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Ssangyong is best known in the UK as a producer of capable four-wheel-drive SUVs, with limited interest from a largely CO2-focused fleet sector. Its line-up of three cars and a pick-up truck (Tivoli, Korando, Rexton, and Musso), are heavily retail-focused, but they have proved capable enough for some business wins for fleets needing the capability of four-wheel drive. I met the Ssangyong UK managing director Kevin Griffin via video link at a time when the company is patiently awaiting the outcome of a restructuring plan in Korea. The business missed a payment in December 2020 to JP MorganChase bank in Korea, and on 22 December announced it was going through an autonomous restructuring program (ARP). Since then, parent company Mahindra & Mahindra has been seeking a new investor, and should finance be in place by the end of the month, the outcome should be positive. Ssangyong UK is part of independent European vehicle importer Bassadone, so, although not tied to the company in Korea, it and its dealer network is currently reliant on the brand for products. But unlike in the UK, where the ambition is to achieve a 0.5% market share in the next five years, Ssangyong has a huge business in Korea with a million vehicles on the roads. Failure would seem unlikely. Griffin, who has been at Ssangyong UK for six years and was appointed managing director in 2020, is optimistic but says he doesn't know anything more than has been reported. "For us in the UK, there is no change," he says. "We're still ordering cars and they're still building them." "Under the autonomous restructuring program, they have until 28 February 2021 to come up with an arrangement with their creditor. "We're still operating on the principle that Ssangyong will come through this, and we still have stock and we're still ordering stock. "This month the new Rexton will arrive in the UK. We put in the order after the company was in the ARP, which is positive and we're still getting parts supply. "Everything is normal for us, our network is operating as normal and we're awaiting the results at the end of the month." Ssangyong UK needs some good news, but there are some interesting new products on the horizon. Griffin says the company has got used to the restrictions of operating under lockdown, and some of the lessons learned in the spring of 2020 have made the current situation a little easier. "Click and buy has been more effective in this lockdown than the first one," he says. "During 2020 we learned a lot from the lockdowns, including the number of showrooms and staff needed to operate them. "Our own aspirations include reaching the 10,000 units a year mark in the UK and we would like to see around 25% of that from fleet and business sales, but we think it's achievable. "We are predominantly a retail brand but we're making an increasing number of inroads into the fleet sector especially through small businesses. "Our dealer networks are either small groups or family-run businesses. They like to look after the customers and people using Ssangyong dealers for the first time are receiving a level of service they aren't necessarily expecting," he says. "We have a few high-profile fleets, including the Highways Agency and we have some police demonstrators. The Metropolitan Police have placed orders for some of our vehicles, and we have ambulance vehicles on the road with SCAS and medical transport provider IMT, and these vehicles seem to be doing the job for them. "Both organizations love the vehicles and the conversions work extremely well, and they are good, reliable vehicles for these organizations, and they are building their fleets up with Ssangyong. "IMT has 38 Ssangyongs on its fleet at the moment, and we're expecting to supply more. They are used for work including the transport of transplant organs or blood. "The Rexton, Musso, and Korando are fitting in, so it's good to see a number of our vehicles being chosen. We've also supplied vehicles to North Wales Fire Service." So, fleets that need the capability of a sturdy and spacious four-wheel-drive vehicle are well-served by the Rexton. But what of the mainstream of the business car sector? Griffin says Ssangyong is about to introduce its first fully electric car and there will be more plug-in vehicles to follow. "We're expecting to see the electric Korando in July or August. We're not able to announce prices just yet but we're very excited about this car. "Many of our competitors are making an impression with electric vehicles at the moment and this will allow us to join that party. The whole UK business is excited about it, all our dealers are excited about it and Ssangyong in Korea is excited about it too. We believe it will make a difference to the brand in this country. "It will give us an extra inroad into the business car sector, where some of our other vehicles are not as desirable for CO2 considerations, this will put us on the radar. "Not everyone will buy an electric car from us, but it will make our brand more visible and they might end up buying something else." The current Ssangyong car line-up offers customers the choice of petrol or diesel engines, with diesel only available in the Rexton (and the Musso pick-up). But Griffin believes that when the brand begins to sell its first electric vehicle, it will bring about a transformation. "The EV will change our strategic thinking and the direction we go in," he says. There are plans for a smaller plug-in hybrid, in a car similar in size to the current Tivoli, Griffin is reserving most enthusiasm for an electric Musso pick-up that should be on the market in late 2022 or early 2023. "We think that will give us a big boost in the pick-up truck sector and it shows the confidence the company has, in spite of the recent difficulties," says Griffin. "We were shown some pictures of these vehicles in a manufacturing conference in January and everyone was excited about it being launched. "This electric vehicle will make a difference. There are more brands leaving the pick-up truck market than are coming in, and the Musso is a very good truck. We have two wheelbase lengths and it's incredibly versatile. It has been popular with SMEs and has been selling well during the lockdown." With high-profile Elon Musk creating a fanfare about a Tesla electric truck two years ago, this can only be good news for a company with a strong background in producing pick-up trucks. And for those businesses that depend on pick-up trucks, the Ssangyong truck would be taken more seriously than a Tesla. Source

