April 24, 2024 Pinch Rosauers

Letting in a little fresh air with an open window or a screen door is a sure sign of spring, allowing the natural sights and smells of the outdoors to accompany you at the dinner table. Take that open-air freshness to new heights this spring by pairing it with your own signature spins on salad season.

For example, this Tuna and Rice Nicoise Salad offers a new take on tuna salad with olive tapenade, capers, tomatoes, green beans and cherry tomatoes. Its calling card: swapping out potatoes in favor of Minute Yellow Rice Cups, which cook up fast as a convenient and flavorful alternative that saves the chore of washing, peeling and boiling potatoes. Fully cooked and packaged in BPA-free cups, it features white rice lightly seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder and turmeric for a delightful taste ready in just 1 minute.

As a perfect recipe for those who love veggies, this dish combines classic salad freshness with olive tapenade for a briny bite in every mouthful. Canned tuna mixes with bursts of capers, hardboiled egg, crisp green beans and sweet cherry tomatoes capped off with tart balsamic dressing to round out the dish.

If you love the taste of crisp, peppery arugula, this Pomegranate and Arugula Rice Salad is practically perfect. Your favorite green shines alongside a delicious mix of sweet pomegranate seeds, crisp almonds and tart balsamic dressing that’s ideal for a starter or side, or you can add a preferred protein to turn it into a satisfying main course.

Incredibly colorful with a lively taste, bright flavors mingle with

fluffy grains of Minute Instant Jasmine Rice, ready in just 5 minutes to keep your dinner schedule on track. Aromatic white rice provides a distinct scent, perfect texture and delicious taste that’s fast, fragrant, flavorful and fluffy. It’s simply precooked then dried with nothing added but convenience to help you get tasty meals on the table quickly.

Requiring just 15 minutes to prepare, this salad is ready in an instant and serves up to eight people, making it a solution for anything from family gatherings to meal prepping for a busy week ahead.

Find more spring salads and other flavorful, convenient recipes by visiting MinuteRice.com.

Tuna and Rice Nicoise Salad

Prep time: 4 minutes

Cook time: 1 minute

Servings: 1

1 cup Minute Yellow Rice Cups

2 tablespoons balsamic dressing

2 tablespoons olive tapenade

1 teaspoon capers, drained well

1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup frozen green beans, thawed

1 can (3 ounces) tuna, drained and flaked

1 hard-boiled egg, cut into wedges

Heat rice according to package directions.

In medium bowl, combine rice, balsamic dressing, tapenade and capers. Mix well.

Top with cherry tomatoes, green

beans, tuna and hard-boiled egg.

Tip: Serve salad over bed of mixed greens, if desired.

Pomegranate and Arugula Rice Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

HUMMUS MAKES A HEALTHY, EASY SNACK

BY DONNA ERICKSON

It might not be a bad idea to include a globe or an atlas when you start pulling together the simple ingredients for making hummus with your kids and their friends. Cooking with an international twist is such a perfect opportunity to teach children about geography, history and current events. It’s also a chance to talk about the rich and varied traditions that exist all over the world.

This recipe is simple to prepare, and your kids will love it. Just toss the ingredients into the blender and let it whirl. As the garlic cloves and chickpeas blend together, questions may abound, such as: “What is the Middle East in the middle of?” This is where your maps come into the mix.

Servings: 8 2 cups Minute Instant Jasmine Rice

1/3 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons minced red onion

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 bag (5 ounces) arugula

1 cup pomegranate seeds

1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Prepare rice according to package directions. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

In large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, red onion, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.

Add rice,

In the Middle East and here, hummus is eaten as a snack or a side dish. It is often served with pita bread, the kind with a little pocket inside. You can fill it with cheese, meat and tabouli salad at lunchtime or, as in this case, use it as a “dipper.” It’s kind of like chips and dip.

HUMMUS

Makes about 2 cups

1 lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste); look for it near the peanut butter aisle or the international foods section of your market

2-3 fresh garlic cloves

2 cups canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans),

d rained

2 t ablespoons of water or liquid from

d rained chickpeas

1 teaspoon salt

Here’s the fun: Let your child roll the lemon back and forth on the counter to get the juices flowing. Cut it in half and squeeze it on a manual juicer. Pour 1/4 of a cup of the juice into a blender. Pour in the oil and add the tahini.

It’s garlic time now. Pop out a nice big clove from the bulb. Press a spatula down hard on the clove and give it a major whack! Peel off the garlic skin, roughly chop the garlic and drop it into the blender. Add another clove or two according to taste.

Toss in the drained chickpeas, water or liquid from the chickpeas, and salt; then give everything a spin until smooth. Serve with warm pita bread.

Extra Tips:

Use as a dip for crisp vegetables or as a spread on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise or butter.

