Singapore Dollar Weakens Slightly; Focus on U.S. Labor Data

FOREIGN EXCHANGE 0352 GMT — The Singapore dollar weakens slightly against its U.S. counterpart in the Asian session. The greenback has risen modestly following stronger-than-expected U.S. job openings data released Tuesday, CBA's Joseph Capurso says in a note.

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Los Angeles Times

4 hours ago

• Los Angeles Times

The secret ingredient you've been looking for all your life? It grows (practically) everywhere

'It's all about the fresh herbs,' he said, gazing into my eyes as he minced a pile of minuscule thyme leaves without glancing down. 'He' was my boyfriend, Henry, then the poissonier ('fish guy') at Lutèce, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in New York City at the time, and very French. We were at Henry's house in Bridgehampton, and he was making — of all things — tuna salad. Henry's tuna salad consisted of standard-issue canned tuna, Hellman's (a.k.a. Best Foods) mayonnaise, a spoonful of Dijon mustard, a squeeze of lemon juice, a few dashes of Tabasco, a big spoonful of sweet relish, finely chopped red onion and celery, kosher salt and, finally, the magic, the 'secret ingredient' we're all always looking for: fresh herbs! In this instance: thyme and Italian parsley. Fresh herbs are the unsung heroes of the kitchen that make your food sing. Woody herbs such as rosemary and thyme add a layer of flavor to roasted meats and other vegetables as well as to soups, stews and stocks. But the focus here and now, in the height of summer, is on soft herbs: those bright, sprightly greens with tender stems that you see locked up in plastic clamshells at grocery stores and piled abundantly at farm stands. They are the game changers. Each herb has its own story to tell, but collectively, these herbs, including (but not limited to) basil, parsley, mint, chives, tarragon, cilantro, dill, oregano, marjoram and chervil, can be used for a specific recipe, and they can also be used improvisationally and with creative abandon. I like to grab a fistful of whatever I have and cut them with scissors directly over whatever I'm making — a green salad, a salad of canned beans, or onto roasted vegetables or baked potatoes — or potatoes cooked in any way. You can finely chop them and stir them into mayonnaise or a vinaigrette. One of my favorite things to do is to make an herb-based condiment such as the Argentine chimichurri, or the bright, herbaceous French pistou or this spicy Asian, herby hybrid Sichuan chimichurri. During summer, when basil grows like a weed and is more fragrant than ever, classic basil pesto is a no-brainer. (I know people are getting all creative with pesto made with carrot tops and other greens, but have you ever tasted a carrot top? There's a reason pesto is made with basil.) A spoonful of any of those takes something simple, like grilled steak, chicken or fish to make into the kind of finished dish your friends will ask you the recipe for. Spoon the condiments into soup and you might never be able to have soup without a fresh herb condiment swirled into it again. And the good news is, this isn't like a $200-bottle-of-balsamic-vinegar kind of secret. Fresh herbs are cheap. Here in Southern California, with the exception of cilantro, which sprouts and goes to seed really quickly, and tarragon, which, like so many things French, has a reputation for being temperamental, fresh herbs are easy to grow year-round. Kathy Delgado, who owns the beloved Vintageweave (her interiors shop used to be on Third Street near the Grove; now she operates the business out of her home studio in Long Beach), has fresh herbs in charming vintage vessels throughout her French farmhouse-inspired garden. She swears by a mix of quality potting soil and chicken or cow manure. 'It only smells for a day,' she assures us. Once you've planted yours — or brought a bunch (or bunches) home from the market — the possibilities are endless. I am not a deft dill user, so I'm excited to try this Slow-Roasted Salmon with Dill and Lemon Salsa Verde. And since I'm all for maximum flavor with the least amount of effort (especially for summer meals), I appreciate the whole herbs added haphazardly over this Whole Grilled Branzino. And I love the way cilantro, mint and Thai basil leaves are added whole and abundantly, as if one of the 'lettuces,' to Sandy Ho's Napa Valley Chicken Salad. Now with the secret to a million delicious meals unlocked, it's time to get growing. Eating out this week? Sign up for Tasting Notes to get our restaurant experts' insights and off-the-cuff takes on where they're dining right now. What I love about this recipe is just how simple it is: just a few ingredients, all speaking loudly and clearly for themselves. Use the best olive oil you can find, more salt than you think you should, and don't measure the herbs. Just grab a handful of whatever you have and use scissors to chop way more than the 3 tablespoons called for over the squash and the time: 45 minutes. Serves 4. Fines herbes sounds a little too French and fancy for my style, but, as it turns out, it's just a combination of three ordinary herbs — parsley, chives, tarragon (very French, slightly sweet, with an anise-like flavor) — and one you might not have used before, chervil (a delicate leafy herb with a flavor between parsley and tarragon; if you can't find it, use more of the others). The combination transforms these perfectly scrambled eggs into not just an ideal breakfast — you could serve it for lunch or dinner. Get the time: 25 minutes. Serves 2. Soup au pistou is a classic French summer vegetable soup, whose defining characteristic is the pesto-like condiment that is generously swirled into it. The word 'pistou' (like Italian 'pesto') comes from the Latin pistillum, which means to pound. For both pistou and pesto, the basil is traditionally ground using a mortar and pestle. (The difference is that unlike pesto, pistou doesn't contain Parmesan cheese.) Pounding the herbs (this pistou also contains parsley leaves) as they're called for here is still the best way to go as it gives you control over their texture and prevents the herbs from heating up from a whirring blade. But don't let lack of a mortar and pestle stop you. You can make it in a food processor. Do so in small batches and not to over-whir the herbs; you want the condiment to have the time: 1 hour 20 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Buzz Feed

