It took years of convincing before I finally started cooking with a Dutch oven, but once I started it quickly became my favorite pot to cook with. This dense and nearly indestructible pot is as versatile as it is beautiful to look at. The heavy cast iron allows for evenly distributed heat, and the glossy enameled surface is easy to clean. Plus they come in a rainbow of colors, which appeals to my need for whimsy in the kitchen.Contrary to what you might think, a good Dutch oven can be affordable too (for example, not $300). Read here for alternatives to the high-priced French brands. My brandless Dutch oven has been braising, baking, and frying for years and she has many more left. Here are my favorite recipes and ways to use a Dutch oven to the fullest.One-pot meals Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Few things are as relieving to me as not having a sink full of dishes, and the Dutch oven offers me this blessing. Its the perfect solution for one pot meals because cast iron is up to the challenge of multiple cooking methods. It can spend hours on heat without scorching, and it can move seamlessly from the stovetop to the oven if youre searing and braising.This savory sausage and beans recipe is my favorite one-pot dish. Its flavorful, hearty, and requires very little attention. Aside from roughly chopping the veg, you barely have to prepare the ingredients. Leave the sausages whole and sear the links on all sides. Then simply dump in the rest of the ingredients and let them simmer until fork tender.Low and slow cooking Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann The Dutch oven excels at low and slow cooking. Again, its that clever cast iron core. You can set the pot over low heat for hours and tough, chewy meats will tenderize into soft, buttery morsels.One of my favorite meals to make is this crispy chicken and rice recipe. While chicken doesnt require tenderizing, rice and other dried grains and beans benefit from low and slow cooking. This dish is hearty, simple, and packed with bright flavors, thanks to the tomatoes and olives. Start by searing chicken thighs, skin-side down, and then cook the remaining ingredients. Nestle the thighs back into the rice during the last bit of cooking time for juicy chicken with crispy skin.Homemade breadsIve boasted already about the Dutch ovens heavy duty cast iron construction, and Ill never stop. These pots are called ovens for a reasontheyre great for baking. Dutch ovens can comfortably withstand temperatures of 500F and sometimes higher (just check the details of the particular one that you buy).High temperatures like that are great for homemade breads, like this sourdough recipe I always make in my Dutch oven. Putting the lid on the pot encloses the bread in a small space and naturally creates a humid environment as the bread begins to cook. The extra humidity allows for maximum oven spring, leaving you with a well-risen loaf.For a bread that doesnt require proofing, try this Irish soda bread recipe in your Dutch oven. It only requires four ingredients, and the resulting quick bread is fantastic with a smear of salty butter and raspberry jam.Deep frying Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann One of the biggest challenges that comes with deep frying is keeping the temperature consistent. When you drop cold or room temperature batter into hot oil, its normal for the oils overall temperature to drop down. The bigger the batch, the more the temperature will dip, potentially resulting in a greasy batter.The best solution is to use a heavy pot. Unlike a thin-walled pot, the Dutch oven will help keep the temperature consistent so you can deep fry bigger batches. My favorite recipe that requires deep frying is this instant pancake apple fritter recipe. You can make this in a small pot, cooking one at a time, but I suggest the wider frying pool of a Dutch oven for cooking bigger batches.Big batches of soupSoup is the best way to show off your Dutch oven. You can easily find recipes that are one pot, low and slow, and undemanding. Sure, not every soup is like this, but Im partial to the ones that are. Its nice to carelessly toss ingredients into a giant pot and come back to reveal an impressive meal.This French onion soup recipe is one of my go-tos because it doesnt require any babysitting. The onions soften easily in the pot and caramelize gently without too much intervention. The beef broth fills out the soup, while wine and herbs bring in complexity. Other than that, you just have to broil some stretchy cheese onto a slice of bread before digging in. In fact, I think broiling some stretchy cheese fits into all the recipes above (even the fritters). Enjoy your Dutch oven explorations, folks.Bonus tip: Use it as a coolerThe same qualities that allow a Dutch oven to hold onto heat also enables it to maintain a chill too. I use my Dutch oven as an attractive drink cooler for parties. Its especially helpful when your fridge is packed and you could use a little extra external space. About an hour before your guests come over, put the Dutch oven in the fridge (the lid too if youll be chilling cans). Take the pot out and fill it halfway with ice. Tuck bottles of chilled wine, pre-mixed cocktails, or cans of seltzer into the ice and freshen it up with new ice when needed.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Thursday it's creating a new Council for National Security within the agency. The FCC's announcement doesn't go into much detail about what the group will do, but a list of its broader goals focuses on US competition with China, including in AI and other tech sectors.The FCC's statement on the Council for National Security says its three-part agenda includes:"Reduce the American technology and telecommunications sectors trade and supply chain dependencies on foreign adversaries""Mitigate Americas vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, espionage, and surveillance by foreign adversaries""Ensure the US wins the strategic competition with China over critical technologies, such as 5G and 6G, AI, satellites and space, quantum computing, robotics and autonomous systems, and the Internet of Things"Although the statement mentions foreign adversaries several times, it only calls out China specifically.Council for National Security Director Adam ChanAmerica in the World ConsortiumThe Council will include representatives from eight Bureaus and Offices within the FCC, an arrangement the agency says will foster cross-agency collaboration and information sharing. Adam Chan, who serves as the FCC's security counsel, as the director of the Council on National Security."Today, the country faces a persistent and constant threat from foreign adversaries, particularly the CCP," FCC Chairman Carr wrote in the agency's press release. "These bad actors are always exploring ways to breach our networks, devices and technology ecosystem. It is more important than ever that the FCC remain vigilant and protect Americans and American companies from these threats. Because these threats now cut across a range of sectors that the FCC regulates, it is important that the FCC's national security efforts pull resources from a variety of FCC organizations."In FCC Chair Carr's thus far brief tenure the agency, has been aggressive, controversial and aligned with President Donald Trump's goals not surprising given Carr wrote Project 2025's chapter on the agency. His moves in the first (not yet) two months of the administration have included investigating media outlets, probing Comcast over its DEI practices and seeking public opinion on which regulations the agency should "delete, delete, delete."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-fcc-is-creating-a-new-council-for-national-security-within-the-agency-184417942.html?src=rss

