The internet can be a strange and mysterious place when it comes to food trends.
Over the past few years, we've had platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to thank for the popularity of the most bizarre-sounding dishes – from pancake cereal to raindrop cakes.
But, just when you think you’ve seen it all, something so outlandish pops up that it warrants a pause to figure out exactly what's going on.
This time, it’s Food Network that's under fire after it posted a recipe and video from one of its chefs, Molly Yeh. The dish? Popcorn salad – and, yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
The recipe combines popcorn with mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, Dijon mustard, peas, carrot, celery and watercress, among other ingredients.
"It's so Midwestern, so quirky and so delicious," Yeh is seen saying in a video posted on social media and viewed more than 1.7 million times.
However, the internet has widely disagreed, with many calling the dish an abomination.
"Got to be a parody," one Twitter user posted.
Another user called it "popcorn violence".
One fan wondered if the coronavirus pandemic was to blame for Yeh's creation.
While another compared it to some people's concerns about Covid-19 vaccines.
Other than the bizarre ingredient combination, one of the biggest issues seems to be about how the salad stays fresh. After all, it would stand to reason that a salad dressing of mayonnaise and sour cream would made the popcorn soggy.
And, as many have pointed out, there is absolutely nothing appealing about soggy popcorn.
While the video was posted weeks ago, it’s now picking up steam. Some have questioned whether Yeh herself likes the dish, with others suggesting recreating it to see if it’s actually any good.
To find out whether that happens, we’ll just have to wait and watch – so grab some popcorn (but maybe hold the salad).
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Read more:
Hot chocolate bombs: How to make the world's latest food trend and where to find them in the UAE
5 top food trends to follow in 2021: from halwa to home cooking
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
