6-8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
2 medium pears, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped pecans
8 slices thick-cut bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
T. Marzetti salad dressing
Newman's Own Light
On a large platter, combine the lettuce, pears, cranberries, pecans, bacon and feta cheese. Drizzle generously with poppy seed dressing, followed by some of the balsamic vinaigrette. (I use about 1 cup of dressing with 70 percent poppy seed to 30 percent balsamic vinaigrette.)
Submitted by Julie
October 1, 2011
September 2, 2011
Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken and White Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe
Submitted by Ie Li:
I have two recipes to share. This first recipe comes from the blog 365 Days of Slow Cooking. I have made this recipe several times for its ease and deliciousness. I serve it over brown rice, but I'm sure it's equally delicious over noodles. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
12 oz linguine or fettuccine noodles, cooked and drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 red pepper, cut into thin, long strips
1 tbsp lime juice
1 cup chopped cilantro, divided
chopped peanuts, for garnish
Add garlic, peanut butter, broth, chicken, zucchini, soy sauce, sugar, and red pepper to slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. A half hour before you are going to serve, add in lime juice and 1/2 cup of cilantro. Serve over noodles and garnish with remaining cilantro and peanuts.
This second one comes from 101cookbooks.com. It's a whole wheat pizza dough recipe that I have made at least once a week for the last four weeks. Good whole wheat pizza dough recipes are hard to come by, but this one is delicious.
White Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe
4 1/2 cups King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 3/4 cups water, ice cold
a few tablespoons chopped herbs (optional)
Semolina flour or cornmeal for dusting
Stir together the flour, salt, and instant yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer. By hand stir in the oil and the cold water until the flour is all absorbed. Add the herbs. Switch to the dough hook and mix on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes, or as long as it takes to create a smooth, sticky dough. The dough should clear the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom of the bowl (to me it looks like a tornado). Add a touch of water or flour to reach the desired effect. The finished dough will be springy, elastic, and sticky, not just tacky.
Transfer the dough to a floured counter top. Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces and mold each into a ball. Rub each ball with olive oil and slip into plastic sandwich bags. Refrigerator overnight.
When you are ready to make pizza (anytime in the next few days), remove the desired number of dough balls from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before making the pizza. Keep them covered so they don't dry out.
At the same time place a baking stone on a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (you can go hotter, but I like the results I get at 450). If you do not have a baking stone, you can use the back of a sheet pan, but do not preheat the pan.
Generously dust a peel or the back of a sheet pan with semolina flour or cornmeal and get ready to shape your pizza dough. Uncover or unwrap the dough balls and dust them with flour. Working one at a time, gently press a dough round into a disk wide enough that you can bring it up onto your knuckles to thin out - you should be able to pull each round out to 12-inches or so. If the dough is being fussy and keeps springing back, let it rest for another 15-20 minutes. Place the pulled-out dough on the prepared sheet pan, and jerk the pan to make sure the dough will move around on the cornmeal ball-bearings (you don't want it to stick to the pan).
Add your toppings (less is more!) and slide the topped pizza onto the baking stone. Bake until the crust is crisp and nicely colored. Remove from the oven. I always finish with more freshly grate Parmesan and a small drizzle of good quality extra-virgin olive oil.
Makes six 6-ounce pizza crusts.
I have two recipes to share. This first recipe comes from the blog 365 Days of Slow Cooking. I have made this recipe several times for its ease and deliciousness. I serve it over brown rice, but I'm sure it's equally delicious over noodles. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
12 oz linguine or fettuccine noodles, cooked and drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 red pepper, cut into thin, long strips
1 tbsp lime juice
1 cup chopped cilantro, divided
chopped peanuts, for garnish
Add garlic, peanut butter, broth, chicken, zucchini, soy sauce, sugar, and red pepper to slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. A half hour before you are going to serve, add in lime juice and 1/2 cup of cilantro. Serve over noodles and garnish with remaining cilantro and peanuts.
This second one comes from 101cookbooks.com. It's a whole wheat pizza dough recipe that I have made at least once a week for the last four weeks. Good whole wheat pizza dough recipes are hard to come by, but this one is delicious.
White Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe
4 1/2 cups King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 3/4 cups water, ice cold
a few tablespoons chopped herbs (optional)
Semolina flour or cornmeal for dusting
Stir together the flour, salt, and instant yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer. By hand stir in the oil and the cold water until the flour is all absorbed. Add the herbs. Switch to the dough hook and mix on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes, or as long as it takes to create a smooth, sticky dough. The dough should clear the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom of the bowl (to me it looks like a tornado). Add a touch of water or flour to reach the desired effect. The finished dough will be springy, elastic, and sticky, not just tacky.
Transfer the dough to a floured counter top. Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces and mold each into a ball. Rub each ball with olive oil and slip into plastic sandwich bags. Refrigerator overnight.
When you are ready to make pizza (anytime in the next few days), remove the desired number of dough balls from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before making the pizza. Keep them covered so they don't dry out.
At the same time place a baking stone on a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (you can go hotter, but I like the results I get at 450). If you do not have a baking stone, you can use the back of a sheet pan, but do not preheat the pan.
Generously dust a peel or the back of a sheet pan with semolina flour or cornmeal and get ready to shape your pizza dough. Uncover or unwrap the dough balls and dust them with flour. Working one at a time, gently press a dough round into a disk wide enough that you can bring it up onto your knuckles to thin out - you should be able to pull each round out to 12-inches or so. If the dough is being fussy and keeps springing back, let it rest for another 15-20 minutes. Place the pulled-out dough on the prepared sheet pan, and jerk the pan to make sure the dough will move around on the cornmeal ball-bearings (you don't want it to stick to the pan).
Add your toppings (less is more!) and slide the topped pizza onto the baking stone. Bake until the crust is crisp and nicely colored. Remove from the oven. I always finish with more freshly grate Parmesan and a small drizzle of good quality extra-virgin olive oil.
Makes six 6-ounce pizza crusts.
August 3, 2011
French Dip
Submitted by Brenda: Summer is full of sandwiches for us and here is one of our quick and easy favorites. Everyone probably makes French Dip sandwiches but this combo is a winner!
This makes around 4 sandwiches depending on the bread you choose and how loaded you like them...
Ingredients:
4 Bolillo rolls or hoagie buns
1 Au Jus gravy mix
1 pkg roast beef sandwich meat or leftover shredded roast
1 8oz pkg cream cheese (we like using whipped)
8 slices cheese (I love provolone- my hubby prefers Swiss, mozzarella also works)
1 green or red pepper
1/2 onion
Slice and sauté' the onion and pepper in a little oil for about 5 minutes or until soft. Set aside. Lay open and toast the bread under the broiler or in the toaster oven (any bread really but we LOVE Bolillo rolls for this one- they are sort of football shaped and kind of have a chewy crust- we just get them at the local grocery store). Generously spread both sides of bread with cream cheese (whipped is much faster to spread). Cook the Au Jus according to the pkg then dump the meat in to get soaked and warm. Layer one side of bread with the sautéed peppers and onions, the other side with the juicy meat topped with cheese. Toast one more time until the cheese melts slightly, close sandwich and use the leftover Au Juice for dipping. I could eat these every day!
Here is our favorite Jell-O salad to go with:
Purple Parfait
1 Large box any blue or purple flavor Jell-O
1 cup water
1 pkg 8oz cream cheese
1 can (15oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 can blueberries in light syrup, undrained
1 pkg (8oz) Cool Whip
Let your cream cheese sit out to room temp. Boil one cup water (yes only 1) and add the Jell-O until dissolved. Immediately add the cream cheese- whisk or blend until smooth- it has a much better texture if they're no lumps! Add the pineapple with its juice and the blueberries with its juice. Refrigerate until only partially set- pudding like consistency then fold in the cool whip(this is key for extra tasty- if you add the cool whip in after it is completely set up it is still ok, but for some reason adding it before is much better) at this point if I am taking it somewhere (it's a Relief Society favorite...) then I transfer it to a pretty glass bowl and heap it like a mountain so when it finishes setting up it will look presentable). Put it back in the refrigerator to chill until set completely.