Leave me in peace, I had straight flush for once, and the player had Royal flush, So I lost 5kk money.

bn, welcome back

Zach Gehring, guitarist for Mae, has announced the forthcoming album for his experimental project Demons. Privation is due to be released on April 30 under Spartan Records and will feature the newly released single “Play Acting Virtue.” Demons’ newest track consists of a riff-heavy, thrash metal sound with tumultuous vocals. “This song was one of the earlier ones written for Privation. I was listening to a lot of Converge, and I still hear the influence applied through our filter. The music was written on an acoustic. It was a block headed riff that came alive when Drew built the drum part. He achieved the perfect balance of chaos and drive. Lyrically, I was caught up on this promise that truth somehow brings freedom, or truth liberates you. I think that can often have the opposites impact. I think the truth is often treated as a sort of shallow poetic device, or an ephemeral enlightenment. But it’s an obligation that never fully subsides,” said Gehring in a press release. “Play Acting Virtue,” along with the other music Gehring producers under Demons, has a much different sound than what Mae typically releases . Mae is a rock band that is known for a softer, emo rock sound where Demons falls under the heavy punk-rock category. Demons formed in Norfolk, Virginia and features both Gehring and Chris Mathews on vocals and guitar along with Jonathan Anderson on bass and Drew Orton on drums. Privation will be the band’s second full-length release. “The title of the record is concerned with loss, deprivation, and lack. In our context — this is reflective of where we are at personally, culturally, and politically. It’s a structural aspect of our lived experience — and it is particularly aggravated of late,” said Gehring in a press release. The upcoming album will be a 10-track release full of self-reflection. Privation Track List: 1. (02.04) 2. Ravage 3. Play Acting Virtue 4. Lever 5. Placeless 6. Hosanna 7. Slow Burn 8. Imprint 9. Full Stop 10. St. Luke Source

R&B star Jhene Aiko is taking on hosting duties to help fans gear up for the 2021 Grammy Awards with the pre-show ceremony. She will be joined by singers Rufus Wainwright, Burna Boy, Lido Pimienta, and Poppy, as well as classical pianist Igor Levit, jazz band Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, and blues musician Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes, who will all perform during the event, dubbed the Premiere Ceremony. Aiko, a triple nominee herself, will also have the honor of helping to announce a number of early Grammy winners before the main televised prizegiving, and introduce a tribute set celebrating the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye classic “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology).” The special performance will feature the likes of nominees Kamasi Washington, Ledisi, Anoushka Shankar, Alexandre Desplat, PJ Morton, Gregory Porter, Grace Potter, and Thana Alexa, among others. The Premiere Ceremony will begin at 3:00 pm ET on March 14th and will be livestreamed on https://www.grammy.com/. The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards will then be broadcast live on U.S. TV from 8pm ET. Source

