Friday 22 February 2013

Spicy Tapioca Chips (Kerepek Ubi Kayu Pedas)


I, Phong Hong, hereby pledge to kick start my diet and low carb eating regime after the Chinese New Year. So help me God. And as if I needed another addictive snack to tank my resolve, here I am making Spicy Tapioca Chips (Kerepek Ubi Kayu Pedas). I love this spicy snack but all this while it never occurred to me to make the chips myself. Thanks a bunch EstherIt was Esther's comment on my Ngaku Chips post that got me all itchy. Tsk! Tsk!



It has been a while since I ate these spicy chips. The last time I bought the chips from 99 Speedmart, I did not enjoy that particular brand. It had a stale taste although the  expiry date was quite far ahead. I reckon it is the stale oil that spoilt the whole thing. Besides, the chips were quiet oily, wet and soggy. Yuks!

My search for the recipe brought me to Subhie's Passions' Kerepek Ubi Kayu Pedas-Spicy Cassava Crisps. The recipes I found in other blogs were quiet similar but most did not give measurements. After trying the recipe, I figured that you could basically "agak-agak" (estimate) the ingredients for the chilli sauce.

The ingredients for the chilli sauce are quite basic. Fresh and dried chillies, garlic, ginger, sugar and salt. But after tasting the end product, I prefer it without ginger. Most of the recipes from the Malay blogs that I found did not contain ginger but this is a matter of personal taste.


Fresh and dried chilles, garlic and ginger.


Blend till medium fine.
The blended ingredients are then sauteed in oil until fragrant and some water is added. Simmer until the raw smell of chillis disappear and mixture is a slightly thick. Add salt and sugar to taste and set aside to cool.



And of course you will need cassava/tapioca. I call it tapioca and for this recipe I used a medium sized one, measuring about 7 inches long. It was actually slightly more than 12 inches in length when I bought it but 5 inches of it went soft. Just peel the tapioca, not that difficult as it has a skin that you can quiet easily peel off. If I remember correctly, my grandma once made a kerabu using the tapioca skin. I must check with my Mum or my Auntie.


Just make a slit along the tapioca and peel.

Give it a rinse and pat dry. Slice the tapioca thinly using either a mandolin or knife. Then simply deep fry until it turns golden brown and crispy. Once the chips are cool, toss them in the chilli sauce and you are good to go!

Because my tapioca chips were much less than what it should have been, the chilli sauce was a bit on the generous side. No complaints as I enjoyed every bit of it :)











Spicy Tapioca Chips (Kerepek Ubi Pedas)
Recipe source : Adapted from Subhie's Passions

Ingredients :
- 1 medium sized tapioca (about 12 inches in length)
- oil for deep frying

For chilli sauce
- 6 dried chillies, soaked to soften
- 2 fresh chillies
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 inch ginger (I would leave this out in my next attempt)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or sugar to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- About 1/4 cup water

Method :

To prepare chilli sauce :
1. Blend chillies, garlic and ginger till medium fine.
2. Saute blended ingredients till aromatic.
3. Add water and simmer until chilli sauce becomes thick.
4. Add salt and honey/sugar and mix. Simmer for about 1 minute.
5. Set aside to cool.

For tapioca chips :
1. Peel and rinse tapioca.
2. Slice thinly using mandolin or knife.
3. Deep fry until golden brown and crisp.
4. Drain on paper towels.

Once the tapioca chips are cool, toss them in the chilli sauce until well coated. Serve or can be stored in an airtight container.


No more chips after Chinese New Year. Sigh....

88 comments:

  1. Wow! YUM-YUM!this is my favourite I use4 to buy it from yhe Malay Mak Cik selling on the five foot way.But later I gave up because twice it has a funny taste the taste of stale oil very oily too.Each time I see I was tempted to buy but didn't I was put off by the taste of the stale oil .I did made it once , plain chips Yes Phong Hong the skin of the ubi kayu is very nice for kerabu.years back I use to make it.but haven't done for a long time over here no fresh ubi kayu.to be sure of the recipe you better ask your mummy

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    1. EE, commercial one there is a risk of stale oil. Better to make it ourself. Will check on the kerabu. I can't remember much because it was so long ago.

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  2. Oh wow, these are my absolute favourite! And I love them so much. Didn't know we can make it so easily... Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Mich, it is easy but time consuming. Worth it once in a while on a day when there's not much to do.

