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So THAT’s Why Restaurant Mashed Potatoes Are So Much Better

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If you’ve ever tried to make restaurant-level chips at home only to be disappointed by the results, chefs say you might not be cooking (then cooling, then cooking) them enough.

And if your homemade poached eggs fall a little flat, the pros recommend strainers, stirring, and vinegar.

But if mash is your Achille’s meal, some commenters on the Reddit forum r/AskCulinary ― where we non-experts can ask chefs for the secrets to professional-level food ― say it might have to do with how you cook the spuds.

Boiling may not be your best bet, they say.

How should you cook potatoes for mash?

The trick to getting creamy, fluffy mash is working with a dry, floury spud. That’s why a lot of experts recommend a variety like Maris Piper or King Edward for the job.

The drier the potato, the more of its creamy smoothness can come from decadent butter or milk ― and the better you can control its texture.

But once you get to a professional level, simply choosing the right potato for the job might not cut it.

Nigella Lawson boils her potatoes in their skins to stop them from becoming “waterlogged”, peeling them as soon as they’re cooked.

She also suggests patient cooks go with the advice some Redditors offer: baking, instead of boiling, the potatoes will yield the “driest” results.

But the most common response was a time-saving middle ground.

“Most places will steam the potatoes, mainly because there’s less water in them that way,” site user ChefGuru wrote.

They added: “Using baked potatoes could be another option because they cook without being soaked in water.”

They’re not alone

Delia Smith and The New York Times recommend steaming, rather than boiling, the veg too.

Both recommend letting the potatoes cook for about 20-25 minutes; Delia stresses the importance of testing how “done” they are with a skewer, as undercooked potatoes will run lumpy.

Lastly, the TV chef says your regular potato masher may not cut it for pro-level results.

After adding milk and crème fraîche to the mash, she brings out an electric whisk to “whip the potatoes up to a smooth, creamy, fluffy mass”. Nice.

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If 1 Slice Of Bread Is Mouldy, Is The Whole Loaf Bad?

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It’s lunchtime, your stomach is growling and you’ve decided to make a sandwich. But as soon as you head to the pantry and open the bread bag, you see it: a whitish, greenish spot. Ugh — it’s mould.

Some slices look OK, though, with smaller or no mouldy bits. Are those safe to eat? Maybe they haven’t been touched by the mould yet, you think.

The idea of eating them is gross, but if you are super hungry or haven’t been to the grocery store lately, you may be low on other options.

Plus, with the expectation that food costs will rise under President Donald Trump’s administration and the desire to reduce food waste, who wants to toss a whole loaf? Some might wonder if certain slices are still fine to eat, or at least won’t cause major stomach problems. Let’s see what food experts say.

What To Do If You See Mould On Just 1 Slice Of Bread

Unfortunately, mould on one slice is essentially mould on every slice (which is also the case for produce, by the way). It doesn’t matter if one piece looks fine or isn’t touching the mouldy area — it’s all dangerous to eat.

“No matter how little the mould spot is on the bread, or how many slices are left of the loaf, it is not safe to eat mouldy bread nor just cut around it and eat the rest, because the root of the mould already has deeply penetrated into it,” said Shelley Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist with ServSafe manager certification on food safety.

And just because you might not see mould doesn’t mean it’s not there. “You may only see visible mould growing on the surface, like leaves on a tree or the petals of a flower,” explained Leanne Blommaert, the manager of food research and development at NSF, a public health organisation. “But there is an entire network of roots called mycelia that can spread into and across all surfaces of bread.”

Besides being gross, this can make you feel sick.

The Dangers Of Eating Mould

If you’re a fan of blue cheese, you may think it’s perfectly fine to eat some mould. You’ve done it before and been OK, right?

That’s understandable and, in some cases, true. Mould isn’t always bad — but it can be.

“Eating mouldy bread can upset your digestive system or cause allergic reactions, depending on the type of mould,” said Chris Mohr, a fitness and nutrition adviser at the website Garage Gym Reviews.

