Guinness Bread & Steak Sandwich with Darragh "The Menace" Ennis | The Chase & Neuroscience

Step inside the fascinating mind of Darragh Ennis! The beloved TV quiz champion and PhD neuroscientist brings his sharp intellect and some unexpected culinary skills to our kitchen. Kasha hands over the reins as Darragh whips up a rich, Asian-inspired steak sandwich, perfectly paired with a rustic, homemade Guinness soda bread. He even drops a brilliant mini-masterclass on the chemistry of baking while he works! Over their freshly prepared meal, the conversation shifts from cooking techniques to the incredible complexities of the human brain. Darragh reveals the highly relatable reason he originally auditioned for television (he desperately needed the prize money to buy a back door for his house!) and breaks down the realities of his day-to-day life off-screen. The chat gets wonderfully deep as he discusses his upcoming book on memory, explaining why sleep deprivation mimics mild intoxication, the hidden superpower of a bored mind, and the bizarre psychology behind how we all act in airports. Darragh also shares a deeply moving and honest reflection on the loss of his father to dementia, and the reality of navigating profound grief. The episode wraps up with an exclusive tasting session at the Hazel Mountain Chocolate factory. Darragh learns exactly why the environment where a cacao bean is grown dictates its entire flavor profile, and discovers why origin is the ultimate indicator of high-quality chocolate. RECIPE 1️⃣ Guinness, Rye, Date & Chocolate Loaf Ingredients • 250g plain flour • 200g wholemeal rye flour • 15g bicarbonate of soda • 1 tsp salt • 150g porridge oats • 200ml maple syrup • 250ml Guinness, at room temperature • 250ml buttermilk, at room temperature • 200g chopped dates • 1 tbsp cocoa powder • 3 tbsp cocoa nibs, plus extra for topping You’ll also need • 7cm × 23cm × 12cm loaf tin, lined with baking paper Optional topping • 1 tbsp porridge oats • A sprinkle of coconut • A few extra cocoa nibs The topping is completely optional. Sprinkle over the loaf before baking. Method 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan / gas 7. 2. Add the plain flour, wholemeal rye flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, porridge oats and cocoa powder to a large bowl. Mix well. 3. Stir through the chopped dates and cocoa nibs. 4. Add the maple syrup, room-temperature Guinness and room-temperature buttermilk. 5. Mix everything together until well combined, without overmixing. 6. Pour into the lined loaf tin and smooth the top. Add the optional topping if using. 7. Bake at 220°C / 200°C fan / gas 7 until baked through and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. 2️⃣ Asian-Style Steak Sandwich Ingredients For the steak • 1 ribeye steak, finely chopped into small pieces • 2 tbsp cornflour • Salt and black pepper For the sauce • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 1⁄2 tsp fresh ginger, grated • 1 shallot, finely chopped • A little sesame oil • Juice of 1 lime • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp oyster sauce • 2 tbsp brown sugar To serve • Guinness bread, sliced • Spring onions, finely sliced, for decorating Method 1. Finely chop the ribeye into small pieces. Season the cornflour with salt and black pepper, then toss the steak pieces through it until lightly coated. 2. Heat a little oil in a hot frying pan. Add the coated steak and sear very briefly, just until browned on the outside. Don't cook it through. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside. 3. Add a little sesame oil to the pan, then fry the finely chopped shallot (onion), garlic, and grated ginger until softened and fragrant. 4. In a separate bowl, mix the juice of 1 lime, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 tbsp oyster sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar. 5. Add this bowl mixture to the pan, then add the beef back in and fry everything together for a few minutes until the sauce thickens. 6. Spoon the sticky Asian-style steak over slices of Guinness bread and finish with finely sliced spring onions. Tip: The key is not to overcook the steak. The quick sear followed by a very brief toss in the sauce keeps it lovely and tender. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Welcome Darragh Ennis 0:55 Prepping Guinness bread 1:50 The science of soda bread 3:43 Baking & prepping beef 4:30 Studying human neuroscience 5:32 Building the marinade 6:39 The taste test 7:34 Smells and childhood memories 8:51 Why Darragh went on TV 10:39 Sleep deprivation effects 12:30 Superpower of a bored brain 13:54 Coping with dementia & grief 16:21 Bizarre airport behavior 18:50 Chocolate tasting notes 20:30 Spotting quality chocolate LET’S CONNECT 🤳Follow along for more recipes, behind-the-scenes moments, and extra Food For Stories fun: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/food.for.stories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodForStoriesWithKashaConnolly 🔔Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to never miss a flavour-packed episode: @foodforstories