David Chang headlines USC Annenberg’s 2023 commencement ceremony

David Chang headlines USC Annenberg’s 2023 commencement ceremony
David Chang - Asian male in blue collard shirt smiles for camera

Founder of culinary brand Momofuku and entertainment company Majordomo Media, David Chang is one of the most influential chefs of his generation. (Photo by Andrew Bezek)

Food, culture and media innovator David Chang will deliver the keynote address at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism’s 2023 commencement ceremony on May 12. 

As founder of culinary brand Momofuku, Chang is considered one of the most influential chefs of his generation. His restaurants, beginning with Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City, have reinvented the casual dining experience around the globe. Challenging conventional expectations and cultural norms, Chang pushes the boundaries of taste infusing his dishes with an edgy take on Modern Asian cuisine. 

Chang is also a pioneer in original culinary storytelling. Co-founding Majordomo Media, he has produced and hosted groundbreaking documentaries, including Netflix’s “Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner” and “Ugly Delicious,” which focuses on foods and the cultures, or mixes of cultures, that produce them. In his latest series, “The Next Thing You Eat” on Hulu, Chang explores how the food industry is addressing issues of climate change, health and food scarcity. His hit Spotify podcasts, The Dave Chang Show and Recipe Club, as well as his New York Times-bestselling cookbooks Momofuku and Cooking At Home, and memoir Eat a Peach, round out his food media empire.

“With his remarkable ability to communicate across mediums and industries, David expands our world view through a fascinating exploration of food and culture,” said Willow Bay, dean of USC Annenberg. “While leveraging the power of storytelling, he has become a trailblazing force for connecting new ideas and traditions in kitchens and the cultures they represent. I know our graduates will be inspired by David’s unique wisdom and perspective.”

Chang has been named one of “the most influential people of the 21st century” by Esquire, has received six James Beard Awards, and has been recognized as GQ’s Man of the Year and a Time 100 honoree. His New York restaurant Ko has held two Michelin stars since 2009. The first celebrity on ABC’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to win $1 million, Chang donated the prize to Southern Smoke, a charity providing relief to hospitality workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The son of Korean immigrants, Chang was raised in suburban Washington, D.C., before earning his undergraduate degree in religious studies from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Following a brief stint in finance after graduating, he enrolled in the International Culinary Center’s Classic Culinary Arts program. After spending time with legendary chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Tom Colicchio and Daniel Boulud, Chang combined a classic European culinary training with studying the art of soba making in Japan, creating his own dishes for Noodle Bar, which he opened in 2004.

USC Annenberg’s past speakers have included global media leader Oprah Winfrey; media innovator and entrepreneur Maverick Carter; ABC News Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott ’15; former First Lady of California and journalist Maria Shriver; television pioneer Norman Lear; Chairman and CEO of BET Networks Debra L. Lee; and anchor for Univision and Fusion Jorge Ramos. 

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism will honor more than 1,000 candidates for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in communication, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations. USC Annenberg’s commencement ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on McCarthy Quad following the main USC commencement ceremony, which starts at 8:30 a.m. in Alumni Park. 

Recipe: Half-hour pudding, like Mom used to make

Recipe: Half-hour pudding, like Mom used to make

This old-fashioned, sweet comfort food yields a cake-like dessert surrounded by a pudding/caramel-like sauce.

A reader, Ginny, sent me an email and said a group of friends and her were recently chatting about childhood memories of food. Foods their mothers, grandmothers, relatives served that they so fondly remember.

Ginny told her friends about a dessert her mom made called half-hour pudding and none were familiar with it. She added that her mom died a long while ago and that she got to thinking about the origin of the recipe.

“I do not know if it came from her childhood on a prairie farm or if it was a depression [era] recipe. I have had no luck Goggling the origin other than it seems to be a prairie dish, so I now turn to you,” Ginny wrote in her email to me.

I told Ginny I would see what I could find out about the dessert.

If you’ve never heard of it, to make half-hour pudding, depending on the recipe, you either pour a hot water/brown sugar mixture over a batter that been placed in a baking dish, or you put the hot water/brown sugar mixture in the baking dish and top it with the batter. The pudding is then baked for — you guessed it — half an hour.

Like Ginny, I initially did not did have much success finding information about its origin.

Except that many recipes I found for it were often called mom’s half-hour pudding with some believing it dated back to 1940s.

But I eventually found a clue to its possible origin when I found recipes for half-hour pudding also being called Montreal pudding. And when researching Montreal pudding, it lead me to another name for this style of dessert that’s considered a classic Quebec dish, pouding chômeur. In English that translates to “poor man’s pudding” or “pudding of the unemployed.”

Some culinary sources say the late Georgette Falardeau, wife of Camillien Houde, a former mayor of Montreal, created this dessert in the 1930s at the beginning of the Great Depression. Lore suggests that at that time an empathetic Falardeau wanted to bring something sweet to bolster the spirits of the poor and unemployed. Another source, The Canadian Encyclopedia, counters that by saying the pudding was created by Quebec factory workers during the Great Depression, by women trying to make do with fewer ingredients.