Fortnite will be available on Arm-based Windows machines later this year. In a blog post, developer Epic Games said that it is working with Qualcomm to get the hugely popular game compatible with the new Windows architecture by offering Windows on Snapdragon support for Epic Online Services Anti-Cheat, also known as Easy Anti-Cheat.Microsoft has making a big push to convert its computing ecosystem to Arm-based hardware with Windows 11, especially as it puts more resources behind its line of Copilot+ PCs. While Qualcomm said last year that most games should be compatible with its Snapdragon chips, titles with kernel-level anti-cheat tech would pose a problem. And that's the approach Epic takes to prevent cheating in Fortnite and with its Easy Anti-Cheat program.Epic didn't offer any more specific timeline other than "later this year," but having support for the company's games and services will be important for getting gamers and game developers to convert to the Arm systems.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/epic-is-bringing-fortnite-to-arm-based-windows-systems-181528822.html?src=rss

Toyota's new micro mobility concept has a solar roof that it says can generate 20 miles of range per day.

Podcast service Pocket Casts has lifted the requirement for a subscription in the web version of its platform. Now you stream all of your favorite podcasts free of charge.

The VFX team at WWWIND Studio played a crucial role in bringing the dark, immersive world of Tabloid to life, delivering over 516 VFX shots that seamlessly enhance the series intense storytelling. A combination of live-action footage and CG reconstruction was used to create the mysterious R HOTEL, with detailed lighting and atmospheric effects adding depth and intrigue. The intense moment when an ashtray shatters a camera lens was achieved through CG and FX compositing, ensuring realistic glass breakage and impact physics. Using green screen techniques and digital environment integration, the team crafted a visually striking fall sequence with realistic motion and emotional weight.The post Tabloid VFX Breakdown by WWWIND Studio appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Meet APXGP. Sonny Hayes. Joshua Pearce. F1 is coming to theaters this summer!From the creators of Top Gun: Maverick comes F1, an adrenaline-fueled action drama starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, the film brings the high-speed world of Formula 1 to life like never before.Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a once-promising racer whose career was cut short by a crash. Decades later, hes pulled back into the sport to mentor rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and help a struggling team fight for survival.Shot during real Grand Prix weekends, F1 promises intense racing, fierce rivalries, and breathtaking action. Catch it in theaters and IMAX starting June 27, 2025!The post F1 Official Trailer appeared first on Vfxexpress.

