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Spread Some

Dough Today

Mix, Knead, Rest, Bake!

Welcome to Spread Some Dough Today, your go-to place for all things baking!
Get ready to embark on a delightful journey filled with irresistible recipes,
handy tips, and lots of baking inspiration.

zelnik, burek pastry

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Recipes

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🍤 Season 3, Episode 5 – Stefi’s Shrimp Orzo

This one’s special. My kind of comfort food — creamy, buttery, garlicky, and just the right amount of spice.

Today’s On The Menu feature: Stefi’s Shrimp Orzo — a cozy meal that comes together with a swirl of butter, garlic, spinach, and shrimp in a luscious mascarpone cream sauce. The perfect dish to unwind with after a long week 💛

🧄 Here’s what you’ll need:
• 8 tbsp (112g) salted butter
• 5–6 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp ginger (optional but recommended)
450g (16oz) shrimp
• 90g spinach
• 105g mushrooms (optional but delicious)
• ½ lemon (juice only)
• 4–5 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup pasta water
½ cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp (4oz) mascarpone
• ~ 1/4 cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano to taste

Season with smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne, cracked chilies, and your favorite Cajun seasoning (Slap Ya Mama, Tony Chachere’s — I use both 😉)

✨ Start by sautéing the garlic and ginger in butter, then add mushrooms, shrimp, spinach, and finally your sauce ingredients.
Toss in your al dente orzo (boil it ~10 min before you start sautéing). Don’t skip the pasta water — it’s liquid gold!
Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until everything becomes silky and perfect.

🍋 Creamy, cozy, spicy — this one’s got layers of love.

📌 Save this reel for your next weeknight dinner idea
➡️ Follow @spreadsome_doughtoday for more heritage-inspired food + cozy kitchen magic
♥️ Share this with a friend who loves shrimp (and butter 😋)

✨ Featuring shot-outs to some of my favs:
EV Olive Oil from @olivedaofficial 🫒 Hand blender from @kitchenaidusa 👩‍🍳 @madein Cookware 🥘

#SpreadSomeDoughToday #Season3Episode5 #ShrimpOrzo #OnePanMeals #SeafoodRecipes #ComfortFoodLove #MascarponePasta #HomeCookingJoy #HeritageFlavors #EasyDinnerInspo

🍤 Season 3, Episode 5 – Stefi’s Shrimp Orzo

This one’s special. My kind of comfort food — creamy, buttery, garlicky, and just the right amount of spice.

Today’s On The Menu feature: Stefi’s Shrimp Orzo — a cozy meal that comes together with a swirl of butter, garlic, spinach, and shrimp in a luscious mascarpone cream sauce. The perfect dish to unwind with after a long week 💛

🧄 Here’s what you’ll need:
• 8 tbsp (112g) salted butter
• 5–6 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp ginger (optional but recommended)
450g (16oz) shrimp
• 90g spinach
• 105g mushrooms (optional but delicious)
• ½ lemon (juice only)
• 4–5 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup pasta water
½ cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp (4oz) mascarpone
• ~ 1/4 cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano to taste

Season with smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne, cracked chilies, and your favorite Cajun seasoning (Slap Ya Mama, Tony Chachere’s — I use both 😉)

✨ Start by sautéing the garlic and ginger in butter, then add mushrooms, shrimp, spinach, and finally your sauce ingredients.
Toss in your al dente orzo (boil it ~10 min before you start sautéing). Don’t skip the pasta water — it’s liquid gold!
Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until everything becomes silky and perfect.

🍋 Creamy, cozy, spicy — this one’s got layers of love.

📌 Save this reel for your next weeknight dinner idea
➡️ Follow @spreadsome_doughtoday for more heritage-inspired food + cozy kitchen magic
♥️ Share this with a friend who loves shrimp (and butter 😋)

✨ Featuring shot-outs to some of my favs:
EV Olive Oil from @olivedaofficial 🫒 Hand blender from @kitchenaidusa 👩‍🍳 @madein Cookware 🥘

#SpreadSomeDoughToday #Season3Episode5 #ShrimpOrzo #OnePanMeals #SeafoodRecipes #ComfortFoodLove #MascarponePasta #HomeCookingJoy #HeritageFlavors #EasyDinnerInspo

🥖 Season 3, Episode 4 – A Brunch Classic, Reimagined

Every season deserves a breakfast that feeds the soul — and this one’s no exception.

