Homefront Magazine April 2016

HOMEFRONT A Fort Hood Herald publication | April 27, 2016

Month of the Military Child P8 | Make every day Earth Day P11 | Know your neighbors P4

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

[ Inside this issue ] Letters from the Homefront: Get to know your neighbors

Page 4

Financial Fitness: Prepare your finances for a natural disaster

Page 5

Financial Fitness: Make the most of military benefits

Page 6

Financial Fitness: Tips for an IRS audit

Page 7

On the Homefront: Month of the Military Child

Page 8

On the Homefront: Fort Hood marks Earth Day

Page 11

What’s Happening: Upcoming area events

Page 12

On the Tube: HBO’s “Silicon Valley”

Page 13

Dining In: Spicy beef meal a mix of Pacific flavors

Page 14

Dining In: Baked pastas with cauliflower and white beans

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Vol. 9, Issue 4 | April 27, 2016 Homefront is a Fort Hood Herald publication.

Contact Us Editor: David A. Bryant | dbryant@kdhnews.com | 254-501-7554 Contributor: Abbey Sinclair On the cover: April is Month of the Military Child and is being celebrated with a theme of “Celebrate Military Children: The Strength of Our Future” on Army garrisons worldwide. Photo by Ken White | U.S. Army.

Find more news at forthoodherald.com.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

When strangers call, it’s important to know thy neighbor

H

ome alone late at night, the doorbell rings. Outside is a strange man in dark clothing.

It’s a scenario no one wants to experience, yet it happened to me a few months ago. And, as all military spouses know, such situations — like every major appliance in the house breaking at once — never seem to occur until your significant other is away.

However, my fear could have been lessened by one simple act: talking to my neighbors.

But first, back to that night: Unaware he was being watched, the man began to walk away. Suddenly panicked that he might think my house was a prime target, I flipped on more lights, but this had the opposite effect — he turned and doubled back. Frozen, I debated what to do. In the end, I spoke to him through the door. Should I not have answered the door at all? Maybe. But some part of me needed to hold my own rather than cowering in a corner, wondering if he would be back.

I feel there’s an important lesson to be learned: Not only is it wise to know your neighbors so you can watch out for each other, but it eases a burden when you can all compare notes.

Letters from the Homefront Abbey Sinclair

The stranger claimed to live down the street and said he needed money. Note: There was no explanation as to why he needed money, or even a “Hey! So great we are finally getting a chance to meet ... at this bizarre hour.” He was also uncommonly sweaty for such a cold night.

I told him to take a hike and called the police, immediately. Then I checked every door and window 15 times and proceeded to sleep with one eye open for a week.

Am I overly paranoid? Yep. And protective. When ‘Mama Bear’ has a cub in tow, you best not be comin’ around again — or honey, you’re liable to see some claws. Having lived in a city for several years, I also know better (case in point: one neighbor gave him a few bucks, upon which he demanded more).

In a nutshell, I could have saved myself some angst if I had just talked to my neighbors right away to see if they had been visited by the same character.

The problem was, I had never really spoken to them. When we first moved into our neighborhood last spring, only one neighbor even bothered to welcome us. Having grown up in a small town, this struck me as rude, but I didn’t feel that it was right for us to have to intro-

duce ourselves first. As time went on, I met a couple of the folks around us, but not many. The explanation for this was fairly simple — a few families were new to the area as well, while others just kept to themselves.

Although I’ve met most of the folks around us now, I feel there’s an important lesson to be learned: Not only is it wise to know your neighbors so you can watch out for each other, but it eases a burden when you can all compare notes. Even if we still don’t know what that man was up to.

Maybe I’ll even put away my 2x4.

Eventually.

Abbey Sinclair is a Herald correspondent, a veteran and a military spouse.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

[ Financial Fitness ]

Homefront |

Be prepared: How to prep your finances for a natural disaster Courtesy of USAA

Floods, fires and other natural disasters can destroy everything in their path, but they shouldn’t devastate your finances. JJ Montanaro, a certified financial planner with USAA, offers five steps you can take now to help be more prepared if a disaster strikes.

