Just two hours from Cambridge, along the Norfolk coast, is one of the world’s best beaches, offering miles of pristine golden sand, backed by rolling dunes and an enchanting forest

One Norfolk beach has frequently been hailed as the best in the world, so I visited to see what it was all about – and I have two words.

In a bid to savour the last of the summer days and make the most of the August bank holiday, a trip to the beach might just be the perfect remedy. There are ample beaches within easy reach of Cambridgeshire, with Norfolk providing some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, so it couldn’t be easier to spend a day out at the beach.

And it’s no surprise that Holkham is one of the most popular beaches to visit in Norfolk, thanks to its pristine golden-sand shore backed by rolling sand dunes and an enchanting forest. It’s even been globally acknowledged as The Times previously named it as one of the best beaches in the world, noting it’s “wide-open, jaw-dropping, windswept romance of this five-kilometre-long blonde hits you square on.”

And it certainly does that. From the moment I stepped onto the soft golden sand, after walking through the majestic sand dunes, it felt as though I had been transported to the other side of the world. The beach stretches for endless miles, out towards the sea and all the way along to Wells-next-the-Sea beach on the east, and Burnham Overy Staithe Beach to the west, for sensational coastal vistas.

I’ve never seen such a sprawling sand beach that remains beautifully untouched, with its scenes completely mesmerising. As I wandered along the sand, following the footprints of fellow beachgoers, I passed by families paddling in the shallows of the waters, dogs running freely off the leads, and horse riders cantering along the dedicated Bridleway – there’s that much space along the shore!

There’s nothing quite like it, and on certain days, you can see the leftover sand ripples from where the tide crept up, which only adds to its striking landscapes, in addition to the undulating dunes and perfectly imprinted footprints. If I could, I’d visit Holkham every day of the year, purely to soak up the serene setting that’s unlike any other beach; it really is breathtakingly beautiful.

I took my time strolling along the sun-kissed shore, passing dramatic sand dunes before reaching the Burnham Overy Staithe salt marsh and venturing further into its pretty harbour village for a stop off at The Hero pub for a refreshing pint and a bowl of chips. On the way back to Holkham, I found myself in other captivating scenes as I ambled over rolling hills before reaching the ancient woodland, with towering trees and an easy-to-follow footpath that’s adjacent to the stunning shore.

Holkham beach is even loved by members of the Royal Family, with the Prince and Princess of Wales, frequently visiting the unspoilt shore with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, during the school holidays. Holkham beach is perfectly positioned just over 30 minutes from the family’s country home, Anmer Hall, which sits within the Sandringham Estate – the private residency of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who are also reported to have visited Holkham many times.

The Norfolk beach has also been used as a backdrop for photos for the Wales family, with Princess Kate capturing snaps of her beloved family, marking various occasions and milestones. And it’s easy to see why it’s got the royal stamp of approval and has been named as one of the best beaches in the world, with its unspoilt scenes offering a slice of paradise, less than two hours from Cambridge.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The Sunday Telegraph, external says John Healey is mulling a windfall tax on banks and oil companies in the Budget. Treasury officials are said to be looking at ways of plugging a £4.7bn black hole without raising direct taxes on individuals.

The paper suggests banks and oil companies are seen as “low-hanging fruit”. BP is said to have more than doubled its profits between April and June because of higher oil prices driven by the Iran war. In its editorial, the paper warns against the windfall tax move, saying it will harm growth by denting investor confidence.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Russia is poised to target Britain with a cyber attack on a drone or missile factory. A key advisor to President Vladimir Putin, the former deputy foreign minister Andrei Fedorov, tells the paper the highest levels of the Russian government are considering such a strike. A drone factory owned by the British Ukrainian firm, Ukrspecsystems, is said to be a target. Its location, near RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, was made public in April.