Today’s spotlight: a good old plate of French bread, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup, served alongside crispy bacon and sunny eggs. 🥓🍳

A wholehearted meal that will never fail to make you happy — simple, classic, and made even better when you use my Soft Crust Bread recipe for the ultimate soak and crust 💛

🥚 My egg + milk mixture:
1 egg + a generous pour of milk + a pinch of cinnamon.
Whisk until smooth and soak each bread slice back and forth several times — this is the secret to that perfect custardy center and golden edge. ✨

✨ Full bread recipe with all my tips is ALWAYS up on the blog → Link in BIO

📌 Save this reel for your next weekend breakfast
💬 Comment your favorite brunch comfort food
♥️ Share this with someone who loves slow, happy mornings

➡️ Bake this week’s Soft Crust Bread and tag @spreadsome_doughtoday so I can feature your beautiful loaves!

#SpreadSomeDoughToday #Season3Episode4 #BrunchGoals #FrenchToastRecipe #SoftCrustBread #HeritageBaking #HomeBakingJoy #BreakfastLovers #BakingFromTheHeart

🥖 Season 3, Episode 4 – A Brunch Classic, Reimagined

Every season deserves a breakfast that feeds the soul — and this one’s no exception.

Today’s spotlight: a good old plate of French bread, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup, served alongside crispy bacon and sunny eggs. 🥓🍳

A wholehearted meal that will never fail to make you happy — simple, classic, and made even better when you use my Soft Crust Bread recipe for the ultimate soak and crust 💛

🥚 My egg + milk mixture:
1 egg + a generous pour of milk + a pinch of cinnamon.
Whisk until smooth and soak each bread slice back and forth several times — this is the secret to that perfect custardy center and golden edge. ✨

✨ Full bread recipe with all my tips is ALWAYS up on the blog → Link in BIO

📌 Save this reel for your next weekend breakfast
💬 Comment your favorite brunch comfort food
♥️ Share this with someone who loves slow, happy mornings

➡️ Bake this week’s Soft Crust Bread and tag @spreadsome_doughtoday so I can feature your beautiful loaves!

#SpreadSomeDoughToday #Season3Episode4 #BrunchGoals #FrenchToastRecipe #SoftCrustBread #HeritageBaking #HomeBakingJoy #BreakfastLovers #BakingFromTheHeart

Multi-generational Baking Heritage: A Legacy of Love, Flour, and Family

👋 Hi, I’m Stefanija — third-gen baker, daughter of a lifelong Macedonian pastry chef & baker, and proud keeper of floury traditions.

My baking journey started in my mama’s kitchen, where the scent of fresh bread and the hum of her hand filled the air. She learned from her father (my Dedo Jovan), a beloved baker in Bitola, and passed that legacy to me — one sweet memory at a time. 💛

Though I now work in clinical research, baking is where my soul feels most at home. This page is where I honor my roots, share family recipes, and help you bake affordable, joyful things from scratch — just like my mama taught me.

As I engage in this time-honored practice, I feel an undeniable connection to my family and the generations that have come before me. The aroma that fills the kitchen as the dough bakes evokes memories of family gatherings and festive occasions, reminding me of the joy that food brings to our lives. Moreover, these recipes serve as a bridge between the past and the present, allowing me to honor my heritage while creating new memories with loved ones. It is a beautiful cycle of sharing and learning, where each bite carries the weight of history and the lightness of love. Through this culinary art, I find not only a means of sustenance but also a profound sense of identity and continuity. Indeed, the act of making traditional Bakes from my motherlands is a deeply personal journey, one that I cherish and celebrate with every delicious bite. 😇

My full bio is up on my baking blog ❤️

Let’s make something delicious together 💫
#spreadsomeDoughToday

Multi-generational Baking Heritage: A Legacy of Love, Flour, and Family

👋 Hi, I’m Stefanija — third-gen baker, daughter of a lifelong Macedonian pastry chef & baker, and proud keeper of floury traditions.