Jaguar and Land Rover produce some of the world's most aesthetically pleasing and capable automobiles, but build quality has long been an Achilles' heel for both brands. Their cars have a notorious reputation for poor reliability — a reputation routinely grounded in brand initial quality surveys and broader testing, where both Jaguar and Land Rover routinely languish with Alfa Romeo in the bottom five brands. According to JLR, poor build quality is hurting the bottom line. Recently, CEO Thierry Bolore told investors that reliability is costing the company 100,000 units in sales globally per year, according to Automotive News Europe. That's not to mention the cost of repairing vehicles under warranty, which can run in the hundreds of millions per year. And it's not just Consumer Reports-reading Americans who are skeptical of the brands. Another example of the broader dissatisfaction against Jaguars and Land Rovers: Chinese buyers protested outside the company's headquarters there in 2018. The company has a plan to fix it, however. Land Rover head of design Gerry McGovern told investors on the same call that a central part of their new product plan would be "reducing the complexity of (their) vehicles massively," which would lead to "fewer things going wrong because the process will not be as complex." Reducing complexity seems eminently sensible. (Does the Range Rover need six engine options?) And, in theory, much of the complexity issue may resolve itself when JLR goes mostly electric; EVs are naturally simpler with far fewer moving parts, and much of the car production will be outsourced, as JLR will be partnering on powertrains and platforms for its new vehicles. In theory, vehicle production itself could be outsourced to, say, Magna Steyr, who currently build two Jaguar vehicles. JLR could even follow former corporate partners Ford and Volvo by outsourcing infotainment development to Google. The transition could leave Jaguar and Land Rover basically controlling the styling and fine performance tuning of the new vehicles...which is probably what most buyers would want. Source

Nume: DjC Facțiune: San Fierro School Instructors Mesajul tău: Mugetsu. Wishes best for your Leader Duties, Keep it Up!!! Much love ❤️

Nume: DjC Facțiune: San Fierro School Instructors Mesajul tău: Felicitări!

Nume: DjC Facțiune: San Fierro School Instructors Mesajul tău: Felicitări!

Nume: DjC Facțiune: San Fierro School Instructors Mesajul tău: Felicitări!

Nume: DjC Facțiune: San Fierro School Instructors Mesajul tău: Felicitări!

Nume: DjC Facțiune: San Fierro School Instructors Mesajul tău: Delgado, howdy? Wishes best for your Leader duties. Much love ❤️

After long time, i just return here again, how you guys doing ?

Netflix introduced a slate of 40 Indian films, series and documentaries at its “See What’s Next India 2021” event today, presided over by Monika Shergill, vice president of content for Netflix India, and Srishti Behl Arya, director, International Original Film. The film slate sees Netflix teaming with major Mumbai-based production houses such as Reliance Entertainment, T-Series, Emmay Entertainment, Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP and Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment. With Dharmatic, Netflix is producing anthology Ajeeb Daastaans and Vivek Soni’s romantic drama Meenakshi Sundareshwar. Described as an anthology about fractured relationships, Ajeeb Daastaans features segments directed by Shashank Khaitan, Raj Mehta, Neeraj Ghaywan and Kayoze Irani. Reliance is working with YNOT Studios on Tamil gangster tale Jagame Thandhiram, starring Dhanush, and is separately producing Shree Narayan Singh’s romantic drama Bulbul Tarang, starring Sonakshi Sinha. Netflix is also teaming with RSVP on Ram Madhvani’s thriller Dhamaka, starring Kartik Aaryan, while Balaji Telefilms and Sikhya Entertainment are producing Pagglait, about a recently-widowed woman as she sets out on a path of self discovery. Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey star in Vinil Mathew’s Haseen Dillruba, produced with T-Series and Colour Yellow Productions. T-Series and Emmay are working on family drama Sardar Ka Grandson, starring Neena Gupta, Arjun Kapoor and John Abraham. As previously announced, Netflix has also acquired the two Indian films that premiered at Venice last year – Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple and Ivan Ayr’s Milestone. On the series side, Netflix presented its previously announced Bombay Begums, a drama about five women in contemporary urban India, co-directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and Bornila Chatterjee. Pooja Bhatt, Shahana Goswami and Amruta Subhash head the ensemble cast of the series, which was produced with Endeavor Content, Chernin Entertainment and Endemol Shine India. Roy Kapur Films and Ramesh Sippy Entertainment are co-producing thriller Aranyak, about a cop investigating the disappearance of a tourist in a Himalayan town, while Anushka Sharma’s Clean Slate Films (Paatal Lok), is producing Mai, about a wife and mother who becomes entangled in a web of white-collar crime and dirty politics. The slate also includes second seasons of Delhi Crime, this time directed by Rajesh Mapuskar and Tanuj Chopra, Viacom18 Studios’ Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega, Kota Factory, Masaba Masaba and Mismatched, along with a fourth season of Little Things. Viacom18’s Tipping Point is also producing Ray, comprising four stories inspired by Indian director Satyajit Ray, with cast including Manoj Bajpayee, Gajraj Rao and Kay Kay Menon. Across other formats, Netflix is producing comedy specials with comedians including Kapil Sharma, and a slate of documentary series, including Indian Predator, with VICE Media and India Today. Source