This makes around 4 sandwiches depending on the bread you choose and how loaded you like them...
Ingredients:
4 Bolillo rolls or hoagie buns
1 Au Jus gravy mix
1 pkg roast beef sandwich meat or leftover shredded roast
1 8oz pkg cream cheese (we like using whipped)
8 slices cheese (I love provolone- my hubby prefers Swiss, mozzarella also works)
1 green or red pepper
1/2 onion
Slice and sauté' the onion and pepper in a little oil for about 5 minutes or until soft. Set aside. Lay open and toast the bread under the broiler or in the toaster oven (any bread really but we LOVE Bolillo rolls for this one- they are sort of football shaped and kind of have a chewy crust- we just get them at the local grocery store). Generously spread both sides of bread with cream cheese (whipped is much faster to spread). Cook the Au Jus according to the pkg then dump the meat in to get soaked and warm. Layer one side of bread with the sautéed peppers and onions, the other side with the juicy meat topped with cheese. Toast one more time until the cheese melts slightly, close sandwich and use the leftover Au Juice for dipping. I could eat these every day!
Here is our favorite Jell-O salad to go with:
Purple Parfait
1 Large box any blue or purple flavor Jell-O
1 cup water
1 pkg 8oz cream cheese
1 can (15oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 can blueberries in light syrup, undrained
1 pkg (8oz) Cool Whip
Let your cream cheese sit out to room temp. Boil one cup water (yes only 1) and add the Jell-O until dissolved. Immediately add the cream cheese- whisk or blend until smooth- it has a much better texture if they're no lumps! Add the pineapple with its juice and the blueberries with its juice. Refrigerate until only partially set- pudding like consistency then fold in the cool whip(this is key for extra tasty- if you add the cool whip in after it is completely set up it is still ok, but for some reason adding it before is much better) at this point if I am taking it somewhere (it's a Relief Society favorite...) then I transfer it to a pretty glass bowl and heap it like a mountain so when it finishes setting up it will look presentable). Put it back in the refrigerator to chill until set completely.
July 2, 2011
Chile-Chicken Tacos and Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
Chile-Chicken Tacos
1.25 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 pkg (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix
1 TBSP packed brown sugar
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, undrained
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
taco shells
Optional ingredients:
sliced green onions
Shredded lettuce
chopped tomato
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Add chicken thighs. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix and brown sugar, toss to coat. Mix in green chiles, corn and 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce. Refrigerate remaining sauce for later if desired.
Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours.
Use 2 forks to pull apart chicken into shreds or chunks. If desired, stir in green onions and cook for 15 more minutes. Serve in taco shells with tomatoes and lettuce. My kids like to add shredded cheese. Drizzle on warmed enchilada sauce if desired.
We either eat these alone or serve with some sort of rice and beans. It isn't one of those meals that we put a lot of time into. It is perfect for those nights that you have a lot going on and only have 5 minutes to eat some dinner.
Note- These Tacos are actually only 320 calories per serving (2 tacos = serving).
Here is a fun dessert that is incredibly delicious for those cupcake lovers!
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
For the cupcakes...
5.5 oz cake flour
5.5 oz super fine sugar
6 oz unsalted butter, softened
3 large lightly beaten eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Lemon Filling...
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
For the Meringue Topping...
3 egg whites
3 oz caster sugar (super fine sugar...just use regular sugar and grind it a bit)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 12 paper cupcake liners in muffin tins. Place butter and sugar into bowl and crème with electric mixer until the butter changes color (about 2 minutes). Add in lightly beaten eggs to the mix a little at a time, beating on slow for 15 seconds between each addition.
Add vanilla then sift in flour and baking powder. Mix for another minute. Spoon batter into the cupcake liners until they are 2/3 full and place in the middle rack of oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove and let sit for a few minutes before removing from the muffin tins. Place on wire rack to cool.
To make the filling, mixed the condensed milk with lemon juice in small bowl. Cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and dig out with spoon. Discard the center and fill hole with the mixture.
For the meringue, use an electric mixer and beat egg whites and cream of tartar until they form soft peaks, then beat in the sugar gradually. Load the meringue into a piping bag and pipe the top of the cupcakes.