The Sunday Times, external reports that Andy Burnham has given what it calls a lucrative pay rise to train drivers on the Avanti West Coast London to Manchester line. The deal with union leaders was said to have been made to avoid strikes on a flagship service, and one of the busiest lines in Europe. The paper suggests industrial action would have proved embarrassing for cabinet ministers travelling to the prime minister’s new political hub, Number 10 North, in Manchester.

According to both the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday People, new studies suggest statins can reduce the risk of dementia, as well as lowering cholesterol and the risk of heart attacks. The Telegraph reports that the largest study by Denmark’s Copenhagen University Hospital found that the daily pills reduced the chances of dementia by up to 15%. The paper says the research means statins could benefit around six million of almost 10 million people aged 70 and over in the UK who are not currently taking them.

The Sunday Mirror, external reports that Peter Homa, the ex-boss of Nottingham NHS Trust, where a review found that 520 mothers or babies suffered potentially avoidable death or harm, is now CEO of a firm giving maternity training to the health service. Grieving families tell the paper they are “concerned” by the news. Homa was approached for comment.

The Sun on Sunday, external suggests the X Factor could return, seven years after it left our screens. ITV chiefs are said to be “in talks” about revamping the programme for a younger generation. The show’s creator and former head judge Simon Cowell is said to be likely to return in some capacity.

And several papers carry pictures of Sir David Beckham and his wife Victoria watching their son Cruz perform at the Reading Festival with his band the Breakers. “Beckstage at Reading” says the Sunday Mirror, external. “Band it Like Beckham” is the Sunday Times caption.

President Donald Trump on Saturday posted an apparently AI-generated video depicting an army of buff, bequiffed and heavily-armed “Donald Ducks” patrolling the shores of “Lake America.”

Hours later, while he was at his Virginia golf course, the president posted another AI-generated video, this time showing himself knocking over a “Welcome to Lake Ontario” sign and installing a “Welcome to Lake America” one in its place. He then dances to the Village People’s “YMCA.”

The posts followed Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” amid a bitter tariff war with Canada, a longtime U.S. ally and trading partner.

Set to the theme song from Hawaii Five-O, a 34-second clip shows a squadron of Canada geese marching near the Great Lake. The birds have human arms, carry assault rifles and sport the president’s signature blond pouf of hair.

The geese then fire their weapons into the air as fireworks erupt over the skyline of a nearby city — which appears to resemble Toronto.

Earlier this week, Trump announced that the U.S. was giving “serious consideration” to rebranding Lake Ontario, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border. He also posted a TikTok video showing himself using a Sharpie to mark up a map of the lake.

“We’re gonna make a little change; we’re gonna call it something different than Lake Ontario,” the 80-year-old president said in the clip.

Any doubt that the effort was simply trolling evaporated Thursday, when Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in all official documents and records. The move echoed his similar effort last year to rebrand the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

Although the president can direct how the federal government refers to geographic features, he cannot compel foreign nations, private entities or even U.S. states to follow his lead.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to the missive in a Thursday post on X.

“The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, which, appropriately, means ‘the lake is beautiful, the lake is big,’” he wrote. “The name is more than 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.”

“We know that America is changing. Their trading relationships, their foreign policies, their national monuments, their hydronyms,” he added. “Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario – then, now and always.”

Relations between the U.S. and Canada have deteriorated since Trump took office, including as a result of his repeated suggestion that Canada should become the “51st state.” Tensions escalated further this week over trade.

On August 22, the U.S. imposed 50 percent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian exports after last-minute talks between Ottawa and Washington broke down. The Trump administration has accused Canada of discriminating against U.S. businesses.

Carney, who has denied Trump’s accusations, likened the levies to an act of war. He retaliated with tariffs of up to 50 percent on a range of U.S. goods.

The trade war has also spilled into a war of words. This week, Trump singled out Ontario Premier Doug Ford in a Truth Social post, describing him as a blustering “flunky” who needs to “fall in line.”

At a news conference, Ford responded by calling Trump a “dictator,” a “bully” and the “king of bankruptcies.” He also told Trump to “kiss my a**.”

