Jan CAN Cook

Praline French Toast with Orange Sauce for a Special Brunch

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, September 14, 2025

I found this amazing recipe years ago in the late Holly Klegg's Trim and Terrific Cookbook. My version isn't quite as healthy as hers, but she was the inspiration and it's absolutely yummy, yummy. You can make it the night ahead and bake it the next morning, I love it made with challah bread and served with bacon or sausage links. She had wonderful recipes, she was a special lady, gone too soon...

Your friends and family will love this. Pinky swear, they will. ~ jan

PRALINE FRENCH TOAST WITH ORANGE SAUCE

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. white corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans, the pecans are the magic ingredient
2 eggs
3 egg whites, or 4 whole eggs
1 cup orange juice
¼ cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 (16 oz.) loaf French bread, Challah is even better, cut into 12-15 (1 inch) slices

In a large 9x13” ovenproof baking dish, melt the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup by putting it in a warm oven until everything turns to liquid. Then sprinkle the bottom of the dish with pecans. The original recipe called for 1/2 cup, I used at least a cup, because I like lots of pecans, and 1/2 cup just wasn’t enough.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, orange juice, sugar, milk, orange rind, vanilla and cinnamon. Arrange the bread slices over the mixture in the baking dish and pour the egg mixture over all.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Serve this immediately, flip each slice when you take it out of the dish so that the praline sauce is on top. Serve with Orange Sauce.

ORANGE SAUCE

¼ cup butter
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup orange juice
orange zest

Mix sauce ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over low heat.
Note: I doubled the orange sauce because I people taste it and go back for an extra drizzle. Serve the sauce in a small pitcher so people can do those multiple drizzles on the french toast.

Don't you love this apron? There is even a cuter one on Amazon.

Here's the link...

I also found the cutest little retro pumpkin style pitcher for this French Toast. It's worth the click 😊

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Martha Stewart's Favorite Biscuit Recipe

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, September 13, 2025

Let’s be honest… nothing compares to Martha Stewart. So when she popped up on Instagram making these biscuits and dropped the recipe link in her bio, I was clicking faster than you can say butter. Of course, I can’t resist tweaking — especially when it comes to making them savory. First I have to give her credit, for these irresistible biscuits and if you want the original recipe with step by step instructions, here's the link.

I did tweak this a bit, because I always like taking recipes to another level and for the biscuits I give options like cheese and savory additions of bacon or sausage crumbles, which would be amazing. And doing the mixing in a food processor, that's right up my alley, I still have my original Cuisinart, circa 1978 and this it is so much easier than using a pastry blender or mixing it with a fork.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 heaping teaspoon coarse salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces, chilled

4 tablespoons mixed chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, rosemary, and/or chives. I have to add thyme to the list because thyme is always a wonderful addition if you're using herbs.

1 ½ cups buttermilk, well shaken, plus more for brushing tops

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with racks set in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
Combine dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Transfer half mixture to food processor and add butter:
Transfer half of the dry ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some larger pieces still remaining.
Mix into remaining dry ingredients
Now's the time to add the variations, fresh herbs, chives, dill, rosemary all would be good.
Another option is cheese, you can't go wrong with grating some cheddar or pepper jack into the dough. And if you want them savory, some crumbled bacon or cooked sausage crumbles would be awesome.
Return this mixture back to the bowl with the rest of the dry ingredients. Add herbs, if using, and stir to combine
Add buttermilk and mix:
Make a well in the center and gradually add buttermilk, stirring with a fork or wooden spoon until large clumps form; do not allow a dough to form in the bowl.
Knead dough lightly:
Turn mixture out onto a lightly floured work surface, and using lightly floured hands, knead two or three times just until a dough forms.
Form into square and cut out biscuits:
Pat dough into an 8-by-8-inch square. Using a sharp knife, cut 2-inch square biscuits, or use a 2-inch round cutter.
Bake:
Transfer to prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush tops with buttermilk. Transfer to oven and bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Here's a link to a great little biscuit cutter set. It comes with five different sizes (from 1¾" up to 3¼"), so whether you’re cutting biscuits, scones, cookies or even donuts, you’ve got the right tool at hand.
I also love that each one has the measurements engraved right on the side — no more guessing which cutter is which. And when you’re done, they all nest neatly together so they don’t take up much room in the drawer. Bonus points for the set only costing $8.99

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Elsah's Landing Hawaiian Carrot Cake

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, September 07, 2025

I first shared this recipe back in 2007, and it’s one of those classics that keeps finding its way back to the table. I decided to post it again for anyone who hasn’t discovered it yet.