Build an emergency fund. Everyone should have an emergency fund, but it’s critical during a crisis. Save at least three to six months of your ongoing expenses in a secure place that you can access easily, such as a savings account.

Withdraw cash if a natural disaster heads your way, and remember to save your receipts for any disaster-related cash purchases, because your insurance company may reimburse some of your expenses.

Review your insurance policy coverage.

Evaluate your policies regularly and note their dollar limits, what they cover and the deductibles you would have to pay if you filed a claim. You should

insure your home for at least the minimum estimated replacement cost recommended by your carrier.

Check for insurance gaps. After a disaster strikes is the worst time to learn you don’t have enough insurance or the right type of coverage. For example, most homeowners insurance doesn’t

cover flood damage or lost belongings and may have limits on certain highvalue property that could leave you at risk.

Consider buying separate flood insurance, valuable personal property insurance or renters insurance policies to meet your additional needs. Your

insurance provider also should be able to help assess your property risks.

Take inventory of your belongings.

Most people would struggle to come up with an accurate list of everything they own from memory, making the insurance claim process difficult. Start with a written inventory and supplement with a video tour of your home. Store the inventory away from your house — such as a safe-deposit box at a local bank — or online through the Insurance Information Institute’s Know Your Stuff® Home Inventory free app.

Update the inventory at least once a year or whenever you make a major purchase.

Use online money-management tools.

The last thing you need during a disaster is to lose access to your cash. Set up automatic payment plans so your bills are paid on time and you don’t rack up late fees or damage your credit score.

Sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck, pensions and any other income to keep the cash flowing in.

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[ Financial Fitness ]

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Five ways to maximize military benefits and save money Courtesy of USAA

Between basic training, PCSing and deployment, joining the military presents some unique financial challenges in the first few years of service. But there are also great benefits, including some from USAA. “There are a range of products and services that can really be used as you move through your military career,” said JJ Montanaro, a certified financial planner at USAA and veteran of the Army and Army Reserves.

Montanaro’s son recently joined the military.

“He’s just launching his career,” Montanaro said. “As he moves along, I’ll have recommendations for him based on my experience, but not everyone has that, so it’s important to do your research.”

First, review the range of financial and legal protections offered through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, including:

• Auto lease termination (180 day orders).

• Residential lease termination (90 day orders).

• Protection from foreclosure, evictions, repossession and legal proceedings.

• Reduced interest rates on existing credit card, auto loan, mortgage or other debt incurred prior to active service.

USAA also offers members additional benefits, including in these five areas: Auto insurance. USAA offers overseas coverage in specific countries and a vehicle storage discount up to 60 percent on auto insurance premiums for eligible deployed members or those on extended TDY. Banking. During a PCS or deployment, USAA waives fees on credit card balance transfers and convenience

checks. Plus, it offers a special low APR on new and existing transactions for one year. “That’s money in your pocket,” Montanaro said. “Take advantage of the situation and try to pay down existing debt.”

Personal property. Renters insurance, as well as Valuable Personal Property insurance, can help you protect your belongings — particularly uniforms — on base and abroad. Both provide coverage worldwide, including in war zones, and while living in military barracks or in ROTC or academy dorms.

Get a 20 percent discount on renters while living on base.

Tax advice. Get help with your taxes, using Free Turbo Tax Online Federal for active duty and reservists.

Travel. USAA offers member discounts on car rentals, cruises, resorts and hotels. What’s more, travel insurance can provide some peace of mind if you have to cancel a trip because of a deployment or unexpected leave revocation.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

[ Financial Fitness ]

Homefront |

Tax tidbits: What to do if the IRS sends an audit notice Courtesy of USAA

It’s the envelope no taxpayer wants to open: an IRS audit notice. What should you do if one arrives?

