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Showing posts from April 29, 2013

Ray J Kim Kardashian: Ray J “I Hit It First” isn’t about Kim Kardashian

Ray J released the music video Monday for his latest single, which he says is not about Kim Kardashian except for the fact that it totally is. The only reason Kardashian is famous is because she made a sex tape one time and it was “leaked” for all the world to see. Ray J, better known as that guy who was in Kim Kardashian’s sex tape, knows this fact all too well, so he decided to capitalize on it. In the song he sings about an unnamed lady who is famous for being in a sex tape and then dating high-profile athletes and rappers. The song is aptly and hilariously titled “I Hit It First” and to be fair, Ray J is kind of correct. However, the D-list R&B singer has insisted that the song is not about Kim. News.yahoo reported But the incredibly obvious lyrics, such as “She might move on to rappers and ball players* / But we all know I hit it first,” and now the music video that stars a Kardashian lookalike — complete with terrible fashion sense and reality TV cameras

Ray J Kim Kardashian: Ray J 'I Hit It First' Romantic paean to Kim Kardashian

Ray J Kim Kardashian are the former lovers but its seems the ray j  'I Hit It First' new video relate to there story. f I had one wish, it would be for blackened Drake (sorry Tyrese, you lost the crown) to sit the hell down and petition for ‘One On One’ to come back for another season. The music video for “I Hit It First” chronicles the tale of how Moesha’s brousin was the fairy godmother in the Cinderella story that is ex-girflriend Kim Kardashian. Lord send me a sponsor worthy of Teairra Mari so he can go buh-buy-buy-buy-buy. Adelaidenow reported You can go ahead and press play if you want, or log on YouTube and watch tutorials on how to properly fade your drawn on eyebrows. I’m pretty sure you can decide which is more important.

Chad Johnson homeless man: Chad Johnson taken homeless man shopping

Chad Johnson homeless man went to shopping. The NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson helped a homeless man out this past weekend by taking him out on the town, including shopping and buying him a drink, reported Black Sports Online on April 28. Johnson is known for being both kind and approachable, traits that are not always associated with celebrities and professional athletes. When the homeless man, named Pork Chop, asked Johnson for a beer, he gave him much more. As is popular these days, Johnson took to Twitter to document the encounter, posting both photos and anecdotes from their adventures. Examiner reported Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is currently looking for his next gig in the big leagues. He enjoyed much success with the Cincinatti Bengals, but has bounced around with other teams after that stint ended. He was most recently on the Miami Dolphins roster, but was dropped after an arrest for domestic battery.

Chad Johnson homeless man: Chad Johnson takes homeless man shopping

Chad Johnson homeless man went to shopping. The NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson helped a homeless man out this past weekend by taking him out on the town, including shopping and buying him a drink, reported Black Sports Online on April 28. Johnson is known for being both kind and approachable, traits that are not always associated with celebrities and professional athletes. When the homeless man, named Pork Chop, asked Johnson for a beer, he gave him much more. As is popular these days, Johnson took to Twitter to document the encounter, posting both photos and anecdotes from their adventures. Examiner reported Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is currently looking for his next gig in the big leagues. He enjoyed much success with the Cincinatti Bengals, but has bounced around with other teams after that stint ended. He was most recently on the Miami Dolphins roster, but was dropped after an arrest for domestic battery.

Chad Johnson homeless man: Johnson helps homeless man clean up

Chad Johnson homeless man good deed hit Twitter over the weekend as the former NFL star promoted his own good deed. According to Fox Sports on April 29, Johnson tweeted about his experiences hanging out with a homeless man named PorkChop. The tweets started when Johnson said he gave PorkChop a "G-shock" watch so he can tell the time and jammed out to music from Johnson's iPhone. Next, they posted a photo of them together. He next said his plans was to simulate what the Kardashians did by cleaning up a homeless guy and taking him out. Later, Johnson said that PorkChop didn't know his own last name, but he bought him some new clothes at Urban Outfitters and then took him to a nightclub called Cameo and promised him free alcohol and a possibility of getting laid. It was a night that PorkChop might never forget. If this sounds too strange to be true, you might not be familiar with Chad Johnson. The former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots wide receiver has alwa