It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed this small sauna room in east London are happily sweating away in their swimwear.Its more than 90 degrees Celcius (194 Fahrenheit) in here and its about to get even hotter.As ice blocks infused with lavender oil melt over sizzling hot stones, releasing fragrant steam, sauna master Oliver Beryl turns on some ambient music and starts to vigorously wave a towel in a circular motion above his head to spread overpowering waves of dry heat around the room.Now try finding someone and sit back to back with them, Beryl suggests. Or, if you want, maintain eye contact with the person sitting next to you. A brief hesitation, but most gamely oblige for a few minutes.Sauna-bathing has taken London and the rest of the U.K. by storm, particularly among trendy 20- and 30-somethings interested in trying a new pastime thats healthier than nights out in pubs and bars.Sweating it out in communal spaces for relaxation, physical or mental therapy and socializing has long been a staple of many cultures around the world, from Scandinavias saunas and Native American sweat lodges to Japans onsens and Turkish baths.But the most popular saunas now are those that emphasize community and connectedness, or offer something novel alongside sitting in a heated box. Think sauna club nights featuring DJs, saunas combined with a poetry workshop, or aufguss (meaning infusion in German) rituals like the one hosted by Beryl an intense session blending heat therapy, music and scent.Many sites also offer open-air ice baths next to the saunas so people can cycle between hot and cold.Its exhilaratingI loved the feeling of losing yourself. Its a 15-minute detachment from normal life, said Jess Carmichael as she emerged from her first aufguss at Community Sauna Baths in Stratford, east London.She likened the exhilaration she felt to the experience of running into the freezing sea with hundreds of others on New Years Day.I think people need this right now this warmth coming from the outside and feeling that youre sharing an experience with others, she added.Charlie Duckworth, a co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, said it all started in 2022 when he and fellow sauna nutters installed two small saunas including one in a horse box in a disused parking lot in the trendy neighborhood of Hackney.The not-for-profit social enterprise proved so popular that it has since expanded to four sites across the capital, with two more opening soon.A large part of the appeal for many fans is that saunas serve as a place of communion, much like a pub or a church, Duckworth said.Sauna lowers inhibitions and also gives you a feeling of mild euphoria, not unlike the effects of social drinking, he said. I think its an excellent place to socialize.Around the U.K., the number of public sauna sites has jumped from 45 in 2023 to 147 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society.Have a bit more fun with itCompared to countries where the practice is steeped in tradition, one benefit of the U.K.s sauna culture being so new is that providers can have a bit more fun with it and be more creative, Duckworth said.At Peckham Sauna Social in south London, weekends feature relaxed ambient sauna nights with resident DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. One of its most popular monthly sessions is the creative writing sauna: a short poetry reading followed by a chai tea and writing workshop afterward in the lounge.Reading in the sauna was something Id never done before just being hot and sweaty and dripping onto the page was challenging at first, said Caroline Druitt, a writer who leads the workshops.Something about sharing a chat with other semi-clothed strangers in the sauna seemed to encourage participants to be more open about sharing their ideas and writings, Druitt said. Besides, I know that many of my best ideas have come out of the bath, she added.Reported health benefitsBesides reducing stress and getting ideas flowing, some swear by saunas and cold plunges for soothing joint inflammation and improving heart health and sleep.Some studies go further, with one suggesting a link between going to the sauna at least four times a week and a reduction in the risk of psychosis among middle-aged Finnish men.Authentic sauna done well should be as regular as the gym, and doing it regularly is what offers the reported health benefits, said Gabrielle Reason, secretary at the British Sauna Society.While those health benefits arent yet well established and those with high blood pressure or heart conditions should check with their doctors before going to a sauna and ice bath many converts return regularly for the mood boost.It just resets your brain in a really lovely way, said Callum Heinrich, submerged in a barrel of frigid water, his skin still steaming from the sauna. He says he attends twice a week when he can. For your mental health, it is the best thing in the world.Sylvia Hui, Associated Press

From mass layoffs to a drastic turn away from DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies, Trumps second term has already undoubtedly impacted office culture. A new survey shows how some of the newly implemented shifts are impacting women in the workplace.Resume Builder explored gender biases in hiring and workplace treatment over the past seven weeks, by surveying 864 full-time U.S. hiring managers. According to the results, nearly one in four (24%) of the managers believed women are less respected at work since Trump stepped into the Oval Office once again.Its hard to believe that the new Trump administration could have such a far-reaching impact already. But Stacie Haller, Resume Builders chief career adviser, believes that dwindling DEI is largely to blame.The Trump administrations rollback of DEI initiatives has led to the dismissal of numerous high-profile women in government and the armed forces, often under claims they were hired solely for diversity, Haller said in the report. By assuming women were hired for equity rather than merit, it erases their qualifications and reinforces outdated biases. With fewer women in leadership, this shift is now influencing the private sector, making it even harder for women to compete for top positions against men.According to the survey, around 20% of hiring managers say that they have scaled back DEI initiatives in recent weeks. Of those 1 in 5 companies, 22% say they are less focused on hiring women. Likewise, 26% say promoting women into leadership roles has also taken a backseat.For women who are also mothers, or are planning to be, the results of the survey are more worrisome. Women are already well aware of how the choice to start a family diminishes future earnings (known to women as the motherhood penalty). A 2017 study conducted by Census Bureau found that from two years before the birth of a couples first child until one year after, a couples earnings gap doubles. The gap narrows as the child grows, but it never fully goes away.But according to the report, having even one child also impacts how hirable managers believe women to be. The report referenced data that showed that while 4% of hiring managers are less likely to hire a man or a woman with children, only 7% are less likely to hire an expecting father, as opposed to 20% who are less likely to hire an expecting mother.Federal laws prohibit hiring discrimination based on pregnancy, but that doesnt mean that ingrained biasesperhaps that mothers are less committed, capable, or overall worthy of being hireddont stick, explained Haller. This ingrained mindset continues to disadvantage women, despite legal protections. True progress requires a cultural shiftone that values family time and recognizes that supporting working mothers strengthens, not weakens, businesses.The jarring truths about womens already-present workplace challenges make a solid argument for keeping firm DEI policies to ensure women have the same opportunities as men. However, this new survey shows an undeniable trend, in just two months time, toward overlooking women, both when it comes to hiring and promoting them.

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