EXCLUSIVE: Hugh Grant and Sophia Lillis are set to join the cast of Paramount and eOne’s untitled film adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons, Hasbro’s wildly-popular game franchise from Wizards of the Coast. The film also stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith and Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page. Paramount and eOne are jointly producing and financing the pic, with eOne distributing in the UK and Canada and Paramount in the rest of world. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley will direct and write the script. Jeremy Latcham is producing through his deal with studio eOne, Hasbro’s entertainment arm. Hasbro’s Brian Goldner is also producing. Plot details behind this latest take on the IP are being kept under wraps. Dungeons & Dragons is a leading fantasy entertainment franchise, fueled by the imagination of storytellers around the world. More than 40 million fans have interacted with or played D&D since it was first published 46 years ago, including via video games and livestream entertainment on Twitch and YouTube. Grant is coming off one of the biggest years in his career following his critically acclaimed work in the HBO limited series The Undoing, which recently earned him Golden Globe and SAG nominations. Prior to that on the TV side, he also received rave reviews and an Emmy nomination for Amazon’s A Very English Scandal. On the film side, he has stayed busy with director Guy Ritchie appearing in The Gentleman and the upcoming crime pic Five Eyes, that is currently filming. Lillis first broke on to the scene as Beverly Marsh in the box-office hit It. She was most recently seen in the Amazon pic Uncle Frank as well as her Netflix series I Am Not Okay With This. Grant is repped by CAA and Lillis is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and attorney Ryan LaVine. Source

One of the transfer test bodies used by post primary schools to select the new intake of pupils for Year 8 has asked schools to consider moving towards a verbal reasoning test. That would, said the Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC), mean a “radical change” to this November’s proposed transfer tests for the current P6 pupils. But the discussion paper also recommended that the autumn tests continue to be held in grammar schools rather than primary schools, as some primaries would not be willing to host the tests, despite the Education Minister saying there is no restrictions on primary schools hosting the tests. Schools and the board of the PPTC will now consider the details of the proposal, with the discussion paper, which suggests the test should move away from Maths and English, planned due to Covid-19 disruption to the school year. No post primary schools used the PPTC or AQE transfer test to select pupils this year with all tests forced to be cancelled due to restrictions. It will now be up to individual schools and the PPTC steering group to decide. The PPTC-run tests provided by GL Assessment are used, in the main, by Catholic grammar schools to select pupils. Around 30 schools use the PPTC test. However, some voluntary and controlled grammars — and integrated post-primaries — also use the PPTC tests to admit some pupils. The PPTC discussion paper said the organisation had to plan “several months ahead” for the 2021-22 transfer tests. In previous years, the tests run by PPTC had “examined the attainment of pupils in English and Maths,” it said. “Many children due to sit the tests in the autumn will have faced disruption to their education in primaries five and six, including to the English and Maths curriculum. “Serious consideration should be given to moving away from an Entrance Assessment which is attainment based to one which is aptitude based.” Aptitude based assessments would include both verbal (language and comprehension) and non-verbal (problem solving) reasoning tests. They were used as part of the former 11-plus exam which ended in 2008. Some grammar schools in England already use verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning tests to select pupils. “In an exceptional year aptitude tests would be much fairer to pupils,” the PPTC paper said. “Primary school children already had experience in using verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning assessments.” If approved, each test will last about 50 minutes with around 80 questions in each. It also said that if schools agreed to use verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests they could be held in the usual mid-November date in 2021. Schools’ boards of governors have now been asked to discuss whether to change the transfer tests in the autumn, and when to hold them, and report back to the PPTC steering group in March. Source