Pouding chômeur became a popular dessert all over Quebec and how it was made varied from region to region. For example, in rural places where maple syrup was more readily available, it was used instead of brown sugar.

Eventually, pouding chômeur was no longer associated with poverty and versions of it were made in other parts of Canada. Whether called pouding chômeur, Montreal pudding or half hour pudding, you end up with a dish that’s basically two desserts in one — a cake with a pudding/caramel-like sauce around it.

Below is an adapted version of the old recipe Ginny sent me for half-hour pudding.

Half-Hour Pudding

This old-fashioned, sweet comfort food yields a cake-like dessert surrounded by a pudding/caramel-like sauce. For added richness, if desired, you could top servings of the pudding with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Makes: six to eight servings

For the batter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup raisins

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/3 cup packed golden brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup milk

For brown sugar mixture

2 cups boiling water

1 cup packed golden brown sugar

1 Tbsp butter, plus some soft butter for greasing

Preheat oven 350 F. Grease an eight-inch square baking dish with butter.

Combine the flour, raisins, baking powder, 1/3 cup brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl. Now mix in the milk, creating a batter.

Combine boiling water, 1 cup brown sugar and 1 Tbsp butter in a second bowl, and then pour into the baking dish.

Drop heaping tablespoon amounts of the batter into the liquid in this dish, ensuring it’s well distributed. Bake pudding 30 minutes, until bubbly and batter is set on top. Serve the pudding hot, warm or at room temperature.

eakis@timescolonist.com

Eric Akis is the author of eight cookbooks. His columns appear in the Life section Wednesday and Sunday.

Want A Refreshing Fruity Summer Drink? Try This Delicious Kharbuja Sharbat

Want A Refreshing Fruity Summer Drink? Try This Delicious Kharbuja Sharbat

Summer is here and the temperatures are gradually rising each day. Many of us dislike the idea of stepping outside our houses and having to bear the heat and humidity. We often feel extremely tired after spending even a few minutes in the sun. This is why it is important to stay hydrated and replenish our energy levels with natural drinks. From simple coconut water and masala chaas to flavoured milkshakes and juices, there are many options to choose from. We often use fruits to make summertime drinks because they add more freshness and flavour. You might have already tasted different types of watermelon coolers. But have you ever tried a muskmelon one? Kharbuja or muskmelon is actually a wonderful ingredient for cold drinks and milkshakes.
Also Read: Want An Easy Weight Loss Drink? Try This Delicious Cucumber Chaas Recipe

We recently came across a recipe for kharbuja sharbat on the YouTube channel, ‘Cook With Parul.’ This milk-based drink is super easy to prepare at home. The chef has added unique ingredients that make this cooler extra special. One of the best things about this sharbat is that it is not sweet, it also has a wonderfully thick consistency that may remind you of smoothies and falooda. Instead of any artificial additives, this cooler derives its flavour naturally from the goodness of muskmelon. Check out the recipe below.

How To Make Kharbuja Sharbat At Home | Easy Recipe For Muskmelon Cooler

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Easy summer drink recipes: This sharbat is a yummy way to consume muskmelon. Photo Credit: Pixabay

What you need:

The base of this drink is fresh muskmelon pulp and milk. You also need to add a little custard powder. This ingredient is not essential, but helps thicken the sharbat. You also need condensed milk for the same reason. In place of it, you can use sugar to maintain the sweetness level. Small-sized sago pearls (sabudana) and sabja seeds are added to give the drink a lovely mouthfeel and also enhance its cooling properties. You can top the drink with chopped dry fruits and/or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Also Read: Nutritionist Busts Myths About 5 Common Foods That Seem Healthy, But Aren’t

How to prepare:

  1. Halve one muskmelon and remove the core along with the seeds. Scoop out the remaining fleshy pulp of the melon using a spoon. Blend the pulp (without water) to form a puree.
  2. In a pan, cook the mini sago pearls in water on high flame. Once they are almost transparent, switch off the heat, strain them and set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the custard powder with a little water to form a thin mixture with no lumps.
  4. In a big pan or kadhai, heat milk over low to medium flame. Before it comes to a boil, add the custard powder mixture and stir continuously.
  5. Add in the condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Taste and adjust sweetness as required.
  6. Finally, add the muskmelon puree prepared earlier and stir well. Cook for around 2 more minutes and then transfer to a bowl to cool.
  7. Once the drink has cooled, add soaked sabja seeds as well as sago pearls from earlier. Mix well.
  8. Pour the drink into glasses and add toppings of choice.

For the exact ingredient quantities and steps, watch the full recipe video below

Also Read: Is Masala Thums Up The Best Indian Drink? Desi Twitter Approves
You can store this sharbat in the refrigerator for around 4 days. What a tasty way to beat the heat, isn’t it? Try it for yourself and see.

About Toshita SahniToshita is fuelled by wordplay, wanderlust, wonderment and Alliteration. When she is not blissfully contemplating her next meal, she enjoys reading novels and roaming around the city.