“Don’t panic,” advises Bob Meighan, vice president of customer advocacy at TurboTax®. “The vast majority are correspondence audits. That means the IRS sends a letter and said the income from Bank XYZ does not match what was reported to us.”

Those low-level inquiries account for 80% of audits. But you should take the notice seriously, Meighan said. Respond within the allotted time frame with the information requested.

The next level is the audit, during which an agent looks at a specific return and questions items. These audits tend to focus on taxpayers with higher incomes. There are several triggers, such as travel and entertainment expenses, home office expenses and high donation amounts.

While the IRS conducts some random

audits, in part to validate its own statistics and determine the accuracy rate of returns, it tends to select those returns based on the opportunity to collect revenue, Meighan said.

“If people are honest in filing re-

turns, there’s really less to worry about, provided you keep good records and documentation,” he adds.

Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the past three years in an audit. Additional years can be

added if a substantial error (typically more than 25 percent of gross income) is identified. If a substantial error is identified, the IRS will generally not go back more than the past six years, unless fraud or certain other issues are involved.

For more information, see IRS Publication 3948-A, The Examination Process (Audits by Mail). If you have additional questions about the audit process or need advice, Meighan recommends getting representation from a tax professional such as an attorney who practices in the field. Some states have attorneys who are board certified in tax law. They can help you understand your rights and help ensure the IRS stays within the proper scope of the audit. During that process, your attorney can also provide you with legal counsel.

If you feel a case was mishandled or the facts don’t support it, you can also consider contacting the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service.

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[ On the homefront ]

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Army to celebrate Month of the Military Child

By IMCOM Public Affairs Special to Homefront Magazine

S

Ray Johnson | U.S. Army

April is Month of the Military Child and is being celebrated with a theme of “Celebrate Military Children: The Strength of Our Future” on Army garrisons.

AN ANTONIO — During April, U.S. military installations around the globe will recognize the contributions and sacrifices that service members’ sons and daughters make daily.

April is Month of the Military Child and is being celebrated with a theme of “Celebrate Military Children: The Strength of Our Future” on Army garrisons.

More than 1.7 million children under the age of 18 have at least one parent serving in the armed forces. And it is estimated that more than 900,000 children have had one or both parents deployed multiple times.

Accordingly, garrison-level Child, Youth and School Services programs will hold special events to honor soldiers’ children. These events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support promised them through the Army Family Covenant, according to Installation Management Command officials.

Installations of all services are honoring military children by providing a month packed with special activities — arts and crafts shows, picnics, fishing derbies, carnivals, parades, block parties and other special activities — to acknowledge the unique contributions they make.

The monthlong celebration, first held in 1986, reinforces to military children that they are, indeed, a key part of the armed forces community.

For example, last year, First Lady Michelle Obama noted: “As a grateful nation, it is our sacred responsibility to stand by our military children, just as they and their families stand by us.”

President Barack Obama, earlier this year spotlighted the importance of military family support overall, recalling a trip to Afghanistan in December 2010 where he spoke to troops, asking what he could do to better support them.

“Without missing a beat,” he said, “they looked me in the eye and they gave me their answer. It wasn’t about more equipment. It wasn’t about more resources on the battlefield. In fact, it

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

[ On the homefront ]

April is Month of the Military Child and is being celebrated with a theme of “Celebrate Military Children: The Strength of Our Future” on Army garrisons.

wasn’t about them.”

“They said ... ‘Sir, take care of our families. If we know our families are all right back home, then we can do our jobs.’”

Strengthen support

In late January, Obama unveiled a government plan to strengthen military family support, including the education and development of military children and expanding child care options for military parents.

Servicemembers and their families, the president said, have done everything the nation has asked of them in this decade of war. Such commitment by the youngest members of the Army community will be highlighted throughout Month of the Military Child, and their accomplishments will be on display for all to appreciate.

Additional information provided by American Forces Press Service

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U.S. Army photos

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

[ On the homefront ]

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Directorate of Public Works strives to make every day Earth Day

By Christine Luciano Fort Hood Department of Public Works Environmental

Fort Hood is celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day, and proclaiming April as Sustainable Environment Month.