Chad Johnson homeless man: Chad Johnson took homeless guy to Urban

Chad Johnson homeless man spends time together when Chad Johnson, the troubled former NFL star who is looking for a second chance in the league, recently stumbled upon another man who was down on his luck. The 35-year-old Johnson sent out a series of tweets Saturday suggesting that he was hanging out with a homeless man known as "Pork Chop." Johnson's adventure started with a tweet that read , "Homeless dude asked for a beer, I bought him a case of a 24 n a pack of Newports, we balling together f--- it... " After buying Pork Chop the cigarettes and beer, Johnson tweeted that he gave the man a watch so he could tell what time it was. After sitting down with Pork Chop for a drink, Johnson had an interesting idea: It is questionable to make decisions based on the Kardashian family's reality show, but Johnson went for it. He appears to have taken Pork Chop to Urban Outfitters, where Johnson bought him some new clothes. thepostgame reported Johnson later tweeted

Ponytail stunt death: Stuntman Sailendra Nath has Heart Attack

Ponytail stunt death horrified onlookers when lot of onlookers gathered at the Teesta river in West Bengal, India. Sailendra Nath Roy, 48, was attempting a stunt where he crossed the river suspended by a zip wire attached to his ponytail. According to the BBC on April 29 , Roy died after suffering a heart attack. Roy was trying to cross the Coronation Bridge, and sources indicate this was one of many dangerous stunts like this he had attempted over the years. In fact, he did a similar ponytail stunt in 2007 when he was filmed by television cameras flying from one building to another. Police say that Roy did not have permission to be on the bridge doing this stunt. The ponytail stunt death happened as Sailendra Nath Roy walked across a zip wire 70 feet above the river. It seems he had made it approximately half the distance across when he started to struggle. About 30 minutes later, he became still. He was reportedly hanging for about 45 minutes before police could get him down from the

Phil Jackson cancer: Reveals Phil had prostate cancer in 2011

Phil Jackson cancer was recently revealed that in March 2011, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. According to a report by Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register, Jackson postponed surgery until after the season, instead opting to control the cancer temporarily using drugs. "Shocking," Pau Gasol told the OC Register of the news Jackson revealed in hopes of giving the team extra motivation. "But then you also could understand certain moments of his demeanor, energy and involvement because of what he was going through health-wise. It explained certain things. It was a shock. A difficult moment for the team.” Foxsportswest reported Unfortunately for Jackson's bid for ring No. 12, not all Lakers were as inspired as the Zen Master would have liked. Although the team went 12-1 that March, things came to a crashing end soon after. In Game 2 of the second round against the eventual champion Dallas Mavs, Metta World Peace - then known Ron Artest - was suspende

Phil Jackson cancer Battle Revealed in His Book

Phil Jackson cancer battle in 2011 is a big part of his upcoming book, “Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success.” Jackson was coaching the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, and Yahoo! Sports shared the details on April 28 of how the illness impacted the team's playoffs. Jackson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2011, but he did not tell his team until two months later. The Los Angeles Lakers were in the midst of a playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks when Phil Jackson's cancer news was shared with them. The book details how Jackson sensed the team needed something to push them, so after talked with captains Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant, Jackson shared the news. It was, of course, a difficult time for the team. Phil Jackson had decided to delay his needed surgery until after the season was complete, and some players apparently found that difficult to know. The team was eliminated from the playoffs that year after some very challenging moments and losses. Phil Jacks

Phil Jackson cancer

Phil Jackson cancer, last time the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs (as could happen Sunday as the Lakers trail the Spurs 3-0) it was 2011, when the Lakers were the title defenders. The Dallas Mavericks made short work of Los Angeles in the second round (and went on to win a title). After that loss, Phil Jackson walked away from the Lakers as coach. Trying to motivate his team during that playoffs Phil Jackson told the players he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. That was not made public at the time but is part of Jackson’s book “11 Rings” that comes out in May , and was reported now by Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register . Jackson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2011. After doctors assured him the cancer could be controlled by drugs temporarily, Jackson waited until after the season to undergo surgery. Jackson decided to divulge his situation to his players when he sensed the team was lacking something in the playoffs. “Shocking,” Pau Gasol said Saturday,

