Skinnytaste

Light Swiss Chard Frittata

2012-02-22T14:59:00.001-05:00

At first bite you'll love the sweet caramelized onions, in combination with the savory flavors from the Swiss chard, eggs and cheese. A perfect meatless dinner when paired with a salad and some crusty bread. Or you can serve it for breakfast or brunch, it's easy to make ahead and reheat before serving.

Swiss chard is one of my favorite leafy green vegetables and it's an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants and fiber. If chard is not available, try this with kale or spinach.

To keep it light, I usually I prefer to make my Frittatas with half egg whites/half whole eggs but to further lighten it you can make this with all egg whites as well.

Depending on how you serve this, it will serve four to six people. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.

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Skinny Yet Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup

2012-02-21T16:14:00.001-05:00

Baby carrots, a hint of fresh ginger and a touch of sour cream are blended to create this simple yet tasty soup. Perfect for lunch or dinner.

When I was a kid we had soup every night before our main dish whether we wanted to or not. I was usually not happy about this because I was pretty picky. My mom made one meal for everyone and we had to eat it, no exceptions. No mac and cheese or chicken nuggets in my house growing up!

When it came to most soups, the only way I would eat it was when Mom put it in the blender. Once pureed I actually enjoyed it.

I mention this because I'm not a huge fan of cooked carrots, but when combined with ginger, sour cream and sauteed onions then blended I really enjoy this soup and it brings me back to those days of sitting at the kitchen table with my pureed soup.

Tip: Use baby carrots, they are sweeter and already peeled.

This is freezer-friendly, gluten-free, vegetarian, and can be made vegan by using Tofutti Better than Sour Cream. Enjoy!!

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Dirty Brown Rice with Shrimp

2012-02-20T13:36:00.000-05:00

A healthier twist on a Cajun classic, the addition of shrimp turns this into a fabulous main dish. I'd like to think of this as a Cajun shrimp fried rice.

Dirty rice is a classic Cajun dish made "dirty" by cooking the rice with minced livers or gizzards. I created a healthier version using brown rice and lean ground beef in place of the chicken livers that normally make dirty rice "dirty".

But don't worry, this healthier version does not skimp on flavor! It has plenty of spices and a bit of kick, you can adjust the heat to your taste but don't be shy with the cayenne if you can handle it!

Normally a rice dish like this if made with white rice would be cooked all in one pot, but after several attempts to perfect this I found that cooking the brown rice all together created an unpleasant mushy texture. By cooking the brown rice separate, the texture of the rice was perfect when mixed with the beef and shrimp and made a delicious main dish even my "non-brown rice eating" husband enjoyed.

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Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side

2012-02-18T14:09:00.000-05:00

Celebrate Mardi Gras with this colorful Cajun spiced pasta tossed with chicken strips, bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms and scallions in a creamy light sauce.

One of the easiest ways to lighten up a pasta dish is to add tons of protein and vegetables to your dish which keeps the portions large and the carbs low and this dish is a perfect example. Be sure to be generous with your Cajun spices, it should have plenty of kick so don't be shy!

I took a knife skills class at Sur La Table this week with my girlfriend and of course I HAD to buy a new knife and cutting board there. I was so excited to put my new skills to work and cut my veggies like a pro with my new knife, a task I would normally dread.

This dish comes together rather quickly once all your vegetables are chopped.

You can make this with shrimp instead of chicken, or use a combination of both. Make this vegetarian by leaving the chicken out or replacing it with tofu and the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can also make this gluten-free by using brown rice pasta and replacing the flour with 1 teaspoon of corn starch. Hope you enjoy!!

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Shrimp Creole

2012-02-16T14:51:00.000-05:00

Note: Since Mardi Gras 2012 is next Tuesday, February 21st I thought I would bring this recipe to the front for easy reference since so many of you enjoyed this lightened Creole dish. Enjoy!

This southern Louisiana shrimp dish is cooked with tomatoes, onions, peppers and celery. Adjust the spice to your preference, but don't be scared of a little heat!

With Fat Tuesday right around the corner, I was craving some Creole food and I knew exactly who to go to, my friend Mary from Deep South Dish. Her blog features authentic coastal southern recipes. I adapted this to make it lighter and used ingredients I had on hand.

Turned out delicious and it was quick and easy to make. Serve this over white rice, brown rice or would even be great over quinoa.
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Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole

2012-02-15T15:05:00.001-05:00

Shredded chicken breast and broccoli cooked with noodles in a light creamy sauce topped with toasted breadcrumbs. A simple dish the whole family will love, even the little ones!