Dr. Kelly Krisna Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist with the MedStar Health hospital system, explained how this can happen. “Some types of mould that are found in spoiled bread, including Aspergillus and Penicillium, are also associated with allergies that can occur immediately or hours after people come into contact with them,” she said.

She added that gastrointestinal symptoms — like abdominal pain and diarrhoea — may come from mycotoxins, which are secondary compounds from mould. They can change normal intestinal functions, with unpleasant results.

Those aren’t the only issues you may face, unfortunately. Even breathing in mould can cause health problems, according to Balls. People with asthma are especially at risk, Johnson-Arbor added, as the allergens can trigger breathing difficulties.

Johnson-Arbor recommended playing it safe. “Since some types of mold can cause unwanted health problems, and since it’s impossible for most people to tell whether a specific mould is harmful or not based on its appearance on food, it’s best to avoid consuming most mouldy foods,” she said.

If you want a cheat sheet on when mould may be safe to eat (or eat around), check out this webpage from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Why Some Bread Slices Get Mouldy Faster Than Others

Even when bread slices sit together, some can mould faster than others. How?

Balls said slices that mould faster may have more moisture or be warmer. She gave the example of a bread loaf with one side closer to a toaster, thus making it warmer and more likely to grow mould first.

Touching bread — with your hands or utensils — can cause mould spores to grow, too, Blommaert added. And that mould can spread.

Plus, mould can be airborne. Mohr said that slices near the seam of a bread bag, or near the end of a loaf, may mould faster. That’s because they’re closer to the air and moisture in your kitchen. Even if you don’t leave the bag open, it’s exposed to more air when you open it.

How To Prevent Mould From Growing On Your Bread

To some degree, mould growth is unavoidable with certain foods. However, there’s a way to slow its progress.

“You can safely store your bread in the fridge to extend its shelf life without any dangerous health risks,” Balls said.

The bread may become harder, she noted, but it’s safe to eat.

Whether this is the best option depends a little on the type of bread, however. Balls said to store crusty types of bread at room temperature only, but commercially made bread will have no or minimal problems with texture or flavour after sitting in the fridge. Just place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

Putting bread in the freezer can also keep it from drying out, and it could still taste about the same as when you first bought or baked it. If you have more than you can eat in a few days, your slices may best reside there.

Additionally, Blommaert suggested checking the expiration date of your bread and not consuming it past then. According to the USDA, commercially baked breads can be stored at room temperature for two to four days, refrigerated for seven to 14 days, or frozen for three months.

For anyone wanting to eat bread safely, Mohr offered this simple advice: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

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9 Dating Horror Stories That’ll Make You Spit Out Your Tea

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Dating apps have been going for years now, but it seems some users still don’t quite understand what is okay – and what’s totally inappropriate – to divulge to the people they’ve swiped right on.

Case in point, one Mumsnet user recently took to the platform to share her own “horror stories” from her time on dating apps which she says have put her off “for life”.

While calling on others to share their torrid tales, the user (with the extremely relevant username: stayawayyyyyfromdatingapps) said: “I got an absolute shiner off of tinder say to me ‘I really want you to be my girlfriend, so you can see to my trouser cannon every day’.”

The post, which featured a whole host of other dating stories, inspired others to share their own anxiety-inducing anecdotes and all we can say is… good grief.

1. Got to an organised drinks first date, and the guy had those white stringy bits all around his crusty lips.

I kept licking my lips in the hope he’d do the same and kept thinking fuck me if he kisses me I’m going to have to see the hygienist.

– stayawayyyyyfromdatingapps

2. I had one ask how much it would cost to put a baby in me…

When told where to go, he said he was genuinely asking as believed redheaded women produced superior babies.

I had no idea where to go with that lol. What an absolute creep.

– YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt

3. He used his son’s photo who was about 27…

Turns out he was about 47 and he couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t interested. Hm I’m 23 pal.

– Packingcube

4. On a first date (and last) date with a man who asked me my nationality. When I said German, he said ‘oh yes, big feet small boobs’.

I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

5. [My] Profile clearly said ‘have children, don’t want more’. Matched with a guy, chatted a bit then met for coffee. One of the first things he said was ‘is the no more children thing negotiable?’

