Artichoke dip cooks quickly, and you can even throw it in before the oven has finished heating if you prepare it in time. If you do not have spray, drip a little olive oil on a paper towel and wipe it along the sides and bottom of your dish. This will prevent the dip from sticking later on. Make sure you drain the liquid out of the can before cutting. You want chunks around than the size of quarters. These pieces will be slightly smaller. The finer you chop them, the less noticeable they will be in the final dish. For vegetable-based dips, chop your green onions, roasted red peppers, or extra spinach and add them as well. While you can experiment with different combinations, you want between 1 1/2 and 2 cups of liquid total. Mayonnaise is the most common wet ingredient.  For classic dip, use 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise and 8 ounces cream cheese. For rich dip, use 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 16 ounces cream cheese For lite dip, use 1/3 cup lite mayonnaise and 8 ounces lite cream cheese. You want everything to be well mixed and coated with cream. If you are adding other cheeses, like shredded mozzarella, add them now. Artichoke dip is a simple dish that is easily customized with a few spices or changes. Don't worry about "ruining" the cooking process, as from here you will mostly just heat the dip up.  Crushed red pepper, cayenne, or hot sauce makes a spicier dip Lemon juice and dill give the dip a slight Mediterranean flavor. Leave at least 1/2 an inch between the rim of the dish and the tip, as it will bubble up as it cooks. Be sure to check your dip periodically, and be careful removing the dip when it is finished. If you smell smoke or the top is burning, remove the dip immediately and turn off the oven. After it has cooled for 5-10 minutes, serve your artichoke dip with something to dip into it -- like pita chips, crackers, cut vegetables, or sliced baguettes.
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One-sentence summary -- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Spray a large oven-safe dish with cooking spray. Cut the artichoke hearts into large, course pieces. Finely chop the garlic and spinach and add them to your artichokes. Mix your "wet ingredients," like mayonnaise, cream cheese, and sour cream, in a separate bowl. Add the vegetables and Parmesan cheese to the wet ingredients and stir. Add salt, pepper, and spices to taste. Spoon the uncooked dip into the baking dish. Cook the dish for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown. Serve your dip after it has cooled.


Before determining who is at fault, what the reply should be, and what solution will be provided, try to really identify with the customer.  Imagine previous scenarios where you’ve been unhappy with a business, and formulate the type of answer that would have satisfied you then. At times, clients may be very direct, while at other times their words may hint at additional concerns.  If there is question, do not guess at the client’s intentions.  Get clarification by asking a question. Sift through the email to remove the concerns from vitriol.  Try to break down the email into three different sections.  Identify what should be directly addressed.  These items need immediate and concise answers. Pick out what needs further clarification.  If there are uncertain demands or complaints, be sure to find the items that need return questions to the customer. Pay attention to any time-sensitive items.  If a customer is unhappy with their service or product, and needs attention before a certain cut-off date, be aware of their scheduling concerns.
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One-sentence summary -- Put yourself in the customer’s position. Consider the questions or concerns in the client's email. Make a list of specific issues.


Make a cut down the center of the tomato. Try to keep the two halves roughly the same size. Make a series of three to four length-wise cuts across each half of your tomato. This should cut your tomato into quarters. Each quarter should be roughly the same size. Place each quarter on a table or cutting board with the skin side facing downward. Slice a knife across the tomato to cut out the white, fleshy portion of the tomato. The seeds are attached to this portion, so they will be sliced out as well. Sometimes, seeds linger on the tomato after you cut out of the fleshy portion. If any seeds did not come out, remove them with your fingertips. Roma tomatoes are very small and delicate. They tend to have less seeds and the seeds can be difficult to remove without damaging the tomatoes. It's usually okay to leave the seeds of Roma tomatoes intact.
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One-sentence summary -- Cut your tomatoes in half. Cut the halves into quarters. Slice out the seeds. Avoid dicing Roma tomatoes. Finished.


If you are straight, imagine living in a world where heterosexuality was stigmatized. Think about how your life might be different and how you would want other people to treat you. Now consider what your friend faces each and every day, and think about how you can make a difference in their life by being a good friend to them. Despite increasing societal acceptance, LGBTQ people still face issues like workplace and housing discrimination, mental health problems, violence, and judgment from family and friends. Additionally, some LGBTQ people face outright rejection from their families. Being aware of these issues can help you support your friend better. Understanding the history of the LGBTQ community and the problems they face today can make your friend’s orientation easier to understand and, eventually, to accept. Talking to your friend is a good start. You can also find plenty of educational resources online.  One good resource is the GLBT Historical Society’s website at http://www.glbthistory.org/. Another good resource is the PFLAG website at https://www.pflag.org/. If you don’t understand something, don’t just leave it a mystery. Talking with your friend will help you iron out things you need clarification on. Remember, though, that your friend is just one person and doesn’t speak for all LGBTQ people.  If you ask a question your friend doesn’t know the answer to, try to find an answer together. Take matters into your own hands and learn some things on your own through research. Your friend will most likely really appreciate your effort and interest. If you feel uncomfortable or challenged because of your friend’s orientation, take some time to think about why you’re feeling this way. Ask yourself whether your beliefs or attitudes make you feel negative towards LGBTQ people. If so, look for ways to address these issues.  For instance, you could talk to someone else about your feelings or find more information on the issue. Remember that your feelings and beliefs are your own responsibility, not your friend’s. Try not to be angry with yourself. It's okay to be unaware but willing to learn. Just accept your friend as you work through your own feelings.
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One-sentence summary --
Put yourself in your friend’s shoes. Educate yourself. Ask questions. Examine your own feelings about your friend’s orientation.