Place the cupcakes back into the oven at 450 degrees and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown (keep your eye on it) Let cool a few minutes before serving! YUM!
1.25 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 pkg (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix
1 TBSP packed brown sugar
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, undrained
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
taco shells
Optional ingredients:
sliced green onions
Shredded lettuce
chopped tomato
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Add chicken thighs. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix and brown sugar, toss to coat. Mix in green chiles, corn and 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce. Refrigerate remaining sauce for later if desired.
Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours.
Use 2 forks to pull apart chicken into shreds or chunks. If desired, stir in green onions and cook for 15 more minutes. Serve in taco shells with tomatoes and lettuce. My kids like to add shredded cheese. Drizzle on warmed enchilada sauce if desired.
We either eat these alone or serve with some sort of rice and beans. It isn't one of those meals that we put a lot of time into. It is perfect for those nights that you have a lot going on and only have 5 minutes to eat some dinner.
Note- These Tacos are actually only 320 calories per serving (2 tacos = serving).
Here is a fun dessert that is incredibly delicious for those cupcake lovers!
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
For the cupcakes...
5.5 oz cake flour
5.5 oz super fine sugar
6 oz unsalted butter, softened
3 large lightly beaten eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Lemon Filling...
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
For the Meringue Topping...
3 egg whites
3 oz caster sugar (super fine sugar...just use regular sugar and grind it a bit)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 12 paper cupcake liners in muffin tins. Place butter and sugar into bowl and crème with electric mixer until the butter changes color (about 2 minutes). Add in lightly beaten eggs to the mix a little at a time, beating on slow for 15 seconds between each addition.
Add vanilla then sift in flour and baking powder. Mix for another minute. Spoon batter into the cupcake liners until they are 2/3 full and place in the middle rack of oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove and let sit for a few minutes before removing from the muffin tins. Place on wire rack to cool.
To make the filling, mixed the condensed milk with lemon juice in small bowl. Cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and dig out with spoon. Discard the center and fill hole with the mixture.
For the meringue, use an electric mixer and beat egg whites and cream of tartar until they form soft peaks, then beat in the sugar gradually. Load the meringue into a piping bag and pipe the top of the cupcakes.
Place the cupcakes back into the oven at 450 degrees and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown (keep your eye on it) Let cool a few minutes before serving! YUM!
Submitted by Jodi
June 1, 2011
Cranberry Chicken (Crockpot)
5 or 6 frozen chicken breasts
1 can of whole cranberry sauce
3/4 regular salad dressing bottle of French or Catalina
Put all ingredients in crockput and let cook for about 4 hours. Shred with fork while it is still in crockpot and serve over white rice.
Submitted by Brenna: Super easy to make and yummy!
1 can of whole cranberry sauce
3/4 regular salad dressing bottle of French or Catalina
Put all ingredients in crockput and let cook for about 4 hours. Shred with fork while it is still in crockpot and serve over white rice.
Submitted by Brenna: Super easy to make and yummy!
May 2, 2011
French Toast
1 large egg
1/3 c. whole milk
1/2 tsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
Pinch of ground cinnamon
4 slices bread
2 tsp. unsalted butter
***Serves two*** (we quadruple the recipe and use almost a full loaf of bread)
In a shallow pan, combine egg, milk, syrup, vanilla, orange zest, salt & cinnamon and beat lightly with fork. Place bread in batter and poke holes in it with a fork to help it to absorb the liquid. Flip to other side.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. Add 1 tsp. butter and tilt to coat pan. (I use olive oil spray) When the butter stops sizzling and is fragrant, arrange bread in pan. After underside is cooked, after 2-3 minutes, turn over with spatula, adding more butter to pan as you lift each one to flip.
Serve at once. Ideas to top with: syrup, powdered sugar & lemon, crushed fresh raspberries, whipped cream & strawberries.
Submitted by MacKenzie:The key to great French toast is exceptional bread, whether peasant bread, sourdough, or a good homemade sandwich loaf. The texture of the bread affects the outcome: Course peasant bread needs time to soak up the mixture and will produce a toast that is appealingly chewy and robust. A softer bread will soak up the custard quickly and make a more traditional French toast with creamy center.