The Sims 4: Cooking Recipes Guide

The Sims 4: Cooking Recipes Guide

Cooking is an essential aspect of daily life, and in The Sims 4, it is no exception. Cooking skill is a crucial skill for any Sim looking to whip up a delicious meal. From the base game to the various expansion packs, the game offers a wide range of recipes for players to learn and experiment with. Whether it’s whipping up a quick snack or preparing a gourmet feast, mastering the Cooking Skill will enable players to satisfy their Sim’s hunger, impress guests, and make a profit.

GAMERANT VIDEO OF THE DAYSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

Related: Great Games To Learn How To Bake

In The Sims 4, Sims can primarily learn new recipes by practicing their Cooking Skill. As they cook more meals, their skill level will increase, and they will unlock new recipes. Aside from leveling up the Cooking Skill, Sims can also unlock new recipes through various means. For example, ordering food from a food vendor or a restaurant can also sometimes result in Sims learning the recipe of the dish they ordered. Additionally, some recipes can be unlocked by Sims that experiencing certain emotional states, such as being energized, flirty, angry and more.


Tips For Cooking Skill

The Sims 4 Tips For Cooking Skill

Cooking is an important skill for Sims to master, as it affects their overall mood and well-being. While Sims can opt for quick snacks or microwave food, relying on these options for too long can give Sims a negative moodlet. The best way to improve the cooking skill is to cook meals to satisfy the hunger need. However, Sims with low-grade appliances or those completing the Unlucky Chef Scenario may find it beneficial to learn cooking from skill books in order to prevent fires. Gourmet Cooking skill requires a minimum of level 5 in cooking, but this can also be learned from skill books.

Sims who enjoy cooking frequently and in larger quantities may want to consider completing the Master Chef aspiration, as it enables them to cook high-quality food that never spoils. For those who enjoy these activities, gardening and fishing are also great skills to develop alongside cooking since fresh, high-quality ingredients improve the overall quality of the food, while using one’s own ingredients reduces the cost of food preparation. By improving their cooking skills, Sims can learn to add flavor to their stove-cooked meals, and by reaching level 8 in the Gourmet Cooking skill, they can learn how to garnish their dishes. These techniques not only enhance the overall quality of the meal but also give unique moodlets to the Sims who eat it.

All Skill-Based Cooking Recipes

The Sims 4 All Skill-Based Cooking Recipes

These recipes are easily accessible through the fridge or oven as players improve their cooking skill, without requiring additional unique interactions with objects or other Sims. The base game provides a substantial collection of cooking recipes, but various expansion packs offer an extensive range of options, catering to Sims’ unique tastes and lifestyles.

Regardless of the pack or base game, many of the recipes in The Sims 4 can be cooked with fresh ingredients. However, the Cottage Living expansion pack introduced a new lot challenge called Simple Living, which adds another layer of realism and challenge to cooking. With this trait, Sims cannot rely on their Simoleons to purchase ingredients via the cooking appliance right away, and must instead do their own grocery shopping or grow and harvest all the required produce themselves. This can make cooking a bit more challenging, but also more rewarding for players who enjoy a more immersive gameplay experience.

The order of the lists below is based on cooking skill level and alphabetical order:

Base Game

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Chocolate Cake

None

Chocoberry or Chocolate Syrup, Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Eggs and Toast

None

Bread, Egg

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Garden Salad

Tomato

Lettuce, Tomato

Fridge-only, Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Grilled Cheese

None

Bread, Cheese

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Hamburger Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Exclusive To Up All Night Content Vegetarian-Safe

1

Japchae

None

Any Herb, Egg, Flour

None

1

Mac and Cheese

None

Cheese, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Pan De Muerto

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free.

1

Pão de Queijo

None

Flour, Milk/Egg

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Rice Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

1

White Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Vegetable Dumplings

None

Any Vegetable, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

2

BLT

Tomato

Lettuce, Meat

Lactose-Free

2

Brigadeiro

None

Chocoberry or Chocoberry Syrup, Milk

Vegetarian-Safe

2

Chips and Salsa

Tomato, Onion

Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

2

Faux Meat Protein Plate

None

Meat Substitute

Requires Energized emotion Vegetarian-Safe

2

Fish Tacos

Any Fish, Any Vegetable

Any Fish, Flour

Lactose-Free

2

High Energy Protein Plate

None

Meat

Requires Energized emotion Lactose-Free

2

Scrambled Eggs With Bacon

Tomato, Eggs

Egg

Lactose-Free

2

Tteokguk

None

Any Vegetable, Flour

None

2

Winter Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Chocolate Chip Cookies

None

Chocoberry or Chocolate Syrup, Egg, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Faux Meat Casserole

Meat Substitute

Lettuce, Meat Substitute, Cheese

Exclusive to Up All Night Content Vegetarian-Safe

3

Flirty Heart Cookies

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Requires Flirty emotion Vegetarian-Safe

