seeing or being the victim of violence in hospitals. What happened and was the incident reported? If the police were involved, what was the outcome?You can tell us about your experiences of violence in the NHS by filling in the form below, or messaging us.Please include as much detail as possible
UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits record high – as it happened
Oil price jumps and FTSE 100 hits new high after Trump puts sanctions on Russian firms
Nothing Ear 3 review: good-looking earbuds with ‘Super Mic’ party trick
Tesla reports steep drop in profits despite US rush to buy electric vehicles
India beat New Zealand to secure last Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final spot – as it happened
Women’s marathon world record-holder Chepngetich handed three-year doping ban