My baking journey started in my mama’s kitchen, where the scent of fresh bread and the hum of her hand filled the air. She learned from her father (my Dedo Jovan), a beloved baker in Bitola, and passed that legacy to me — one sweet memory at a time. 💛

Though I now work in clinical research, baking is where my soul feels most at home. This page is where I honor my roots, share family recipes, and help you bake affordable, joyful things from scratch — just like my mama taught me.

As I engage in this time-honored practice, I feel an undeniable connection to my family and the generations that have come before me. The aroma that fills the kitchen as the dough bakes evokes memories of family gatherings and festive occasions, reminding me of the joy that food brings to our lives. Moreover, these recipes serve as a bridge between the past and the present, allowing me to honor my heritage while creating new memories with loved ones. It is a beautiful cycle of sharing and learning, where each bite carries the weight of history and the lightness of love. Through this culinary art, I find not only a means of sustenance but also a profound sense of identity and continuity. Indeed, the act of making traditional Bakes from my motherlands is a deeply personal journey, one that I cherish and celebrate with every delicious bite. 😇

My full bio is up on my baking blog ❤️

Let’s make something delicious together 💫
#spreadsomeDoughToday

💫 A Legacy Fried in Love — Season 3, Episode 3:
The Iconic Mekici

There are recipes that feed you — and then there are recipes that hold you. 💛

These are Mekici (or Mekitsa) — golden, airy pillows of fried dough that taste like my childhood. Every bite reminds me of where my story began — a kitchen full of laughter, flour on every surface, and a deep love for handmade food.

I grew up surrounded by generations of bakers who turned simple ingredients into stories. My mama learned from my Dedo Jovan, a beloved baker in Bitola, and she passed that magic to me — one sweet, flour-dusted memory at a time.

Today, I’m sharing that same love through my Mekici recipe — soft, airy, and made to be shared.

👩‍🍳 Taste a piece of tradition. Bake, fry, and spread some dough today.

🔥 On the blog now — full recipe, step-by-step guide, and all my pro tips for that flawless fry.
💬 Comment your favorite family comfort food
♥️ Share this reel with someone who loves heritage recipes
➡️ Follow @spreadsome_doughtoday for more generational bakes

🍞 Weekly Challenge:
Make your own Mekici this week and tag @spreadsome_doughtoday — I’ll feature your recreations in my stories! Let’s keep this heritage alive, one dough at a time. 💫

#SpreadSomeDoughToday #Mekici #HeritageCooking #MacedonianRecipes #LegacyBaking #BalkanCuisine #FamilyTradition #ComfortFoodLove

💫 A Legacy Fried in Love — Season 3, Episode 3:
The Iconic Mekici

There are recipes that feed you — and then there are recipes that hold you. 💛

These are Mekici (or Mekitsa) — golden, airy pillows of fried dough that taste like my childhood. Every bite reminds me of where my story began — a kitchen full of laughter, flour on every surface, and a deep love for handmade food.

I grew up surrounded by generations of bakers who turned simple ingredients into stories. My mama learned from my Dedo Jovan, a beloved baker in Bitola, and she passed that magic to me — one sweet, flour-dusted memory at a time.

Today, I’m sharing that same love through my Mekici recipe — soft, airy, and made to be shared.

👩‍🍳 Taste a piece of tradition. Bake, fry, and spread some dough today.

🔥 On the blog now — full recipe, step-by-step guide, and all my pro tips for that flawless fry.
💬 Comment your favorite family comfort food
♥️ Share this reel with someone who loves heritage recipes
➡️ Follow @spreadsome_doughtoday for more generational bakes

🍞 Weekly Challenge:
Make your own Mekici this week and tag @spreadsome_doughtoday — I’ll feature your recreations in my stories! Let’s keep this heritage alive, one dough at a time. 💫

#SpreadSomeDoughToday #Mekici #HeritageCooking #MacedonianRecipes #LegacyBaking #BalkanCuisine #FamilyTradition #ComfortFoodLove

🍗 Season 3, Episode 2

Копани со ориз – Roasted Drumsticks with Rice

Овој рецепт веднаш ме враќа во детството во куќата на баба ми Елка - мајка на мајка ми. 💛 Посебно за викенди, ќе ги собереше сите внуци околу нејзината елегантна маса, послана со бел чаршав испеглан до перфекција (плус шнајдерка дека беше), и ќе го послужеше ова јадење со топол домашен леб и салата од краставици и домати. Нејзиниот ориз беше направен со толку многу љубов што можеше да го вкусиш во секој залак. Миризбата беше уште поисполнителна во воздухот измешан мирис на жежок леб, копани, ориз. Љубов.