Focus Home Interactive and developer Sumo Digital have released the first playable character gameplay trailer for their upcoming PvPvE heist game Hood: Outlaws and Legends. This first of four character gameplay trailers focuses on the Ranger, a character based on the most well known son of Nottingham, Robin Hood. Join game director Andrew Willans in the new trailer below and watch the Ranger at work… Just like Robin Hood, the Ranger is a master of the longbow and his archery skills allow him to take down enemies from a distance. Want someone to cover a key area of the map or pull off a long range head shot to win the game then the Ranger is your guy. As well as being used to fire regular arrows, the Ranger’s bow can also be used to deliver special explosive arrows that can stick to enemies. Besides being used as a weapon, the Ranger can use his bow to shoot down climbing ropes against walls allowing a much quieter access point to castles and structures than the normal heavily guarded main gate. Rangers have a special ability called Scout, this allows them to tag enemies for longer and help spot soldiers and opposing players. Should this character need to make a rapid escape he can use a unique gear piece to create a disorientating flash. Source

CreativeForge Games has announced a new story-driven action/combat adventure game, Ronin: Samurai Redemption. Ronin: Samurai Redemption will be coming soon on PC, and below you can find its reveal gameplay trailer. Ronin: Samurai Redemption is a third-person action/combat RPG where the player utilizes the skills of three ronin. Players will fight monsters, solve mysteries and collect mystical Ki to unlock magical powers. Here are the game’s key features: Develop your own dynamic combat system. Experience an immersive, story-driven action/combat adventure To advance, fight for and use “Ki Powers”- special, often magical, skills. Battle a multitude of horrifying creatures and kill them in unique ways Advance to the Shinigami’s fortress and defeat it…but how does one defeat death? Do all that above…or just hit K to kill yourself. (There are many paths to redemption) Enjoy! Source

The Tesla Model S debuted nearly a decade ago and instantly portended the future of electric vehicles. Here was a sleek-looking EV with intriguing new technology features and unmatched performance and range. Tesla’s continual updates along the way have kept the rest of the automotive industry in catch-up mode. Only recently has a model come out to rival the Model S: the Porsche Taycan. The Taycan isn’t as revolutionary, but it offers similar capabilities plus the aura of Porsche’s sports car-building ethos. Is it good enough to unseat the Model S? Edmunds’ experts tested both to find out. RANGE The Model S Long Range — the least expensive trim — offers an EPA-estimated 412 miles of range. While Edmunds has found in its own range testing that Tesla’s EPA numbers are typically a little too optimistic, this is still among the longest distances you’ll get from an EV. Access to Tesla’s proprietary network of nationwide Supercharger fast-charging stations is another boon. On paper, things aren’t so sunny for the Porsche Taycan. As of publication time, the longest EPA-estimated range is 227 miles for a midlevel Taycan 4S with the Performance Battery Plus. While that’s below the Model S, a Taycan 4S overachieved in Edmunds’ testing, driving 323 miles before running out of juice. The upshot? In real-world driving you won’t notice as much of a range difference between these two cars as the specs suggest. Porsche doesn’t have its own charging network, but it’s working with third-party companies to greatly increase the number of charging stations nationwide. Winner: Model S PRICING AND VALUE A base 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range starts at around $80,000; the new Plaid variant, which has yet to come out, will be around $120,000. The Model S comes well equipped with standard features such as an adaptive air suspension, heated front and second-row seats, and a 22-speaker audio system. Tesla also includes driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation as standard. The Taycan is more expensive. A base 2021 Taycan starts at around $81,000, but features such as heated seats and adaptive cruise control are optional extras. The top-level Turbo S starts at more than $185,000 and still doesn’t match a base Tesla’s features. Build quality in the Taycan is of a higher standard, and you can do a lot more to customize a Taycan with special colors and interior materials. But it’s not enough to sway this category in Porsche’s favor. Winner: Model S INTERIOR AND UTILITY The Model S’ interior is clean and simple, with a nearly buttonless design that puts most major controls — including those for the climate control and audio system — in the massive center-mounted touchscreen. Further back there’s a hatchback liftgate that reveals a sizable cargo area. There’s a decent amount of room for rear passengers too. Like the Model S, many of the Taycan’s features are controlled through a touchscreen. But Porsche fortifies them with traditional stalks, knobs and buttons for features such as the cruise control, windshield wipers and lighting. It’s a more familiar and easier-to-use experience. Rear passenger and cargo space are more limited compared to the Model S, but overall the Taycan is a nicer vehicle to spend time in. Winner: Taycan TECHNOLOGY Tesla’s driver aids are some of the best in the business. Activating some of these features isn’t very straightforward, but they work well in practice. There are other neat features such as the ability to play video games on the touchscreen, which is fun to do while you’re parked and charging the car. You can also sync your Spotify account directly to the car, though Tesla only offers Bluetooth smartphone connection. You won’t find any whimsical video games or fart-like noise generators in a Taycan — that would be so un-Porsche-like — but you do get a more sensible collection of tech. The Taycan’s driver aids function smoothly and easily. You also get Apple CarPlay, which is a smartphone connection that lets you control apps on your phone through Porsche’s touchscreen. It’s not available on the Model S. Winner: tie DRIVING EXPERIENCE Maximum acceleration is lightning quick with both of these luxury sedans. The Taycan, though, does a better job of giving you a feel of the road when going around turns. In general, it’s more nimble and athletic. It also has slight advantages for cruising. It’s a little quieter, with less wind and road noise on the highway, and its ride is smoother. Winner: Taycan EDMUNDS SAYS: These two luxury EVs are very closely matched. The Tesla Model S offers more range and features for less money, while the Porsche Taycan counters with more refinement and driver engagement. From Edmunds’ standpoint, the Taycan squeaks out a slight win here. Source

