#2 or 3 sprigs of thyme

[the-font-bandit]

I'm back on my cocktail nonsense again 😂 Of course Lucanis's drink had to be a twist on an espresso martini, featuring Antivan lemon thyme.

LUCANIS

2oz (60ml) vodka

1oz (30ml) cold brew concentrate or espresso

.5oz (15ml) limoncello

.5oz (15ml) blackberry syrup*

2 sprigs fresh thyme

Optional: Purple sugar for rim

*To make blackberry syrup:

Mix equal parts water, granulated sugar, and blackberries (frozen or fresh) in saucepan on stove. Heat until sugar dissolves and it just barely starts to simmer. Remove from heat, let cool completely, then strain through a mesh strainer. Keeps for about 3 weeks.

Optional: Rim a coupe glass with purple decorative sanding sugar

Combine all in cocktail shaker with ice

Shake until frothy and well-chilled

Strain into glass using a fine mesh strainer

[foodshowxyz]

Creamy roasted garlic tomato soup

Yields: 4-6 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients

Roasted Veggies:

3 pounds ripe tomatoes (Roma or on-the-vine work well)

1 head garlic (top sliced off)

1 medium onion, quartered

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Soup Base:

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh)

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium is best)

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Equipment:

Baking sheet

Large pot or Dutch oven

Immersion blender (or regular blender)

Instructions

Roast the Vegetables:

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise. Drizzle tomatoes, onion, and the garlic head with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet, cut-side down.

Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until tomatoes are blistered and softened.

Start the Soup Base:

While the veggies roast, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the thyme and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

Blend the Soup:

Carefully squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and into the pot with the melted butter. Add the roasted tomatoes and onions (including any juices).

Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.

Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a regular blender in batches) to puree until very smooth.

Finish and Season:

Stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve:

Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread, grilled cheese, or a simple salad for a delicious meal!

Tips & Variations:

Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the thyme for a little kick.

Vegan: Swap the butter for olive oil and use a plant-based cream alternative.

Extra Flavor: Add a tablespoon of tomato paste while cooking the thyme for deeper tomato flavor.

Storage: This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and freezes beautifully.

[arsenal-womens-1]

I see you in my reflection part 2

Tw: guns school shooting death blood self harm description of death murder panic attack if there’s any I’ve missed sorry

“The bravest thing I ever did was continue my life when I wanted to die.” — Juliette Lewis

“If you love someone, you say it. You say it right then, out loud. Otherwise, the moment just passes you by.” — Mark Sloan

Six hours later, you are on your way back to Leah's. It was just going to be Beth, Viv, you, and Leah having dinner tonight after you’re planning on watching a movie called *The Fallout*. You have no clue what it’s about, but it’s apparently meant to be good. It’s cold outside, not too cold, but still cold. The car comes to a stop. Finally, you get out of the car and run to the door. Leah walks up the stairs as slowly as possible, finally opening the door. You run in, running straight to the kitchen. Leah had agreed to let you help with dinner. It’s called marry me chicken. It takes about 45 minutes to cook.

���Right, get all the ingredients out, and we can start cooking,” Leah says, pulling out all the ingredients: 30 g of plain flour, 4 chicken breasts, 125 g sundried tomatoes in oil (drained and roughly chopped), 3 tbsp oil (reserved), 1 red onion (finely chopped), 3 garlic cloves (crushed or finely grated), ½ - 1 tsp chili flakes (to taste), 2-3 thyme or oregano sprigs (leaves picked), or 1 tsp mixed dried herbs, 150 ml of double cream, 250 ml of chicken stock, 35 g parmesan (grated), 8-10 basil leaves (torn), and lemon wedges.

Halfway through making it, there is a knock at the door before Leah can say anything. You run to the door. Beth and Viv are just standing there. “Come in,” you say, taking off their shoes and coats. You all walk back into the kitchen where Leah is still doing stuff for the food. “How was media day?” You just shrug your shoulders at that.

“Boring, mainly they all ask the same question, just in a different way,” you reply. Beth and Vivian just shake their heads. You have said multiple times that you don’t like media days. This is only the second one you’ve done, but you still have the same opinion: “Yeah, they do that a lot apart from a few, and since you couldn’t do any work today, you need to do a bit more tomorrow.” The only downside of living with Beth and Vivian is that they make you do schoolwork. It’s the most boring thing.“What if I don’t do any more schoolwork?” you ask.