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  3. Hello Phong Hong
    I loves this snack too....crunchy with a spicy kick in it! I think food blogging is bad to our health....but in another way....it gives good pleasure in life and satisfaction too! well, no matter what food we makan, when your stomach is full, isn't that life fulfilling? hehehehhe.........have a wonderful weekend!!!

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    1. Mel, I agree that eating is a great pleasure! But sadly, I put on weight very easily and have to control sobs...sobs....

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  4. You are one funny lady PH. I said that prayer every week ha ha.. I remember this snack. It used to be so popular many years ago. Gosh, I wanted some now :(

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    1. Gertrude, can you get tapioca in US? Maybe this can be done with potato chips as well.

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    2. Yes we can get tapioca/casava here but I am just too lazy to fried it ha ha..

      Gertrude

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  5. Crunchy and yum. Perfect tea time snack

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    1. Vimitha, I couldn't stop eating eat. I should not make this again until after I lose some weight :)

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  6. PH, you did it!! aiyo those big blue letters just jumped right at me the minute i saw your post hahaha! love these chips, there is this kacang putih man that i used to buy these from, but one day he decided to move elsewhere and i have not found any nice ones since then. the only other time i get these is during raya - yum!!

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    1. Esther, I just had to give it a go! There is a kacang putih man in my area but he only sells the plain ones. Next round when I make these chips (must lose my belly fat first hah! hah!) I will put ikan bilis. That version I think will be a killer!

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    2. OMGOODNESS, chips with ikan bilis, you are killing me PH! Make it sweet and spicy ok?.....ant wait for you to post THAT one.

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    3. Esther, yeah sweet and spicy! But won't be so soon. Mustn't tempt myself :)

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  7. Phong hong, I'm so envy of friends who eat chilli so often yet the throat is still ok, I think I'm soooooooo abnormal. And this is a compliment to you who can take chilli so well, haha.It's not hard to imagine how yummy these chips are, and don't mind to get my hands on them without the chilli please! Oh, by the way, I made another mango dessert today and this will either be my second last or last dessert for a while.I'm going to go for a dessert-free diet for at last 3 weeks from now

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Jessie, you can put less chilli or the plain one is also nice to eat. What, you on a diet?? Aiyah, girl! You are so slim already! I am imagining your mango dessert, wah throat feel so dry and thirsty already hee..hee....

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  8. Love Spicy Tapioca Chips especially those with Ikan Bilis!

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    1. Shirley, next time I make these spicy chips I will be sure to add ikan bilis!

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  9. I could feel myself salivating looking at your photos. What a torture, can see cannot eat!

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    1. Hah! Hah! Quay Po, better don't eat lah. This is bad for our waistline and once you take a piece, you cannot stop!

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  10. I don't know how long I did not take this chili ubi chips. I ate a lot during schooling time..you made it look exactly like store bought one, send me some please.,

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    1. Sonia, next time I make, I reserve for you then we both gemuk together, ok? Hee..hee...

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  11. wonder if u sub with brown sugar or gula melaka would make any major diff to the taste...

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    1. I think brown sugar would be ok but gula melaka I am not too sure :)

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  12. Talking about losing weight.... omg I need to do that too! Overeating during CNY is one of my best abilities. Haha! These look great btw.

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    1. Is that why you call yourself Sumo? Hah! Hah!

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  13. Hello Rock Star Auntie! Was this the kind of tidbits you munched while listening to rock music?? :D

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    1. Alvin, I generally don't eat chips while listening to music because the crunch...crunch....in my ears is distracting. I'm a little bit hard of hearing on the right side probably due to listening too loudly on the walkman hah! hah! Your are not too young to know what is a walkman right? :)

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    2. Haha.. yaya... Walkman with cassette tape!... and later on I upgraded to discman! So you are into heavy metal like Metallica? Or Guns N' Roses?... Or slow rocks?