This recipe instantly takes me back to childhood days at my grandma’s house—my mum’s mum. 💛 It was common on the weekends — She’d gather all the grandkids around her elegant table, covered with a perfectly ironed tablecloth, and serve this comforting dish with warm homemade bread and a cucumber–tomato salad. Her rice was made with so much love you could taste it in every bite. The air was even more special, the aroma of hot bread, rice, roasted chicken sifting thru the air - singing the language of love.

Here’s how I made it 😊

1️⃣ Boil drumsticks in seasoned water to create rich chicken stock.

2️⃣ Rinse & Sauté 2 cups Arborio rice with onions and garlic or add it straight to the roasting pan (White rice is fine too).

3️⃣ Combine & Roast with the drumsticks and the reserved stock—remember, Arborio loves 3× the liquid.

4️⃣ Bake at 200 °C / 400 °F for about 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken is golden.

Featured tool: my trusty @kitchenaidusa multi-tool hand blender—a game-changer for quick prep in all the ways 💪

Check out any bread inspiration on my baking blog → Link in BIO

📌 Save this post for your next cozy dinner

💬 Comment your favorite childhood comfort meal!

➡️ Follow for more upgraded bakes + homestyle meals

♥️ Share with a friend who needs a little heritage on their plate

#KopaniSoOriz #MacedonianCuisine #RoastedDrumsticks #ChickenAndRice #FamilyRecipes #HeritageCooking #Season3SpreadSomeDough #ComfortFood #ChildhoodFavorites

🍗 Season 3, Episode 2

Копани со ориз – Roasted Drumsticks with Rice

Овој рецепт веднаш ме враќа во детството во куќата на баба ми Елка - мајка на мајка ми. 💛 Посебно за викенди, ќе ги собереше сите внуци околу нејзината елегантна маса, послана со бел чаршав испеглан до перфекција (плус шнајдерка дека беше), и ќе го послужеше ова јадење со топол домашен леб и салата од краставици и домати. Нејзиниот ориз беше направен со толку многу љубов што можеше да го вкусиш во секој залак. Миризбата беше уште поисполнителна во воздухот измешан мирис на жежок леб, копани, ориз. Љубов.

This recipe instantly takes me back to childhood days at my grandma’s house—my mum’s mum. 💛 It was common on the weekends — She’d gather all the grandkids around her elegant table, covered with a perfectly ironed tablecloth, and serve this comforting dish with warm homemade bread and a cucumber–tomato salad. Her rice was made with so much love you could taste it in every bite. The air was even more special, the aroma of hot bread, rice, roasted chicken sifting thru the air - singing the language of love.

Here’s how I made it 😊

1️⃣ Boil drumsticks in seasoned water to create rich chicken stock.

2️⃣ Rinse & Sauté 2 cups Arborio rice with onions and garlic or add it straight to the roasting pan (White rice is fine too).

3️⃣ Combine & Roast with the drumsticks and the reserved stock—remember, Arborio loves 3× the liquid.

4️⃣ Bake at 200 °C / 400 °F for about 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken is golden.

Featured tool: my trusty @kitchenaidusa multi-tool hand blender—a game-changer for quick prep in all the ways 💪

Check out any bread inspiration on my baking blog → Link in BIO

📌 Save this post for your next cozy dinner

💬 Comment your favorite childhood comfort meal!

