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The Star
14-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Rustic stew dad will love
A hearty, rustic stew is simply a cosy combination of flavours that fills you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Making a satisfying stew is a test of patience, especially when mutton is the protein of choice, and shortcuts are best not resorted to if a deeply satisfying dish is what you aim for. For me, bone-in mutton works best for stew. In fact, this is a dish my dad, Dr A. Chandran, looked forward to, especially on Fathers Day or special occasions. We, the women of the family, loved making stew because it does not break your back. Mutton, which is gamier in flavour than beef or lamb, is best slowly simmered to release its flavour compounds of proteins, fats and nutrients in creating a mouth-watering broth. During the cooking process, fat renders to create a pale yellow, flavourful layer on the surface. The umami-rich broth, which gets richer over time, is sweetened with aromatics such as root vegetables including onions and carrots. I would not recommend using a pressure cooker for making stew because it does not yield the same taste, as the high-pressure steam method does not give the meat enough time to break down beautifully as it should. Worst still when the flour that you dredge the mutton in does not dissolve into the broth but clings on, leaving the meat spotty. This mutton stew recipe is what my mother Rose Melton learned from her Domestic Science teacher and British national Mrs Bell, back in the 1950s, at Sultanah Asma School in Alor Setar, Kedah. Robust and rich in taste, the one-pot dish calls for mutton, potatoes, carrots, onions and cabbage. Thyme, bay leaves, cinnamon and black pepper are herbs and spices that build the flavour profile. Steps to make this dish include browning the mutton cubes evenly. I prefer fresh herbs where possible for the earthiness and aroma they bring to the dish. Having pored over online articles, videos and discussed with fellow foodies including Star TV producer Ian Lau, we found that cabbage is not a popular ingredient in Irish stew, hence why this is just mutton stew. A classic Irish stew calls for carrots, onions and potatoes with some cooks adding other root vegetables such as leek or parsnip for added taste. Give it a try and earn that big smile of appreciation from your dad this Fathers Day. Mutton stew Ingredients 1kg bone-in mutton ½ cup all-purpose flour 100ml olive oil/vegetable oil 50g unsalted butter 2 (two-inch) cinnamon sticks 1 bulb yellow onion 5 small-sized red onions 1 litre water 2 stalks carrot 3 potatoes (skin on) 3 cabbage leaves 5g thyme 4 tsp salt 1 tbsp pepper Letting the meat simmer before the final garnish. Directions Cut bone-in mutton into two-inch cube-sized pieces, trim excess fat. Dredge in flour coating all sides of the meat evenly. Heat olive oil (or vegetable oil) in a Dutch oven or a deep pot on medium heat. Introduce the meat pieces and brown mutton cubes, on all sides, working in batches. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot, giving the meat time to brown nicely. Once the mutton cubes have caramelised, remove and set aside. Prepare the vegetables by dicing the yellow onion into equal-sized cubes. Slice carrots into 1cm pieces. Cut cabbage leaves into eight pieces, leaving leaves fairly large. Using the same oil with rendered fat in it, add 50g unsalted butter and let the oils mingle. Add two cinnamon sticks to flavour the oil. Introduce diced yellow onion and cook until translucent. Return the mutton to the pan. Pour in one litre of water. Add 5g of fresh thyme to the pot. Season with salt. Cover with a lid and simmer for two hours. Once the meat has softened, add carrot pieces to sweeten the soup. Cut the potatoes (skin on) into eight pieces to prevent them from disintegrating in the soup. Add the tubers in. Season with black pepper. Cover the pot and cook for another 20 minutes before adding in quartered red onions. Lastly, add cabbage and simmer for about two minutes. Adjust seasoning according to taste, and serve hot. Mutton stew is best eaten hot, served with bread.