Ponytail stunt death

Ponytail stunt death, An Indian daredevil died during a botched stunt that involved him going across a zipline with his ponytail. Sailendra Nath Roy, 49, held the Guinness World Record for covering the most distance on a zipline hanging by his hair. But when he tried to cross the River Teesta on Sunday in West Bengal on a 600-foot-wire above the water, he hit a snag. His hair got caught halfway and he could not move. Roy started screaming as he tried to inch forward, according to witnesses. “Roy tried frantically to get hold of a second rope to reach the finishing point,” police officer K. Jayaraman told the AFP news agency. After around 20 minutes, he went limp and was rescued by local people. He was declared dead by a suspected heart attack when he was sent to a hospital 280 miles away. The BBC reported that Roy hung by his hair for around 45 minutes before he was taken down. “He was desperately trying to move forward. He was trying to scream out some instruction. But no one could f

Beatles record broken: Emeli Sande makes history Smashes The Beatles chart record

Beatles record broken by Emeli Sande Official Chart history Smashing The Beatles chart record, Our Version Of Events leaps ahead of The Beatles' Please Please Me to spend the most consecutive weeks in Top 10 of any debut album. Emeli Sandé’s chart success shows no signs of slowing, as the Scottish singer/songwriter today makes Official Chart history. The Official Charts Company can confirm that Emeli Sandé has smashed The Beatles’ chart record of spending the most consecutive weeks in the UK’s Official Albums Chart Top 10 of any debut album. Our Version Of Events, the debut release from the 2012 BRITs Critics Choice winner which was released in February of last year and went on to become the biggest selling album of 2012, has not dropped out of the Top 10 since its release - that’s a staggering 63 weeks! In doing so, Sandé overtakes British music icons The Beatles who held the record for almost 50 years previously with Please Please Me. The debut album from the Fab Four spent 62 w

Beatles record broken: Emeli Sandé Blows a Beatles Chart Record

Beatles record broken by the Scottish artist Emeli Sandé. Beatles fended off all contenders for half a century, but the Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé has toppled one of the band’s longest-standing chart records. Ms. Sandé’s debut album, “Our Version of Events,” has spent the last 63 weeks in the British top 10, surpassing the 62 consecutive weeks that the Beatles’ debut, “Please Please Me,” spent in the top 10 in 1963 and 1964. Ms. Sandé’s status as the new record-holder for the most tenacious debut album was announced on Sunday by the Official Charts Company , a British organization that has been overseeing these records for the last 60 years, and whose charts are broadcast weekly by the BBC, and published in Music Week. Ny-times reported Ms. Sandé, 26, has been writing music inspired by Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill, often with a social or political undercurrent, since she was 11, and had a songwriting contract with EMI Music Publishing before she was signed by Virgin Records

Ponytail stunt death: India's Stuntman dead for hanging on a wire with his ponytail

Ponytail stunt death caused due to hanging on a wire with his ponytail. The stunt that involved him going across a zipline with his ponytail Guinness Book of World Records is full of individuals who have put their lives at risk in order to gain notoriety as the ‘best.’ An Indian man named Sailendra Nath Roy, who already holds a Guinness World Record for the category of ‘traveling the farthest distance on a zip wire attached to hair’ died Sunday after trying to recreate the stunt, according to a One News Page report from April 29 . Roy was performing the feat in front of spectators over the Teesta River in West Bengal Sunday. He was suspended from a 180-meter-long zip wire at a height of 20 meters. Witnesses say that Roy had progressed about halfway across the wire, but suddenly began to struggle and was unable to go any further. After a few moments, he went still. It took approximately 45 minutes to bring Roy down from the wire. No emergency personnel were standing by for his stunt. Th

Beatles record broken: Emeli Sandé broke record held by The Beatles for 50 years

Beatles record broken by the Scottish singer Emeli Sandé broke a record held by The Beatles for 50 years yesterday when her debut album, Our Version of Events, stayed in the top 10 of the UK albums chart for a 63rd week. It's the longest time a debut album has stayed in the top 10: The Beatles' 1963 record Please Please Me spent 62 weeks. Sande's album was released in February 2012 and has already broken 100,000 sales in a week three times. Telegraph music critic James Lachno said the record was "a hugely impressive introduction to a dynamic, arresting talent". Telegraph reports Our Version of Events has sold 1.82 million copies and three UK number one singles have been released from it: Read All About It with rapper Professor Green, Beneath Your Beautiful, a collaboration with musician Labrinth, and Next to Me, the third most played pop song of 2012. “This record is so significant to me for many different reasons. I’m so happy and I’m thankful to you all. W