With an official proclamation, Col. Todd Fox, Fort Hood garrison commander and the Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership are celebrating environmental stewardship in the region.

This year’s Sustainable Environment Month features a Month of the Military Child Fest and Earth Fest event, an annual Earth Day school event for more than 700 students, recognition as a Tree City USA community and a Net Zero Waste award presentation to military and civilian activities for their commitment to the environment.

The environmental efforts of Fort Hood’s soldiers, civilians, and families have gained recognition at the state, national and federal levels. Recently winning awards from Keep Texas Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful and the Secretary of the Army, the awards are a reflection of the community’s commitment to environmental excellence.

Fort Hood is leading the way in environmental resiliency, while enabling and supporting military training.

Soldiers and civilians help to maintain environmental standards within the motor pools and workplace areas, ensuring compliance of hazardous material, pollution prevention, air, water, energy, solid waste and recycling.

Families are also doing their part to support the installation’s Net Zero Waste 2020 efforts by recycling, repurposing and wasting less. Their efforts are a win-win for the environment and the community.

As a result, last year Fort Hood recycled 14.4 million pounds of material and gave $135,000 back to the community to sponsor Nature in Lights, Oktoberfest, Month of the Military Child, fireworks for the Independence Day celebration, UFC Fight Nights and other events.

Services at Fort Hood Recycle and the Classification Unit make it easy for individuals to recycle almost everything and do their part for a greener community.

Fort Hood Recycle is upgrading

Christine Luciano | U.S. Army

Soldiers from the Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, recycle cardboard and then high five to being environmental stewards.

equipment and renovating the facility to make recycling easier and more convenient. In the fall, single stream recycling will expand across the installation. Without having to spend time sorting, the new service will make it simple to recycle plastics, papers, metals, cardboard and glass all into one bin. Miscellaneous recyclables like holiday lights, athletic shoes, toner cartridges, scrap metal, pallets, CDs and DVDs will need to be taken to the recycle center.

To help Fort Hood units, contractors and civilian activities with their recycling efforts, the recycle center is providing small desk-side containers and 35-gallon containers for use, at no

charge. The facility is located on 72nd Street and is open from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The Classification Unit offers a household hazardous waste service for Department of Defense personnel and their family members, over the age of 18, to safely dispose of unwanted paints, detergents and cleaners, pesticides and herbicides, non-vehicle batteries, aerosol cans, oil and filters. The collection center’s easy and free service reduces the household hazardous waste into the environment and unused leftovers are placed into a storage facility.

The collection center is located on 37th Street and Ivy Division Road and is open from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to

4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The Environmental Division has many programs that focus on enhancing mission readiness and environmental excellence on the installation.

Environmental professionals take advantage of opportunities to educate and engage soldiers and their families to take responsibility for improving their community and serving as environmental stewards.

Pay it forward and incorporate green practices into your daily routine, and make every day Earth Day. Do your part by setting the example, getting involved in the community, and helping educate everyone — from children to soldiers and leaders.

[ What’s happening ]

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Local Music

Farmers Markets

Arts & Theater

Dirty Harry’s presents live music on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. For ages 21 and older, no cover. Dirty Harry’s is at 206 W. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Harker Heights (next to Kin Pin Tattoos). Call 254-680-6557.

Stillhouse Wine Room has live music 8 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday.

Tuesday is Game Night. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer while playing your favorite game. Thursday Night Trivia is at 7:30 p.m. with a relaxed version of the game. Topics include music, movies, sports, geography, animals and more. Every 10 questions someone wins a bottle of wine. Stillhouse Wine Room is located at 403 E. Stan Schlueter Loop, Suite 308, Killeen. For more information, go to StillhouseWineRoom.com.

The Dead Fish Grill at 2207 Lake Road in Belton presents live music from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Call 254939-5771 or go to www.deadfishgrill.com.