3

Galbi-jjim

Any Meat

Any Meat

None

3

Hallaca

Tomato

Any Meat, Tomato, Flour

None

3

Pan Fried Tilapia

Tilapia

Tilapia

Lactose-Free

3

Pancakes

Any Fruit

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Silly Gummy Bear Pancakes

None

Egg, Sugar

Requires Playful emotion Vegetarian-Safe

3

Taco Casserole

Faux Meat Cube

Wrapped Red Meat, Lettuce, Cheese

Exclusive to Up All Night Content

3

Zaatar Manakeesh

Any Herb

Any Herb, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Angry Flaming Spaghetti

Tomato, Onion, Mushroom, Garlic

Onion, Tomato

RequiresAngry emotion Vegetarian-Safe

4

Black and White Cookies

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Exclusive to Up All Night content Vegetarian-Safe

4

Spaghetti

Tomato, Onion, Mushroom, Garlic

Flour, Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Strawberry Cake

Strawberry

Egg, Flour, Sugar, Strawberry

Vegetarian-Safe

5

(Sim’s Name) Signature Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Requires Level 6 on Chef Career Branch Vegetarian-Safe

5

Acarajé

Onion

Flour, Onion

Lactose-Free

5

Fish and Chips

Potato, Any Fish

Any Fish, Potato

Lactose-Free

5

French Toast

Any Fruit

Any Bread, Egg

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

5

Fried Fish Plate

Any Fish

Any Fish

Lactose-Free

6

Baked Chocolate Mousse

None

Chocoberry/Chocolate Syrup

None

6

Blue Confetti Cake

None

Blue Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Butter Chicken

None

Tomato, White Meat

None

6

Chili

Tomato, Onion

Red Meat, Tomato

Lactose-Free

6

Palak Paneer

None

Cheese, Spinach

None

7

Blackened Bass

Bass

Any Herb, Bass

Lactose-Free

7

Boiling Frog Hot Pot

Any Frog

Any Frog

None

7

Crown Roast

Potatoes, Any Herb

Any Herb, Potato, Red Meat

Lactose-Free

7

Mud Carp

None

Any Fish

Lactose-Free

7

Golden Omelet

Golden Eggs

Golden Egg, Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

7

Obsidian Omelet

Obsidian Eggs

Obsidian Egg, Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

7

Omelet

Spinach or Eggs, Mushroom, Onion

Egg, Mushroom, Onion

Vegetarian-Safe

7

Steamed Fish

Any Fish

Any Fish

None

8

Apple Pie

Apple

Apple, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

9

Cioppino

Tomato, Any Fish, Garlic

Any Fish, Tomato

Lactose-Free

10

Roast Chicken

Carrot, Potato

Carrot, Potato, White Meat

Lactose-Free

10

Tuna Casserole

Any Vegetable

Any Fish, Any Vegetable, Cheese

None

City Living

Related: The Sims 4: Best Fertilizer

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

2

Faux BLT

Tomato

Bread, Meat Substitute, Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe

2

Tofu Tacos

Any Vegetable

Any Vegetable, Flour, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Faux Meat Bowl

Meat Substitute

Mayonnaise, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Poke Bowl

Any Fish

Any Fish, Mayonnaise

Any Fish is Required

5

Faux Meat and Chips

Potato, Meat Substitute

Meat Substitute, Potato

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Faux Meat Butter Chicken

None

Meat Substitute, Onion, Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Vegetable Chili

Tomato, Onion

Meat Substitute, Onion, Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe

9

Chicken Stir Fry

Mushroom, Wrapped White Meat

Mushroom, Onion, White Meat

Lactose-Free

9

Tofu Stir Fry

Onion, Mushroom

Meat Substitute, Mushroom, Onion

Vegetarian-Safe

10

Roast Tofu Chicken

Carrot, Potato

Carrot, Meat Substitute, Potato

Vegetarian-Safe

10

Vegetable Casserole

Any Vegetable

Any Vegetable, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe

Seasons

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Honey Cake

Honey

Egg, Flour, Sugar, Honey

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Scout Cookies

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Exclusive to Teens or older Sims who have unlocked a scout badge

Island Living

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

3

Coconut Cake

Coconut

Egg, Flour, Sugar, Coconut

Vegetarian-Safe

Eco Lifestyle

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Popcorn Crickets

Cricket Flour

Any Vegetable, Cricket Flour

Lactose-Free

3

Cricket Meal

Cricket Flour

Any Vegetable, Cricket Flour

Lactose-Free

5

Bombardier Beetle Stir-Fry

Bombardier Beetle Nugget

Any Vegetable, Bombardier Beetle Nugget

Snowy Escape

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Onigiri

None

Mayonnaise, Any Vegetable

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

2

Beef Ramen

Faux Meat Cube

Flour, Wrapped Red Meat

Lactose-Free

2

Egg Ramen

None

Flour, Egg

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

2

Matcha Cake

None

Green Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

2

Miso Ramen

None

Flour, Any Vegetable

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

2

Seaweed Ramen

None

Flour, Any Vegetable

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Knafeh

None

Cheese, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Minced Pork Noodles

Any Meat, (Flour or Sugar)

Flour/Sugar, Meat

4

Tri-Color Dango

None

Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Beef Yakisoba

Faux Meat Cube

Wrapped Red Meat, Any Vegetable

Lactose-Free

5

Fish Yakisoba

Any Fish

Any Vegetable, Any Fish, Any Mushroom

Lactose-Free

5

Veggie Yakisoba

Any Vegetable

Any Vegetable, Any Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

Cottage Living

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Cheese

Any Milk

Milk

Vegetarian-Safe. Group Meal only.

