SOPHIA MARKOULAKIS
In Season: Figs Figs are sexy. Actually figs are sex. Well, that is, according to Bunny Crumpacker's The Sex Life of Food: When Body and Soul Meet to Eat, who cites... |
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FOODIE PAM
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The Frugal Foodie: Cooking From the Freezer September is one of my favorite months, for me it marks the beginning of a new year more so than the month of January. I would imagine it has... |
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FROM THE CHEF| Explore the interests and food of Chefs as they write about what interests them most! |
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 Figs are sexy. Actually figs are sex. Well, that is, according to Bunny Crumpacker's The Sex Life of Food: When Body and Soul Meet to Eat, who cites several fig euphemisms from different cultures. From the infamous fig leaf to Hindu and Arabic slang for the word, the fig is enveloped in sexual connotations. Cut a fig open and you'll see what I mean. Better yet, peel away the skin, from its stem end down to its base, take a big bite of its candy-sweet flesh and you get an instant rush of syrupy goodness.
But this sexual reference doesn't end with the fruit. It actually starts with the tree, which is capable of being bisexual, producing both male and female flowers. Unlike traditional fruit tree blossoms, the fig blossom develops from the outside in, enticing the tiny fig wasp to enter an opening at the base of each developing flower where either the male or female wasp wait for a mate to "pollinate" it and the flower. That's right, the inside of a developing fig is a love den for the fig wasp. These tiny, ant-size wasps are so important to the survival of the fig tree that one cannot co-exist with the other. In fact, each of the 900 or more species of fig wasp is perfectly paired with a unique species of fig tree.
But all of this business is long over by the time a fig has reached full maturity and is ready for harvest. If you happen to own a fig tree, then you know it's a mad competition between you and the birds. Even shopping for figs can be more a matter of strategy and luck since fig season is now and ending soon. In California, the Black Mission fig rules, but the yellowish green Kadota is also a favorite for its more delicate, floral flavor. Don't be surprised if you spy an unknown variety of fig in your area since there are hundreds of species, although most are not viable for commercial trade.
Since figs are highly perishable, they should be enjoyed immediately. All varieties should be treated the same from the time the come home to the recipes that you select. For storage and safe keeping:
- *Examine figs as soon as you bring them home. Separate over-ripe specimens and use immediately or discard.
- *Remove from basket and place, single layer, in a storage container, seal, and refrigerate for up to one week.
One of the first things you can do after inspecting your fig stash is to make a quick batch of fig jam with the ripe, bruised, or soft ones that need to be used immediately. September's issue of Food and Wine Magazine has a very simple refrigerator jam recipe that takes about 30 minutes and can simmer away while you prepare your other figs for storage. | | |   | Fig Jam | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Fresh figs can be frozen, but their texture will change and become softer regardless of whether they are frozen whole or in half. To freeze, wash and dry completely. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Remove from sheet and store in a freezer bag and use within 6 months. Don't stress about freezing them if you don't have enough; dried figs make a great substitution for fresh figs in most slow-cooked recipes.
Even though fresh figs taste decadently sweet, they actually fall mid-range on the glycemic index and are full of fiber and moderate amounts of vitamin K and potassium. Try incorporating fresh figs into salad recipes, swapping out other fruit such as strawberries or plums for an autumn-like side dish. Figs also pair great with full-fat foods such as a double or triple cream cheese or veined cheese like Gorgonzola. Topping vanilla ice cream with sliced fresh figs and a shot of port or other fortified wine or liqueur is a simple and delicious ending to a fall meal.
Incorporating figs into recipes
This month's round of recipes really allows the fig to shine. Any heat applied to this luscious fruit just makes it all the more sweet and delicious.