And so with this show, everything is very deliberate and performed with conviction. There is no “oh I need some stronger material there” or “haha I never know how that bit’s going to go”. That’s not to say every part of this show fully lands with the audience, by any means. But it’s the show as it was intended. To see a performer commit to the bit, to the extent she does in particular when playing out a funeral scene (and if you’re trying to guess how, you’re wrong) may be unrivalled at this year’s festival. It pays off with what may be its most brilliant extended joke. No spoilers.

Visitors can enjoy half-price entry to the children’s archaeological experience DIG and the historic Barley Hall during the final week of the summer holidays.

The offer is available to anyone with a valid JORVIK ticket and is designed to help families and visitors make the most of their summer outings.

Lisa Wood, head of communications and marketing, said: “It has been a great summer for us, with JORVIK’s new riverside interpretation proving incredibly popular, and the extension of our How To Train Your Dragon School exhibition at DIG, so we wanted to give an end-of-summer boost to those making last-minute trips before the school holidays become a distant memory.”

The discounted tickets can be used for visits between 31 August and 6 September.

Although the scheme is primarily aimed at families, it also provides an opportunity for adults to visit outside of the peak holiday period.

Ms Wood said: “September is a particularly popular time for adults without children to venture out, avoiding the busiest times of the summer but still taking advantage of decent weather for domestic holidays.”

Tickets can be booked at jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk using the code BH50 or DIG50.

Dent made the admission after appearing alongside McGuinness and fellow judge Giorgio Locatelli on the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef, where the trio were tasked with tasting dishes prepared by celebrity contestants including Emily Campbell, Jason Mohammad, Jay McGuiness, Joe Pasquale and Shakira Khan.

At the time of filming, McGuinness was in the middle of an intensive health and fitness plan. The TV presenter had recently completed the popular 75 Hard challenge and was following a strict diet as he prepared for a major magazine photoshoot.

Paddy McGuinness has opened up about his weight loss journey (Image: David Venni/Men’s Health UK/PA Wire)

However, his healthy eating routine was put to the test when contestants served up a selection of meat pies and dessert pies packed with pastry, chocolate and sugar.

Reflecting on the experience, Dent told Men’s Health magazine that she joked that she had almost undone weeks of hard work.

She said: “I nearly ruined Paddy McGuinness’ diet for the cover of Men’s Health.

“Paddy had been living on boiled chicken and broccoli for 42 days when we forced him to eat so much sugar, chocolate and pastry.

“He left winded, emotionally broken, and perilously high on nougat.

“Yes, I did make Paddy shout ‘no likey no lighty’ at me. It was strangely exhilarating.”

Paddy McGuinness will feature in the latest edition of Men’s Health (Image: David Venni/Men’s Health UK/PA Wire)

Dent has been a judge on MasterChef since joining the programme in 2024.

Despite the mountain of pies, pastries and sweet treats put in front of him during filming, McGuinness’ transformation remained firmly on track.

The presenter later appeared on the cover of Men’s Health after following a demanding training schedule involving regular full-body workouts and a tightly controlled diet.

Fortunately for McGuinness, it seems a day in the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen was not enough to knock him off course, despite Dent’s best efforts.

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE

Published: 23:48 BST, 29 August 2026 | Updated: 02:06 BST, 30 August 2026

Reform UK wants the police to re-investigate an attempted robbery against an aide of Nigel Farage following Ann Widdecombe‘s murder.

Adviser George Cottrell was attacked outside his London home in April, days after Mr Farage revealed his house had been firebombed.

The timing of the incident, previously reported without naming Mr Cottrell, has raised suspicions in the party that it may be linked to the hate-fuelled attacks that culminated in Ms Widdecombe’s murder in July.

Mr Cottrell – ‘Posh’ George, as he is known – was ‘jumped’ outside his Chelsea property in the early hours and recalled being grabbed at by blue latex gloves as he fled on foot.