Schoepf’s Bar-B-Que presents Texas Music Series. Rick Trevino with Wes Perryman performs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday. Cost: 12 and under free; ages 13 to 20, $5; 21 and over free. Schoepf’s is at 702 E. Central Ave., Belton. Go to www.schoepfsbbq.com.

All-Year Pioneer Farmers Market will be open in front of Tractor Supply Company on Central Texas Expressway in Killeen from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. Call Virginia at 254-423-5277 or go to www.facebook.com/pioneerfarmersmarket.

The Cultural Activities Center Farmers’ Market in north Temple is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. Located under the CAC’s solar pavilion, the market features vendors with free-range eggs, homemade jellies, salsas, soaps, hand-sewn goods and fiber arts, woodworking and other arts and crafts.

Farmers plan to bring their vegetables and fruits in early May. The CAC invites shoppers to a free painting activity on April 1 and May 6 in the art room next to the solar pavilion. The activity includes supplies to create 6x6 artworks for the second annual 6x6 exhibit, where hundreds of 6” x 6” pieces are sold for $20 to raise funds for summer camps and programs. Every first Friday after May will feature an art activity for a $5 supply fee. Vendors can reserve an uncovered spot for $25 a year. For more information, call 254-773-9926 or email marketing@cacarts.org.

The Central Texas College Fine Arts department presents a new art exhibit open through May 5. “The Show,” which features art pieces by former CTC students and CTC art professor Chad Hines, will be on display in the upstairs art gallery of the campus library. The premise for “The Show” is the therapeutic and healing power of the artistic process. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Bars, Clubs Chopstick, 2600 Trimmier Road, Suite 200, Killeen has karaoke night 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Club Easy Street, 702 W. Elms Road, Killeen, presents the Bombshell Vixens from 9 to 11 p.m. every Friday. Cover: $5.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

a live gospel concert, food trucks, craft vendors and kiddie train rides. A free KTX Poetry Slam and the second annual Food Truck Competition is at 7 p.m. April 29 at Vive Les Arts Theatre, 3401 S. W.S. Young Drive. On April 30, activities begin at 8 a.m. at the Killeen Community Center with the Fallen Heroes 5K run benefiting the Law Enforcement Assistance Fund. Registration for the run is at www.killeentexas. gov/centex. Festival activities from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday include entertainment, food, a petting zoo, pony rides, a rock wall and much more. A free screening of The Good Dinosaur starts after dusk Saturday night at the Amphitheater followed by a fireworks show to conclude the festival.

Festival events include a carnival and Killeen Independent School District Wellness Fair. A full schedule is available at www.killeentexas.gov/celebratekilleen.

Family Fun

Planetarium

The annual Celebrate Killeen Festival is April 28 - 30. The public is invited to enjoy the free family festival fun. The official kickoff party is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 28 at Killeen Community Center, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Activities include

Several films are now showing at the Mayborn Science Theater at Central Texas College. For show descriptions, full schedule and ticket prices, go to www.starsatnight. org or call 254-526-1800.

Have upcoming events to include? Email events@kdhnews.com.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

[ On the Tube ]

Homefront | 13

As Season 3 returns, HBO shows ‘Silicon Valley’ is outrageous fun

By Diane Werts Newsday

THE SHOW: “Silicon Valley” WHEN, WHERE Season 3 started Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Save the world, or make billions? Still hoping to do both are our intrepid live-together tech nerds. Led by idealistic coding king Richard (Thomas Middleditch), they’ve been through the corporate thing at Hooli, the incubator thing with pothead entrepreneur/landlord Erlich (T.J. Miller), the acquired startup at Raviga Capital (under Suzanne Cryer’s bloodless chief), and the post-visionary growth era. That last one just saw Richard sacked as CEO. Should he stay, or should he go?

That’s the question in Sunday’s return, when he meets the new boss, played with effortless smarm by Stephen Tobolowsky.