This is an inexpensive dish, you can make this ahead, then top it with the breadcrumbs and put it in the oven 20 minutes before you are ready for dinner.

I have a great tip I've talked about before but if you are new here you will love this!

I buy chicken breast in bulk because it's less expensive. When I get home from the store I separate the chicken placing some in my refrigerator to use right away, I take a portion and place them in freezer bags to freeze for the future and I set two or three chicken breasts aside and throw them in my crock pot. I pour some water over them and 4-6 hours later I have perfect shredded chicken to use in other recipes though out the week such as enchiladas, chicken salad, stuffed peppers, or whatever! A great way to save time in the kitchen and only takes minutes to do.

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Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos

2012-02-14T15:18:00.000-05:00

Flaky white fish, tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro and lime topped with avocado. A fresh and flavorful way to spice up fish, quick enough to make for a busy weeknight!

I like it spicy, so I chop up the jalapeños whole, seeds and all but you can tone it down to suit your taste. The avocado raises the fat in this dish, but it's all good healthy fats you want in your body, the saturated fat is under 2 grams per serving.

I recently tried La Tortilla Factory's Smart and Delicious corn tortillas with Fiber & Flax, they are loaded with fiber, gluten free and are low in fat. Win win!!

Serve this meal with a Skinnygirl margarita and some salsa music in the background and let the fiesta begin!

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Recipes For A Skinny Valentine

2012-02-13T16:11:00.001-05:00

What can be more romantic on Valentine's Day than sharing a special home cooked meal with your sweetie.

For those of you not making reservations for Valentine's Day I thought I would compile some elegant yet simple skinny dishes your sweetie will enjoy, and you won't be spending hours in the kitchen. Hope you enjoy!!

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Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes

2012-02-10T17:11:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday this year and I can't think of a better way to send your loved ones off to work or school then with these fabulous light and fluffy Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes!

This is pure love on a plate folks...

I used heart shaped pancake molds which only makes one at a time, so if you plan on doing this and making a lot, I recommend buying more than one mold.

I topped mine with light agave syrup which added the perfect amount of sweetness without distracting from the flavors, but chocolate syrup would be a great option too.

Oh, and if you really want to go nuts like I did, you can top the pancakes with heart shaped bananas! Or drizzle I love you in chocolate syrup. And you don't need a holiday as an excuse to make them, these are great any time of the year. Enjoy!!

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Homemade Skinny Chocolate Cake

2012-02-09T11:42:00.000-05:00

Be still my chocolate loving heart, a moist chocolate cake made from scratch with only three tablespoons of oil in the entire cake! Top this with some chocolate syrup and fresh raspberries and oh my, what a chocolate dessert!

I've been experimenting making a cake from scratch with less fat for a few days now and after a few rounds I finally got it to where my taste testers (aka husband and friends) all thought it was great and couldn't believe it was light.

My secret? There's pudding, yogurt and applesauce in the mix!

This recipe was created for those of you who like to make their cakes from scratch, but if you prefer a quicker method by using a box cake mix as an ingredient, see my Super Moist Low Fat Chocolate Cupcake recipe.

This cake rises beautifully and the coffee brings out the flavor of the chocolate. Will it work without the pudding? Yes, however the texture will change and you'll need to increase the sugar. Can you use less oil? Yes, but I've already cut out more than half, and using less will work, but the texture will be drier.

I made this in a 13 x 9-inch pan and used a heart cookie cutter to cut out hearts, but you can make this into 24 cupcakes, a bundt cake or 2 rounds. Hope you enjoy!

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Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

2012-02-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

Coconut milk, thyme, scallions and scotch bonnet peppers give this rice dish an island flair! The perfect side dish to Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken, or enjoy this as a meatless main dish with a simple avocado and tomato salad on the side. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free!

Rice and beans are a staple in most Latin and Caribbean countries because they are inexpensive and nutritious. Beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates.

The rice is not spicy since the pepper is cooked whole for added flavor and is discarded before it's finished. Of course, if you want a spicy rice dish, you could chop the scotch bonnet and add it to the rice, but be warned, it will be hot!

You can easily make half the recipe for less servings, but sometimes using a half a can of coconut milk could be such a waste, so I find it easier to make more and save the rest for leftovers.