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While the incident was reported as a stand-alone crime, the heightened fears about security have led to calls for the case to be reopened.

Reform aides also pointed to a profile about Mr Cottrell in Tatler the previous August which revealed Mr Farage was ‘often’ at his west London house, which could have made it an easy target for those hoping to do harm to the party leader.

The Metropolitan Police said the case remains closed, and that it had ‘carried out extensive enquiries’ but could not identify the suspects.

The statement suggested the case could be reopened ‘subject to further information coming to light’.

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George Cottrell was ‘jumped’ outside his Chelsea property in the early hours and recalled being grabbed at by blue latex gloves as he fled on foot (Pictured: Mr Cottrell and Nigel Farage)

Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9

But last night a Reform source said the police may want to reconsider after announcing they are re-investigating Mr Farage’s firebombing.

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They said: ‘In the current climate, it would seem strange to dismiss the possibility of a link between the incident involving George, the firebombing of Nigel’s house and murder of Ann Widdecombe. 

‘The police must keep an open mind, even if means re-opening George’s case.’

Counter-terror police confirmed they are reopening their probe into Mr Farage’s firebombing last year.

Mr Farage said: ‘It was an outright arson attempt. I wasn’t home at the time, but when I came back I found the damage.’ 

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A spokesman for Counter-Terrorism Police yesterday said the investigation into Ms Widdecombe’s murder ‘remains ongoing’.

PHOENIX (AP) — A social media influencer known for posting viral videos of pranks has pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation in Arizona for posing as an employee of businesses in a Phoenix suburb and orchestrating brief but chaotic takeover attempts.

The outcome was welcomed by observers who said it could serve as a reminder to seekers of viral fame that stunts that cross the line legally can lead to serious ramifications.

Heston James Cobb, who posts as “Heston James,” was arrested in July 2025 after police in Tempe say he and others went into businesses posing as workers, entered employee-only areas and refused to leave when asked to do so. He entered his plea Friday.

In one video Cobb, wearing a Chipotle Mexican Grill shirt, told restaurant staff he was going to “clean house” before a group of men wearing dark shirts flooded into the eatery and ignored requests to leave. One man posing as an employee cleaned a tabletop with a mop.

Investigators said the videos had millions of views and potentially generated large amounts of income.

Vicki Lopez, an attorney representing Cobb, declined to comment Saturday. The Associated Press left a message with Cobb’s TikTok account seeking comment.

Steve Chucri, president of the Arizona Restaurant Association, said he hopes Cobb’s punishment is “severe” to deter copycats.

“There’s no place for it,” Chucri said. “That’s the last thing we need to put up with in the restaurant industry. The amount of money it takes to operate today is expensive.”

Chucri said the association does not offer any formal training or advice to restaurants on dealing with social media pranksters, and he hopes it does not come to that.

“We’re a society of civility,” Chucri said. “We shouldn’t have to.”

Matthew Pittman, a social media professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, hopes the arrest will be a warning to influencers about boundaries when creating prank or satirical content.

Pittman said he and others who teach aspiring content creators generally stress that “real world norms and laws” extend into the digital world.

“So doing something that is illegal in real life would also be illegal on social, even if you are doing it for content,” he said. “This is a clear case of going beyond what the law allows.”

Among the recent cases he cited was an influencer in Long Island, New York, who was arrested last year after a series of pranks. They included videos of him going to eateries; pouring food such as raw eggs or beans over his head; and then running off, leaving the mess to be cleaned by others.

“Every few years a YouTuber, influencer or prank content creator goes a little too far, gets in trouble, and reminds the rest of us creators that digital actions can have real world consequences,” Pittman said.

Cara Hawkins-Jedlicka, a communications professor at Washington State University who teaches about content creation, said it’s not enough for influencers to stay within the law. They also need to have basic empathy.