The guys’ world-changing project soon gets a sleek new logo, cool new digs, super salespeople, and “good feng shui” — all bestowed by the boss vowing “I will never compromise the product.” Yet the office poster boasting his famed “conjoined triangles of success” has the central word “compromise” streaking diagonally to the top.

MY SAY: Series director/co-creator Mike Judge knows people. Witness “Office Space,” “Beavis and Butt-Head,” “King of the Hill.” Like guest star Tobolowsky, his supporting casters here are gold in their niches — darkly dry Martin Starr, bitter eager beaver Kumail Nanjiani, sad drone Zach Woods. Sterling, too, are the “outsiders”

John P. Fleenor | HBO via TNS

T.J. Miller, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr and Thomas Middleditch in “Silicon Valley.”

— Matt Ross as the Hooli mogul trying to thwart/steal their every innovation, Josh Brener as Richard’s old bud stuck under Hooli control.

It’s easy enough for new viewers to join this Emmy-nominated gem, as its third season reshuffles everyone’s deck at least once. Think we’ve already seen whose-product-is-it-anyway? Think

again. Downsizing in the wake of project “failure” proves to have peculiar causes, and unexpected consequences.

The guys remain gung-ho, though, still popping off on ill-fated presumptions, still loopily crafting strategies to outsmart situations they don’t begin to grasp. Ironies abound (“You have created a company that is too valuable

for you to run”). Sight gags (robotic deer) crash into hilariously awkward metaphors. Horses mate. Bongs burn.

An imprisoned lawyer ponders the upside of putting mustaches on snakes.

(Yes, really.)

BOTTOM LINE: Giving business the business is outrageous fun.

GRADE: A-

[ Dining in ]

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Spicy beef meal a delicious mix of Pacific rim flavors

By Linda Gassenheimer

Linda Gassenheimer | TNS news Service

Tribune News Service

This dinner is a tasty mixture of Pacific rim flavors. Lemon grass is the secret to the flavors in Hot and Spicy Beef. It adds a tang like that of lemon or lime and is one of the most important spices used in Thai cooking. It looks a little like a scallion with long, thin, green-gray leaves and a lighter bulb at the tip. Grated lemon rind can be used instead.

Sesame noodles with peas complete the meal.

Fred Tasker’s wine suggestion: Spicy stir-fry beef ? A spicy red zin.

Helpful Hints

• Remove woody, outer leaves of lemon grass before slicing. Cut pale inner leaves and bulb into thin slices.

• Prepare all ingredients for beef and noodle dishes before starting to stir-fry.

• If using ground ginger instead of fresh, mix it in with sauce.

• Two crushed garlic cloves can be used instead of bottle minced garlic.

• A quick way to add fresh ginger is to grate it over the food.

Countdown: Prepare all ingredients.

Make noodles.

Stir-fry beef dish.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need: • To buy: 1 small can tomato paste, 1 bottle sesame oil, 1 small piece fresh ginger, 1 bunch lemon grass, ½ pound steak (sirloin, flank, skirt, strip) and 1 bottle unsalted, roasted peanuts.

• Staples: Hot pepper sauce, onion, minced garlic, salt and black peppercorns.

HOT AND SPICY STIR-FRY BEEF Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

¼ cup tomato paste ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce ½ cup water 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 cup sliced onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger or 2 teaspoons ground ginger 3 stalks lemon grass, sliced, or grated lemon rind from 1 lemon ½ pound steak, cut into ½-inch by 2-

inch strips (sirloin, flank, skirt, strip) 2 tablespoons unsalted, roasted peanuts Mix tomato paste, hot pepper sauce and water together and set aside. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the onion, garlic, chopped ginger and lemon grass or lemon rind and stir-fry 2 minutes.

Add meat and stir-fry 4 to 5 minutes. Add sauce and toss with the ingredients a few seconds. Remove to a plate and sprinkle with peanuts.

Per serving: 297 calories (31 percent

from fat), 10.3 g fat (2.2 g saturated, 4.3 g monounsaturated), 64 mg cholesterol,31.3 g protein, 24.0 g carbohydrates, 3.3 g fiber, 120 mg sodium.