Jersey Shore actor hospital

Jersey Shore actor hospital, One of the actor's from MTV's "Jersey Shore" is paying a visit to the hospital, and it is because of a lot of pain. The Huffington Post reported on Monday, April 29, 2013, that Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, simply known as just "Ronnie" to so many, has been hospitalized and is being treated for possible kidney stones . The 27-year-old is in a Florida hospital per the actor's representative. "Ronnie was admitted to an Orlando area hospital late Saturday night," the Jersey Shore star's rep says. "He's in a lot of pain and is expected to remain there for several days." Word is already out that some of his "Jersey Shore" mates have gotten news of where he is located. It is reported that his 26-year-old girlfriend, Sammi Giancola, is on her way to be by his side while he is in the hospital. Ortiz-Magro was in Orlando already to promote Smush Cocktails, his new alcohol line. While promoti

Denise Richards skinny: Denise Super-skinny with Thin arms pictured

Denise Richards skinny look with thin arms was pictured recently. She once starred as a curvaceous Bond Girl opposite Pierce Brosnan where she displayed her enviable figure in a series of revealing outfits. But more than ten years on from The World Is Not Enough, Denise Richards appears to have taken her diet and exercise regime to extreme levels. The 42-year-old actress looked shockingly thin as she stepped out in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles on Monday, showing a gaunt face and skeletal arms which seemed to age her almost overnight. The big shrink: Denise Richards showed a gaunt face and skeletal arms as she picked up her daughters from a gymnastics class in Calabasas on Monday. The big shrink: Denise Richards showed a gaunt face and skeletal arms as she picked up her daughters from a gymnastics class in Calabasas on Monday. Despite sporting a loose fitting sleeveless top, there was no disguising Denise's extremely thin frame and lack of body fat. The former wife of Charlie

The man who has eaten at 6,300 different Chinese restaurants across America

A Chinese food lover has eaten at 6,300 different restaurants and travelled across America feeding his obsession with Oriental cuisine. But despite eating Chinese food all his life, David Chan still cannot use chopsticks. Mr Chan's quest began in earnest after college when he tried to eat at every Chinese restaurant in his home city of Los Angeles. His passion for the cuisine has since taken him to 50 states. The 64-year-old accountant has charted every meal on an Excel spreadsheet and over the past 58 years, Mr Chan has tried a new Chinese restaurant on average every three days. His incredible feat is even more remarkable as Mr Chan hated Chinese food when he was a child. The third-generation Asian-American preferred spaghetti or meatloaf until he discovered the joys of Chinese food when he was at college. Such is Mr Chan’s expertise on Chinese food that restaurant critics often ask him for suggestions on good places to try and he has also written about the country’s cuisine and

Jersey Shore actor hospital: Ronnie hospitalized for kidney stone

Jersey Shore actor hospitalized with kidney stones its was being reported the actor was admitted late Saturday night. The famous "Jersey Shore" actor Ronnie Ortiz-Magro has ended up in the hospital. On April 29, The Huffington Post reported that Ronnie is being treated for kidney stones. Ronnie had to go into the hospital late on Saturday night. He was in a lot of pain and they found it he had kidney stones. The reality TV star is expected to stay in the hospital for several days while he is treated and gets rid of the stones. Ortiz-Magro has been tweeting and not saying a lot yet. He said "hospital" and also that kidney stones were something he would never wish on anyone. He was put in the hospital in Orlando. He was there to help promote Smush Cocktails at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention. This is his new line of alcohol. Hopefully the "Jersey Shore" actor will heal quickly. Kidney stones is terrible pain and luckily he is at the

Celebrity chefs 'exacerbate Britain's obesity crisis

Nigella Lawson and other celebrity chefs are 'exacerbating' the country's obesity crisis by encouraging people to eat dishes packed with fat, a new study has warned. Nutrition experts tested more than 900 recipes from 26 famous cooks and found 87 per cent fell 'substantially short' of the Government's healthy eating recommendations. Just 13 per cent recommended ingredients that would create a healthy meal based on guidelines devised by the Government's Food Standards Agency. Nigella Lawson was one of the celebrity chefs whose recipes were tested by nutrition experts Researchers from Coventry University, who are publishing their findings today, refused to name the chefs involved beyond making clear they are household names. However, previous studies have shamed the likes of Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein, Jean-Christophe Novelli and John Burton-Race. Nigella's most recent TV series and book for the BBC, Nigellissima, was promoted with images of the cook l

Stilton's boost in cheese war: Village aims to win back right to make famous blue that bears its name