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Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

2012-02-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

A fabulously spicy chicken dish made light with skinless chicken legs and thighs, simmered in a pot with light coconut milk, scallions, onions, tomatoes, garlic, thyme and one very hot scotch bonnet pepper. I served this with Jamaican rice and beans (recipe coming tomorrow), and a simple tomato avocado salad, and boy was this delicious!

I just love the tropical flavors in Jamaican cuisine, it's similar to Latin cuisine only a whole lot hotter! The scotch bonnet pepper is commonly used in Jamaican cuisine, but I warn you, it's spicy!! This small little pepper packs a whole lot more heat than a jalapeño so a little goes a long way. I like spicy foods, but I personally can only tolerate using 1/2 pepper for my taste and wearing gloves when handling the pepper is a must. If you like really spicy food, then add the whole pepper and please, keep them away from the kids and pets!!

I'm a dark meat lover so I chose the legs and thighs, but you can use a whole chicken cut up, or just the breast if you prefer white meat. I recommend using chicken on the bone, because bones give stews flavor and although it would still work with boneless chicken, it won't be as good. My husband loved this dish, and it will absolutely be going into our dinner rotation. Enjoy!!

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Loaded Turkey Santa Fe Baked Potato Skins

2012-02-03T15:01:00.001-05:00

Skinny potato skins loaded with mildly spiced turkey, black beans, corn and tomatoes topped with cheese - you won't be able to stop at just one!

Seriously, I doubled the turkey filling and couldn't stop eating it. I had it with eggs for breakfast and on tortillas for lunch, even made some enchiladas with the extra... it is THAT good!

The serrano peppers give the filling a little extra kick that I just loved. I found them jarred in my Mexican aisle, the brand I used was Goya, a little goes a long way. You can make the potatoes and the filling the day before, then bake when you are ready to serve!

And did I mention they are gluten-free? To make them vegetarian, simply leave out the turkey and add a little more corn and beans to the filling.

Let the games begin!!

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Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks

2012-02-01T14:25:00.001-05:00

Part-skim mozzarella sticks coated with crispy seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until hot and golden. Serve them with my quick marinara sauce and you have yourself an appetizer everyone will love.

Hot mozzarella sticks, I can't think of a more popular finger food with both kids and adults alike! I mean, what's not to like? Baking them as opposed to frying and using part skim cheese doesn't effect how good these are. The cheese still melts, see for yourself!

Of course, you'll want to serve them hot right out of the oven, because like any cheese, as they cool they harden.

It actually took me several attempts to get these perfect. I played around with different brands of light string cheese to see which yielded the best results. The winner was Sargento part-skim, low-sodium. Although it's not the cheese with the least amount of fat compared to some other brands, it had the best flavor and wasn't as salty as I found some brands to be.

These are freezer friendly, in fact these MUST be frozen before you bake them or you will have one big cheesy mess in your oven! The good news is you can bread them all ahead of time then place them on tray with wax paper and freeze them until you are ready to bake. Make the marinara sauce a day ahead as well. Happy Superbowl Sunday!!

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Skinny Spinach and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

2012-01-31T11:57:00.000-05:00

Mushroom caps are generously stuffed with a combination of sautéed baby spinach, chopped mushrooms, bacon, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. A lighter alternative to traditional stuffed mushrooms yet loaded with tons of flavor. The stuffing is so good, I could eat it by the spoonful!

I like the flavor of real bacon, so I buy center cut which is a bit leaner than regular bacon and I drain it well after cooking. Can you make them with turkey bacon? Sure, if you don't eat pork that would work.

Can you make these vegetarian? Why not replace the bacon with a little Feta cheese and chopped fresh herbs.

Can you make them ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the stuffing ahead, then fill and bake them right before serving.

They are only 34 calories each or for those of you on Weight Watchers, only 1 point each so I know what some of you will be making Superbowl Sunday!! Enjoy!

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Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans

2012-01-30T12:46:00.000-05:00

Penne pasta is tossed with garlicky escarole, lean Italian chicken sausage, cannellini beans, crushed red pepper and grated cheese. I cannot even begin to describe how good this is, I hope the photos can at least do this dish some justice! If you can't find escarole use kale.