We like to eat this with flat turkey sausage, (yummy) and smoothies with flax seed and spinach added to it to get some more nutrients & vitamins. :) (And to cross cancel the sausage...right)???
1/3 c. whole milk
1/2 tsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
Pinch of ground cinnamon
4 slices bread
2 tsp. unsalted butter
***Serves two*** (we quadruple the recipe and use almost a full loaf of bread)
In a shallow pan, combine egg, milk, syrup, vanilla, orange zest, salt & cinnamon and beat lightly with fork. Place bread in batter and poke holes in it with a fork to help it to absorb the liquid. Flip to other side.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. Add 1 tsp. butter and tilt to coat pan. (I use olive oil spray) When the butter stops sizzling and is fragrant, arrange bread in pan. After underside is cooked, after 2-3 minutes, turn over with spatula, adding more butter to pan as you lift each one to flip.
Serve at once. Ideas to top with: syrup, powdered sugar & lemon, crushed fresh raspberries, whipped cream & strawberries.
Submitted by MacKenzie:The key to great French toast is exceptional bread, whether peasant bread, sourdough, or a good homemade sandwich loaf. The texture of the bread affects the outcome: Course peasant bread needs time to soak up the mixture and will produce a toast that is appealingly chewy and robust. A softer bread will soak up the custard quickly and make a more traditional French toast with creamy center.
We like to eat this with flat turkey sausage, (yummy) and smoothies with flax seed and spinach added to it to get some more nutrients & vitamins. :) (And to cross cancel the sausage...right)???
April 2, 2011
Buttercream Frosting and Spinach Tortellini Salad
Submitted by Marti: I have never been able to make frosting and always buy it, but, for my daughter's last birthday I found this Butter Cream Frosting recipe and it worked great on her cake and my husband thought it was really good to eat also so I thought I would share it. Then I also have a salad recipe that is a family favorite so I thought I would give that one also since the frosting you can only use every once in a while.
Butter cream Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Light corn syrup
Directions: Blend butter and shortening in a large bowl with mixer until well-blended and creamy. Blend in vanilla. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Add milk; mix until light and fluffy.
Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Re-whip before using. This recipe can be thinned out to spreading consistency by adding about 3 tablespoons of corn syrup.
Yield: 3 cups.
Note-I always double this recipe when I decorate a cake to ensure that I have enough to both frost and embellish. If you have any left over, seal it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. It will stay good for up to two weeks...just re-whip it before using to soften it up.
Spinach Tortellini Salad
Ingredients:
1 bag spinach 9oz
1package cooked three cheese tortellini (I like Digiorno or Buittoni, they are in the refrigerator section by parm cheese)
1 package sliced fresh mushrooms
Salad dressing*
Directions: cook tortellini according to directions -- let cool (I usually refrigerate over night) toss with spinach, mushrooms and *dressing.
*Salad Dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated onion or 1/2 t onion salt
2 cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon tarragon
Pepper
Blend ingredients in processor or blender.
Butter cream Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Light corn syrup
Directions: Blend butter and shortening in a large bowl with mixer until well-blended and creamy. Blend in vanilla. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Add milk; mix until light and fluffy.
Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Re-whip before using. This recipe can be thinned out to spreading consistency by adding about 3 tablespoons of corn syrup.
Yield: 3 cups.
Note-I always double this recipe when I decorate a cake to ensure that I have enough to both frost and embellish. If you have any left over, seal it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. It will stay good for up to two weeks...just re-whip it before using to soften it up.
Spinach Tortellini Salad
Ingredients:
1 bag spinach 9oz
1package cooked three cheese tortellini (I like Digiorno or Buittoni, they are in the refrigerator section by parm cheese)
1 package sliced fresh mushrooms
Salad dressing*
Directions: cook tortellini according to directions -- let cool (I usually refrigerate over night) toss with spinach, mushrooms and *dressing.
*Salad Dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated onion or 1/2 t onion salt
2 cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon tarragon
Pepper
Blend ingredients in processor or blender.
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