1

Golden Eggs and Toast

Golden Eggs

Any Bread, Golden Egg, Egg

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Lactose-Free Milk Bread

Mighty Plant Milk, Flour

Flour, Mighty Plant Milk, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Lactose-Free Yorkshire Pudding

Mighty Plant Milk, Egg, Flour

Egg, Flour, Mighty Plant Milk

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Milk Bread

Flour, Any Milk

Flour, Milk, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Obsidian Eggs and Toast

Obsidian Eggs

Any Bread, Obsidian Egg, Egg

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Yorkshire Pudding

Egg, Flour, Any Milk

Egg, Flour, Milk

Vegetarian-Safe

2

Beef Wellington

Wrapped Red Meat, Flour

Any Herb, Flour, Red Meat

Lactose-Free

2

Faux Meat Wellington

Flour, Meat Substitute

Any Herb, Flour, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe

2

Golden Scrambled Eggs and Bacon

Golden Eggs

Golden Egg, Egg

Lactose-Free

2

Obsidian Scrambled Eggs and bacon

Obsidian Eggs

Obsidian Egg, Egg

Lactose-Free

2

Watermelon Salad

Any Watermelon

Any Vegetable, Watermelon

Fridge-only, Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

3

Aubergine Parmesan

Any Aubergine, Any Cheese

Aubergine, Cheese, Egg

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Blueberry Pie

Blueberry or Blueberry Jam

Blueberry/Blueberry Jam, Egg, Flour/Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Charming Mushroom Soup

Charming Mushroom

Charming Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Lovely Mushroom Soup

Lovely Mushroom

Lovely Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Mushroom Soup

Any Mushroom

Any Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Mysterious Mushroom Soup

Mysterious Mushroom

Mysterious Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Nightly Mushroom Soup

Nightly Mushroom

Nightly Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Raspberry Pie

Raspberry or Raspberry Jam

Egg, Flour/Sugar, Raspberry/Raspberry Jam

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Spicy Mushroom Soup

Spicy Mushroom

Spicy Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Verdant Mushroom Soup

Verdant Mushroom

Verdant Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Berry Scones

Any Berry

Berry, Egg, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Chocolate Pie

Chocoberry or Chocolate Syrup

Chocoberry/Chocolate Syrup, Egg, Flour/Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Chocolate Scones

Chocoberry or Chocolate Syrup

Chocoberry/Chocolate Syrup, Egg, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Pumpkin Scones

Any Pumpkin

Egg, Flour, Pumpkin

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Blueberry Jam Crumpets

Flour, Blueberry Jam

Blueberry/Blueberry Jam, Egg, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Buttered Jam Crumpets

Flour

Egg, Flour, Milk

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Cottage Pie

Wrapped Red Meat

Any Vegetable, Any Meat, Potato

Lactose-Free

6

Faux Cottage Pie

Meat Substitute

Any Vegetable, Meat Substitute, Potato

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Faux Meat Pie

Meat Substitute

Egg, Flour/Sugar, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Meat Pie

Wrapped Red Meat

Egg, Flour/Sugar, Any Meat

Lactose-Free

6

Pumpkin Stew

Any Pumpkin

Pumpkin

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

6

Strawberry Jam Crumpets

Flour, Strawberry Jam

Egg, Flour, Strawberry

Vegetarian-Safe

7

Pumpkin Pie

Any Pumpkin

Egg, Flour/Sugar, Pumpkin

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

9

Bangers and Mash

Potato Wrapped Red Meat

Any Herb, Meat, Potato

Lactose-Free

9

Faux Meat and Mash

Potato, Meat Substitute

Any Herb, Meat Substitute, Potato

Vegetarian-Safe

Outdoor Retreat

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Franks and Beans

Onion

Onion, Any Meat

Lactose-Free

3

Fried Fish

Any Fish

Any Fish

Lactose-Free

5

Breakfast Scramble

Potato, Onion, Any Mushroom

Potato, Onion, Egg, Any Mushroom

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Camper’s Stew

Carrot, Potato, Any Mushroom

Carrot, Potato, Any Meat

Lactose-Free

7

Fruit Cobbler

Any Fruit

Bottle of Milk, Any Fruit, Flour/ Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

8

Gumbo

Onion, Any Crawdad, Any Insect

Onion, Crawdad, Any Insect

Lactose-Free

9

Walleye Surprise

Walleye, Huckleberry, Locust

Walleye, Huckleberry, Locust

Lactose-Free

Spa Day

Related: The Sims 4: Lot Traits, Explained

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Sugar-Free Carob Coconut Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Wellness level 2, Vegetarian-Safe