Viv loses it at your shoes, saying that no matter what you are doing, the work is still there.

You just accept your fate. “Can someone call my phone? I’ve lost it. It’s aging.” Leah holds your phone up and says, “Thank you.” Opening your phone, there is a text from your dad.

Dad:

“Hey kid, I know we haven’t spoken in a bit, but I thought I would text you and see how you are doing. Also, Max and Missy want to know if you are going to be home this summer for their birthday.”

You:

“Hey Dad, I’m doing good. I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it home this summer, but tell Max and Missy that I miss them and I wish I could be there, but I can’t. I’ll send them presents.”

Dad:

“It’s okay, kid. You don’t have to apologize. I know why you don’t want to come back, but they wanted to know if you were able to come. It’s good to hear that you’re doing well. I have to go. The twins need to be dropped off at your grandma’s house.”

You:

“I’ll text you later. I love you too.”

“Who are you texting?” Leah asks as she finishes cooking.

“My dad was asking if I was going home this summer.” In the time the team had, knowing you’ve only ever said that you lived in America, you dodged any other questions, so at one point they all just left it, seeing that you didn’t want to talk about it before you got there. “Are you going home this summer?” they asked.

“No, I think I’m just going to go to another country,” you told them.

They all nodded. “What country are you thinking of going to?”

You had thought about this a lot. “I was thinking Norway, Sweden, Spain, or the Netherlands. I’ve always wanted to go to those countries.” When you said “Netherlands,” Viv smiled a bit for the next 45 minutes. You all talked for 20 minutes before the food was done. It was time for the movie.

The movie starts with a girl sitting on the toilet. Three minutes later, she walks to the bathroom. Viv and Beth are sitting next to each other, and Leah is in the middle. On the end, exactly seven minutes in, it sounds like a door banging and screaming more. It feels like your heart is about to pound out of your chest. A lump in your throat starts to form.

Blood everywhere, screaming, bullets.

“I can’t breathe.” The second you say that, all three of them are beside you. Vivian lifts you up and places you in her lap. “Copy my breathing pattern.”

“Y/N, I’m scared.” The door slams open.

“They didn’t do anything wrong; it should have been me.” Your breathing isn’t slowing down. “They didn’t deserve it; we were just kids.” Beth is now standing behind you, kind of trapping you like a burrito. “Copy my breathing, kid.” You try your best to copy her breathing, eventually doing so.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Your head is still on Vivian’s chest.

“I’m a twin… was a twin. The shock on their faces was something. We were identical. Lucy was 1 minute and 25 seconds older than me. She always would use that or say it was the best time of her life.” Tears were falling down your face. The girls said nothing, so you continued. “When we were 4, we moved from California to New York. Our next-door neighbors had a girl our age. Her name was Lily. She had green eyes, brown hair, and was a little bit taller than us. We became inseparable. We were in the same class. It was grade 6; we were in 4th period English with Miss Cooper. We sat at the back of her class.”

“Today we are learning about Romeo and Juliet.” Lily is to the left of you, and Lucy is to the right. “Lily, give me a pencil; I’ve forgotten mine again.”

“We were 12 minutes into the class when the first shouts could be heard two doors down from us. The screams for help were horrifying. We did everything they said to do. He was down with that class fast. He moved to the one next to us. There was a door connecting both classrooms together. We didn’t barricade it.”

The sound of the door crashing open startles everyone. Before anyone can do anything, he’s shooting randomly all over, and in 2 minutes, he’s gone.

“Lily was on the ground. She was in a pool of blood. He shot her 6 times; 2 of them hit her left lung. I tried to stop the bleeding, but it was no use. Her lungs were filling up with blood. Her beautiful face was covered in blood. She was scared. I could tell because of the way her eyes looked. She would get that look when she was scared. Lucy laid her head on my shoulder. She had been shot once, between her chest and shoulder. I remember Lily’s eyes starting to shut. I remember saying, ��Come on, Lily, keep your eyes open for me. Keep them open.’ I remember her last words so clearly: ‘Y/N, it’s okay. It’s okay. Go be a superstar, win all the trophies. Don’t give up on your dream.’ There was another round of shots. The color in her eyes was gone. She was gone.”