“When is it pulling a prank, and when it is being cruel?” Hawkins-Jedlicka said. “Before anything else, this is truly kind of unkind. This influencer was really only thinking about himself and how can I take advantage of this community.”

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Marcelo reported from New York.

For students starting at a new school, the first day holds many questions: Will they see any familiar faces? Who will they sit with at lunch? Who will they play with at recess?

“I’m this much nervous,” said Iman Fair-Seldon, 5, holding her hands about 4 inches (10 centimeters) apart. Iman will start first grade next month at a new school in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia. Despite the nerves, she said she is excited to make new friends.

Starting at a new school or making a big transition, such as moving from elementary school to middle school, can be challenging. Parents may want to help but aren’t always sure what to say or do. Here’s some advice from both grown-ups and the ultimate experts: kids who have gone through transition themselves.

Schedule playdates and go to birthday parties

Parents of young children have significant influence over where their children spend time and with whom, experts say. They can seek out activities that create opportunities for connection, such as parks, playgrounds and birthday parties, and decide when their children are ready for activities like sleepovers.

“Initially, parents have a huge impact when it comes to the friends that children have,” said Dr. Asha Barber Sutton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate dean of academic affairs at National University in San Diego. “More than we would like to believe, our actions as caregivers make a difference in terms of how children experience the world.”

Amira Fair, Iman’s mother, says she prefers to keep to herself, but she pushes past those feelings to help her daughter develop relationships. “I make it my business to exchange numbers and try to schedule monthly playdates,” she said. “One thing I tried to do, especially at her old school, was go to every single birthday function, say hi to the parents, get a present, see the family.”

Let kids navigate their own friendships

Parents can’t manage every friendship for their children, experts say. Instead, they can help children develop their own sense of what makes a good friend: Are they kind? Are they honest? Can you be yourself around them? Some difficult interactions can help children learn what they value in a friend and how to handle conflict, Sutton said.

Parents can also ask questions to help their children think about what they value in friendships: What qualities do you like in your friends? Who makes you feel comfortable being yourself? Those conversations can give children a framework for evaluating their own friendships when problems arise, experts say.

Jaiden Journet, a 14-year-old starting at a new high school in North Carolina, suggests parents ask their kids: “Have you found anything you have in common with anyone?”

Help kids get involved

Parents also can support their children through encouragement, especially if they are shy or anxious. Encouraging children to get involved in extracurricular activities or to try something new can help them meet people with similar interests.

Shia Watts, 16, says trying something new led her to some of her friends at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.

“Last year, I was part of theater production. I’d never done that before, but I met so many amazing people,” she said.

When Jamir Gonzalez transferred last year to Uncommon Camden Prep High School in New Jersey, he joined the baseball and debate teams.

“If you have any hobbies, find out if they have that at your school, and if they do, talk to the people that are there,” said Jamir, now a 16-year-old senior.

Once students find opportunities to connect, starting the conversation is the next step, experts say. Smiling, complimenting others and asking questions can help start a conversation and keep it going.

Iman, the New Jersey 5-year-old, remembers how she met her now “B-F-F-F-F-F.” It started with a compliment.

“I think I said, ‘I like your shirt,’ and then she said, ‘Thank you.’ And I said, ‘So what’s your name?’” she recalled.

Put down the cellphones — sometimes

Students may find it harder to start conversations when their peers are on their phones, wearing headphones or focused on screens. Experts say parents can encourage children, particularly teens, to put devices away at times so they can be more present and engaged with the people around them. One way to help: Stop texting your child at school, some teachers and experts say.

But being too harsh with older children’s tech limits can isolate them socially, Sutton said. Still, parents should talk with their teens about expectations around technology, social media and gaming, including knowing who kids are interacting with online.

Technology can also help children maintain friendships when circumstances separate them, Sutton said. “If you move away, it’s no longer like, ‘Hey, I moved out of state, and I can never see you,’ ” she said. “We have FaceTime, and we can still stay connected to friends in that way.”