DW
12-06-2025
- Politics
- DW
How tech-savvy Tanzanians are shaping elections – DW – 06/11/2025
Growing frustration, rising political awareness, and ever-present social media are influencing the run-up to Tanzania's October election. And young people are stepping into the spotlight — online and on stage. Tanzania's electoral process faces unprecedented scrutiny, particularly after the arrest of Tundu Lissu, the outspoken leader of the main opposition party CHADEMA (Party for Democracy and Development). His detention on treason charges has ignited a powerful, youth-led national debate centered around the party's provocative slogan: "No Reform, No Election." Debate under charged political climate This heated atmosphere saw DW's Kiswahili-language program "Maoni Mtaani" hold an open debate at St. Augustine University in Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victoria. The event unfolded in collaboration with local partners Radio Free Africa (RFA) and Star TV. The theme for this debate — "Click. Like. Vote: Can social media influence your choice during elections?"— was especially topical considering the current political climate, even though the timing was coincidental. "There is a misconception that politics is a dirty game," said Edwin Odemba, one of the four panelists and host of the Star TV program "Medani za Siasa" ("The World of Politics"). He urged young Tanzanians to reject this notion and instead "participate in the political process through their vote, so that they can be involved in shaping reforms that prioritize their interests." Tanzanian media personality, Meena Ally, centered the debate Image: Daniel Gakuba/DW A tilted playing field Tanzania's October general election is shaping up to be a one-horse race. The ruling CCM party — in power since Tanzania gained independence over 60 years ago — is expected to face no serious challengers. The Tanzania Electoral Commission disqualified Tundu Lissu's CHADEMA party from the 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections, citing the party's failure to sign a mandatory electoral code of conduct agreement by the required deadline. This episode of the "Maoni Mtaani" discussion also gauged the progress young people have made since previous elections — demonstrating greater discernment by voting based on issues rather than the persuasive tactics of politicians. "It's not the same as it was during the last elections," remarked a user on DW Kiswahili's Facebook channel, saying social media now serves both as a key source of information and a space where he can freely share his opinions. Tanzania's opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, is brought to court under tight security ahead of hearings on two charges Image: Florence Majani/DW Social media and the youth vote "The rise of social media platforms has shifted control of the narrative away from politicians, opening the door for young people to shape and share their own stories online," said panelist Charles Maganga from Jamii Africa, a Dar es Salaam-based digital platform that promotes transparency, digital rights, and civic engagement across Africa. In Tanzania, young people have been criticized for not participating fully in the electoral process — from failing to hold elected officials to their campaign promises, not registering as voters, to not running for office themselves. Meena Ally, one of Tanzania's most prominent influencers, said that when youth fail to contribute to the electoral process, they have no one to blame but themselves. "Instead of complaining that policies crafted by the older generation overlook the interests of young people, take action—register to vote, and run for office yourselves," she said. Frustration and free expression Despite repeated calls for them to play an active role in the upcoming elections, young people continue to express frustration — which became clear through their questions during the debate and their comments on social media. "What's the point of casting a ballot when you know your vote will be stolen?" asked one disheartened Instagram user. The issue of freedom of speech in Tanzania also surfaced subtly during the debate: whether young people could truly express themselves freely on social media without fear of reprisal. It proved difficult for the panelists to address. Yet for Edwin Odemba, the answer was clear. Regardless of the prevailing climate around free expression, he insisted: "It is a patriotic duty for the youth to strive to ensure their voices are heard." The event at St. Augustine University saw the venue filled to capacity, with extra screens erected outdoors for a watch party. The debate was livestreamed through DW's Kiswahili Facebook channel, on panelist Meena Ally's Instagram account, Star TV Facebook page, and aired live on Star TV. About 311,000 tuned in or followed the debate on social media. Tanzania's intolerance of transnational activism To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Al Bawaba
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Yalı Çapkını finale: Afra Saraçoğlu & Mert Ramazan Demir's love story ends!
ALBAWABA - Yalı Çapkını is ending, marking the conclusion of Afra Saraçoğlu and Mert Ramazan Demir's love story. It is getting close to the conclusion of Yalı Çapkını, the much-loved television series on Star TV, which is fiercely competing with Kızılcık Şerbeti. There have been three seasons of the series that have been shown, and it was stated that this season will be the final one. The subject of when Yalı Çapkını will come to an end was a matter that everyone was eager to know the answer to. During the course of its trip on the screen, it was known that Yalı Çapkını, a television show starring Afra Saraçoğlu and Mert Ramazan Demir, would conclude with its hundredth episode. However, the precise date remained unspecified. Umut Ünver, a Gazete Magazine employee, revealed the date of the 100th episode finale. Yalı Çapkını Instagram profile Yalı Çapkını, the television series that has captivated viewers on Star TV every Friday of the past three seasons, is now preparing to conclude its operations. Yalı Çapkını, a television show that featured Afra Saraçoğlu and Mert Ramazan Demir, received the same level of acclaim from viewers in its final season as it did in its initial season. Yalı Çapkını Instagram profile During the new season of the show, other characters were introduced, and the breakup of Seyran and Ferit was depicted on the screen. The breakup of Seyran and Ferit has elicited a significant amount of reaction from viewers of the series. Consequently, the ratings for the series went down as a result of these changes that caused fans to feel dissatisfied. In an effort to regain the ratings, the script team attempted a variety of other stories; however, none of them were successful. Thereafter, the ultimate decision was taken for Yalı Çapkını in an official capacity. Everyone was excitedly awaiting the 100th new episode after the news was revealed in December. mainly due to the fact that the news simply provided the total number of episodes. The information regarding the date was held till the very end. Yalı Çapkını Instagram profile An announcement was made today on the date for the 100th episode of Yalı Çapkını, a television show that is getting ready to proclaim its departure from the screen. Over the course of the Ramadan break, there were whispers that the series would come to an end. As it turned out, it was accurate. Based on the information provided by Umut Ünver from Gazete Magazin, it has been reported that Yalı Çapkını would be concluding its run on the screen with its 101st episode on Friday, April 4.