      Hmmm... this subject is bring back lots of memories... :)

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    3. Ahh..Auntie PH's taste is more into Metallica, AC/DC and Korn. I do like milder melodic rock too :)

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  14. Ah yah no need to make myself I have you to make for me .Isn't it correct?? You can fry faster when you listen to your ACDC at the same time

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    1. Listen to AC/DC, keropok also can burn :)

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  15. Hi Phong Hong,
    You are not alone! I have thought about cutting down on carbo food very, very often! Hahaha!
    This is one of my favourite snacks, it reminds me of the time when I was working in KL and always look forward each week when a makcik with a basket will come, selling this kerepek chili at the building where I work. I always buy a few packets!! Never one packet! And I would choose the ones with the most chili paste!
    Your kerepek is making me drool!
    Thanks for sharing, will try to make this one of this days!

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    1. Joyce, it is very difficult to resist carbs. It is everywhere! One of my weaknesses is kerepek pisang. Oh, I tell you that one I can wallop a few packets hah! hah! I'm like you, if I love a snack there is no such thing as one packet only. I would buy a few and go on a binge. Ok, no more evil thoughts :)

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  16. Hehe Cm pun selalu berdoa agar dpt terus fiet selepas cny n hari raya tp selalunya gagal Aarrrgggh:(

    Psst yr kerepek ubi sgt sedap lor ...Cm pun pernah beli dan baunya hapak seperti telah expired.Better buat sendiri kan?

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    1. CM, memang setuju better buat sendiri. Fresh dan sedap!

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  17. Been a while since I last ate this snack....too addictive! You are very hard working to be making your own! Looks so good!

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    1. Jeannie, it will be some time before I make this again. Must diet first!

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  18. Wow! These kerepek ubi kaya pedals used to be my favorite snake in those days, but now I can't find that Makcik who sell these kerepek anymore :( Phong Hong Makcik can you please sell some for me?hahaha....

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    1. Hah! Hah! Esther, when I read your comment I imagine myself with a basket full if kerepek and going from door to door selling! I won't sell to you, I will give you :)

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  19. i'm often see tapioca in the market,and i like to buy some back.
    because i love the boiled or baked tapioca with a little salt,simple and easy way to cook them. lazy caterpillar hor....hahaha....
    firs time heard about Spicy Tapioca Chips,
    always something new to learn from your blog,Happying,hahaha....^v^

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    1. Ah, you have reminded me of something! Boiled tapioca with grated coconut mixed with sugar and some salt is very nice to eat. I will make that and share after I lose weight. Hah! Hah!

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  20. Phong Hong your chips looking at it makes me have a craving and dying to eat like a pregnant woman .Want to ask you can I make it using sweet potatoe?

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    1. I think maybe can. Slice it thinly and fry. Will try later on.

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  21. This would be a twist to the old tapioca chips with caramelised palm sugar, I guess...but no, thank you. Not a fan of those chips. My missus would probably love it - she loves anything spicy and she loves 'em chips too.

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    1. I haven't tried the one with caramelised palm sugar, in fact first time I heard about it :) I think this kerepek thing is not so popular among men.

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  22. Phong Hong, I appreciate your sweet and kind words so much...you are such a wonderful and caring friend to stay in touch with me. Your tapioca chips are totally calling me; so yummy and addictive. Love the chilli peppers, the hotter the better. I hope you had a wonderful and successful Chinese New Year! Hugs,

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    1. Elisabeth, I believe in supporting friends when they are feeling down and help keep their spirits up. I had a lovely Chinese New Year, thank you!

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  23. Hi Phong Hong,

    You homemade spicy tapioca chips are very impressive. I must say these chips can be addictive and I can finish them all very quickly :p

    Interesting that you didn't like the addition of ginger into these chips... I prefer to omit it too like you do.

    "Copycat" Zoe... LOL!

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    1. Thank you, Zoe! I like ginger most of the time but somehow felt that it didn't go so well with the chips.

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  24. I ate tapioca chips some weeks ago in Kenya. I love them but is not so easy find tapioca here in Rome. Nice meal, I'd like to taste!!

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    1. Francesca, I am glad you had the chance to taste tapioca chips!

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  25. awesome, you've made it from scratch...
    good job....
    thx to you i've never be waste my money on a store brough of it from now on....
    we used to called it keripik balado...

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    1. Thanks, dentist! Need good set of teeth to eat this crunchy stuff :)

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  26. Hi phong hong...first time here. lovely recipes....

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    1. Thank you, GK Arusuvai! You have lots of yummy recipes too, will visit again soon!