1

Superfood Salad

Pomegranate

Pomegranate, Onion

Wellness level 7, Fridge-only, Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

Dine Out

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Fruit Salad

Any Fruit

Any Fruit

Fridge only, Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Italian Meatballs

Parsley

Any Tomato, Any Meat, Parsley

Lactose-Free

5

Minestrone

Carrot, Basil, Tomato

Carrot, Basil, Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

6

Clam Chowder

Potato, Onion

Potato, Onion, Milk

Vampires

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Plasma Fruit Salad

Plasma Fruit

Plasma Fruit

Vampire Lore level 9, Fridge only, Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

Jungle Adventure

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

1

Remedy of the Ancients

Ancient Bone Dust

Ancient Bone Dust

Requires “Curse of the Ancients” moodlet

Werewolves

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

2

Steak Tartare

Any Red Meat

Any Red Meat

Lactose-Free

Spooky Stuff

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients (Amounts and some ingredients depend on sizing)

Notes

2

Spooky Cookies

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Cheese Eyeballs

None

Cheese

Vegetarian-Safe

4

Zombie Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

Gourmet Cooking Recipes

The Sims 4 Gourmet Cooking Recipes

Gourmet cooking may appear similar to normal cooking in many ways, but it offers more exciting options for Sims to explore. It also includes items such as Ambrosia, which can revive dead Sims. Gourmet cooking recipes are also compatible with simple cooking. However, unlike normal cooking recipes, they do not require varying types or amounts of ingredients for different serving sizes.

The order of the lists below is based on cooking skill level and alphabetical order:

Base Game

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients

Notes

1

Black and White Cake

None

Egg, Sugar, Flour

Exclusive to Up All Night Content Vegetarian-Safe

1

Caprese Salad

Tomato, Basil

Lettuce, Tomato

Fridge-only, Vegetarian-Safe

1

Fruit & Yogurt Parfait

Any Fruit

Any Fruit, Milk

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Garlic Noodles

Garlic

Egg, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Gourmet Fruit Cake

Any Fruit

Any Fruit, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

1

Pasta Primavera

Any Vegetable, Any Herb

Any Vegetable, Flour

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

White and Black Cake

None

Egg, Sugar, Flour

Exclusive to Up All Night Content Vegetarian-Safe

2

Butternut Gnocchi

Any Herb

Any Herb, Pumpkin

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

2

Chicken Saltimbocca

Lemon, Spinach

Lemon, White Meat

Lactose-Free

3

Herb-Crusted Salmon

Salmon, Any Herb

Any Herb, Salmon

Lactose-Free

3

Salt and Pepper Shrimp Cocktail

None

Onions, Any Herb

Group Meal only, Lactose-Free

3

Spinach Frittata

Spinach

Egg, Spinach

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Any Herb

Meat

Lactose-Free

5

SimCity Cheesecake

Any Fruit

Cheese, Egg, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Tiered Cake

None

Egg, Flour, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Rack of Lamb

Carrot, Potato, Faux Meat Cube, Any Herb

Any Herb, Meat, Potato

Lactose-Free

7

Lobster Thermidor

Lemon, Any Herb

Any Herb, Lemon

7

Lobster Tortellini

Tomato, Any Herb

Any Herb, Tomato

Lactose-Free

8

Monte Cristo Sandwich

Any Fruit

Bread, Meat

9

Trout Meunière

Trout, Lemon, Parsley

Lemon, Trout

Lactose-Free

10

Ambrosia

Angelfish, Potion of Youth, Death Flower

Angelfish, Potion of Youth, Death Flower

Used to bring back ghosts to life.

10

Baked Alaska

Any Fruit

Any Fruit

Vegetarian-Safe

City Living

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients

Notes

2

Tofu Chicken Saltimbocca

Lemon, Spinach

Lemon, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Faux Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Any Herb

Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

7

Faux Lobster Tortellini

Tomato, Any Herb

Lettuce, Tomato

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

8

Meatless Monte Cristo

Any Fruit

Bread, Meat Substitute

Vegetarian-Safe

Snowy Escape

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients

Notes

3

Avocado Maki Roll

Avocado

Any Vegetable

Vegetarian-Safe

3

Salmon Maki Roll

Salmon

Salmon, Any Vegetable

Lactose-Free

3

Tuna Maki Roll

Blue-Fin Tuna

Any Vegetable, Any Fish

Lactose-Free

5

Salmon Nigiri

Salmon

Salmon

Lactose-Free

5

Tamago Nigiri

None

Egg

Vegetarian-Safe

5

Tuna Nigiri

Bluefin Tuna

Any Fish

Lactose-Free

Cottage Living

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients

Notes

1

Lactose-Free Fruit & Yogurt Parfait

Mighty Plant Milk

Any Fruit, Mighty Plant Milk

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

5

Lactose-Free SimCity Cheesecake

Mighty Plant Milk

Egg, Mighty Plant Milk, Sugar

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

Dine Out

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients

Notes

2

Caesar Salad

Lemon

Lemon, Any Lettuce

Fridge-only, Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

4

Butternut Squash Soup

Onion

Onion, Any Pumpkin

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

5

Tiramisu

None

Egg, Sugar, Chocoberry or Chocolate Syrup

Vegetarian-Safe

6

Eggs Benedict

None

Egg, Bottle of Milk

Lactose-Free

Luxury Party Stuff

Level

Name

Ingredients

Simple Living Ingredients

Notes

1

Almond Macaroons

None

Egg

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

1

Ceviche and Chips

None

Potato, Any Fish, Flour, Sugar

Lactose-Free

1

Vegetable Tempura

None

Any Vegetable

Vegetarian-Safe, Lactose-Free

Vendor Recipes

The Sims 4 Vendor Recipes

To learn new vendor recipes in The Sims 4, Sims must visit vendor stalls and try out new food. While the City Living expansion pack introduced the first set of vendor recipes, other packs also include some vendor recipes. The requirements per pack for these recipes are as follows:

Related: The Sims 4: City Living Complete Guide

  • City Living: Sims must visit each festival and food stall and eat the food to unlock the recipe. This pack is compatible with the Simple Living lot trait.
  • Cats & Dogs: Sims must visit vendor stalls at Brindleton Bay and eat the food to unlock the recipe.
  • Jungle Adventure: Sims must visit the vendor stalls at Selvadorada and eat the food to unlock the recipe. Some recipes require the Selvadoradan Culture Skill at level 5.
  • Journey to Batuu: Food can be purchased from multiple locations in Black Spire Outpost, including Docking Bay 7, Ronto Roasters, and Oga’s Cantina. To learn the recipes, the Sim trying the food must be inspired.

Other Food Interactions And Recipes

The Sims 4 Dine Out Restaurant Ordering Food

Additional food options for Sims can be obtained through certain objects or features in base game or packs. Here are some of them:

  • Cupcake Machine: Requires the Whipped Dream Cupcake Factory object from Build/Buy Mode. With the Get To Work expansion, players can also gain baking skill from this item and unlock more recipes. Most items are compatible with the Simple Living lot challenge.
  • Experimental Dishes: These dishes require the Dine Out game pack and can only be eaten at restaurants. While players can’t learn these recipes to cook at home, taking pictures of experimental dishes serves as a new collection group while enjoying interesting meals.
  • Fire Pit: Comes with the Outdoor Living pack. Most items don’t require any ingredients for normal or simple living, nor simoleons, except for cooking Beetles which need 1 beetle in the inventory.
  • Grand Meals: These dishes are exclusive to the Seasons pack. Their primary function is to be served during holiday celebrations, but they can be cooked anytime. They are also compatible with the Simple Living lot challenge.
  • Off-The-Grid Exclusive Recipes: While many general recipes can be cooked at an off-the-grid lot, some items are only available when this lot challenge is active. Most require fish or certain vegetables, and can also be utilized in combination with the Simple Living lot challenge.
  • Outdoor Grill: These recipes are exclusive to the Outdoor Grill. Most are compatible with the Simple Living lot challenge.
  • Pet Recipes: Requires the Cats & Dogs expansion pack and a pet to be present in the household. There are normal cooking and gourmet cooking pet recipes available.

The Sims 4 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Becoming a flexitarian: the latest in healthy eating

Becoming a flexitarian: the latest in healthy eating

Estimated read time: 5-6
minutes

NEW YORK — Between 2014 and 2018, Americans who converted to a vegan diet exploded by 600{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889}. Remarkably, 71{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} of Americans have tried at least one plant-based meat alternative, sending plant-based food sales skyrocketing, topping $7 billion in 2020 and continuing to grow — no pun intended.

Plant-based eating plans have become the norm for many, either out of a desire not to eat animals or for health-related issues. Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free and Vegetarianism have become well-known terms in the world of dietary restrictions.

For most people, these are not fad diets but rather lifestyle choices. One of those latest trendier lifestyles is based on plant-based eating and is called flexitarian. Just what is it, and how does it work?

What is a flexitarian?

Flexitarian diets or lifestyle is a form of eating focused on primarily plant-based foods while consuming meat and other animal products in moderation. Initially authored by dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner, it’s an effort to allow people to reap the benefits of plant-based or vegetarian eating without entirely giving up animal products. Hence, the name combines “Flexible” and “vegetarian” as it is more flexible than vegan or vegetarian diets.

Healthline, a health and wellness site, profiles the facets of a beginner’s guide to the flexitarian diet. The main principles include:

Unlike the trend of other fad diets, which ask people to calorie count, and create portion sizes, the flexitarian way is more of a lifestyle than a diet since it doesn’t have set rules.

Sheri Berger, registered dietician and creator of The Plant Strong Dietitian, has consistently practiced a flexitarian diet for at least five years. She describes a flexitarian diet as focusing on eating whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.

For protein, the focus is on plants such as beans, lentils, or tofu; however, animal protein from chicken, beef, pork, or fish is not entirely excluded; it is just chosen less often.

Melanie Jordan, a Nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach and founder of Your Health Life Made Easy, has been a flexitarian for more than 20 years — long before it was a known term.

