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First direct evidence for horseback riding dates back 5,000 years

WASHINGTON (AP) — Archaeologists have found the earliest direct evidence for horseback riding – an innovation that would transform history – in 5,000 year old human skeletons in central Europe. “When you get on a horse and ride it fast, it’s a thrill – I’m sure ancient humans felt the same way,” said David Anthony, a co-author of the study and Hartwick College archaeologist. “Horseback riding was the fastest a human could go before the railroads.” Researchers analyzed more than 200 Bronze Age skeletal remains in museum collections in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, ...

Tax breaks aging taxpayers may be eligible for

Growing older comes with many perks for those who are open to exploring the benefits. In addition to senior discounts on movies, meals and more, moving into one’s golden years could offer some breaks when it comes to taxes and finances. It is always best to go over tax- and finance-related plans with an accountant or certified financial planner to figure out what is in your best interest. However, generally speaking, here are some potential age-related tax perks. Increase retirement savings Older individuals can contribute more to employer-sponsored retirement accounts and Roth ...

Time for another trip down memory lane to the kitchen

A meal we enjoyed as kids was roast chicken, mashed potatoes, filling, gravy and sweet corn. We grew our own corn and potatoes and raised our own chickens and pigs. We ate well. If I close my eyes, I can still smell the hams hanging from the rafters. Food has changed. Our mother would cook seven days a week and eating out was a rare treat. After teaching myself how to roast a chicken and all the fixings, it’s become another one of my favorite meals. Comfort food at its finest. Enjoy the recipes! Roast Chicken • One whole chicken • Fresh rosemary • Garlic • ...

Macau’s meat-potato hash feels foreign and familiar

By CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Macau once was the center of Portugal’s massive maritime empire in the East. You can still taste the resulting mix of flavors. Egg-custard tarts and salt cod often are on the menu, though so are galinha à Africana (African chicken), Chinese steamed pork buns and Indian coconut curry. But there’s one dish that shows the cultural convergence all in one dish — minchi. Every family has its own recipe for this minced-meat hash, but it usually includes potatoes and tomato paste brought by the Portuguese. Also common are ...

Chinese-style ‘omelets’ with veggies

By CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Many Americans know only French-style omelets. But similar egg dishes in China are less fussy than the filled and folded bistro classic. Take egg foo young. Instead of the deep-fried dish in Chinese-American restaurants, Cantonese cooks use less oil and more crispy vegetables. That’s the style preferred by the cooks at Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street. Their veggie-packed omelet calls for cabbage, onion and bell pepper, but bean sprouts, mushrooms and scallions also work. The vegetables are stir-fried until crisp-tender, ...

Comfort from the South

Culinary The star of your next spread can be hidden away in the refrigerator for a surprise delight for your guests. It’s topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans, and your loved ones just may vote it to be their favorite dish. It’s an Arkansas Possum Pie, made with three delicious layers and crunchy toppings for a show-stopping dessert. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and stir to combine. Add crushed pecans and brown sugar. Stir to combine and form to the bottom of a pie pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 F. In a separate bowl, add cream cheese and beat until ...