13 hours ago

• Buzz Feed

10 Tasty Products To Help You Discover Your Inner Chef

A 16-piece nonstick aluminum cookware set that will let you cook literally whatever you want without anything sticking anywhere. Imagine how much better cooking will be knowing you won't have to spend hours scrubbing after. This set includes an 8-inch fry pan, a 9.5-inch fry pan, a1.5-quart saucepan with glass lid, a 2.5-quart saucepan with glass lid, a 5-quart dutch oven with glass lid, two-piece cookware protectors (11.5 inch and 13.5 inch), a solid spoon, a slotted turner, and three piece ceramic prep bowls (6-ounce, 4-ounce and 2-ounce).Promising review: "I decided that I wanted to get some new pots and pans because my old ones are looking kind of shabby. And I saw the pink set and I thought, why not? So far, I'm very happy with the pans. They're very sturdy, and things are not sticking when I'm cooking. I'm impressed." —JLynnePrice: $69.96 (available in three colors) A carbon steel nonstick wok reviewers love for its high sides and beautiful stir-fry abilities. Say hello to your new favorite kitchen item. Promising review: "Love this wok! Great for fried rice and tons of other Asian-inspired dishes. So glad I didn't spend more on another option." —KimPrice: $24.96 A cutting board prep station set with removable trays so you can keep everything separate and tidy. Trying to find space for everything on the same cutting board is like trying to shove your queen bed in your tiny apartment bedroom. There's not enough room! Promising review: "For years, I always just used my countertop when cutting and preparing food in the kitchen. We recently replaced our countertops, so this could not have arrived at a more perfect time! I love most that this is an elevated cutting surface so that I can cut and push the prepared items right into the containers/trays that came with this Tasty Cutting board. This really is more than just a cutting board; it is a complete prep station. The trays have come in handy when my kiddos are helping in the kitchen. I can cut and chop everything for them, and then they each have their own tray, or we can line them up and have a mini topping bar. This cutting board prep station can be used in so many different ways. When I get finished, I just stack it all in the dishwasher. Super easy to use and super easy to clean up. My kiddos also love the bright colors!! LOVE it!!! I would definitely recommend this to friends, family, and anyone looking for a great cutting board/prep station. Another great product offered by Walmart!!."—multitalented1Price: $8.88 A nonstick griddle that'll make easy work of the most important meal of the day. Eggs? Sure! Sausage? You bet! Pancakes? What else is a griddle for?! Promising review: "I am a Tasty fan. I have purchased numerous nonstick pans and have always been satisfied with the price and workmanship. I don't want to spend a ton of money on nonstick pans. Colors are pretty, too." —browniePrice: $24.76 A stainless steel kitchen grater and zester to break down the finest cheeses into an even finer shred that will melt perfectly on any snack you can imagine. Plus, it comes with a built-in base to keep all those delicious little pieces exactly where you want them. Promising review: "I love it! I shred it up. I love zucchini to make eight loaves of bread and less than an hour and that's with taking a break." —CSBentleyPrice: $9.99 And if you'd rather keep the cheese blocks fully formed, serve them on this handy bamboo charcuterie board. It also functions as a cutting board and has a hidden utensil drawer for when the guests arrive and want to start picking away. Price: $29.98 A 15-piece stainless-steel knife set for taking care of any and all cutting, slicing, dicing, chopping, filleting, or carving needs. That's a lot of verbs, but if the set was smaller, not all of them could be included. This set includes an 8" chef knife, 7" bread knife, 7" slicer knife, 5.5" Santoku knife, 3.5" paring knife, 5" utility knife, 3" bird's beak knife, (6) 4.5" steak knives, all-purpose shears, and a black cutlery review: "Very sharp knives and the soft handle is easy on the hands." —WilmaPrice: $45.97 (available in two colors) A set of tongs because it's finally time for BBQ season. These tongs have steel-reinforced silicone teeth to ensure they can handle even the toughest steaks, and they're dishwasher-safe, so once it's time to clean up, they are a cinch. Can you already smell that intoxicating BBQ aroma? They're also heat resistant up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so they won't get damaged if you're grilling up meats and review: "These tongs are the best! They are strong, and the grip is awesome! I have been looking for strong tongs forever. All the silicone ones I have at home are not strong at all. Wow! I am shocked by the great quality! I highly recommend!" —ADRIANAPrice: $8.99 A Tasty cookbook that is jam-packed with 150 recipes, ranging across the full flavor palette. Check out how to make fried egg pizza, salmon poke bowl, mozzarella stick onion rings, molten lava brownies, and that's not 5 percent of what's in there. Promising review: "This book is great! I bought it for my 10-year-old who loves to cook. It approaches cooking in a straightforward way and gives you lots of easy-to-handle recipes with a wide range of flavors and styles without needing a lot of fancy prep tools or gourmet items." —wyodezPrice: $12.84 A nonstick frying pan that is also dishwasher safe. That's double the ease. No mess left behind and no time spent scrubbing. Just fry it up and toss it in with the rest of the dishes. Bim bam boom. Promising review: "My new favorite pan for scrambled eggs and small food portions. No stick and so easy to clean. Tasty products have always been top notch without breaking the bank." —browniePrice: $11.94