I've tried many alternatives to Italian pork sausage, not because I don't like pork but because I have a hard time finding lean pork sausage. I'm a bit picky when it comes to Italian food growing up here in New York where we're surrounded by great Italian restaurants and stores so finding a good sausage alternative is not easy. I must say, I'm pretty impressed with Al Fresco's uncooked Italian sweet chicken sausage if your lucky enough to find that near you give it a try. I can't vouch for their cooked sausages since I haven't tried them. Turkey Italian sausage would work just as well in this dish.

This pasta is a winner with everyone in my home, even the picky kids. You can easily make this gluten free by using brown rice pasta. Or make it vegetarian by leaving the sausage out, using vegetable broth and adding another cup of beans. Enjoy!!

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Petite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Loaves

2012-01-29T09:03:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day is here before you know it, so if chocolate is something you crave, why not make it healthier with these petite loaves made with love... by you!

Whole wheat mini banana bread made with ripe bananas and chocolate chips are sure to leave a smile on anyone's face.

These make 8 large muffins in comparison to using a normal sized muffin tin which gives you 12-13. If you don't have these Petite Loaf Pans you can use one large 8 x 5-inch loaf instead, cooking time will be closer to 50-60 minutes or use a regular sized muffin tin, baking them for about 25 minutes.

Because they are so large the nutritional info is a little higher, so I have also provided the nutritional info for regular sized muffins. Perhaps these cute silicone heart shaped muffin tins?

If you prefer nuts to chocolate in your banana bread see my banana nut bread recipe, hope you enjoy!!

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Asian Flank Steak Skewers

2012-01-25T12:38:00.003-05:00

Thin strips of grilled flank steak marinated with lime juice, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and soy sauce. These skewers disappear quickly at every gathering, so you may want to make a lot!

With the Superbowl just around the corner I thought these would be a great appetizer for the steak lovers in your home. I myself love beef and enjoy these as an appetizer, but I also make them for dinner served with rice and roasted broccoli on the side.

You can make this on an indoor grill, a cast iron grill pan or make them outside on the grill. Always cut the meat across the grain at a slight angle with a very sharp knife.

Kid-friendly, husband-friendly, and just plain old good!

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Skinny Green Monster Smoothie

2012-01-24T14:05:00.002-05:00

A vitamin packed smoothie, perfect for breakfast or lunch on the go!

Ok, so I'll admit, first time trying a green monster smoothie... and quite honestly I was not prepared to like it!

I mean, spinach in a smoothie?? Even though green may be my favorite color, it sounded way too healthy even for my taste! But it's January, a month of new beginnings, resolutions and cleaning our bodies so I was willing to take a chance.

So, after someone recently sent me their recipe I took a chance and tried it for myself. What's the worst that could happen? If I don't like it, I'll just toss it, right?

I had all the ingredients on hand and put them in my blender. Myself, my teenager and my aunt just watched as the blender ran and the smoothie turned into a shade of bright green.

I was the first to test it out, and not bad! Good actually! All I really tasted was the peanut butter and banana, nothing else really stood out. I could get used to this! They all agreed, even my picky teenager thought it was good!

So, why should you try a GREEN MONSTER?? Vitamins!! A, C, K, iron, fiber, folate, lutein, magnesium, potassium, protein and calcium! Give it a try and see what you think!

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Five Spice Roasted Chicken Legs

2012-01-23T16:32:00.002-05:00

Oven roasted chicken legs take on exotic Asian flavors by the addition of a little Chinese five-spice.

An easy weeknight dish, the chicken is marinated in soy sauce, ginger, shallots, garlic and Chinese five-spice then roasted in the oven. Serve this with jasmine rice or brown fried rice and a vegetable for a complete meal.

I chose to use whole legs with thighs and drumsticks attached as opposed to using a whole chicken, because I find it easier to serve and I love dark meat, but you can make this with a whole chicken, thighs, legs, breasts... whatever you prefer! The sodium is hard to calculate because half of the marinade gets tossed so keep that in mind.

Happy Chinese New Year!!
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Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

2012-01-22T21:26:00.000-05:00

Sautéed ground chicken thighs, shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts seasoned with Asian spices are served in a crispy cold lettuce leaf with a spicy hoisin dipping sauce. I can't think of a more playful appetizer to celebrate the Year of The Dragon!

Some of you probably know how much I love using lettuce leaves as a wrap for everything from Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps to BLT Lettuce wraps. They are the perfect low-carb solution and don't interfere with the flavors of the filling. This recipe is no exception, you can taste all the Asian goodness... pure delight in every bite!