➡️ Follow for more upgraded bakes + homestyle meals

♥️ Share with a friend who needs a little heritage on their plate

#KopaniSoOriz #MacedonianCuisine #RoastedDrumsticks #ChickenAndRice #FamilyRecipes #HeritageCooking #Season3SpreadSomeDough #ComfortFood #ChildhoodFavorites

🍞 Season 3, Episode 1 💛

Soft Crust Bread – Cloud-Light & Comforting

✨ Season 3 is rising! 🎬After our Baking 101 journey, it’s time for next-level dough – And we’re starting with the fluffiest loaf you’ll ever slice. This soft crust bread is tender, airy, and perfect for everyday sandwiches, warm buttered slices, or simply tearing apart straight from the oven.

It’s a true heritage hug in loaf form—simple ingredients, gentle kneading, and a golden crust that stays delightfully soft. A recipe rooted in tradition, made for modern kitchens.

Full recipe with all my tips is ALWAYS up on the blog → Link in BIO

📌 Save this reel for your next baking day.

💬 Comment your favorite way to enjoy fresh soft bread!

➡️ Follow for more upgraded bakes + homemade food greatness.

♥️ Share with a friend who needs this in their life.

💟 Weekly Challenge:
Bake this week’s Soft Crust Bread and tag @spreadsome_doughtoday so I can feature your beautiful loaves! 😋

#Season3SpreadSomeDough #SoftCrustBread #HomemadeBread #EasyBreadRecipe #HeritageBaking #BreadLovers #FromScratchBaking #BakingJoy

🍞 Season 3, Episode 1 💛

Soft Crust Bread – Cloud-Light & Comforting

✨ Season 3 is rising! 🎬After our Baking 101 journey, it’s time for next-level dough – And we’re starting with the fluffiest loaf you’ll ever slice. This soft crust bread is tender, airy, and perfect for everyday sandwiches, warm buttered slices, or simply tearing apart straight from the oven.

It’s a true heritage hug in loaf form—simple ingredients, gentle kneading, and a golden crust that stays delightfully soft. A recipe rooted in tradition, made for modern kitchens.

Full recipe with all my tips is ALWAYS up on the blog → Link in BIO

📌 Save this reel for your next baking day.

💬 Comment your favorite way to enjoy fresh soft bread!

➡️ Follow for more upgraded bakes + homemade food greatness.

♥️ Share with a friend who needs this in their life.

💟 Weekly Challenge:
Bake this week’s Soft Crust Bread and tag @spreadsome_doughtoday so I can feature your beautiful loaves! 😋

#Season3SpreadSomeDough #SoftCrustBread #HomemadeBread #EasyBreadRecipe #HeritageBaking #BreadLovers #FromScratchBaking #BakingJoy

How to shape Ekmek loaves?

If you didn’t know - Ekmek is a rustic Turkish sourdough loaf that’s as simple as it is stunning 🍞✨

Here’s how to:
• Braid the dough into a beautiful loaf
• Tuck the ends + proof for that perfect rise
• Score, water wash, and bake into a golden, airy crumb beauty

💬 Try it yourself and tag me—the best loaves might be featured in my stories! 🫶

🖇 Full recipe + step-by-step on the blog → [Link in bio] or comment LOAF for the direct link 💜

#BreadBaking101 #HomeBaker #BeginnerBaker #BreadLovers #BakeFromScratch #BreadMakingTips #BreadBakingCommunity #KneadingDough #ProofingBread #HomemadeBread #EasyBreadRecipes #BreadFlourMagic #AllAboutBread #BakersOfInstagram #BakingTipsAndTricks

How to shape Ekmek loaves?

If you didn’t know - Ekmek is a rustic Turkish sourdough loaf that’s as simple as it is stunning 🍞✨

Here’s how to:
• Braid the dough into a beautiful loaf
• Tuck the ends + proof for that perfect rise
• Score, water wash, and bake into a golden, airy crumb beauty

💬 Try it yourself and tag me—the best loaves might be featured in my stories! 🫶

🖇 Full recipe + step-by-step on the blog → [Link in bio] or comment LOAF for the direct link 💜

#BreadBaking101 #HomeBaker #BeginnerBaker #BreadLovers #BakeFromScratch #BreadMakingTips #BreadBakingCommunity #KneadingDough #ProofingBread #HomemadeBread #EasyBreadRecipes #BreadFlourMagic #AllAboutBread #BakersOfInstagram #BakingTipsAndTricks

✨ Baking Series 101: Kneading Techniques

Kneading isn’t just about working the dough—it’s how you build structure, strength, and that soft, airy crumb.