I said ‘no, it isn’t.’ He said ‘really, even having met me now I still couldn’t persuade you to have my child’. So I said ‘well I have only met you for 10 mins, but I definitely don’t want more children with anyone.’ His response, ‘let’s have a proper date, you will be begging to have my babies before the nights out.’

Declined the offer of a proper date!!

– Everintroverte

6. He said ‘boom’ at the end of sentences. ‘I’m going into town – boom!’

Also used ‘I’m on fire’ a lot. Pity he wasn’t.

– witwatwoo

7. As I walked into the pub the first thing he said was ‘you’re actually quite pretty. We just need to sort out your hair and clothes’.

I turned around and walked out.

He had very little hair, was wearing a T-shirt that needed ironing and his profile photo must have been at least 10 years out of date!

– Smokesandeats

8. Not me but my friend went for a date with a bloke who paid for dinner with a 50% off voucher and told her it was his treat but she could only have a main course as that’s what the voucher covered.

When they walked to the car park, he asked is [sic] she wanted to get into the back seat of his car and unleash his beast – he was 56!!!

– TwistedWonder

9. I also had one guy move the time back and hour, show up with all his mates then disappear off for half an hour leaving me with his friends and returned to ask me if I wanted to go back to his.

When I said no he said he didn’t fancy me anyway and wanted to get back with his ex.

– OnlyFannys

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I’m A GP – Taking Too Much Vitamin D Can Cause This Condition

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The NHS recommends all adults in the UK consider taking a vitamin D supplement until at least March.

That’s because the vitamin, which is usually produced by our bodies when we expose our skin to sunlight, can be hard for us to make during gloomy winter. A vitamin C deficiency can cause muscle fatigue and may even be bad news for our teeth and bones.

Still, the health service warns us not to “take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.”

In a recent TikTok, GP Dr Ahmed explained why.

What are the risks of taking too much vitamin D?

Per the doctor, the potential problem lies with calcium.

“Taking vitamin D at very high doses long-term is actually very dangerous,” he explained in the clip, “because it can cause hypercalcaemia.”

That means there’s too much calcium in your blood.

The issue with that is that “the excess calcium can deposit in your heart and your kidneys.” The Mayo Clinic says the condition can cause kidney stones and decrease bone density; it may also affect the heart and brain.

Most of the time, overdoing it on a vitamin isn’t going to cause you much harm, Dr Ahmed says. A lot of vitamins are water-soluble, so we just pee out the excess.

But vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning our bodies can’t get rid of excessive amounts.

The doctor agrees with the NHS ― “most people only need about 10 micrograms, which is 400 IU,” he said.

We hit the danger zone when we go ten times over that, or at 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day.

Though Dr Ahmed says “there are some people who need a much higher dose than this, these are patients who’ve got very low vitamin D on their blood tests.”

You can’t decide for yourself whether you need a higher amount than is recommended ― and the GP urges anyone on vitamin D to get their bloods checked every so often.

So ― should I skip vitamin D?

The GP says that the information isn’t meant to scare you away from taking vitamin D if you need it.

“I think it’s one of the best supplements you can take,” he shared.

Indeed the NHS says people who don’t go outside often, people whose skin is mostly covered when they do leave the house, those in care homes, and people with darker skin tones might benefit from taking the supplement year-round rather than just in winter.

“But you have to take it carefully and responsibly,” Dr Ahmed continued. In this case, that’s as simple as checking the measurements on the back of the packet.

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I’m A Mattress Expert — These 4 Signs Mean It’s Time To Replace Your Mattress

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One of the biggest expenses when moving into your own home is a bed and mattress. Matresses are deeply personal purchases — finding one that fits your sleep style, your physical needs and those of your partner is a precise process — but unfortunately, it’s advised that we replace them every six to eight years.

Which frankly seems too often, given how much a good mattress costs.

However, according to Mattress expert Steve Adams, CEO of Mattress Online, there can be signs even earlier than this that your mattress needs to be replaced.