Even one friendship counts

Feeling connected and having a sense of belonging at school can have an important effect on students’ well-being. If a student feels staff and peers at their school care about them, they are less likely to have poor mental health, use substances or be involved in violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they are more likely to have better grades and attendance.

But a student needn’t have a large friend group to feel connected. Even one relationship can make a meaningful difference, said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit that focuses on gun violence prevention in schools.

“Even if you only have one really strong friendship or one strong trusted adult, one strong sense of belonging, that can be enough to really positively affect your well-being and your trajectory through school and life,” she said.

For students who are nervous about starting over, Hockley said, it can help to remember that other students may be looking for connection, too.

“There’s also someone else just like you in that same space who’s also saying, ‘I would like to meet someone. I’d like to make a friend,’ ” she said. “It can be intimidating, but it’s not hard once you practice it.”

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This story has been updated to correct that Jamir Gonzalez joined the baseball team, not the basketball team.

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The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

A home cook says coating it in a simple ingredient before cooking transforms the fish into a sweet, savoury, umami dish that even salmon sceptics will enjoy.

Salmon makes an ideal weekday dinner option, being tasty, satisfying, and requiring minimal cooking effort. It’s wonderful served simply with vegetables or incorporated into a traybake or fish pie.

Yet, some people steer clear of salmon, finding the smell and taste somewhat unappealing. When not prepared properly, salmon can turn out bland and even dry, given it is considerably more delicate than most meats.

Bearing this in mind, home cook and recipe developer Ayeh Manfre from food blog Cooking with Ayeh has revealed her “favourite way” to make salmon “delicious” – and it hinges on one key ingredient.

She said, “I’m always looking at new ways of making it [salmon] taste not so ‘fishy’ – well, this miso-glazed salmon definitely ticks all the boxes. “It’s crazy easy to make with a simple same-day marinade and then pop in the oven until perfection. The star is the miso paste, which gives the salmon a delicious, savoury, and sweet umami flavour.”

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What is miso paste?

Miso paste is a classic Japanese ingredient crafted from fermented soybeans, salt, and koji (a specific type of mould), sometimes including grains.

The fermentation process results in a rich and delightful flavour that balances saltiness with sweetness, packed with umami goodness.

There are three distinct varieties of miso: white miso, yellow miso, and red miso. Ayeh pointed out that she prefers white miso paste, which has a milder taste, compared to yellow or red miso; they have been fermented longer, so they have a stronger taste.

Miso is not only “tasty” but also “good for your gut health”, as it contains probiotics. The home cook said, “I love using miso in many of my recipes. If you haven’t experimented with it yet, now’s the time.”

How to make salmon tastier with miso paste

Ingredients (two servings)

• Two salmon fillets
• Two tablespoons of white miso paste
• One tablespoon of salt-reduced soy sauce, or half a tablespoon of regular soy
• One tablespoon of rice vinegar
• Two teaspoons of honey
• One teaspoon of sesame oil

Method

In a deep bowl, combine the miso marinade components, including the miso paste, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar and sesame oil. Whisk together until smooth and lump-free.

Position the fish in the bowl with the salmon flesh facing downwards, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated. Allow to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to two hours for optimal flavour. If marinating for two hours or during warmer weather, refrigerate.

Set the oven grill to 240C/220C Fan/Gas Mark 9 and remove the salmon from the refrigerator. Prepare a baking tray with tinfoil and lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.

Arrange the salmon fillet with the skin facing down on the baking tray, reserving any remaining marinade from the bowl. Position the tray on the middle shelf of the oven and grill for six to nine minutes – timing depends on your preferred level of doneness.

Carefully take out from the oven and brush with some of the reserved marinade. Return the tray to the oven on an upper shelf nearer to the grill, and cook for an additional three minutes to achieve a golden caramelised finish. Monitor closely, as the miso marinade can char rapidly.

Ayeh suggests topping the salmon with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds and accompanying with rice and fresh or prepared vegetables.