A great British cheese is under threat -- because young people are afraid to eat the mould, according to a new report yesterday. Sales of Blue Stilton have plummeted among younger age groups, and most people who buy the traditional delicacy are approaching middle age, the latest research shows. Industry experts say that the number of people under 45 buying Blue Stilton has dropped by 18 per cent in the last two years alone. Consumption by those under 30 has slumped by 23 per cent and few people under 25 would consider buying it regularly. But cheese experts are warning that if the trend continues it could mean that Blue Stilton, which has been in production in the UK for almost 300 years, would only be available overseas. Now The Co-op has decided to step in to lend British Stilton producers a helping hand. It has issued an emergency SOS - Save Our Stilton - to shoppers to protect Blue Stilton’s unique flavours and taste. Said Co-operative cheese buyer Mark Cloudy: “ This cheese is pa

Now your frothy coffee and muffin is blamed for Britain's childhood obesity crisis

Blame for the child obesity crisis has been laid squarely at the door of coffee shops such as Starbucks – and parents who allow youngsters to snack. Plain-speaking health minister Anna Soubry accused coffee chains of tempting children with large syrup-laden coffees topped with marshmallows and cream, followed by an enormous muffin. She warned that young people have no idea how many calories they consume because most outlets do not provide such details on their walls. Frothy coffees and mid-morning muffins have been blamed for fuelling Britain's obesity crisis by health minister Anna Soubry Miss Soubry, 56, said: ‘I have no problem with coffee shops, but young people go in and have a large coffee – not a small one – which has syrup in it. ‘It might have marshmallows on top, and then perhaps another little dollop of cream, because it is just a snack, a treat or elevenses. ‘“And by the way”, they say, “I think I’ll have one of those very nice muffins”. They do not know how many

Sweat dripping into sauces and hair dangling on food

Masterchef bosses have been criticised by viewers for allowing contestants to get away with 'stomach-turning' hygiene standards on the show. Viewers of the hit BBC1 programme, hosted by judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, say they have been turned off the cookery contest by the contestants' kitchen habits. In one episode, viewers watched as a contestant's sweat dripped into a sauce, while in another a female chef's long hair was seen dangling over her lamb tagine. Masterchef bosses have been criticised after viewers complained about a contestant's sweat dripping into a sauce. Elsewhere, a female chef's long hair was seen dangling over her lamb tagine Masterchef judge John Torode speaks to the contestants during one of the episodes Other turn-offs included contestants wearing jewellery and nail varnish in the kitchen and cross-contamination of food. Viewers have posted on a BBC message board complaning about the standards of hygiene. One poster on t

Espressimo! Salt caramel espresso sundae

Whisk 150g · 5oz dulce de leche or Nestlé caramel with ¼ tsp fine sea salt and 2 tbsp cold espresso in a small bowl until smooth, cover and chill until required (it will keep well for several days). Have ready 1 x 500ml tub chocolate ice cream such as Green & Black’s. Peel and finely slice 2 bananas. Divide or layer the ingredients to your liking in bowls or drop a scoop of ice cream in the base of 4 tall sundae glasses, scatter over half the banana, drizzle ½ tbsp of the caramel sauce on top, and then repeat with the ice cream and banana. Dollop over 1 tbsp of whipped cream, drizzle over the rest of the sauce and scatter over some finely sliced pecans, or pop half a Flake in the top.

Recipe: Asparagus curd tart

Makes 1 x 23cm • 9in tart 1 x 500g packet shortcrust pastry or for home-made see you.co.uk flour for rolling Filling 600g • 22oz finger-thick asparagus 200g • 7oz quark 1 medium egg separated 40g • 1½ oz unsalted butter melted sea salt and black pepper 200g • 7oz feta diced 150g • 5oz cherry tomatoes halved 1 tbsp good olive oil Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Have ready a 23cm • 9in loose-bottom tart tin. Roll out the pastry thinly on a lightly floured surface, lift and press it carefully into the tin, run a rolling pin over the top to trim the edges and reserve the trimmings. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, tucking it over the top to secure the pastry to the tin, and weight with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes, remove the foil and beans, patch cracks if any with pastry trimmings and return to the oven for 10 minutes more or until lightly coloured. Trim the asparagus (discard the trimmings at the point where the stems become visibly tough and peel thicker s