“No, no, no, Lily, don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.” Armed police rush through the door. “Everyone show hands.”

“I don’t really remember much about how I got from the classroom to the ambulance. I remember the paramedic saying that I had been shot 3 times. I didn’t even know that I had been shot. I was in shock. I remember the sirens. I remember them asking questions, getting wheeled into the ER. I was next to Lucy. I remember her heart monitor. I didn’t know what it meant except that she was alive. Within 2 minutes of being there, she flatlined. They tried to get her back, but they couldn’t. 14:25 was her time of death. A piece of the bullet had made its way to her heart. They were dead, and I wasn’t. After that, I turned to self-harm and other things. I wanted to be with them. It wasn’t until about 2 months after it all that it sank in that I had lost my twin sister and my first love in the same day

[autistichalsin]

Because someone over on Discord asked me, my mushroom pot roast recipe!

Ingredients:

1 pound of your preferred mushroom variety, sliced and de-gilled; portabello, lion's mane, and shiitake are all good choices.

1.25 pounds yukon gold or red potatoes, cut into bite sized pieces

2 large or 12 baby carrots, cut into small bits

2 cups of frozen or fresh pearl onions

4-8 cloves garlic, minced

3 sprigs fresh or 1/2 tsp dried thyme

2 tbsp vegan worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon no-beef "beef" better than bouillon or similar

1/2 cup red or white cooking wine

3 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp cornstarch or 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

3 cups vegetable stock

4 tbsp olive oil, divided

Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

In a dutch oven or other pot with a lid, heat half the olive oil on medium heat. Once shimmering, add the mushrooms and sautee until browned. Remove and set on a plate or in a bowl.

Add the other half of oil, allow to heat, and add the onions. Cook until golden (or brown if you prefer), then add garlic and cook for a minute more.

Add the flour, stir well, and let cook while being careful to avoid burning. Slowly add stock in, stirring to avoid lumps, then add the wine, tomato paste, carrots, potatoes, salt and pepper, worcestershire, thyme, bouillon, and mushrooms, and give it a good stir. Add a bit of liquid if needed to cover the vegetables, then bring to a simmer and cover. Cook until the potatoes are tender; this could take between 20-45 minutes depending on your oven and pot. If you find there's too much liquid, try removing the lid for a few minutes to let some evaporate until you reach your desired thickness; if there's not enough liquid, add a bit more.

Enjoy!

[marhor9879]

Traditional Ratatouille

Ingredients: Units Scale1 medium eggplant, cut into 2 inch chunks 1 pound Roma tomatoes, or 2 1/2 cups of San Marzano tomatoes 1/4 cup olive oil 1 yellow onion, cut the onion in 1/2 inch strips 2 medium zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch thick half moon pieces 2 bell peppers, cut in large 2 inch chunks 4–6 garlic cloves 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or Aleppo for mild flavor) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried) 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

Sweat the eggplant: Place eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 20 minutes or more, while you prep the rest of the ingredients. Grate the tomatoes: Grate all but 2 tomatoes- cutting the remaining into chunks. Chop up the skins left from grating or disguard. Grating fresh tomatoes makes the best crushed tomato flavor and texture, allowing the sauce to cook quickly. Sauté veggies: In a heavy stock pot or braiser saute onion in olive oil over medium-high heat and stir for 3-5 minutes. Remove onions from pan and set aside. We are going for al dente as the veggies will continue to soften in the sauce. Saute zucchini and peppers with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt for 1-2 minutes over medium high heat. Until lightly browned on the edges but not cooked all the way through. Remove from pan and set aside. Cook the salted and drained eggplant with olive oil on medium high heat until lightly browned about 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Saute garlic and red pepper flakes for 1 minute in remaining olive oil. Add the tomatoes, salt, oregano, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf. Simmer 5 minutes. Simmer the Ratatouille: Add the onion, zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant into the tomatoes and simmer 10-15 minutes stirring frequently until tender or desired doneness. Adjust flavors: Add salt, pepper, a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil, and a splash of white or red wine vinegar. Serve warm or at room temperature with crusty bread.