It’s truly a family favorite, one we all adore. If you can resist digging in right away and let it rest in a covered container for at least 24 hours, the flavors mellow beautifully and become absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 ¼ cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded carrots
2 cups shredded coconut
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

(Preheat oven to 350 degrees) In a medium bowl combine sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla; mix well. In a large bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; mix well. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and stir until blended. Fold in carrots, coconut, pineapple, and walnuts; mix well. Spoon batter into a 9x13 glass pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or in two 9" layer pans.

Let cool before frosting. Frost with cream cheese icing. When I make this in a layer pan, I put a layer of nuts on the frosting between the layers with coconut, and then I add a layer of chopped nuts on top of the frosted cake as well.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons milk or half & half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 box powdered sugar

Combine ingredients and beat well. I mix mine in the Cuisinart. Spread on cooled cake and top with walnuts.

🥕🍰 Looking for the perfect way to show off your carrot cake? Check out these gorgeous cake stands that I've linked below from Amazon.

This acacia wood cake stand has that modern, earthy vibe everyone’s loving right now

This cake stand sits on a lazy Susan and spins smoothly so you can decorate or serve with ease

Martha Stewart Jadeite Cake Stand with Dome

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Fasta Pasta

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, September 05, 2025

If you’ve ever stood at the stove, waiting for your pasta water to come to a boil, you already know what often happens. One minute it’s simmering peacefully, and the next it’s bubbling over making a gawdawful mess, water everywhere, starchy foam dripping down the sides of the pot, and frantically trying to turn down the burner.

Last year my son Ryan was visiting, and he told me that his wife, Lindsay, ordered the Fasta Pasta Microwave Cooker and that was a game changer. He ordered me one and the rest is history. I never cook pasta on the stove, ever. My friends have bought this as well, because I was relentlessly telling them how well it works. I put in the water, and for spaghetti, I set the microwave for 13 minutes and walk away. For other shapes, like penne or rigatoni I usually cook it for 14 minutes.

ALWAYS COOK WITH LID OFF, NEVER LEAVE THE LID ON!

You put the lid on to drain it after it's cooked.

This little container is genius. Instead of hauling out a big pot and hovering over it, you just measure your dry pasta right in the container (it even has built-in measuring slots so you don’t overdo it), fill with water, pop it in the microwave, and a few minutes later—perfectly cooked pasta. No boil-overs, no babysitting, no mess. Easy peasy and you can put an entire pound of spaghetti in it. Cleanup is a breeze because you put everything in the dishwasher.

🍝 Cook pasta the easy way! The Original Fasta Pasta lets you make spaghetti, macaroni, or noodles right in the microwave — no need to wait for water to boil. Quick, simple, and easy clean-up.

✨🍝 Imagine perfect pasta without the boiling pot drama! Meet Fasta Pasta — the microwave miracle worker that makes noodles so good, even Nonna would approve (don’t tell her though 😉). Less mess, less stress, more deliciousness. Click here to twirl your way into pasta bliss: Fasta Pasta on Amazon 🍝✨

Cooking Curiousity has a fabulous recipe for authentic carbonara. Here's the link it's excellent!

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🐶💕 Maggie says thanks for help keeping her treat jar full 💕🐶

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Simply the BEST Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Bakery Style...

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, July 27, 2025

I've made these thick, chewy oatmeal cookies for years from a recipe I found online somewhere and they are pure comfort in every bite—rich, hearty, and downright irresistible. Don’t flatten them with a glass—leave them beautifully mounded for that bakery-style texture. I didn’t have a large ice cream scoop on hand, so I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup, and it worked like a charm. They baked up perfectly in 16 minutes—golden on the edges, soft in the middle.

The flavor? Even better the next day—like they settled into their deliciousness overnight. Using a generous scoop makes a huge difference in size and density; they stay nice and thick and don’t spread out much at all. I went all in with 1.5 cups of raisins (yes, it’s a lot, but so worth it!) and added a full cup of chopped pecans for a nutty crunch in every bite. These cookies are everything you want them to be—chunky, chewy, and packed with goodness.

Ingredients

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon molasses*
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups rolled oats**
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1½ cups raisins (soaked, drained well)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (pecans are my favorite!)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
Place the raisins in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover and let sit while preparing dough.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, spices, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time, mixing well.
Mix in molasses until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl.
Add the dry ingredients in three additions, mixing gently.
Drain raisins very well (press out extra moisture). Stir into the dough with pecans.
Using a 2-ounce cookie scoop, portion dough onto prepared sheets, about 2 inches apart.
Bake 15–17 minutes, until golden brown on edges and soft in the center.
Cool briefly on trays, then transfer to a wire rack. Store airtight up to 1 week, or freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

Use dark molasses, not blackstrap. I prefer Grandma’s brand.
Be sure to use rolled oats, not quick or steel-cut oats.
Remove as much water as possible from raisins before adding to dough — this keeps cookies thick and chewy.