Appetizers and SaladsFigs, Almonds, Greens and Cabrales Cheese from Joyce Goldstein's Mediterranean Fresh is a simple and beautiful salad that would be delicious and palate-cleansing, served after a rich, stewed dish. | | | | | Figs, Almonds, Greens and Cabrales Cheese | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Provence-Style Pearl Couscous with Figs from Vegetarian Times pairs this popular Israeli couscous with figs. Serve as part of a light lunch. | | | | | Provence-Style Pearl Couscous With Figs | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Warm Salad of Grilled Figs, Grapes, and Bitter Greens from Cooking Light shows great contrast between sweet figs and bitter endive and radicchio. This salad would be another great ending to a fall meal. | | | | | Warm Salad of Grilled Figs, Grapes, and Bitter Greens | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Figs and Prosciutto with Mint and Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano from Cooking Light is a classic sweet and salty first course that stimulates the taste buds for the remaining meal. | | | | | Figs and Prosciutto with Mint and Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Main DishesBraised Chicken Thighs with Figs and Bay Leaves from Cooking Light has herbaceous notes from the bay leaves, which tempers the sweetness of the figs. | | | | | Braised Chicken Thighs with Figs and Bay Leaves | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Egg Fettuccine with Figs, Rosemary, and Pancetta from Gourmet takes pasta and figs, two ingredients that you wouldn't think would go together, and creates a delicious and quick weeknight dish. | | | | | Egg Fettuccine With Figs, Rosemary, And Pancetta | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Lamb Chops with Fresh Herbs and Roasted Figs from Bon Appetit takes two full-flavored foods and blends them beautifully in a special dish. | | | | | Lamb Chops With Fresh Herbs And Roasted Figs | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Pork Cutlets with Figs and Balsamic Vinegar from Bon Appetit would be a great dish for guests who aren't familiar with fruit being incorporated into a main dish. | | | | | Pork Cutlets With Figs And Balsamic Vinegar | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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DessertsPanna Cotta with Figs from Martha Stewart is a great make-ahead dessert that will impress guests with simple components that come together beautifully. | | | | | Panna Cotta With Figs | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Peppered Honey from Bon Appetit demonstrates how an amazing recipe can be made with only four ingredients. | | | | | Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese and Peppered Honey | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Soy Milk-Arborio Rice Pudding with Poached Figs from Food and Wine could actually be enjoyed as dessert or breakfast. | | | | | Soy Milk–arborio Rice Pudding With Poached Figs | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Hazelnut-Brown Butter Cakes with Figs from Sunset make great use of the often under-utilized muffin pan. Serve with a favorite vanilla ice cream. | | | | | Hazelnut-Brown Butter Cakes with Figs | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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The Frugal Foodie: Cooking From the Freezer |
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 September is one of my favorite months, for me it marks the beginning of a new year more so than the month of January. I would imagine it has something to do with all of those years of going "Back to School". One of the things I like to do to kick off the "New Year" is a little fall cleaning, which normally consists of packing up summer clothes, having the fireplace cleaned, heater serviced, standard preparation for the colder months ahead. In the kitchen, one thing I love to do time of year is cook my way through my deep freezer. I have a chest freezer in my basement and without fail every now and then I will "discover" something way down in the bottom that I'd forgotten about. It could be an extra pack of chicken thighs I bought when they were on sale, a great piece of fish, or those five bags of frozen peas (for some reason I never think I have enough peas). One of the things I like to do before I go stocking up for the winter is to cook my way through my freezer, creating dishes with some of my "discovered "ingredients.
