A really great cookbook is harder to come by than you might think. In order to top the list, they need to bring a number of different elements to the party: great ideas, recipes that have been tested and actually work and a few (nicely shot and styled) photos, so that you know what you're aiming for.
Cheffy books such as Rene Redzepi's stunning Noma: Time and Place or Thomas Keller's classic Under Pressure: Cooking Sous Vide have their place, but for most of us this will be on the coffee table, rather than in the kitchen.
Despite having a bookshelf filled with all manner of cookbooks, there are a few that I tend to return to time and time again, and would happily recommend to anyone who likes cooking.
First up is this one:
Jo Pratt's In the Mood for Food is filled with interesting, appetising, achievable recipes. She includes ideas for healthy breakfasts and lunches, suggestions for quick evening meals when time, supplies and spirits are low, recipes for romantic dinners, luxurious treats and much more besides.
The recipes are divided into sections according to mood (hence the title), so if you're "In the Mood for Being Lazy" you'll find plenty of quick, hassle-free dishes that can be whipped up with minimum time and fuss (Greek lamb feta salad, parmesan-crusted chicken and corner-shop curry, for example).
Under the extravagant header, there's everything from cakes and sandwiches for an elegant afternoon tea party to interesting canape ideas and three-course meals that won't send you into a panic. In the "In the Mood for Some Comfort" part, the fish pie with sweet potato topping is a winner on a cold(ish) evening and the roast chicken for two...in one pan tastes great and saves on washing up. I'm also a big fan of her Vietnamese chicken noodle salad.
Jo writes in a fun, friendly way and comes across as a very good home cook, rather than chef - she's not afraid to include the occasional "cheat" ingredient or admit that you don't always need or want to spend hours preparing the evening meal. Recommended.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
SERIES INFO
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
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Elvis
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
NBA Finals so far
(Toronto lead 3-1 in best-of-seven series_
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105