Four signs your mattress needs to be replaced

You’re waking up feeling stiff and achy

If you start your day with stiffness or aches that fade as the day goes on, Adams warns that your mattress might be to blame.

He explains: “Over time, our body and sleep needs may change meaning the mattress that was once suitable, may not be any more, this can lead to increased pressure points and discomfort.

“Poor sleep caused by a mattress which is unsupportive and does not meet our sleep needs can even lead to longer-term health issues if left unchecked.”

The mattress is sagging or uneven

It’s time to give your mattress a good look and ask if you can see any excessive sagging, lumps or indentations where you sleep.

According to Adams, these are signs that internal materials have broken down. He says: “Some materials will have natural settlement, such as fibres – but an extreme amount of sagging can lead to discomfort, high areas of pressure and speed up the degradation of other areas of the mattress, all which will make it harder to get a restful night’s sleep.”

Allergies are getting worse at night

Ugh, there is nothing worse.

If you have noticed that you are sneezing more often, your eyes are more itchy and sensitive or you are simply more congested when you sleep, it could be your mattress that’s to blame.

This is because over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, mould, and other allergens that might be triggering your symptoms.

Adams advises: “If washing your bedding and using allergy covers doesn’t help, it may be time to replace your mattress altogether.”

Your mattress is making noise

Not only is this incredibly awkward if you’re doing the deed while others are home but a noisy mattress, particularly one that creaks or squeaks from springs is a clear sign of wear and tear.

Adams says: ” This noise suggests that the springs inside are deteriorating, compromising support and comfort. Swapping to a newer mattress with advanced materials could be the solution to both better sleep and a quieter night.”

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Bridget Jones’s Diary Was Blamed For A Drop In Sales Of This Drink

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Apparently, the binge-drinking, heavy-smoking, chaotic lifestyle of Bridget Jones isn’t aspirational to some people?

Personally, I can’t relate but according to one expert, the fictional anti-heroine caused a huge slump in sales of her favoured drink around the time of the column in The Independent and, of course, the film’s release back in 2001.

The expert in question is Oz Clarke, a prestigious wine expert and writer from the UK.

‘The blame should be firmly placed at the door of Bridget Jones’

According to The Telegraph in 2008, Clarke said: “Chardonnay has made some of the world’s greatest wines, everyone appreciated it – until Bridget Jones.

“Bridget Jones goes out on the pull, fails, goes back to her miserable bedsit, sits down, pours herself an enormous glass of Chardonnay, sits there with mascara running down her cheeks saying, ‘Dear diary, I’ve failed again, I’ve poured an enormous glass of Chardonnay and I’m going to put my head in the oven.’ Great marketing aid.”

Personally, I would argue that Ms Jones was not supposed to feel relatable to Mr Clarke, and that’s before we even get into the recession that was flooding the UK at the time.

Anyway, I digress.

The Independent reported at the time: “Across Britain fewer people are seeking solace – or enjoyment – in chardonnay. In the past 12 months, 7.5 million shoppers bought it, fewer than the previous year, according to the retail analysts TNS. Meanwhile, rivals such as sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio are rising in popularity.”

Clarke made his comments at London’s first self-storage wine facility, adding: “Until Bridget Jones, chardonnay was really sexy. After, people said, ‘God, not in my bar’.

“If you’re a marketing manager what would you say? ‘OK, I’m going to sell something that makes people feel really miserable. Let’s call it chardonnay!’”

Other experts argued that the drink had simply taken a new direction

Alan Griffiths, former wine director of Berry Brothers, Britain’s biggest wine merchants, said: “The appeal of chardonnay is still very strong. It’s a safer bet for a party. It’s more likely to go down well for a group of 50 than a gewürztraminer or a riesling or a sauvignon blanc, which some people find too grassy or acidic.”

Personally, I’ll be raising a toast to Bridget before seeing the newest instalment of her story.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is out on February 13th in cinemas across the UK.

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New Time Magazine Cover Shows Elon Musk Behind Trump’s Oval Office Desk

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Time magazine has revealed the cover of its latest edition, showing billionaire Elon Musk sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the White House’s Oval Office.