14 hours ago

Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty

TOKYO -- TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign policy, may find himself cautiously building on Yoon's approach. Before his removal from office in April, the conservative former president tried to repair relations with Japan. Yoon wanted to also tighten the countries' three-way security cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In 2023, Yoon announced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era forced laborers. That decision caused a strong backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct payments from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo. Yoon's outreach boosted tourism and business ties, but there's still lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan failed to reciprocate Seoul's diplomatic concession by addressing historical grievances more sincerely. While advocating for pragmatism and problem-solving in foreign policy, Lee has also long criticized Japan for allegedly clinging to its imperialist past and blamed that for hurting cooperation between the countries. Some experts say the stability of the countries' improved ties could soon be tested, possibly around the Aug. 15 anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, when Lee is expected to publicly address the nation's painful history with Japan. Some in Seoul want Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to mark the anniversary with a stronger statement of remorse over Japan's wartime past to put bilateral ties on firmer ground. While wartime history will always linger in the background of Seoul-Tokyo relations, Lee and Ishiba may face a more immediate concern: U.S. President Donald Trump's rising tariffs and other America-first trade policies. South Korea's Hankyoreh newspaper in an editorial this week called for South Korea and Japan to 'collaborate immediately' on a joint response to Trump's policies, arguing that the proposed U.S. tariffs on automobiles pose similar threats to both countries' trade-dependent economies. Ishiba, eager to improve ties with Seoul, has acknowledged Japan's wartime aggression and has shown more empathy to Asian victims than his recent predecessors. His first encounter with Lee seemed positive, despite worries in Japan about South Korea's stance under a liberal leader known for attacks on Japan's wartime past. Lee, in that meeting with Ishiba at the G7, likened the two countries to 'neighbors sharing the same front yard' and called for building a future-oriented relationship that moves beyond their 'small differences and disagreements.' Ishiba and Lee agreed to closely communicate and to cooperate on a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Under a 1965 normalization treaty, Japan provided $500 million in economic assistance to South Korea, saying all wartime compensation issues were settled. However, historical issues including forced labor and sexual abuse of Korean women during the war have disrupted ties over the decades, while South Korea has become an Asian power and a rival to Japan, and while Tokyo, especially during the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's rule, has promoted revisionist views. Japan has since offered atonement money twice for the so-called 'comfort women,' an earlier semi-private fund and a second one unilaterally dissolved by former South Korean President Moon Jae-in's liberal government. Things have improved in recent years, and Japan is watching to see whether Lee sticks with his conservative predecessor's more conciliatory diplomacy or returns to the confrontation that marked previous liberal governments. Cooperation between the two sides is 'more essential than ever' to overcome their shared problems such as worsening regional security and Trump's tariffs that have shaken free trade systems, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri said in a recent editorial. At a 60th anniversary reception in Tokyo, Ishiba said that he sees 'a bright future' in the relationship. He expressed hope also for cooperation in 'common challenges' such as low birth rates and declining populations.