“When I started, I was primarily vegetarian and mixed in fish one to two times weekly,” she says. “Today, I do eat some poultry at times, but still eat a good amount of meals that are only vegetarian or pescatarian. Some flexitarians will occasionally eat red meat, but I am not a fan.”

The flexitarian trend

According to this Plant-Based News article, 47{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} of young Americans, aged 20 to 39, identify as flexitarians. This was based on a survey of 2,000 Americans commissioned by Sprouts Farmers Market. The poll also found that 43 percent of those who responded considered it to be more than a diet but rather a permanent lifestyle change.

In a statement released about the survey, Sprouts Chief Executive Officer Jack Sinclair offers:

“The interest in plant-based foods and a flexitarian diet is evident — shoppers are more engaged with their food than ever,” he states. “They are seeking innovative and alternative products to mix up the meals they prepare for themselves and their families.

“We believe consumers will remain focused on incorporating healthy foods into their lifestyles to support immunity and overall well-being in the future,” he continues. “This includes introducing consumers to things they never considered before, like plant-based foods and meat alternatives.”

Becoming a flexitarian

The flexitarian lifestyle is not for everyone but is relatively easy to follow since it has no set rules. However, there are some considerations to determine if that is the route to choose.

Berger offers advice to anyone considering making the switch. “Always remember balance when adapting to a flexitarian diet or any diet,” she says. “Since you will be eating less meat, you want to make sure you are swapping in plant protein sources such as beans, lentils, tofu, or tempeh.”

For those unsure of how to achieve a balanced diet, she recommends consulting a registered dietitian, who are the true nutrition experts.

Jordan also recommends that consulting nutritionists and fitness experts will help choose the best lifestyle change. She points to the USDA’s latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 as a free and helpful resource on guidelines for healthy eating with a nutrient-dense approach.

For those considering the change, she shares that the best way to adapt is “Practice patience with yourself and some experimentation to see where along the flexitarian scale the right balance is for you that matches your lifestyle, preferences and objectives while skewing towards the plant-based, whole grains, nuts, and seeds side.”

Reaping the benefits

Before going flexitarian, one should consider the result and potential benefits. Berger endorses the lifestyle for the benefit to her health.

“A flexitarian diet has helped me to lower my cholesterol levels because I’ve increased fiber and reduced saturated fat,” she notes. “I also find being flexitarian makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight as fruits and vegetables comprise a large portion of the diet, and they are the lowest calorie foods out there!”

Jordan shares that finding something healthy and satisfying simultaneously came with being flexitarian.

“It was the first step in helping me find a healthy eating pattern that worked for me that I could stick with,” she says. “It was like ‘The Three Bears’ for me — vegan was too strict, vegetarian was close but not quite, but flexitarian was the right fit. It also gives me plenty of variety and flexibility in my healthy food choices, so it’s been easy to stick with long-term without feeling deprived or bored.”

The flexitarian conversion also has some famous followers, including Ellen DeGeneres, Meghan Markle, Drew Barrymore and Diane Keaton, and superstar quarterback Tom Brady.

As healthy eating and lifestyle choices constantly evolve, adapting to a plant-based lifestyle is one way many enhance their health through nutrition. For those not ready to embrace life without consuming animal products, becoming a flexitarian can support those health benefits without giving up the occasional hamburger or cheese tray. After all, it’s about being flexible.

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Leftover Easter sweets can be used to make Peanut Butter Fingers

Leftover Easter sweets can be used to make Peanut Butter Fingers

Do you have chocolate bunnies and various other chocolates leftover from Easter? It’s all good, but maybe all you crave are those delectable peanut butter eggs. What if you could have your peanut butters eggs and feel good about eating them?

Leftover Easter sweets can be used to make Peanut Butter Fingers

You can take a few simple ingredients and create an amazingly healthy version of one of our favorite treats. I often make my own peanut butter, but there are several good natural peanut butters in the markets now. And for that matter, you can use any nut butter you prefer to customize your own version of the chocolate covered candy.

Most natural peanut butters purposely contain very little added sugar. To sweeten this recipe up a bit, try adding a very small amount of date syrup or maple syrup.

Most natural peanut butters purposely contain very little added sugar. I sweeten this recipe up a bit by adding a very small amount of date syrup or maple syrup. Almond flour thickens the filling mixture and makes it easier to shape.

After molding the candy by hand, and coating in chocolate, sprinkle on a tad of flakey sea salt, or chopped peanuts for added flavor and texture.

After molding the candy by hand, and coating in chocolate, I sprinkle on a tad of flakey sea salt, or chopped peanuts for added flavor and texture, but this is completely optional. The shape of this candy can be completely freeform and any size or form you desire.

Larue

Milk chocolate may be used in this recipe, but the benefits of dark chocolate elevates the nutrition in each bite so I can feel even better about partaking in this exceptional treat.

Enjoy food made fresh!

Peanut Butter Fingers

2/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter

4 tablespoons almond flour, plus more as needed