Latest from Epoch Times
Epoch Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘Battle Stations': Where Valor Finds Its Sea Legs
NR | 1h 21m | Drama, War | 1956 Attention spans today are measured in seconds, even milliseconds, by well-funded movie marketing teams. Early jolts of action are often the bait that filmmakers hope will keep viewers engaged through the rest of their film's runtime. Film posters are packed with images of explosions and trailers tease a firefight.
Epoch Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
Fine Motor Finesse: 5 Easy Exercises to Increase Hand Coordination and Functional Independence
Fine motor control is one of the most important abilities your hands can possess. In this increasingly technological world, the ability to perform fine manipulations is more essential than ever. Many everyday functions require varying degrees of fine motor control, and smartphone utilization requires coordination in a league of its own. If you have strong fine motor coordination, you have nothing to fear, but hand weakness and a lack of coordination can severely hamper your quality of life. 5 Exercises for Nimble Fingers Fingers adept at fine motor control help you function flawlessly. The better your fine motor control is, the better you can manage everyday tasks such as getting dressed, flossing your teeth, chores around the home, functioning at work, or using technology.
Epoch Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Soul Music: The Essence of What Makes a Song Uplifting
The things that are dearest and most real to us are beyond words. Who can define or describe life, love, or beauty, but who can deny their existence? Most enigmatic of all is the soul. A definition or a description of 'soul' is impossible, but the attempts of our poets and composers, seem more successful than those of our scientists and philosophers. Virginia Woolf wrote in her story 'A Summing Up' that '[Sasha] was conscious of a movement within her of some creature beating ... about her and trying to escape which she called the soul.' Perhaps we can do no better than that.
Epoch Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
25 From 25: A Quarter Century of Great Movies–Part 1 of 5
Starting today and ending in the last week of every month through this November, I will be listing my 25 favorite movies of the last 25 years (five per month, listed in chronological order). There are some excellent movies that didn't make my final 25, and much of that is due to personal taste. As much as I respect 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, the films felt interchangeable and left me cold. The same goes for the 'Harry Potter' franchise and the dozens of Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks.
Epoch Times
13 hours ago
- General
- Epoch Times
Skip the Box and Try These Homemade ‘Shake and Bake' Pork Chops
When I was growing up, it wasn't unusual for me to plop down at the dinner table in my Rainbow Brite T-shirt and stirrup pants to a plate of Shake 'N Bake pork chops. Introduced in 1965 to mimic fried chicken, Shake 'N Bake is a store-bought seasoned breading mix that came with a bag that you could shake the seasoning and meat together in. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was a supermarket shortcut that made homemade meals possible while my mom went back to school and my dad commuted in and out of the city each day. Shake 'N Bake was an icon of the time because it turned 'the other white meat' (pork) into an easy family dinner. These days, I prefer to mix up a batch of homemade seasoned breadcrumbs that tastes just how I remember it rather than purchasing the packaged seasoning mix for a premium at the grocery store. Plus, now that we no longer have to cook pork until it's bone-dry (in 2011 the USDA lowered the recommended doneness temperature for pork from 160 degrees F to 145 degrees F), our tastebuds can truly rejoice. Why You'll Love It It's so nostalgic. You probably have memories of eating Shake 'N Bake pork chops. This recipe makes oven-baked pork chops taste even better than your fondest memory, thanks to perfectly seasoned meat and a golden, well-seasoned breading made of pantry ingredients. Ready in 30 minutes or less. You can sit down to dinner in less than a half-hour, and this includes both prep and baking time. Key Ingredients in Shake and Bake Pork Chops Pork chops: Boneless pork loin chops are ideal for quick weeknight cooking. One-inch-thick pork chops are best, but if your chops are thinner, make sure to check for doneness early. Breadcrumbs: Use fine dried breadcrumbs to mimic the texture of the classic breading mixture. Celery seed: This spice is the flavor that makes these pork chops so delicious. It imparts a savory, earthy, celery flavor to the breading mixture. Neutral oil: Mix neutral-flavored oil into the breading mixture to help it stick to the pork chops and to encourage browning and a crisp texture. Helpful Swaps If you're looking for a crispier version of Shake and Bake, swap the fine dried breadcrumbs for panko breadcrumbs. Instead of baking, you can use an air fryer. Air-fry the breaded pork chops at 400 degrees F until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 145 degrees F, flipping halfway through, about 12 minutes total. Storage and Make-ahead Tips The breading mixture, without the oil, can be combined and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three months. When ready to cook, stir the oil into the breading mixture, shake to coat the pork chops, and proceed with the recipe as written. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. The breading will soften upon refrigeration. What to Serve With Shake and Bake Pork Chops Shake and Bake Pork Chops Serves 4 1/2 cup plain fine, dried breadcrumbs 2 teaspoons paprika 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola, divided 4 (about 1-inch-thick) boneless pork loin chops (about 1 1/2 pounds total) Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and fit a wire rack onto the baking sheet.