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  27. Hi Phong Hong, I waited outside your "home" until you finish the chips then only I drop by. LOL Yours look really good, better than the store brought. Homemade still better as we don't recycle the oil. I feast with my eyes, kow tim! hahaha

    Have a nice day.

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    1. Amelia, you don't want to eat izzit? Hah! Hah! Sometimes, that is the only way to avoid temptation :)

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  28. I never had tapioca chips - but I have had tapioca fries - SOOO good! I'd imagine they're similar, right? I don't know how you could diet with so many delicious things about.

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    1. Joyti, I am starting my diet but it is sooooo...hard! Oh yum, tapioca fries! Those are really good too, love it a lot :)

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  29. These do look very tasty. I have never worked with tapioca - I don't think I've even seen it in the shops - I will look out for it in the Chinese supermarket now I know what it looks like. Cheers

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    1. Carole, tapioca is really a nice change from the usual potatoes or sweet potatoes. It is also very nice steamed and eaten with grated coconut. I'll do a post on that but first I have to get rid of my post celebration flab!

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  30. I wonder why "Because my tapioca chips were much less than what it should have been".. is it one into the miuth...one into the bowl...two into the mouth..one into the bowl....lol

    Very addictive

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    1. Hah! Hah! I laughed when I read what you said. No lah, it is because part of the tapioca became soft. I did not have time to work on it immediately after buying. So after a few days, a few inches went lembik.

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  31. from rock lady to kacang putih lady kah?? haha! i always buy tapioca chips from the kacang putih man and still am. cant stop munching that's why each time i buy, i will only buy RM1, one small packet, enough liao. It's such a wonderful thing that you made your own tapioca chips and btw, i didnt know that the skin can be eaten :)

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    1. Lena, I am out of control, cannot buy small packet. Must have BIG one! Am taking a break from all these crunchy stuff, too fat already!

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  32. I know this is very addictive snack, definitely can't stop one! Look very yummy :))

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    1. Ann, this is another dangerous snack - bad for our waistline!

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  33. Hi Phong Hong,
    I've left a reply on my potted garden! Get rid of the yucky pest while your plant can still be saved!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce! Really appreciate your feedback. Yeah, those pests are really yucky and scary looking :(

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  34. Wow! these chips looks great and want to have some

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    1. Swasthi, you can have some but don't blame me if you can't stop eating! Hee..hee...

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  35. The minute I saw the first pic, I just felt like grabbing all those kerepek. Love it spicy!!! ;)

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    1. Sri, this is a snack that we can eat by the packets but will regret later!

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  36. Mmmmm....so much better homemade! Good luck with the no sweets and treats!!!

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    1. Thanks, Liz! I'm really suffering right now hee..hee...

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  37. this is my favourite when I was young, my mum used to make it when there is ubi kayu...missing it now! can send some over? hehe

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    1. Stephanie, hee..hee...I won't be making anymore yet. Am on a diet break but will sure make some more later on :)

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  38. OMG! This is my favorite spicy chips that I used to makan afer school, well, in bus sekolah that is! LOL.. i think it's been more that 15 years I tak makan this kerepek ubi pedas! Now I'm craving for it after looking at your tempting kerepek! So there goes my diet too! Makan first ,think later! LOL

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    1. Kit, if you can get ubi kayu then you should try this at home and relive the childhood memories!

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  39. Yum, thanks for adding this to the snack table. Cheers

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  40. Hi, i made this on Monday. After cooled, i placed in airtight container but the next day, everything turned soft. Help needed! TIA

    Alicia

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    1. Hi Alicia! Was your chilli sauce too wet? I do not know how it was the next day because gulps...I ate the whole lot in one sitting muahahaha!! But generally I think this type of tapioca chips is not as crispy as the plain one due to the chilli sauce. Maybe if you made the sauce much thicker it won't get so soggy. Good luck!

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  41. Hi Phong Hong, thanks for your prompt reply. I was hoping to get tapioca chips texture like those sold in supermarkets. They stay sticky, chewy and crispy even after many days. Any idea what i can add to achieve that texture? Hope you can help. Thank you!

    Regards,
    Alicia

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    1. Hi Alicia! I am so sorry that I don't know how to fix the soggy chips problem. I may have to do some experiment on my own to find out :) Perhaps you could source for other recipes and maybe some of them will give you tips on how to get the chips to stay crispy. Good luck!

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