Bring home the bakeoff! Bunch of roses madeleines

Baking these madeleines for someone is a far better ‘I love you’ than a bunch of flowers. Makes 16 100g (3½oz) salted butter 100g (3½oz) caster sugar 2 eggs 100g (3½oz) plain flour, sifted A few drops of rosewater For the fondant icing 200g (7oz) ready-to-roll fondant icing 40ml (1½fl oz) water A few drops of rosewater Pink or red food colouring 100g (3½oz) white chocolate Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/gas 5 and place a madeleine tin in the freezer. Melt the butter until it just starts to brown. Set aside. Beat the sugar and eggs for 4 minutes or until frothy and falling in ribbons from the whisk. Add the flour and butter down the side of the bowl so you don’t deflate the mix, then fold in until smooth. Add rosewater to taste. Remove the tin from the freezer and spoon about 2tsp of batter into each hole. Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to brown. Remove from the tins and cool on a wire rack. Beat the icing until it breaks up, then add the water and whisk un

Espressimo! Coffee victoria

MAKES 1 x 20cm · 8in CAKE 225g · 8oz unsalted butter softened plus extra for tin 225g · 8oz golden caster sugar 4 medium eggs 225g · 8oz self-raising flour 2 tsp baking powder 100ml · 3½ fl oz cold espresso FILLING 100g · 3½ oz unsalted butter softened 100g · 3½ oz icing sugar sifted 1 tbsp cold espresso ICING 150g · 5oz icing sugar sifted 2 tbsp cold espresso 30g · 1¼ oz unsalted butter softened TO FINISH chunks or shavings of fudge or walnut halves icing sugar for dusting ♥ Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Butter two 20cm · 8in loose-bottomed cake tins at least 4cm · 1½ in deep and line the bases with baking paper. ♥ Using an electric whisk on high speed, first whisk the butter in a large bowl for 1-2 minutes until very pale and fluffy, then add the sugar and continue to whisk for another 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well with each addition until the mixture is amalgamated. Sift and whisk in the flour and baking powder in two goes, just lightly, then

Recipe: Asparagus beetroot and pistachio salad

SERVES 4 600g • 22oz white or green asparagus as in season 250g • 9oz cooked and peeled unvinegared beetroot 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp rapeseed oil sea salt and black pepper 1 head of black garlic cloves peeled 2 handfuls of baby leaves for example ruby chard and lamb’s lettuce 30g • 1¼ oz pistachios coarsely chopped optional Trim the asparagus (discard the trimmings at the point where the stems become visibly tough and peel thicker stems as necessary). Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the asparagus and cook for 5-6 minutes for white asparagus, or until just tender when you cut the thickest section using a sharp knife. Drain in a colander and refresh under the cold tap to stop any further cooking, then set aside to cool. Trim, halve and thinly slice the beetroot, dress with the vinegar and oil, season with salt and pepper, then mix in the garlic. Divide the asparagus among four plates, spoon the beetroot over, then scatter over a few baby leaves and drizzle o

Bring home the bakeoff! Salted Peanut and Chocolate Florentines

hese are inspired by Nigella Lawson’s Nut Bars, which are an absolute favourite of mine. Makes about 12 60g (2oz) unsalted butter 60g (2oz) light brown muscovado sugar 2tsp liquid glucose 4 dried apricots, finely chopped 150g (5½oz) salted peanuts, roughly crushed 1½tbsp plain flour 100g (3½oz) dark chocolate, broken up Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. Place the butter, sugar and glucose in a small saucepan and set over a medium heat. Stir until everything has melted and mixed together. Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining ingredients, stirring well until everything is well mixed and the peanuts and apricots are coated in the sweet, buttery syrup. Dollop teaspoonfuls of the mixture on to the baking sheets, leaving large gaps between each one to allow the florentines to spread. Bake for 6-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the baking sheets. Once cool, they should be bronzed and hard. Peel the baking p

Espressimo! Mocha mousse cake

MAKES 1 x 20cm · 8in CAKE 250g · 9oz dark chocolate about 50 per cent cocoa 250g · 9oz unsalted butter diced plus extra for the tin 1 heaped tbsp light muscovado sugar 50ml · 2fl oz cold espresso 1 tsp dark rum 6 medium eggs separated 50g · 2¼ oz ground almonds cocoa for dusting ♥ Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter a 20cm · 8in loose-bottomed cake tin about 8cm · 3¼ in deep. ♥ Break up the chocolate and gently melt it with the butter and muscovado sugar in a large mixing bowl set over a pan containing a little simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth and combined (if necessary, you can give it a quick whisk). Stir in the espresso and rum. ♥ Whisk the egg yolks for a couple of minutes in a medium bowl using an electric whisk until very pale, moussey and doubled in volume. Fold into the chocolate and butter mixture, followed by the ground almonds. ♥ Using clean beaters, whisk the egg whites until stiff in a large bowl and fold into the chocolate base in thre

