Renowned space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock joins Ed Gamble and James Acaster to discuss their wishes if they had a genie, retiring to Mars, stargazing tips, flavored burps in outer space, their love for crusty bread, and the mysterious nature of dark matter. They also talk about their involvement in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope and the challenges of working with mirrors in a scientific setting.
Dr. Maggie's nostalgic choice of Jollof Rice with Dodo showcases the flavors and spices she appreciates in Nigerian cuisine.
The tomato consommé as a dream side dish impresses Dr. Maggie with its burst of flavor and transparent nature, making it a refreshing addition to the meal.
Dr. Maggie's choice of Prosecco as her dream drink adds a touch of celebration and effervescence that complement the flavors and acidity of the meal.
Deep dives
Dream Starter: Jollof Rice with Dodo
For the dream starter, Dr. Maggie chooses a Nigerian dish called Jollof Rice with Dodo. It's a nostalgic choice that brings back childhood memories, and despite her dairy allergy, this dish remains unaffected. She appreciates the flavors and spices of Jollof Rice, and the plantains, known as Dodo, add a delicious complement to the dish.
Dream Side Dish: Tomato Consommé
Dr. Maggie's dream side dish is a tomato consommé that she had in an expensive restaurant. This clear liquid had the essence of tomato, offering a burst of flavor that blew her taste buds away. She marvels at the skill required to achieve such a flavorful yet transparent dish, and believes it would serve as a refreshing and palate-cleansing addition to the meal.
Dream Drink: Prosecco
For her dream drink, Dr. Maggie chooses Prosecco, a sparkling wine that adds a touch of celebration and effervescence to the meal. She enjoys the lighter, less carbonated nature of Prosecco compared to other fizzy drinks, and believes it pairs well with the flavors and spices of the Jollof Rice and the acidity of the tomato consommé.
A Taste of Jollof Rice: The Importance of Blind Jollof
The podcast episode discusses the significance of blind taste tests to determine the best jollof rice. The hosts suggest organizing a jollof rice taste off, where different variations of the dish can be sampled without bias. They highlight the excitement and anticipation surrounding this challenge, emphasizing the importance of fair and unbiased judgments.
The Perfect Sunday Roast and an Unforgettable Lemon Meringue Pie
In this podcast episode, the hosts share their favorite dishes for a perfect Sunday roast. They imagine a plate filled with roast pork, crispy crackling, apple sauce, roast potatoes, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and pigs in blankets, all encompassed within a giant Yorkshire pudding. They also mention a sublime lemon meringue pie they discovered in Chile, which they describe as a weekly indulgence during their time at the telescope. It evokes fond memories and creates a special and unique dining experience.
All the important scientific questions get asked this week, as space scientist and ‘The Sky at Night’ presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock joins us in the Dream Restaurant. Does she think that Dark Matter’s evil?
Dr Maggie’s new book “The Art of Stargazing’ is published on November 2 by Ebury Publishing. Buy it here.