Cooking from your freezer not only forces you to be a little more creative in the kitchen but will also save you a few dollars, and isn't that the whole point. It gives you an opportunity to really evaluate your family's eating habits, what's moving and what's not, and it should encourage you to put a little more thought into future purchases and hopefully keep you from making that unnecessary impulse purchase. Below I’ve listed some of this year’s freezer discoveries along with ways to use them in your weekly meals - should you find yourself in my predicament. Freezer Discoveries | Cooking Suggestions/Ideas | | Frozen Vegetables – Broccoli & cauliflower florets, peas, artichokes, greens such as spinach
| When it comes to produce I like to eat seasonally which is definitely the way to go, but during the dead of winter when fresh broccoli or artichokes aren’t available I rely heavily on my frozen veggies. Frozen broccoli & cauliflower are great in stir-fries, vegetable purees and soups. Peas are great for pasta dishes, and you can have artichoke dip year round and at a moment’s notice with frozen artichoke hearts. | | Ground Meat – Chicken, pork, beef, and turkey | When it comes to ground meat I’m always afraid of not having enough. And even though I’m diligent with my grocery list, if I see a special on ground turkey I inevitably pick up an extra pound or two. The amount of budget friendly recipes featuring different ground meats are endless. Turkey, pork, and of course beef make fantastic chili, meatballs, Bolognese or how about Mexican food. Tacos and enchiladas are always a family favorite too. And one of my new favorite dishes is Thai style ground beef served over a bowl of steaming hot coconut rice. | | Bread – Leftover baguettes, Italian bread, or dinner rolls | My husband is Mr. White Wonder Bread, he doesn’t do whole grain or artisan bread. So when I do purchase good artisan bread, if I don’t finish it all within a few days in the freezer it goes. Frozen bread gets a great second life as breadcrumbs, stuffing, home style croutons, even bread pudding. | Here are a few favorite recipes for using those extra freezer finds: Unless otherwise noted follow the recipe cooking instructions as listed. Broccoli Garlic Quiche – Let frozen broccoli thaw and drain all excess water before adding to quiche filling. | | | | | Broccoli Garlic Quiche |  | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Cauliflower Puree – Like the frozen broccoli above, thaw and drain all excess water from the cauliflower, unlike fresh cauliflower it won’t take as long to cook. Simmer for about five minutes before pureeing and adding additional ingredients. | | | | | Cauliflower Puree | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Thai–Style Ground Beef – Substitute Red Curry paste for regular hot sauce or Chinese red chile paste if you can’t locate red curry paste. | | | | | Thai-Style Ground Beef | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Homemade Croutons – You can go straight from freezer to oven on this one, but I find that the seasoning tastes better if I let the bread thaw about half-way and before baking. | | | | | Homemade Croutons | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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In Season: Eggplant recipes that span the globe |
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 We've all been guilty of discriminating against a certain food based on our perception of how it tastes or the folklore associated with it. Take the eggplant, for instance. It's been misunderstood for centuries, instigated by slight shifts in articulation or mispronunciation, resulting in spoken phrases that turned this lovely vegetable into a frightful edible. The Arab world feared that the eggplant would cause everything from insanity to cancer. When botanists properly identified the eggplant being part of the nightshade family, fear perpetuated until it was revealed that this commonly found poisonous plant species (tobacco) also produced edibles including the eggplant, potato, and tomato.
America didn't discover eggplant until the last hundred years or so. By then, the rest of the world was already enjoying it in dishes such as imam bayildi, eggplant parmesan, moussaka, ratatouille, and baba ganoush. Our interest in global foods has finally elevated the eggplant to a place in the kitchen alongside so many other vegetables that compliment its texture and flavor.
With such a colorful history, it's no wonder that many eggplant misnomers still exist. Some to clear up are:
- *There are no male or female eggplants.
- *The seeds of an eggplant do not make it bitter. Rather, large excessive seeds are the result of an overripe eggplant, which can make an old tired eggplant taste bitter.
- *Salting eggplant before cooking with it will not make it less bitter, but draws out moisture and thereby changing its texture, which can disguise an overripe eggplant's bitterness.
- *Size does not determine an eggplant's bitterness, but variety will. Some tiny Asian varieties are bred for their bitterness. Virtually all in-season eggplant varieties are not bitter.
To my eye, eggplants are some of the most beautiful vegetables. Their colors, ranging from the inkiest purple to the softest lavender and creamiest white could rival the most beautiful designer paint colors. And their shapes, from the tiniest gooseberry-size to the largest globe with every twisted slender length in between create the ultimate still life when gathered together. Why, then does the eggplant have such a bad reputation for being bitter, tough, and spongy? Probably because those who claim to dislike it have never eaten it in season when it is at its most sweet, flavorful, and firm.
Eggplant is bountiful in the late summer and September is the best time to find all varieties. Both the Italian varieties, usually globe-shaped with varying color, and the Asian varieties, usually slender and long or tiny, are accessible and fairly inexpensive to obtain. How you cook with the different varieties is more a matter of shape since they all have a similar taste and texture. Globe-sized eggplants are wonderful pierced and roasted or grilled whole with the flesh scooped out and whipped up in a dip or spread. Slender Asian varieties are best sliced lengthwise and grilled or baked and added to casseroles, sandwiches, or composed salads. Asian varieties also don't contain extra moisture so there's no worry of them making a dish soggy. If this is a concern and a recipe calls for the globe variety, go ahead and salt to remove excess moisture, but understand that selecting smaller sized specimens would eliminate this step. Some feel that salting reduces the sponge factor in eggplant when working with olive oil. A better approach would be to simply use a pastry brush and coat eggplant slices with oil instead of adding oil to a pan before cooking.