In this reel, I’m sharing a few of the most common kneading methods:

🍞 Push + Fold
🙌 Slap + Fold
✨ Stretch + Fold
🔄 Rubaud Method
🌕 Reshaping dough
🌷 Shaping a roll

Each has its place, depending on the dough and the bread you’re baking. The key? Developing enough gluten so your dough becomes smooth, elastic, and ready to rise.

📌 Save this reel to try different techniques on your next bake and check our full FREE baking course: The Fundamentals of Baking

💬 Which kneading style do you use most often?

👩‍🍳 From my family’s kitchen to yours—I’m a 3rd generation baker sharing multi-generational bread knowledge so you can bake with confidence.

🖇️More tips + recipes → [link in bio]

#BreadBaking101 #HomeBaker #BeginnerBaker #BreadLovers #BakeFromScratch #BreadMakingTips #BreadBakingCommunity #KneadingDough #ProofingBread #HomemadeBread #EasyBreadRecipes #BreadFlourMagic #AllAboutBread #BakersOfInstagram #BakingTipsAndTricks

✨ Baking Series 101: Kneading Techniques

Kneading isn’t just about working the dough—it’s how you build structure, strength, and that soft, airy crumb.

In this reel, I’m sharing a few of the most common kneading methods:

🍞 Push + Fold
🙌 Slap + Fold
✨ Stretch + Fold
🔄 Rubaud Method
🌕 Reshaping dough
🌷 Shaping a roll

Each has its place, depending on the dough and the bread you’re baking. The key? Developing enough gluten so your dough becomes smooth, elastic, and ready to rise.

📌 Save this reel to try different techniques on your next bake and check our full FREE baking course: The Fundamentals of Baking

💬 Which kneading style do you use most often?

👩‍🍳 From my family’s kitchen to yours—I’m a 3rd generation baker sharing multi-generational bread knowledge so you can bake with confidence.

🖇️More tips + recipes → [link in bio]

#BreadBaking101 #HomeBaker #BeginnerBaker #BreadLovers #BakeFromScratch #BreadMakingTips #BreadBakingCommunity #KneadingDough #ProofingBread #HomemadeBread #EasyBreadRecipes #BreadFlourMagic #AllAboutBread #BakersOfInstagram #BakingTipsAndTricks

✨ Baking Series 101: Proofing Dough ✨

Once your yeast is alive and bubbly, it’s time for one of the most important steps in bread baking → proofing 🍞

Proofing is simply letting your dough rest and rise. During this stage, the yeast produces carbon dioxide, which makes the dough expand, creates structure, and gives bread its light, airy crumb.

🌡️ Place your dough in a warm, draft-free spot, cover it, and let it rise until doubled in size. This usually takes 1–2 hours, but it depends on the recipe. Don’t rush this step—good bread takes patience!

📌 Save this post to keep these tips handy.

💬 Do you prefer a slow overnight rise in the fridge, or a quick room-temperature rise? Tell me below!

👩‍🍳 As a 3rd generation baker, I love passing down these fundamentals so you can bake with confidence at home.

Full recipes + tips → [link in bio] 💜

✨ Baking Series 101: Proofing Dough ✨

Once your yeast is alive and bubbly, it’s time for one of the most important steps in bread baking → proofing 🍞

Proofing is simply letting your dough rest and rise. During this stage, the yeast produces carbon dioxide, which makes the dough expand, creates structure, and gives bread its light, airy crumb.

🌡️ Place your dough in a warm, draft-free spot, cover it, and let it rise until doubled in size. This usually takes 1–2 hours, but it depends on the recipe. Don’t rush this step—good bread takes patience!

📌 Save this post to keep these tips handy.

💬 Do you prefer a slow overnight rise in the fridge, or a quick room-temperature rise? Tell me below!

👩‍🍳 As a 3rd generation baker, I love passing down these fundamentals so you can bake with confidence at home.

Full recipes + tips → [link in bio] 💜

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