Rise of the ‘daycap’: is this the end of late-night drinking?

Forget nightcaps – an afternoon tipple is the new way to squeeze socialising into your evening, while still getting to bed on time. A great idea or a recipe for disaster?Name: The daycap.Age: As old as fermentation, and impatience.Appearance: Nothing new, under the sun.It’s not a hat, then

Supermarket hot cross bun taste test: Choice gives top score to a chocolate bun

Some might be scandalised by the idea of a hot cross bun containing anything other than fruit. But in the annual taste test of supermarket hot cross buns, consumer advocacy group Choice has awarded one of its highest-ever scores to a less than traditional product.This year Choice tested 15 buns from Coles, Woolworths, IGA, Aldi and Bakers Delight, including traditional fruit, chocolate and gluten-free varieties.Woolworths Bakery Chocolate Hot Cross Buns Made With Cadbury Milk Chocolate Chips, which cost 73c a bun, received an overall score of 95%, taking out first place in the chocolate bun category. That is one of the highest scores in Choice’s 10-year history of hot cross bun taste tests

‘Tinderbox’ UK may be one shock away from food riots, experts say

One shock could spark social unrest and even food riots in the UK, according to dozens of the country’s top food experts, because chronic issues have left the food system a “tinderbox”.The group first identified a series of issues that are making access to food vulnerable in the UK, including the climate crisis, low incomes, poor farming policy and fragile just-in-time supply chains. These have left the UK dangerously exposed, the researchers said.They then analysed the shocks that could tip this vulnerable system into a full-blown food crisis, with major extreme weather events, cyber-attacks or international conflicts ranked top. These shocks would hit supply chains and push up food prices, which could lead to increased social tension and hidden market sales of unsafe food and, in the worst-case scenario, civil unrest or riots

Georgina Hayden’s quick and easy recipe for roast butternut squash, halloumi and avocado tacos | Quick and easy

Taco night has become a weekly occasion in our house – something all ages and palates can get on board with. We like to switch up the protein depending on the season and our cravings, but this is our current vegetarian favourite. It’s not traditional by any means, but a wonderful way to get a rainbow of veg into our diets. The cubes of halloumi are joyful when roasted, as are the pops of toasted spiced pumpkin seeds. You could even drizzle them with a little honey for the last couple of minutes of cooking, leaning into a salty-spicy-sweet finish

Nadiya Hussain’s recipes for chicken half-moons and rice paper tteokbokki

I use a lot of rice paper and always have plenty at home, because it can be used in a wide variety of ways. It’s delicious fried, as are most things! These half-moons are filled with an aromatic chicken mince, while tteokbokki is a Korean dish of chewy rice tubes that are often cooked in a stew. They are not always easy to find, but I love them, so I make my own.Prep 5 min Cook 20 min Makes 12134g pack rice paper spring roll wrappers 3 tbsp oil 6 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped 3 tbsp gochujang paste 2 tbsp soy sauceTo serve Sesame oil Spring onions, trimmed and thinly sliced Sesame seedsDunk each sheet of rice paper in a lipped plate or shallow bowl of cold water, submerging them until soft. Roll each one into a log, then cut in half and set aside

How to make proper rice pudding – recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass

There are almost as many rice puddings as there are savoury rice recipes. If you were also put off by that dazzlingly white, school dinner gloop, fear not, this is a much more luxuriant baked dessert, gently spiced and finished with sweet wine and cream. It can be enjoyed warm or cool, on its own or with a spoonful of jarred fruit or some vivid pink spring rhubarb.Prep 5 min Cook 2 hr 10 minServes 450g butter, plus extra for greasing50g soft light brown sugar 100g pudding rice 1 litre whole milk (see step 4)1 unwaxed lemon ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg¼ tsp ground cinnamon, or a small length of cinnamon stick1 bay leaf ½ vanilla pod, or 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 pinch salt 2 tbsp sweet fortified wine –eg pedro ximenéz or cream sherry, madeira, tawny port (optional)150ml double creamHeat the oven to 160C (140C fan)/325F/gas 3. Find a wide baking dish or ovenproof pot large enough to hold about 1