Yield 2 servings.

SESAME NOODLES Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer ¼ pound Chinese noodles 1 cup frozen peas 1 teaspoon sesame oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons sesame seeds Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook 1 minute add peas and continue to cook 1 minute. Drain. Toss with sesame oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Remove to dinner plates and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Per serving: 321 calories (27 percent from fat), 9.5 g fat (1.7 g saturated, 3.3 g monounsaturated), 48 mg cholesterol, 11.7 g protein, 47.9 g carbohydrates, 5.3 g fiber, 16 mg sodium.

Yield 2 servings.

[ Dining in ]

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Homefront | 15

Oven-baked pasta with cheese, sized to please

By Joe Yonan The Washington Post

Baked pasta is like an old friend I lost touch with for no good reason. Every time I get reacquainted, I think: “It’s been too long. Why don’t we do this more often?”

There’s really nothing quite as comforting as this combination of starch and cheese, bubbling hot, with a crispy topping. And yet I don’t find myself turning to it all that often — perhaps because it seems like a bit of a production (with multiple pans and lots of cleanup), and perhaps because the serving amounts tend to be in the eight-or-more range, too much for my two-person dinner table.

Then, one recent night, I had a craving. I had all my favorite makings in the house: roasted vegetables, cooked beans, dried pasta, canned tomatoes, cheese. It would come together more easily, so why not? We tried to control ourselves, portionwise, the first night, then had it for multiple lunches and follow-up dinners. By the end of the run, as satisfying as it had been at the start, the dish had gotten a little tiresome.

When I wanted to dive back in, I found a recipe from the great and powerful Alton Brown that featured an appealing approach that solved some of my issues. You use the same big cast-iron skillet to roast cauliflower, make a sauce and bake the assembled dish, so it’s down to two cooking vessels (including the pasta pot). And it’s a smaller batch — not overwhelming in the leftovers department.

I took a few liberties, adding white beans for a protein boost and switching to a smoked cheddar for extra flavor.

The results proved this old friend needs to come back into my life for good.

BAKED PASTA WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER AND WHITE BEANS

4 to 6 servings MAKE AHEAD: The roasted cauliflower and the cooked pasta can each be refrigerated for up to five days before you proceed with the recipe. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Adapted from a recipe by Alton Brown on altonbrown.com.

Dixie D. Vereen | The Washington Post

1 large head cauliflower (1 ½ to 2 pounds) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more as needed 4 large cloves garlic, chopped ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes One 14-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes and their juices, preferably fire-roasted, such as Muir Glen brand One 15-ounce can (1 ½ cups) no-saltadded cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 8 ounces dried penne or rigatoni pasta 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1 cup (4 ounces) smoked cheddar cheese, shredded or grated (may substitute smoked Gouda or smoked mozzarella) ¼ cup plain bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Remove and discard the cauliflower core and leaves. Break the florets into bite-size pieces. (You should have about 6 cups.) Toss the florets with the oil and the ½ teaspoon of salt in a large (10-to-12-inch) cast-iron or other heavy, ovenproof skillet. Roast, stirring a time or two, until the cauliflower is lightly browned and barely tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch or two of salt.

Once the cauliflower is done, transfer the skillet to the stove top over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes; cook until the garlic is tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes and their juices and the beans.

Cook until heated through, a few min-

utes, then remove from the heat.

Add the pasta to the boiling water; cook according to the package directions (al dente). Use a large slotted spoon or skimmer to scoop out the cooked pasta, letting it drain before transferring it to the skillet mixture. Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and smoked cheddar cheeses; taste, and add salt as needed.

Top with the bread crumbs.

Return the skillet to the oven; bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the bread crumbs are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the baked pasta cool for 5 minutes before scooping it into individual bowls for serving.

Nutrition per serving (based on 6): 360 calories, 17 g protein, 49 g carbohydrates, 11 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 650 mg sodium, 7 g dietary fiber, 5 g sugar.

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