Select eggplants that feel firm but still give a bit when pressed, have a fresh stem end, and have uniform shiny skin. Avoid any that appear stored or have any soft or brown spots. Store in a cool part of the kitchen or in the refrigerator, preferably in the warmest part near the door since eggplant stays at its best at around 50°F. Use as quickly as possible.
If you have excess eggplant or can't seem to stop yourself at the farmers market, eggplant can be frozen a couple of ways:
- *Grill slices, cool, and pack in airtight Ziploc bags with a layer of wax paper in between. Use the grilled eggplant within a month or two.
- *You can also cube and blanch eggplant in water and a 1/4 cup of lemon juice for about 1 minute, drain and cool, and store in a suitable freezer container or bag. Use the blanched cubes within six months.
Incorporating Eggplant into Recipes
This month's selections of eggplant recipes range not only in variety and preparation, but also demonstrate how eggplant does span the globe. These are only a sampling of the hundreds of eggplant recipes accessible through Project Foodie recipe search - use the many filters to find the recipe that's right for you.
Dips, Sauces, and Soups
Roasted Eggplant Dip from Every Day Food is simple without excess ingredients and really lets eggplant shine. |
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| | | | | Roasted Eggplant Dip | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Sesame Eggplant Salsa from Bon Appetit uses Asian flavors like fresh ginger and sesame oil, which bring out the smoky complexity of eggplant. |
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| | | | | Sesame-Eggplant Salsa | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Eggplant and Fig Caponata from Cooking Light uses sweet figs in a savory relish, highlighting the sweetness of fresh eggplant. |
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| | | | | Eggplant and Fig Caponata | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Indian Roasted Eggplant Soup from Vegetarian Times combines curry flavors in a vegetable-laden soup and is a perfect recipe for frozen blanched eggplant. |
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| | | | | Indian Roasted Eggplant Soup | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Main Dishes
Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant Pizza with Tapenade and Fontina from Bon Appetit pairs two of summer's favorite vegetables in a flavorful pizza. |
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| | | | | Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant Pizza with Tapenade and Fontina | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Artichoke and Eggplant Panini from Bon Appetit uses the small globe variety and is packed with Mediterranean flavors. This would make a great vegetarian main course. |
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| | | | | Artichoke And Eggplant Panini | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Baked Eggplant and Lamb from Sunset also uses the globe variety and calls for brushing the slices with oil and baking first, creating a caramelized flavor, which balances the full-flavored lamb. |
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| | | | | Baked Eggplant and Lamb | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Baked Eggplant Rolls from Mario Batali combines an egg frittata with fried eggplant strips. The recipe can also be served as an appetizer by swapping the round globe eggplant slices for smaller slender strips of eggplant, creating bite-size pieces. |
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| | | | | Baked Eggplant Rolls: Involtini Di Melanzane | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Sides and Salads
Eggplant Antipasto Salad from Vegetarian Times calls for globe eggplant, but smaller Asian varieties can easily be swapped. Just watch cooking time and remove a bit earlier. |
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| | | | | Eggplant Antipasto Salad | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Eggplant Caprese with Grilled Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette from Bon Appetit also calls for globe eggplant, but any variety will work great on the grill. |
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| | | | | Eggplant Caprese With Grilled Tomato And Basil Vinaigrette | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Eggplant Pasta from Good Eats calls for salting the eggplant first and is a necessary step for this recipe, which creates pasta-like strips of eggplant. |
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| | | | | Eggplant Pasta | | My Rating: | View: | | More Actions: | | edit notes cancel edit notes | show tags hide tags | share hide share | | My Notes: - Private info just for you! | | |
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Eggplant Salad with Miso Ginger Dressing from Bon Appetit is quick, light, and refreshing. Serve with grilled teriyaki chicken or grilled fish. |
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| | | | | Eggplant Salad With Miso Ginger Dressing | | |
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