Recipe: Crispy salmon with lemon asparagus mimosa

SERVES 4 MIMOSA 4 medium eggs SALMON sea salt and black pepper 4 x 150g • 5oz salmon fillets skinned optional splash of oil for frying ASPARAGUS 500g • 18oz finger-thick asparagus 25g • 1oz salted butter ½ tsp finely grated lemon zest plus a generous squeeze of lemon juice 4 tbsp coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley At least 30 minutes before eating, bring a small pan of water to the boil, add the eggs and cook for 10 minutes, then drain, refill with cold water and leave to cool. Separate the whites and yolks. Discard two of the whites. Finely chop the yolks and remaining whites, combine (this is the ‘mimosa’) and set aside. Meanwhile, season the salmon, either leaving the fillets whole or cutting them into pieces. Trim the asparagus and cut in half if long (discard the trimmings at the point where the stems become visibly tough and peel thicker stems as necessary). About 10 minutes before eating, have a large pan of salted water on the boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 4-5 minut

Bring home the bakeoff! Tropical fruit pavlova

've dedicated this recipe to my mum, who has to be the best pavlova maker in the world. She makes the gooiest, fluffiest meringue ever, and she isn't one to faff about – she adds nothing but egg whites and sugar and lets the oven do the work. Serves 10-12 5 egg whites 285g (10oz) sugar 600ml (20fl oz) double cream 5 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced 200g (7oz) raspberries 200g (7oz) strawberries, hulled and halved 200g (7oz) blueberries ½ a mango, flesh diced into 1cm (½in) cubes 3 passion fruit, pulp only Icing sugar to dust (optional) Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Line a baking sheet with baking paper. Using a piece of A4 paper as a template, draw a rectangle on the baking paper. This will be the size of your meringue. To make the meringue, place the egg whites in a large, metal mixing bowl and whisk to stiff peaks using a hand-held electric mixer. Continue whisking on a medium speed and add the sugar a tablespoon at a time, whisking for 5 seconds or so af

Espressimo! Latte jellies

SERVES 6 6 gelatine leaves (for example Dr Oetker) 250ml · 9fl oz hot espresso 125g · 4½ oz golden caster sugar 550ml · 19fl oz single cream TO SERVE 150ml · 5fl oz double cream drinking chocolate powder or cocoa for dusting chocolate coffee beans optional ♥ Cut the gelatine into broad strips, place these in a large bowl, cover with cold water and leave to soak for 5 minutes, then drain. Pour over the hot espresso and stir to melt. Stir in the sugar and leave for 15-20 minutes, stirring now and again until completely dissolved. Stir in the cream and divide the solution among six 150ml · 5fl oz tea or coffee cups or individual glasses. ♥ Place on or in a tray or baking tray (for ease of handling) and cover with clingfilm, without allowing it to touch the surface of the jellies. Chill for half a day until set, or overnight. ♥ Whisk the double cream in a medium-size bowl until it forms soft, fluffy peaks, then dollop on top of the jellies. Dust with drinking chocolate powder or cocoa

Recipe: Asparagus, pea and mint soup

SERVES 4 300g • 11oz finger-thick or sprue asparagus 5 tbsp good olive oil 5 shallots peeled halved and thinly sliced 1 celery heart trimmed and thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped sea salt and black pepper 300g • 11oz shelled peas 900ml • 1½ pt chicken stock 20g • ¾ oz mint leaves OPTIONAL FINISHES olive oil for drizzling extra small mint leaves for decoration freshly grated parmesan Trim and thickly slice the asparagus (discard the trimmings at the point where the stems become visibly tough and peel thicker stems as necessary). Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the shallots, celery and garlic and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and relaxed, stirring frequently. Add the asparagus, season and cook for 3-4 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until glossy, then stir in the peas. Add the stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Whiz the soup with the mint in batches in a food processor until smooth with a little textur

Bring home the bakeoff! My grand Almond and Pear Crown Torte

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