[the-snohaj]

Recipe for Transphobe Soup

Transphobe Soup

An offering to the blåhaj gods for harmony and acceptance.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of the souls of transphobes (symbolic for cleansing hate)

- 2 onions (to represent the many layers of understanding)

- 3 cloves of garlic (for banishing negativity)

- 4 carrots (for clarity and vision)

- 2 potatoes (for grounding and balance)

- 1 cup of lentils (for strength in unity)

- A handful of kale or spinach (for resilience)

- A pinch of sea salt (from the blåhaj’s ocean realm)

- 6 cups of vegetable broth (to unify all flavors)

- A sprig of thyme (symbolizing healing and growth)

- A swirl of coconut milk (to soften and balance)

Instructions:

1. Waft the souls of dead transphobes into the soup: Eat 5 transphobes and collect their souls, then waft them into your pot.

2. Prepare the vegetables: Chop onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes. These represent the many traits needed to foster understanding and kindness.

3. Create the base: In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add the carrots and potatoes, stirring to release their energy.

4. Unite the broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the lentils for strength and kale or spinach for resilience.

5. Season with magic: Add sea salt to channel the ocean’s power and thyme for the healing energy of the earth. Let the soup simmer until all ingredients are tender.

6. Finish with harmony: Stir in coconut milk to smooth the flavors and create a creamy texture. Serve warm, offering a spoonful to the blåhaj gods in gratitude for their wisdom.

[caribbeanvibesblog]

*Best Oxtail Rasta Pasta Recipe*

INGREDIENTS

-Oxtail

3-4 pounds oxtail meat

2 tsp adobo all purpose seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp ground allspice

2 tbsp wet Jamaican jerk seasoning I used the Walkerwood brand in mild

1/2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp ketchup

1/2 tbsp Jamaican browning I used the Grace brand

2 tbsp garlic minced

3 cups water

3 sprigs fresh thyme

1 medium onion chopped

1 medium red bell pepper chopped

1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin

-Pasta

1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin

1 medium red bell pepper chopped

1 medium green bell pepper chopped

3 sprigs green onion chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth

5-8 ounces parmesan cheese shredded

16 ounces penne noodles

1/2 tsp adobo all purpose seasoning

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1 tbsp jamaican jerk seasoning Walkerwood brand in mild

1/2 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp paprika

parsley optional garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Oxtail

In a large bowl, clean the oxtail meat with vinegar and cold water before cooking.

After the oxtail meat is clean, in another clean bowl, season the meat with all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, allspice then add wet jerk seasoning,sugar,ketchup and browning-mix well.

Add thyme, minced garlic, and green onion to the bowl-mix the contents of the bowl well and allow it to marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

In a large, heated pot, add olive oil and on medium high heat, brown the oxtail for 6-8 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium and add chopped onions, and red bell pepper, sauté for another 3-5 minutes.

Add water, give it another stir and allow it to cook for 3 hours (stir the contents of the pot every 20-30 minutes to prevent sticking).

Drain any oil from off the top of the finished oxtail gravy.

Your oxtail meat should be tender at the end of the cook time, if not allow them to continue to simmer on low.

Remove from heat

Serve over pasta

Pasta

Cook noodles according to packaging, then drain and set aside

In a large pot, add 1 tablespoon of oil and garlic then cook for 1-2 minutes on medium high heat

Add the red pepper, green pepper, and green onion then sauté for 3-5 minutes or until tender

Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth and allow it to simmer for 8-10 minutes while stirring every few minutes

Season sauce mixture with all purpose seasoning , pepper, jerk seasoning, paprika and thyme -stir well

Slowly Stir in Parmesan cheese and allow sauce to cook for 5-7 minutes (taste to make sure it’s seasoned to your liking-adjust if necessary )

Add the noodles to the sauce mixture and cook for another 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes

Remove from heat and serve!

[kitchenwitchtingss]

PAN-FRIED LUGHNASADH CHICKEN

A delicious chicken dish to serve at the dinner table!

INGREDIENTS:

4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs

1 tsp onion powder

2 tsp thyme

Salt and Pepper

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp rosemary 

4 cloves garlic

1/4 cup chicken broth/bone broth

3 slices of bacon (if you don't want to use bacon, you can always use a couple of tabs of butter in replacement)

Season your chicken with onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, and paprika, and let sit to marinate.