HB Design Co. matte white ceramic cookie jar with airtight lid

🍪 Looking for a cute way to keep your cookies fresh? Click here to check out this matte white ceramic cookie jar on Amazon. It seals tight to keep treats soft and delicious, and with its farmhouse style, it’s as cute as it is practical.

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Sweet or Savory Omelette ~ The Best Recipe, EVER!

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, October 31, 2024

I struggle with omelettes, flipping them, getting them cooked all the way through, so this is such a good idea, I've had great luck making them this way.

I've made this sweet omelette several times now, serving it with link sausage and maple syrup and it's delicious! The same recipe can also be made using savory ingredients. This is so easy, and it is just yummy!

Sweet Omelette

3 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon sugar - I'm always watching calories so I use a tablespoon of Splenda

1 tablespoon flour

tiny pinch of salt, don't leave it out, just a smidge is enough

Cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Steps

Spray and heat 6.5-7" skillet on medium heat.

I put all of the ingredients in a bullet blender to make sure the flour was well distributed. It worked great but you could also just whisk it thoroughly.

Pour the eggy mixture onto the pan and cover with the lid.

Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then turn to low. Mine cooks in 7 minutes, it's perfect, just a bit custardy on the inside. The omelette will puff up a lot and once the lid is removed the omelet will fall. Don't panic, it's what its supposed to do.

Savory Omelette

Same recipe, except omit the sugar. Stir in whatever you like to make it savory before you bake it. Onions, peppers, bacon, crumbled cook sausage, a dash of hot sauce, grated cheese, hot pepper flakes. Whatever floats your boat, cook the same way and you will have the easiest omelette you ever made. With all the inclusions it might take just a minute longer to cook. Check it at the 7-8 minute mark and determine if it's done. If you turn to low to cook, your bottom should brown nicely and it doesn't burn.

This entire recipe is 22 grams of protein and 300 calories. It keeps you satisfied for hours! If you're into presentation, dust it with confectioner's sugar and add a few raspberries or blueberries...

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Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, October 26, 2024

A trip down memory lane, today. It's Halloween y'all and when I was growing up people always gave us popcorn balls and apples on Halloween night. Unlike today, when people give out prepackaged candy, popcorn balls were what people gave us and it was something we looked forward to every year.

I wish I had mother's recipe from all those years ago, but I don't, so I watched Paula Deen make her grandmother's recipe and they look exactly like the ones mother used to make. So this is her recipe for you today, you can dress them up anyway you like with candy and sprinkles, ours were just always plain, wrapped in waxed paper and tied with twine. Such good memories...

Grandmother Paul's Popcorn Balls

2 cup sugar

1 1/3 cup water

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

18 cups popped popcorn

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, syrup, vinegar and salt. Cook over high heat until mixture reaches 255 °F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer. Stir in vanilla. Pour over popped corn, tossing gently to coat. When mixture is cool enough to handle, press popcorn into 3-inch balls with lightly greased hands. Cool completely on wax paper

If you want to watch her make them, I enclosed the video link for you.

Here is the link from her YouTube Channel - Paula Making Popcorn Balls

#PaulaDeen
#Halloween
#Popcorn

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Ina Garten’s ‘Perfect Roast Chicken’ and Yes, It Really IS Perfect

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, October 01, 2024

When it comes to classic comfort food, few dishes are as beloved as roast chicken, and no one does it better than Ina Garten. Known for her warm, approachable style and elegant yet simple recipes, Ina has made this dish her hallmark, especially since it’s a favorite of her husband, Jeffrey. Ina’s Perfect Roast Chicken isn’t just a staple in her home—it’s become a go-to for home cooks everywhere, thanks to its straightforward technique and flawless results. In fact, she makes it for Jeffrey nearly every week!

The secret lies in the balance of simple ingredients and thoughtful preparation, proving that even the most basic dishes can be truly extraordinary. Get ready to discover why this recipe is so iconic!

1 (5 to 6 pound) roasting chicken

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges
Olive oil

Steps

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.

Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.

Bon Appetit!

The Roast Chicken for Jeffrey recipe is featured in Ina Garten's cookbook Cooking for Jeffrey. This cookbook is dedicated to her husband, Jeffrey, and includes many of her favorite recipes that he loves. The roast chicken recipe is one of the standout dishes, reflecting her signature style of straightforward, flavorful cooking.