Add a 1/2 teaspoon of cumin for a different flavor.

***

Q: I miss watching “This Is Us” and wish it would have had at least one more season. What other shows has the person who wrote it done? -- K.J.

A: ”This Is Us,” the heart-wrenching drama series about the lives of siblings spanning across several decades, was created by Dan Fogelman, who first got his start in animated films. He’s credited with writing the screenplay for “Cars,” “Bolt” and “Tangled,” but it was the critically acclaimed film “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” starring two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone (“Poor Things”), that showed audiences he had a gift for dialogue.

Fogelman’s first series was the short-lived ABC comedy

Trivia Test

“The Neighbors,” starring Jami Gertz (“Still Standing”). He followed that with several other shows that were canceled after one season (“Galavant,” “Grandfathered” and “Pitch”). He struck gold in 2016 when “This Is Us” premiered on NBC, averaging 14 million viewers in its first season. Not since “ER” and “Grey’s Anatomy” did a network television show become the topic of discussion the next day at work.

Expectations are high for Fogelman’s next project, “Paradise City.” The upcoming series is described as a thriller and stars “This Is Us” alum Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden (“Jury Duty”) and Julianne Nicholson (“Mare of Easttown”). Hulu has picked up the series, which started production this past February.

Brown, who plays the head of security for a former president in the new series, notes that this character will be quite different than his “This Is Us” character, Randall. ***

Q: When is the show “Evil” returning? Is it only on Paramount+? -- D.A.

A: The upcoming fourth and final season of “Evil” will air exclusively on the Paramount+ streaming service, beginning May 23. Fortunately, there will be 14 episodes, which will roll out weekly and air throughout the summer.

In the trailer for the new season, Ben (Aasif Mandvi) states, “We’ve already hunted werewolves and demons. Are we now hunting witches?” Another plotline is said to involve the birth of the antichrist. Katja Herbers, Mike Colter and Christine Lahti are all said to be returning for the final run.

***

Q: When is Pat Sajak’s last episode as the host of “Wheel of Fortune”? Will Ryan Seacrest be taking over immediately? -- J.J.

A: Pat Sajak, the longtime host of the iconic game show “Wheel of Fortune,” announced that season 41 would be his last. The season premiered this past September and will conclude on June 7, making that night the last time you’ll see Sajak spinning the wheel. Ryan Seacrest will take over hosting duties when the new season premieres, which will most likely be in September of this year. However, Sajak will remain with the show behind the scenes as a consultant for three additional years, and Vanna White has inked a deal to continue her letter-turning duties at least through 2026.

write

• It is impossible for a human to sneeze during sleep due to a bodily state called REM atonia.

• For 200 years tomatoes were considered poisonous in Europe. In reality, their acidity was dissolving poisonous metals like lead from plates.

• Scientists investigating the occasional appearance of thousands of dead fish on the banks of an African river eventually discovered that the cause was huge numbers of hippos pooping in the water.

• Actor Danny DeVito used to be a beautician.

• Ten thousand years ago, everyone’s eyes were brown until someone living by the Black Sea developed a genetic mutation that turned brown eyes blue.

• In 2007, a gorilla escaped from his exhibit, grabbed and mauled a nearby woman, and then attacked a restaurant. Later it was later revealed that the woman had been making eye contact and smiling at the primate several times a week, something zookeepers had warned her not to do.

• Freelance diamond setter Raffi Stepanian found he could collect enough bits of carelessly dropped diamonds, rubies, platinum and gold on the sidewalks of New York City’s Midtown Diamond District to earn a living.

• In April of 2018, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes in California completely erased Alzheimer’s disease damage in human cells by altering the structure of a single protein.

• The most expensive photograph ever sold, “Rhein II,” a basic picture of the lower Rhine river under an overcast sky that had been digitally altered to remove dog walkers and a factory building, was purchased in 2011 for a cool $4.3 million.

• Research has shown that taller people are happier but shorter people live longer. Thought for the Day: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t

• On April 29, 2004, the World War II Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. The granite and bronze monument stands on 7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

• On April 30, 1993, tennis player Monica Seles was stabbed between the shoulder blades by Gunter Parche during a match in Hamburg. Parche, a fan of German tennis star Steffi Graf, apparently hoped that by injuring Seles, his idol would be able to regain her No. 1 ranking.

• On May 1, 1963, Gloria Steinem published the first half of “A Bunny’s Tale” in SHOW magazine, recounting her brief stint as a Bunny in Manhattan’s Playboy Club. Steinem’s undercover reporting revealed a culture of misogyny and exploitation behind the glamorous facade of Hugh Hefner’s empire.

• On May 2, 1924, Patrick Mahon was arrested at London’s Waterloo train station on suspicion of murder. He was executed later that year for killing his pregnant mistress, but an important innovation resulted from the crime scene: The officers, who had no gloves, were forced to handle the victim’s remains with their bare hands. After the investigation, rubber gloves became standard equipment at murder scenes.