This recipe was ever so slightly adapted from my friend Bee, of Rasa Malaysia's first cookbook, Easy Chinese Recipes: Family Favorites From Dim Sum to Kung Pao. Whether you are celebrating The Chinese New Year, The Superbowl, or just having some friends over, I highly recommend making these... double or triple the recipe for a large crowd!

And speaking of Chinese New Year, I have a new cookbook giveaway this week! Two lucky winners will have a chance to win their own copy of Easy Chinese Recipes: Family Favorites From Dim Sum to Kung Pao. For a chance to win, visit Skinny Bits and leave a comment there (US residents only)!

Oh and one more thing I want to mention, if you want to turn this into a main dish, make some steamed rice and serve each wrap with rice and chicken, it's very good! Enjoy!!

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Skinny Macaroni and Cheese Soup with Broccoli

2012-01-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

A classic, kid-friendly comfort dish made into a soup. A great way to sneak some veggies into those picky tummies while enjoying a tasty warm bowl of soup.

I was a picky kid growing up, I remember the first time I liked broccoli it was smothered with melted cheese. Not really a bad thing because I got my serving of dairy and it was the start of my adoration for broccoli.

Using the same principal, this soup will please those picky palates while still serving plenty of vegetables such as carrots, celery and broccoli. You can cook the broccoli to your family's liking. Adults tend to like it tender crisp, while I find for the kids, if you cook it longer it dissolves into the soup making it impossible for them to pick out and they may even realize broccoli is not so bad after all!

Personally, I found one cup was satisfying as I had this for lunch, but if you would like to make this four servings for a larger bowl, the Weight Watcher Points would increase to 8 points plus, and the calories would increase to 315 per bowl. Enjoy!!

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Skinny Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

2012-01-17T13:21:00.002-05:00

Lean ground beef and turkey are combined with breadcrumbs and sauteed onions then shaped into patties and simmered in a mushroom gravy to create a lightened version of this retro American dish.

Serve this with Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Skinny Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes or for a low-carb option Creamy Cauliflower Puree and you have a complete meal.

It's hard not to imagine a TV dinners when you think of Salisbury Steak, originally a poor man's beef dish made with ground beef and fillers, shaped to resemble a real steak back in the great depression when steak was a luxury.

I recently was asked to create a lightened up Salisbury Steak, and I was excited to play around with this! For my skinny version, I combined turkey and lean beef to keep it light yet still maintain a beefy flavor. The addition of mushrooms to the gravy completes the dish sneaking in vegetables and giving this a wonderful flavor.

My family loved this, from my picky teen, toddler and husband. I'm sure yours will too!!

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Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

2012-01-16T15:26:00.001-05:00

This is easiest hot appetizer that you'll ever make. Uses only TWO ingredients and it's soooo good, I guarantee these will disappear in minutes!

With Superbowl around the corner, I've had these on my mind to post for a while. These are the perfect tasty game day treats and you can easily assemble them ahead of time. When your guests arrive, throw them in the oven and the aroma of bacon that will fill your home will have everyone salivating.

I know what you're thinking, bacon on Skinnytaste?

Well yeah, why not?

Using center cut bacon reduces the fat, and wrapped around lean chicken breast you have yourself one delicious appetizer! If you want a sauce for dipping, you can use Sweet red chili sauce or duck sauce on the side. Your low-carb friends will thank you for these as they are carb-free, gluten-free, and semi guilt-free (just don't eat the whole batch).

I used to make these with my Mom as a kid. I recall looking through the oven door, waiting impatiently for them to come out. I guess

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Brown Coconut Rice with Cilantro

2012-01-15T23:25:00.000-05:00

Coconut milk, brown rice, coconut flakes, fresh ginger and cilantro are combined to create this simple side dish, perfect to accompany many Thai dishes.
The flavor of the coconut milk is subtle, and pairs perfectly with Sweet and Fiery Pork Tenderloin with Mango Salsa, Tilapia with Coconut Curry Sauce, Thai green coconut curry shrimp, to name a few. The photo above is the rice topped with the mango salsa from the Sweet and Fiery Pork.

You can also make this with white rice, which is usually my husband's preference. For a healthier option, stick with brown rice. I've played around with several brown rice varieties and Jasmine works best (I was out so I used short grain). If using white, reduce the water to 1 cup and reduce the cooking time. If you wish, you can add a touch of sesame oil which I often like to do. The flaked coconut is optional but I like the subtle sweetness it adds to the dish.

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