The Kadokawa Culture Museum is a Tokyo-based cultural complex that opened its doors just last year. The complex houses many temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as natural history and anime museums. However, one of its most impressive attractions has to be the Bookshelf Theater – an enormous library with eight-meter tall bookshelves designed by Kengo Kuma that contains over 50,000 publications from various Japanese publishers and private collections. Recently, this impressive Bookshelf Theater was captured by Japanese photographer Ryosuke Kosuge, aka RK, and the photos are absolutely breathtaking. In a recent interview with DeMilked, Ryosuke said he has been into photography for about 6 or 7 years and initially started out shooting and editing using nothing more than his iPhone. Source

Sloppy Joes (Courtesy of Cattlemen’s Beef Board) Plan ahead: Save enough beef, vegetables and cobbler for Monday; save enough ice cream for Saturday. MONDAY: Slice and heat the leftover beef and layer it on dense white bread. Top with beef gravy for Open-Faced Beef Sandwiches. Serve the leftover vegetables on the side along with a mixed green salad. Warm the leftover cobbler for dessert. TUESDAY: Full-flavored and meatless, Mushroom Risotto With Peas (see recipe) is a delicious dinner. Add a romaine salad and garlic bread on the side. Slice kiwis for dessert. WEDNESDAY: Make the kids happy with Sloppy Joes (see recipe). Serve with buttered and roasted red potato wedges. Halved red and green grapes are good for dessert. THURSDAY: Perk up ordinary chicken breasts and turn them into Santa Fe Chicken. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon Southwestern seasoning and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Brush mixture on both sides of chicken and bake 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Serve with canned black beans, yellow rice (from mix) and sourdough bread. Sliced peaches are good for dessert. FRIDAY: Buy or make egg salad for sandwiches and spread on whole-grain toast. Add a little dill to the egg salad for flavor. Garnish the sandwich with leaf lettuce. Accompany the sandwiches with deli (or canned) tomato soup. (If you have any leftover rice from Thursday, add it to the soup.) Finish with plums. SATURDAY: Treat the family with Italian-Style Halibut With Tomatoes and White Beans (see recipe). Serve with steamed broccoli, salad greens and a baguette. Top leftover ice cream with hot fudge sauce for dessert. THE RECIPES Mushroom Risotto With Peas 3 tablespoons butter 3 cups (about 8 ounces) assorted sliced fresh mushrooms (such as button, crimini, shiitake) 1/3 cup sliced onions or shallots 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 ¾ cups Arborio rice 4 cups unsalted vegetable broth ¾ cup dry white wine ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper 2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed Asiago cheese shards and fresh Italian parsley leaves for garnish In a large skillet, melt butter on medium. Add mushrooms, onions and garlic; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until mushrooms are lightly browned and liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir in rice; cook and stir 1 more minute. Transfer mixture to a 3 ½- or 4-quart slow cooker. Stir in broth, wine and pepper. Cover and cook on low 2 ¾ hours or high 1 ¼ hours or until rice is tender. Stir in peas. Garnish each serving with cheese and parsley. Makes 6 servings. Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 297 calories, 6 g protein, 6 g fat, 50 g carbohydrate, 15 mg cholesterol, 203 mg sodium and 2 g fiber. Carbohydrate choices: 3.5. ■ ■ ■ Sloppy Joes 1 cup minced sweet onion 1 pound very lean ground beef 1 cup minced green bell pepper 1 (14 ½-ounce) can unsalted tomato sauce ¼ cup barbecue sauce ¼ cup ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon dry mustard Coarse salt to taste 4 whole-grain hamburger buns Dill pickle slices, coleslaw, American or cheddar cheese slices (if desired) Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown. Add ground beef and bell pepper; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef into ½-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and mustard; increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil; cook 5 to 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally. Season with salt to taste. Divide mixture among buns. Garnish with dill pickles, coleslaw and cheese, if desired; serve. Makes 4 sandwiches. Nutrition information: Each sandwich (without garnishes) contains approximately 264 calories, 27 g protein, 6 g fat, 26 g carbohydrate, 62 mg cholesterol, 412 mg sodium and 3 g fiber. Carbohydrate choices: 1.5. ■ ■ ■ Italian-Style Halibut With Tomatoes and White Beans 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup sliced green onions 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 (14 ½-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil, onions and oregano, lightly drained 1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern or cannellini beans (rinsed) 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar ¼ cup sliced fresh basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried basil 4 (4- to 6-ounce) halibut or cod filets Coarse salt and pepper to taste In a medium pan, heat oil on medium. Add onions and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes or until vegetables are softened but not browned. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans, vinegar and basil. Bring to a boil; simmer 2 minutes. Remove tomato-bean mixture from heat. For the fish: Season filets with salt and pepper and coat with cooking spray. Place on rack of broiler pan coated with cooking spray and lined with foil. Broil 5 to 7 minutes, turning once, or until opaque throughout. Serve fish over tomato and bean mixture. Makes 4 servings. Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 315 calories, 29 g protein, 8 g fat, 29 g carbohydrate, 56 mg cholesterol, 915 mg sodium and 5 g fiber. Carbohydrate choices: 2. Source

