Hi everyone, can you believe it? Finally, I am this close to Graduation (Imagine me pinching my pointer finger with my thumb) π – And with graduation comes performances, baking, class parties, baking, muck up days and lots of baking!
I am no longer examining, my last one was 2 days ago actually, BUT, now I am out with friends, chilling and you know, haven’t really touched my spatula (I know,Β the horror!) – I promise, I will be baking up a storm soon BUT until then, please enjoy your final fabulous guest post π
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There are definite times when I feel like oriental desserts, swerving away from our common biscuits and bakes to pandan cake and whatnot. That is where this guest poster comes in π
Samantha from Sweet Samsations is the one to cater to any of these sudden impulses. She is so cute and quirky but put a whisk in her hand and BAM, baking and cooking machine! She is so talented and makes such exotic desserts, as you shall soon see, so I am going to stop talking and let her whisk you off on a mouthwatering journey π
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Hi All!
My name is Samantha, better known as Sammie, and I author Sweet Samsations. Amongst the many hobbies I have, such as photography, hot yoga and playing the piano, my biggest passion lies in baking! My kitchen is both a sanctuary and a playground for me where I can experiment with fusion dishes as well as attempt to replicate traditional ones.
Since I was little, I was exposed to a multitude of different Asian cuisines, from sweet to spicy (and everywhere in-between). This diverse range of βfoodismβ has expanded in Vancouver, where I can try every sort of food imaginable. My experience here with exotic foods has fostered a versatile and diverse palette for various cuisines, as well as a love to experiment with new dishes!
While living in global cities, it is not uncommon to have friends from all walks of life. The best part about it is that you also get to exchange cultures, be it in the form of language, values, and most importantly, FOOD. Now having said that, one of my best friends who grew up in Vancouver, Hambie, is of Filipino descent. It should not come as a surprise that I grew to learn a fair bit of this fellow Southeast Asian culture, due to our frequent girls’ night out, study sesh-es, and dinner dates. But let’s also not forget “Le rendez-vouz de la maison”. This is when your best friend’s mum invites you over for dinner and showcases her best dishes. Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people who enjoy sharing, especially via the channel of food! Aside from our frequent dinners at Pin Pin, a Filipino home is where I learned of the various traditional cuisines that my friends and their families consume on a daily basis.
When I just got to know her, I recall a certain “rendez-vous de la maison” where Hambie offered me some bread to snack on. Being of Singaporean descent, my first instinct is to always say “no” out of courtesy. Yes, it is considered impolite to ask for food when visiting others’ homes, but when offered, always say “no” first. If thought bubbles could be seen above one’s head, mine at the time would have been the vivid image of my mum pulling me to a corner and saying, “Don’t trouble others. Say no!”. However those buns looked too damn good to pass up and Hambie could see my eyes beaming with delight as I tried to contain my drool…
“Try it! It’s really good. Don’t be shy! My food is your food too!” she said with a smile. This was when I first had a taste of the amazing Ensaymada. A sweet bread rolled in a spiral or tied in a knot with sugar sprinkled on top, and paired with some savoury shredded cheddar to finish. As you bite into the fluffy dough, the mix of sweet and savoury delight sends you straight to orgasm.
Hooked.
That was the only word I could use to describe my feelings towards a Filipino bakery. I very much enjoy the numerous items one can find in a Filipino bakery, but I gotta say, this is still my favourite Pinoy bun!
This year, I received a Goldilocks recipe book from a very special and sweet friend of mine in Vancouver. I couldn’t be happier with the thoughtful gift. I was already fortunate enough to be introduced to such a wonderful cuisine, but the thought that I was able to learn to cook and bake (more so bake) it was overwhelmingly enchanting.
Without further ado, I present to you my first attempt in making the delicious Ensaymada! Enjoy!
Ensaymada
makes 8 ensaymada buns
adapted from Goldilocks Bake Book by Milagros Leelin Yee & Clarita Leelin Go
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 2/3 cup water
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Topping: creamed butter, grated cheddar cheese, sugar (to taste)
Directions
- Dissolve yeast in 1/3 cup of water. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl with dough hook, place sifted all-purpose flour, sugar and salt. Mix at low speed until incorporated.
- Add the dissolved yeast, remaining water, eggs and evaporated milk. Mix for 2 minutes at low speed then mix at medium speed for approximately 4 minutes.
- Add unsalted butter and continue mixing until gluten is slightly developed.
- Transfer the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic.
- Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into pieces weighing 60 grams each.
- Let the dough rest for 15 minutes then cover with plastic sheet to prevent from drying.
- Roll out the pieces thinly into 8″x5″ rectangles. Brush surface with butter.
- Roll into a long rod and twirl into shape, locking ends to seal.
- Place each piece in a greased ensaymada moulder.
- Let the dough rise until it doubles in size. (Approximately 1 1/2 hours at room temperature)
- Bake for 17 minutes at 325 F or until golden in colour.
- Let the bread cool then remove it from moulder.
- Brush the top of each ensaymada with creamed butter and sprinkle with grated cheese and sugar.
Cheers!
these buns look amazing! want!