• On May 3, 1980, 13-year-old Cari Lightner of Fair Oaks,

BY TONY RIZZO

returning as Captain Jack Sparrow.

The 60-year-old Depp has now turned to producing and directing. He was originally set to star in “Modì,” a biopic about Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, but he decided to direct the film instead with a European cast. It was mostly shot in Budapest, Hungary, except for Al Pacino’s scenes, which were shot in Los Angeles. ***

Will Smith’s comeback film since his Oscar win and infamous Chris Rock slap is “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” with Martin Lawrence, due June 7. Considering “Bad Boys” (1995) grossed $141.4 million, “Bad Boys II” (2003) grossed $273.3 million, and “Bad Boys for Life” (2020) grossed $426.5 million, he’s betting that devoted fans will run to see it.

***

Scott Eastwood, son of Clint Eastwood, calls Hollywood filmmaking “a really weird business” and confesses, “I find a lot of creativity in real estate. Buying and improving homes. ... That’s always made me happy.” This sounds weird, considering his 93-year-old father would never think about retiring. Young Eastwood has made 28 films, but has yet to

break through to stardom.

Yet still, Scott’s got three upcoming films: “1992,” which stars Tyrese Gibson and the late Ray Liotta; the action/ thriller “Tin Soldier,” starring Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro; and “Wind River: The Next Chapter,” which is the sequel to “Wind River” (2017). It starred Martin Sensmeier (“The Magnificent Seven”), who reprises his role again for “The Next Chapter,” along with Jason Clarke and Alan Ruck. ***

It’s official -- Ken Jennings is the one and only host of everything “Jeopardy!” Viewers were torn between Jennings and Mayim Bialik, but when she informed the show that she’d cease hosting during the writer’s strike (which ironically didn’t include “Jeopardy!”), the show cut her loose and made Jennings the sole host! “Jeopardy!’s” answer is: “Fired!” ***

Why would actress Stephanie Courtney, 54, almost totally give up acting in TV, having starred in series such as “Mad Men” and “The Goldbergs,” as well as films like “Fred; The Movie,” “Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred” and “The Heartbreak Kid,” just to name a few? How about for a whopping $1 million a year for the last 15 years as the spokeswoman for Progressive Insurance! No more interviews or casting sessions, just a cushy life since 2008 with husband,

DIVAS

DIME Photo credit: www.JasonCoblentz.com We’re diving into the world of focaccia bread, a beloved staple in Italian cuisine. Its simplicity in ingredients and preparation make it a favorite for home cooks. From its pillowy texture to its golden crust, every bite of focaccia is divine. Is working with yeast dough new to you? If so, this recipe is an excellent starting point. It’s amazingly easy and makes you look like a culinary maestro! Topping focaccia with garlic, flaky sea salt and lots of olive oil is classic, but why stop there when we can transform focaccia into a work of edible art? It’s just fun to create beautiful designs that are both appetizing and beautiful. You’ll want to mix this dough the night before you want to bake it. It takes literally five minutes. An overnight proof in the fridge gives it flavor and a lovely airy interior with a chewy crust. PERFECTLY EASY FOCACCIA Yield: 22 (2-x-2-inch) servings Prep Time: 5 minutes

for the pan

To make the dough:

First, make sure your large bowl can fit in your fridge! (Ask me how I know this.)

In the bowl of your stand mixer, or a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar and instant yeast. Add the warm water (it should be around 110 F). Using your stand mixer with the dough hook, or a sturdy wooden spoon and your stalwart arms, mix until all the

totally incorporated. There shouldn’t be any pockets of dry flour. First

Pour 4 tablespoons olive oil into a big bowl (that will fit in your refrigerator). Transfer the dough to the bowl, turning to coat all sides with olive oil. Tuck edges of dough underneath to form a round. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and place it in the fridge. Refrigerate until dough is doubled in size for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer it rests, the better the flavor.

If you’re in a hurry, this can rise at room temperature until it doubles in size, 3 to 4 hours.

Second rise:

Generously

butter a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan for thicker focaccia, or an 18-by-13-by-1-inch rimmed half sheet pan for thinner focaccia.

Gently transfer the dough to the pan, adding any oil left in the bowl. The dough should be cold.

Let the dough rise, uncovered, in a warm spot (like on top of the fridge) until doubled in size, at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.

To bake:

Preheat oven to 450 F (232 C) with a rack positioned in the center of the oven.

With oiled fingers, using both hands, press down to make deep dimples that go all the way through the dough, (like you’re angry

Actress Stephanie Courtney in “The Goldbergs”

-- A “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequel is in the works, according to producer Jerry Bruckheimer.