A grain bowl with roasted veggies and lemon-garlic salmon is a great way to observe fish Fridays for Lent. (TNS/Post-Gazette/Gretchen McKay) the recipe has several components, but that's no reason to fret. Each can be made up to a day in advance and then assembled when it's time to eat. Or, roast the fish and veggies while you're cooking the farro. It just depends on whether you want to serve the bowls warm, chilled or at room temperature. If you don't like farro, substitute any favorite grain — white or brown rice, quinoa, bulgur or wheat berries all work. I built the bowl on a bed of mixed kale, mustard and baby greens. Unless you like to drown your bowls in dressing, you'll end up with leftover lemon-garlic sauce. That's a good thing, as it can be used to dress salads, drizzle over roasted chicken or as a dipping sauce for just about anything. Lemon-Garlic Salmon Farro Bowl For the lemon-garlic sauce: Zest and juice of 1 large lemon 2 tablespoons lemon-infused or regular olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon dried oregano Kosher salt and ground black pepper For the salmon, farro and veggies: 1 pound boneless, skinless salmon filet Kosher salt and ground black pepper 1 cup farro, cooked according to package directions 2 sweet potatoes, diced or cut into half moons ½ bunch thin asparagus, woody ends snapped off and cut into 2-inch pieces 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 cups mixed salad greens For the lemon-yogurt dressing: Juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon rice wine or champagne vinegar 1 large clove garlic, minced ½ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons lemon-infused or regular extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and ground black pepper Pinch of fresh chopped dill Heat oven to 425 degrees. Make lemon-garlic sauce by whisking together lemon juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, and oregano in a medium bowl. Add a good grind of black pepper and whisk again. Line a cookie sheet with a large piece of foil. Brush a little olive oil over the surface. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel, then season on both sides with salt. Place on top of foil, and drizzle lemon-garlic sauce on top. Fold the foil over the fish to create a package. Prepare veggies: Place diced or sliced sweet potatoes, asparagus and tomatoes in a large bowl, pour remaining lemon-garlic sauce over top and toss to coat. Place on a second cookie sheet, and season with salt and pepper. Place in oven, and roast until the veggies are fork tender and tomatoes have started to burst, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and cover with foil to keep warm. Place fish in the oven, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until salmon is almost cooked through at the thickest part. (Time will vary depending on how thick the filet is.) Meanwhile, stir together the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl. Remove fish from oven and open up the foil to uncover the top of the fish. Turn oven to broil. Broil fish for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely so it doesn't burn. Salmon is done when the top is starting to brown and has a slightly crusty texture. Remove fish from oven, allow to cool for a few minutes, then cut into large pieces or flake with a fork. Build bowl: Divide salad greens between two large bowls. Spoon as much cooked farro on top as you like. Add roasted veggies around the perimeter and then top with fish. Drizzle lemon-yogurt dressing on top, and garnish with chopped fresh dill. Makes 2 servings. Source