It's Ina's most personal cookbook yet, and is filled with the recipes Jeffrey and their friends request most often as well as charming stories from Ina and Jeffrey’s many years together. There are traditional dishes that she’s updated, such as Brisket with Onions and Leeks, and Tsimmes, a vegetable stew with carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and prunes, and new favorites, like Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken and Roasted Salmon Tacos. You’ll also find wonderful new salads, including Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad and Kale Salad with Pancetta and Pecorino. Desserts range from simple Apple Pie Bars to showstoppers like Vanilla Rum Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel. For the first time, Ina has included a chapter devoted to bread and cheese, with recipes and tips for creating the perfect cheese course. With options like Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschettas and Challah with Saffron, there’s something everyone will enjoy.

If you would like a copy, it's available on Amazon. Here's your link https://amzn.to/47U6esL

#InaGarten #BarefootContessa #InaGartenRecipes #CookLikeIna #InaInspiration #BarefootContessaStyle #InaGartenFans #InaLovesFood #EasyEntertaining #BarefootContessaRecipes #CookingWithIna #InaGartenVibes #InaApproved #BarefootContessaLove #CookingInaStyle #Pretendcookingshow #Roastchicken #JenniferGarner

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Paula Deen's Creek House Wedge Salad with Balsalmic Reduction

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, October 01, 2024

Sadly, Paula Deen's Creek House is closed, but we ate there when we visited Savannah in the fall of 2022 and it was hands down the BEST wedge salad I ever ate...

I've recreated the ingredients so we will always have access to it and I linked to a recipe I found online for candied pecans. If you love a Wedge Salad, oh my, you're in for a treat with these inclusions!

Iceberg lettuce wedge
bleu cheese dressing
diced tomatoes
Applewood bacon, crisp and crumbled
caramelized pecan halves, see recipe below for candied pecans
bleu cheese crumbles.

Balsalmic Reduction

1 cup balsamic vinegar

Add the vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, until thick and reduced, about 8 to 12 minutes. The timing will depend on your desired thickness. The reduction will also thicken as it cools. Assemble salad and drizzle with balsalmic reduction

Candied Pecans - https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/quick-stovetop-candied-pecans/

Toast Pecans First if you have time -

#PaulaDeen #SouthernCooking #ButterLover #SouthernComfortFood #PaulaDeenRecipes #SouthernStyle #ComfortFood #SouthernHospitality #CookingWithPaula #QueenOfButter #SouthernFavorites #SweetTeaAndBiscuits #DownHomeCooking #PaulaDeenClassic #SouthernKitchen #FriedChickenFridays #BiscuitsAndGravy #HomeCooking #ladyandsons #creekhouse #savannah

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Orange Honey Butter, Butterscotch Brownies & Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies...

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, September 28, 2024

Several recipes for you in this post. If you're planning an autumn party, this tray has a nice assortment. First, and this is so easy, is the Orange Honey Butter. The grated orange rind, takes it to the next level and adds a burst of freshness. This is one of those recipes that just has a few ingredients, you can make in five minutes and it's just so good! You can cut this recipe in half, but it's nice to have in the fridge and it keeps well.

2 sticks of softened butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
zest of one orange (1 tablespoon)

That's it, couldn't be easier. I use the balloon whisk on my Kitchenaid, whip butter first, then add the honey, salt and vanilla and whisk again until it's aerated and fluffy. Stir in the orange zest at at the end and a grating of more orange zest on the top is a nice touch.

Recipes for this tray - left to right, jar of cream cheese with a sprinkle of cinnamon, candy corn and peanuts (tastes exactly like a Pay Day Candy Bar) plain pumpkin bread, butterscotch brownies, chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin bread with raisins and walnuts added

Here are your links to the recipes:

Pumpkin bread

Butterscotch Brownies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

#PumpkinBread
#PumpkinSeason
#FallBaking
#AutumnRecipes
#PumpkinLovers
#PumpkinSpice
#ButterscotchBrownies
#BrownieLovers
#BakingDelights
#SweetTreats
#ButterscotchBliss
#BakingFromScratch
#BakersOfInstagram
#WorldsBestCookies
#ChocolateChipPerfection
#WorldsBestChocolateChipCookies
#UltimateChocolateChip
#CookieLovers
#HomemadeCookies
#CookiesOfInstagram

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Praline French Toast with Orange Sauce for a Special Brunch

Martha Stewart's Favorite Biscuit Recipe

Elsah's Landing Hawaiian Carrot Cake

Fasta Pasta

Simply the BEST Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Bakery Style...

Ingredients

Directions

Notes

Sweet or Savory Omelette ~ The Best Recipe, EVER!

Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls

Ina Garten’s ‘Perfect Roast Chicken’ and Yes, It Really IS Perfect

Paula Deen's Creek House Wedge Salad with Balsalmic Reduction

Orange Honey Butter, Butterscotch Brownies & Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies...

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