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Sammie’s food is always amazing and delicious sweet buns, even more so!!! I imagine you’re enjoying a little side break from school now amongst other things, hopefully getting back into the kitchen with many tasty treats too!
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These are so pretty and look yummy. I’d love to taste one, just hot out of the oven.
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Yummm! These look so good!
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These are awesome. I love bun recipes. I always see them in bakeries and they look so perfect. I doubt mine would look like that.. but they probably wouldn’t last long anyway!
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The buns look so good. I can see so many ways to a little variety. Great recipe.
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Such an interesting custom, saying ‘No’ first. I’d never remember, especially in the presence of this delectable little bread offering.
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Great guest post. These Ensaymada Buns are so adorable and cute. I bet they taste wonderful too. π Totally love homemade buns!
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What gorgeous photos of a beautiful bun! And such a lovely guest post. Thank you Sammie and Uru!
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Another great post! These look DELICIOUS. I’m hosting a giveaway on my blog (for one of Ryan’s necklaces) and I’d love for you to visit. I hope you are doing well, my friend!
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These look fantastic. And the photos are really beautiful! Pinning to make these really soon. Love them!!
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You’re in the home stretch now! These buns are calling my name! Love the sprinkling of cheese and sugar on top too. π
Tina at http://www.tinaschic.com
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They look so good! Thanks Uru for sending Sammie to share such a fabulous treat!
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These buns are making me hungry, fantastic guest post. Thanks Sammie for sharing a lovely recipe. Uru, hope you’re having a great time after exams. Looking forward to your delicious posts π
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i’m surprisingly and irrationally squeamish about yeast recipes, but this looks too delicious to pass up!
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Mmm, those buns look delicious. I think I’ve had something like this in Hawaii. But I didn’t remember the name. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
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Sammie, what beautiful buns and the photos are awesome! Uru, wonderful – exams are over!!!! Enjoy your free time.
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These ensaymadas look lovely and sound delightfully delicious!
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Oh my gosh! These look so amazing! I could eat a dozen!
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Love the guest post and loving that you are partying it up! Enjoy it! When you start working, it’s all downhill π
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These sound different, but delicious!
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It is so nice to see a Filipino treat here! Great guest post!
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Sammie, these look so delicious! I’ve never tried anything quite like the ensaymada buns, but I would love to give these a try! And CCU…I hope you’re having some fun and enjoying time with friends! Congratulations on getting through this heavy exam period. ox
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Sammie these buns are gorgeous and those close up shots are to die for. I hope they will transport easy from Singapore to HK. LOL Congrats CCU! Take care, BAM
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Love the look of these buns – and they don’t look terribly hard to make too. Thanks for sharing!
PS. All the best – the end is not too far away!
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Thanks for introducing me to Sam, Uru! It’s always cool to see other bloggers from my home town. I’ve never had an ensaymada bun before and Sam’s version looks incredible! So light and fluffy! I just ate lunch but could probably polish off a half dozen of these right now. Can’t wait until you’re back, Uru!
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Uru, these buns look so adorable cute and fluffy!
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Dear Uru, So glad you’re taking time to relax and enjoy yourself, and that all the stress of your studies are now behind you. I look forward to future posts.
I’m hosting a special giveaway you might enjoy so please stop by and take a moment to join in on the fun!
Samantha, I hope you join in too! It’s open to everyone.
Your guest post for Uru is beautiful and these buns look so elegant and delicious.
Blessings, Catherine
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So nice to meet you Samantha! These buns look adorable and super delicious π
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High Five Uru! =D You ll be the graduation queen. =)
Samantha it’s nice to meet you and your buns look super delicious and soft.
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those are gorgeous!! They sound absolutely wonderful!
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How could anyone say no to one of those, this is an intriguing recipe and looks like the sort of bun I would hide and eat all of.. by myself:D
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I’ve never heard of these adorable desserts before! Big yum.
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I would love to try these… something completely different
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Love your pictures. Looks wonderful.
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What beautiful buns! I’d love to try them! I’m intrigued by their sweet and savory aspect.
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Oh I love these sweet buns!! So so delicious looking and such pretty pics too!! Great guestpost π
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I’m always excited to learn about different traditional sweets. I’ve never heard of ensaymada bans before, and I would be delighted to try my hand at veganizing the recipe now. They look so perfectly soft and tender!
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Great guest post. Those buns sure look delicious.
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These buns look fabulous and a great guest post too. Glad you are done with your exams and having fun with friends. The spatula can wait a bit more:-)
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Uru,
A great guest post with another great blogger. Nice to meet you and be introduced to Ensaymada buns, Yum!
Uru, have a great time celebrating end of exams and Graduation. What are you post graduation plans?
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Hi Becky, glad you enjoyed the guest post!
Haha the usual, movies, talking and eating – it was the best but now it is nice to be back in the kitchen! I missed my oven π
Cheers
CCU
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I am sold! I loved reading your story and now I want one!! I will have to bake them! π
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mmmm these look like perfection!
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These little pastries look so divine and delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe π
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These buns look absolutely fantastic and it was nice meeting yet another guest blogger. Good luck Uru!
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The buns look lovely and it is another great guest post!