In a cast iron skillet fry your bacon. Drain and set bacon aside. With the bacon grease still in the pan, Sear your chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until browned. If there is too much bacon fat in the pan you can always strain a little out before adding in your chicken.

 Remove the chicken from the pan. Add in chicken stock to remove all the crispy brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add minced garlic, more salt and pepper, a sprig of fresh thyme, and a spring of fresh rosemary. Add back chicken and spoon sauce over them. 

Put the pan in the oven at cook at 375F for 20-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.

Top chicken with bacon in the skillet and serve with a hearty serving of scalloped potatoes, and veggies.

Have a blessed Lughnasadh!

[piratesandcobras]

First recipe I'm posting from the official dragon age cookbook:

King Alistair's Lamb and Pea Stew

Yield 4 TO 5 SERVINGS

Cook time 60 MINUTES

Dilficulty AVERAGE

Jngredients Salt 25 ounces potatoes (russet or similar), peeled and coarsely diced 1tablespoon oil 2 onions, diced 18 ounces ground lamb 1tablespoon tomato paste 5 fluid ounces beef stock 5.3 ounces canned peas and carrots, drained Freshly ground black pepper 1tablespoon paprika 6 tablespoons butter, cubed, plus more to grease the pan % cup plus 2 tablespoons cream Generous pinch of nutmeg 5.3 ounces cheese grated or shredded 2 sprigs thyme, with the leaves plucked off Equipment Potato masher Casserole dish about 6%. by 10%2 inches)

Generously salt a large pot of water and place it over medium heat Add the potatoes and cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked and tender.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat Add the onion and sweat until translucent (about 2 to 3 minutes). Add the ground lamb and sauté until the meat is brown and crumbly. Stir in the tomato paste and continue to cook briefly. Deglaze with the beef stock, then add the peas and carrots. Stir well to combine then season to taste with salt, pepper, and paprika Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.

Preheat the oven to 350%F

Carefully drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter and mash the potatoes as finely as possible with a potato masher. Add the cream a and season generously with pepper, salt, and nutmeg. Stir until creamy.

Grease the casserole dish. Add the meat-and- vegetable mixture and spread it in the pan. Top with an even layer of mashed potatoes and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the cheese and thyme and bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Remove the pan from the oven, allow to cool briefly, and serve promptly.

[chefchatter]

Tuscan Steak

Ingredients

Meat

• 2 Rib-eye steaks

Produce

• 1 large handful Arugula, fresh

• 1 batch Cherry tomatoes

• 2 cloves Garlic

• 1 Lemon, zest juice of

• 2 tsp Oregano, fresh

• 2 sprigs Rosemary, fresh

• 4 sprigs Thyme, fresh

• 2 tsp Thyme, fresh

Refrigerated

• 2 Eggs, fried

Baking & Spices

• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt and pepper

Oils & Vinegars

• 3 tbsp Olive oil

[typhlonectes]

Baked Pears with Berries, Honey, Walnuts & Blue Cheese

Ingredients:

4 ripe pears, halved and cored

1 tablespoon butter, melted

½ cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)

½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped

¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons honey

Fresh thyme sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Prepare the Pears:

Place the halved and cored pears, cut-side up, on the baking sheet. Brush each pear with melted butter to give them a golden finish as they bake.

3. Bake the Pears:

Bake the pears for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

4. Add the Toppings:

Top with Berries & Blue Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the mixed berries over the pears, then add crumbled blue cheese on top. The warmth of the pears will soften the cheese slightly.

5. Add Walnuts & Honey:

Sprinkle chopped walnuts and drizzle honey over each pear for added sweetness and crunch.

Serve:

Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for an earthy touch if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep Time:

10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

via: Delicious Dishes

[1-helluva-hazbin]

Always Something Underneath

Chapter 4 - Sprig of Thyme

Content warning: slow burn, writing the accent, discussion and portrayal of depression, self isolation, crossing boundaries, quick proofread

Summary: Lucifer had been receding into himself for weeks and finally had pulled a vanishing for one of the hotel's events. While you had sat idly by until that moment with concern gnawing at you, his absence finally propels you into action.