Musk, the wealthiest person on earth, is seen holding a beverage in one hand as he peers out from behind the iconic desk, used by U.S. presidents since the late 1880s.

An accompanying article titled “Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington” covers Musk’s reshaping of America’s government since his appointment as the head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Elon Musk, the world's richest person, is seen sitting behind the White House's Resolute Desk in Time magazine's latest cover.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is seen sitting behind the White House’s Resolute Desk in Time magazine’s latest cover.

“No single private citizen, certainly not one whose wealth and web of businesses are directly subject to the oversight of federal authorities, has wielded such power over the machinery of the U.S. government,” the article states.

The multibillionaire tech and media mogul “has been deputised to dismantle vast swaths of the federal bureaucracy — slashing budgets, gutting the civil service, and stripping independent agencies of the ability to impede the President’s objectives,” it goes on.

This extreme appointment of power follows Musk being a loyal supporter and campaign donor to Trump, spending at least $288 million to help secure his reelection, according to a recent analysis by The Washington Post.

Since his election success, Trump has granted Musk widespread access to his inner orbit and the federal government’s spending, raising numerous ethics questions, including about the multibillion-dollar contracts that Musk’s businesses have with the federal government.

In the weeks since his arrival, Musk has assisted with the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which he has publicly called “a criminal organisation,” and he has been given access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system and the Small Business Administration.

Musk has been labeled by the White House as a “special government employee.” He is not paid and is not full time, according to the ethics rules of such a title, but he does have top secret security clearance, a source told CNN.

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Elton John Gets Candid About Studio ‘Outbursts’ Making New Album: ‘I Was A Nightmare’

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Sir Elton John has admitted he was a “nightmare” to deal with while putting together his latest album.

For his next release, the British music icon teamed up with fellow Grammy winner Brandi Carlile for a full-length collaborative album recorded in under three weeks.

On Thursday, a short film detailing the recording of the project was shared online, showing Sir Elton and Brandi in the studio together.

In the footage, Sir Elton was seen having a fair few of his infamous tantrums, slamming down his headphones, snapping at his collaborators, tearing up song lyrics and threatening to walk out of the session entirely.

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The following day, The Guardian published a joint interview with the musical pair, in which they spoke candidly about what went on in the studio.

“I was very grumpy, I was tired, I didn’t feel well and I was extremely nervous, and that nervousness caused quite a few sparks to fly,” the Candle In The Wind singer recalled.

Brandi later disclosed that during the recording process, Sir Elton smashed his iPad and a pair of headphones in what she described as “really amazing, classic Elton John outbursts”.

“My lyrics got torn up and thrown on the ground,” she recalled. “He goes: ‘Fuck off, Brandi.’ He would yell: ‘Predictable! Cliché!’”

Sir Elton added that while he eventually settled into the process once three songs were completed, he “was a bit of a nightmare” prior to that.

A short film about the making of Who Believes In Angels? shows Sir Elton John losing his temper on more than one occasion
A short film about the making of Who Believes In Angels? shows Sir Elton John losing his temper on more than one occasion

YouTube/Elton John

Elsewhere in the interview, Brandi said that while she never told her collaborator that he’d crossed a line, “there were definitely points that I felt that”.

In a voiceover for the short film released this week, Sir Elton could be heard saying: “The reality is, I was exhausted. I had a lot of doubt, and I was a nightmare. [I was] angry, I was tired, I was irritable. There was tension in the studio.

“And I thought, ‘I don’t want to do it’. And then I thought, ‘there’s other people involved, I can’t abandon it’. And once we got going, Jesus!”

In the archive footage, Brandi also admitted that she was “having a hard time connecting to Elton”, revealing in voiceover: “There were times I thought, ’why does he want to do this? Why is he going from Glastonbury to making an album with me?’.”

Sir Elton’s temper was previously a major theme in the 1997 documentary Tantrums And Tiaras, directed by his future husband David Furnish.

His and Brandi’s album Who Believes In Angels? is released on Friday 4 April. Watch the music video for the title song, directed by David LaChappelle, in the video below:

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