I’m vegetarian, he’s a carnivore: what can I cook that we’ll both like? | Kitchen aide
I’m a lifelong vegetarian, but my boyfriend is a dedicated carnivore,How can I cook to please us both? Victoria, by email “I have three words for you, Victoria,” says Anna Ansari, author of Silk Roads, who grew up in a predominantly vegetarian household: “Di si xian,” Typical of northern China, this stir-fry of aubergine, potato and peppers (otherwise known as the “three treasures”) is laced with soy, Shoaxing wine, white pepper, sugar, cornflour and, in Ansari’s case, doubanjiang,She also adds tofu (the fourth treasure, if you will) for “a rounded, one-pot/wok dinner” to eat with steamed rice,“It reminds me of being a teenager in Beijing, far from home and in need of warmth and comfort,” she says, and we could all do with some of that right now.
“It’s also cheap as proverbial chips, not to mention quick to make, and it will knock both your socks off,Promise,”Mushrooms could also pave the way to harmonious dining,“Surely they’re the closest thing to a natural meat substitute,” says Zak Hitchman, chef/owner of Other in Bristol,He’d be inclined to layer them up in a lasagne: “Slice a load of mixed mushrooms [chestnut, shiitake, oyster], then saute them in oil and butter with some seasoning.
” Next, fry onion, garlic, celery, diced carrot, maybe some rosemary or thyme, until softened, then return the cooked mushrooms to the pot with some tinned tomatoes and tomato puree,“You could bulk it out with tinned lentils,” he says, but either way be sure to include a splash of soy and some miso for “that meaty flavour”, plus any vinegar you have knocking around “for balance”,Cook slowly until reduced, then layer between dried lasagne sheets,“Top that with bechamel [or simply dollop on some mascarpone] and lots of grated parmesan [a vegetarian one, if need be],Drizzle with olive oil and bake until the pasta is soft, the sauce bubbling and the top golden.
”Rob Howell, chef/patron of Root, which recently opened in Bath, also suggests smoothing relations with mushrooms: “Roast a load of them with warming spices [cumin, coriander, allspice] and oil in a hot oven, then skewer for a kebab vibe,” Grill and brush with molasses or “anything a bit soy, a bit sweet, a bit umami”, and serve with flatbread, tahini yoghurt, herbs and pickled red cabbage,We all know that the key to any healthy relationship is compromise, so dinners that welcome a bit of meat or fish plonked alongside are also good to have in your back pocket,You could, Howell suggests, combine butter beans and roast cauliflower puree “for a take on cauliflower cheese”, or cook borlotti beans with veg, blend and top with grilled onions, hazelnut salsa and chilli,Risottos also fall into this happy camp, with pumpkin/squash roasted, mashed and stirred through arborio rice topping Hitchman’s list.
Serve sprinkled with roast chestnuts and pumpkin seeds, plus a chicken thigh or pork chop for the boyfriend.Otherwise, Ansari would be inclined to do a dumpling date: “Roll out the dough, stuff the dumplings – I’m into ground lamb and onion, and mushroom and tofu – grab a drink while they steam, then smother them in browned butter.” There is one final option, Ansari says: “Dump the guy?” Although, surely everyone loves a dumpling, so maybe give those a go first.Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@theguardian.com
‘No contract, no coffee’: what to know about the Starbucks workers’ strike in over 40 US cities
Unionized Starbucks workers are threatening to expand a US strike against the world’s biggest coffee chain into “the largest and longest” in the company’s history – and urging customers to steer clear.Starbucks has said the vast majority of its cafes remain open, and expressed disappointment that Starbucks Workers United launched the strike.Negotiations over the ever first union contract for Starbucks workers in the US broke down in recent months. Both sides have blamed the other.Prominent politicians including Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect, have backed the striking workers
UK inflation dips to 3.6% despite accelerating food price growth – as it happened
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TikTok to give users power to reduce amount of AI content on their feeds
TikTok is giving users the power to reduce the amount of artificial intelligence-made content on their feeds, as it revealed the platform hosts more than 1bn AI videos.The change, which is being tested over the next few weeks before a global rollout, comes as new video-generating tools such as OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo 3 have spurred a surge in AI content online.The Guardian revealed in August that nearly one in 10 of the fastest-growing YouTube channels globally only show AI-generated videos. Many qualify as “AI slop”, the term for low-quality, mass-produced content that is often nonsensical or surreal.Jade Nester, TikTok’s European director of public policy for safety and privacy, said: “We know from our community that many people enjoy content made with AI tools, from digital art to science explainers, and we want to give people the power to see more or less of that, based on their own preferences
Meta wins major US antitrust case and won’t have to break off WhatsApp or Instagram
Meta defeated a major challenge to its business on Tuesday when a US judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking.The case, brought by the US Federal Trade Commission, could have forced the tech giant to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp, with the former FTC chair accusing the company of operating a “buy or bury” scheme against nascent competitors. The tech giant bought WhatsApp for $19bn in 2014. Losing either the image-based social network, which generates an estimated half of Meta’s revenue, or the world’s most popular messaging app could have done existential damage to Meta’s empire.The US district judge James Boasberg issued his ruling on Tuesday after the historic antitrust trial wrapped up in late May
Ashes 2025-26: Guardian writers’ predictions for the series
From pyrotechnics in Perth to the denouement in Sydney, our team of writers outline their hopes and fears for the five TestsAli Martin A full-blooded Ashes tour – both sets of supporters in the stands watching a hard-fought contest – after the pandemic proved something of a buzzkill four years ago.Mark Ramprakash Talented, adaptable cricketers beating Australia rather than the reckless bravado chance-your-arm bullshit of Bazball.Barney Ronay Jofra Archer to Steve Smith on a pacy deck. We’ve waited six years. They say you can’t go back
Daly recalled to face Argentina as Borthwick makes six changes to England
Elliot Daly, Henry Slade, Ben Spencer and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have been named in a reshuffled England XV for their final autumn Test against Argentina on Sunday. Steve Borthwick has made six changes in total, with Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie promoted from the bench.Daly will be on the left wing while Slade will line up at centre against the Pumas as the hosts look to register their 11th successive Test victory. Spencer takes over from Alex Mitchell at scrum-half while Opoku-Fordjour replaces Joe Heyes in the front row.Borthwick’s hand has been partly forced by injuries to Tom Roebuck, Ollie Lawrence and Tommy Freeman
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