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What a great guest post – these look SO fantastic. And congrats on being so close to graduating! =)
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So nice to see Sam guest posting here, Uru. And don’t you dare touch the spatula. Keep enjoying your well-deserved break from exams π
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Wow, these buns are simply stunning. Just love the outcome.
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Congrats Uru on getting through your exams. I know you deserve a little break with your friends. These buns look very interesting. I’ve never heard of them before xx
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These sound absolutely delicious!
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Gosh those look lovely!
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Nice to meet you!
These look absolutely DEEeelish! mmm
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Lovely guest post…Sammie. I’ve enjoyed them all, Uru. I know you are thrilled to be over your exams…have fun with your friends.
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Hi Sammie,
I love all that you bake and this is no exception. Looks delicious!!!
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Beautiful mouthwatering clicks…….the buns look gorgeous!!! Great meeting you Sam π
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loved this post but cannot wait until you are back!
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Congrats on finishing the exams. Enjoy the celebrations, and of course that impending graduation. Meanwhile, another lovely guest post. Nice to meet you Sammie, and thanks for the introduction to this unusual sweet/savoury bun.
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These buns look great! And I didn’t know that it was polite to refuse food the first time. My mum’s from Singapore and she has never refused food π
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Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for your lovely comments!! And dearest Uru, thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity to do a guest post for you! It’s been such a pleasure! π
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It was a pleasure to have you on my blog my friend, thank you so much π
Cheers
CCU
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Pingback: Ensaymada – Sweet Filippino Buns | Sweet Samsations
Awesome buns, and the cheese on top look yum! Great guest post Uru.
Have a great week ahead my dear π
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Hi Sammie! The buns look terrific and I know I could gobble up a few of them π
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Pleasure to meet u, Samantha! Such a gorgeous baker with yummy bakes π Thks again Uru, for sharing! U’re in my Top 10 list of commenters, did u see it?? I’ll be sending some goodies to the Top 5 at the end of the year!! xoxo
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How did I miss such an important post??
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wow!!! lovely buns….who can say know to these delicious and perfectly tender home baked goodies,yummmmmmmy π
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Nice to meet you Sammie! Love these buns! I don’t know if I could stop eating them once I start.
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I don’t think I’ve ever had these, they look incredible!!
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What a terrific guest post! These sound wonderful. Congratulations on your impending graduation π Have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
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Oooh Sammie, what a lovely tasty guest post! Your mini buns look so appetizing too! Yummm!
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these look delicious!
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Uru, I’m so glad you’re taking a little time to celebrate the end of exams with your friends. It’s wonderful to find Sammie here…and what an amazing treat! I’ve never heard of ensaymada before, but they are definitely unforgettable!!!
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Ohhh, these are lovely. I wish I was there to taste!
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I think ensaimadas are one of those amazing creations. In bun form they look so wonderful! Well done!
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These guest posts all look so good! Must try these, the photos look delicious π
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These sound wonderful with a great mix of sweet and savoury. I’ve never heard of them before but definitely want to try them. GG
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I’m craving one of these buns and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of them. The sweet savoury combination has my heart racing!
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Lovely to meet you Samantha! Your pictures are terrific and these buns… calling my name to eat one! π
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What a lovely recipe, and guest post!
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Samantha, I am oh so jealous. I had no idea there was such thing as a Goldilocks recipe book. I’ll go check it out, because this looks fantastic!
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Thanks Samantha β these Ensaymada Buns look magnificent! So light and fluffy. Anything containing evaporated milk gets my vote.
CCU, welcome back. Looking forward to seeing you wielding your spatula again. xx
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Hi Samantha, so nice to “meet” you. I love the story of these buns not to mention the buns themselves they look so yummy!
Thank you so much for sharing…
P.S. Uru you take all the time you need, Have FUN!!! You deserve it!
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absolutely breathtakingly beautiful!
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It’s hard to stop myself from drooling. These ensaymada buns look absolutely delicious! & congrats Uru… no more exams! yay! π
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These buns look so beautifully light and airy – delicious! Great recipe!
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I love the name of these and they look great.
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Alright, Chippy. These are the cutest li’l things, perfect for a family brunch. I might be able to swing it this w/end!
PS-I have a giveaway at the moment and will ship to Oz. So enter! xo
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I would want to toss back several of these yeast buns. I like that it looks like you can make them in cupcake papers, maybe put into a large muffin tin for stability.
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Love the guest post! The cheese addition is a great idea!
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I haven’t had these before, but they look wonderful! Great recipe, excellent guest post. Thanks so much.
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I haven’t tried Filipino cuisine, but you’ve sold me on it. These buns look amazing!
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Sammie, these buns look so tempting!
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These look scrumiousely-wonderful! (Not a real word….but totally should be!)
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Samantha, those buns look totally addictive! The cheese just puts them over the top! YUM. Uru, so glad you’ll be with us again soon! π
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Wow great recipe! I grew up eating these on visits to my Mum’s village in the Philippines but have never tried to make them before. Thanks for sharing!!
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Wow Sammie these buns look beautiful and I love to have one munch on right now.
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Sorry… I just post a wrong blog link for my comment. Opsie! :p
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