One of my favorite things to make for dinner was and still is picadillo — ground meat sauteed and simmered in a deep red tomato-based sauce, well-seasoned and savory with onions, garlic, cumin and olives. It's popular throughout Latin America, and can be a meal in itself, but it's also a component in more elaborate dishes, including tacos, empanadas, pastelon, chiles en nogada and alcapurrias. The recipe can change from region to region and cook to cook, and every family puts their own spin on it, adding olives, raisins, potatoes, plantains or squash, depending on whether they like it sweeter or more savory, simple or hearty. I put raisins and olives in my picadillo — I like the little sweet and salty dance they do in your mouth — but you could omit one or both. The recipe here is a streamlined beef picadillo based on the one I grew up eating. It doesn't require a sofrito, as some picadillos do, but if you have some or want to make it, do: Your picadillo will be even better. Make it a one-pot meal by adding a few handfuls of shredded spinach or kale and letting them melt into the sauce or tossing in bite-sized pieces of roasted potatoes or squash. Picadillo 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (see note) ½ bell pepper, any color, finely chopped (optional) 5 stems fresh cilantro and their leaves, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely grated 1 pound lean ground beef ½ teaspoon salt, plus more as needed 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (15-ounce) can crushed or diced tomatoes, preferably with no salt added 2 tablespoons tomato paste ¼ cup dark or golden raisins, optional ¼ cup pimento-stuffed green olives, halved, optional In a wide skillet over high heat, heat the oil until it shimmers. Add the onion and bell pepper, if using, and cook, stirring often, just until they begin to brown, about 3 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and add most of the cilantro — reserving a few leaves for garnish — garlic and ground beef. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break the ground beef into bits so it cooks evenly. Stir in the salt, cumin, paprika, oregano and black pepper. Cook the beef until its fat has rendered and it's brown with a few pink spots, 5 to 8 minutes. (Drain excess fat, if desired.) Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium heat for another 5 minutes, using a spoon or spatula to break up any large chunks of tomato. (If the mixture starts to look dry, add a splash or two of water to loosen it.) Stir in the raisins and olives, if using, and simmer until they've softened, 3 or 4 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, keeping in mind that the raisins add a little sweetness and the olives add salinity and a touch of acidity. Garnish with the reserved cilantro leaves and serve the picadillo hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Note: You may replace the onion, bell pepper, garlic and cilantro with ¾ cup sofrito. Nutrition information: Each serving (based on 6) contains approximately 250 calories, 15 g protein, 20 g fat, 8 g carbohydrate (4 g sugar), 54 mg cholesterol, 259 mg sodium and 3 g fiber. Source

Ingredients 2 medium ears sweet corn, husks removed 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 pound fresh or frozen pizza dough, thawed 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, divided 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided 1 tablespoon lime juice 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/8 teaspoon pepper Directions Brush corn with 1 tablespoon oil. Grill corn, covered, over medium heat until lightly browned and tender, 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Cool slightly. Cut corn from cobs; transfer to a large bowl. On a lightly floured surface, roll or press dough to a 15x10-in. oval (about 1/4-in.-thick); place on a greased sheet of foil. Brush top with 1 tablespoon oil. Carefully invert crust onto grill rack, removing foil. Brush top with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Grill, covered, over medium heat until bottom is golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from grill; cool slightly. Add mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons cheese, 3 tablespoons cilantro, lime juice, chili powder and pepper to corn; stir to combine. Spread over warm crust. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cilantro. Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 211 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 195mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Source