Author Note: Depression does not have one face. This is a portrayal of one of the many ways depression can look. An amalgamation of my own battles, struggles talked about by my friends and family, as well as stories I've read of those who have suffered from it as well. Depression does not manifest in everyone the exact same way. It is not the same intensity with every depressive dip. Everyone needs different forms of support. Please be gentle with the people you love if they have depression. Please be kind to yourself if you are struggling with it.

Word Count: 4364

Chapter 1 𖤐 Chapter 2 𖤐 Chapter 3 𖤐 Chapter 4 (You Are Here) 𖤐 Chapter 5 (WIP)

Hypervigilant.

That was what Husk had called you off handedly a night or two ago after you had gotten off work and hunkered down at the bar for a nightcap. You hadn’t even realized you had been looking around every few minutes with your mind elsewhere to the point the bartender had to repeat himself on a couple of occasions. Well, you knew you were looking around. You just hadn’t realized how apparent it had been.

It had eventually come out that you had allowed yourself to be killed at work. You could only hide in your room for so long and while the bruises healed faster down here in hell, it still took time. So, when Husk had mentioned you seemed hypervigilant and had asked if work had been okay, you were actually kind of relieved it seemed like he linked it to that. You didn’t want to admit you had actually been looking for Lucifer.

Since having had tea with Lucifer, a couple of times you had also shared an evening over drinks. Of course, with other hotel guests around and Husk. Yet, you had started eagerly looking forward to your time with him. He always asked how your day had been and seemed to attentively listen. He had even started learning some of your co-worker’s names so when you’d spill some drama that happened he knew who was who or would ask a clarifying question to make sure he did. It was thrilling to finally get to talk to someone about it who wasn’t directly involved who seemed genuinely interested. 

Husk would let you talk to get it out but, would usually zone out.

Angel would launch into his own work drama stories. Sometimes you were cool with that because, you knew it was how he was relating. You think. Sometimes you just wanted to vent though.

Charlie and Vaggie would listen but, always offered advice on how to solve whatever the underlying issue was.

When Cherri was around and heard your tales she would basically just tell you to fuck them bitches and quit before shoving another drink into your hand.

Alastor cut you off to change the topic or find a reason to walk away.

The other guests usually did some sort of variation or combination of those.

Lucifer… listened though. It tugged at your heart in the same way he had when you had shared tea and he said that everyone at the hotel wasn’t going to just be abandoned. To be seen without having to vie for it. You liked that. You liked being around him. Sort of craved being around him, especially when you had a hard day. So, at some point you had started hoping he would show up. You had started looking for him.

Maybe that was why you had noticed over time he had slowly been becoming less interactive. Not as enthusiastic to partake in conversations. His prior boisterous self muted. Withdrawn. While you could tell he was still trying, he progressively seemed more taxed; strained smiles,losing focus, providing less input.

Tonight though was the first time he had missed an event he told Charlie he would be at. Charlie liked to plan group dinners together from time to time as a way for residents to bond. Lucifer had attended a few before, so they could bond as well, and he had originally seemed elated to be invited again. Yet, Charlie’s texts and calls had been left unanswered. 

The whole scene, seemed eerily familiar to you. While you wanted to ask Charlie, it didn’t feel like your place to ask about something as personal as his mental health. Especially since she was his kid. What made you more concerned was the fact that Charlie seemed in the dark. Completely unaware of why her father might suddenly do this.

Additionally, while Lucifer seemingly had a plethora of acquaintances, you questioned who his confidants were. Many of the beings he spoke of were fleeting mentions, merely characters in his story or passing mentions.

When you had realized Lucifer likely wasn’t going to be showing up for dinner, you debated whether to take action or not. While the two of you certainly had become closer, if this was what you were worried it was, you knew it was beyond the bounds of your current relationship. It would very possibly ruin everything which made you hesitate. You liked what you had with him. 

You’d miss what you had if you lost it.

Yet, if he didn’t have anyone and he was alone just enduring what you were concerned about… You couldn’t just not at least try.

So, after dinner, you made your exit during the lull between dinner and some of the other bonding activities Charlie always had setup. Board games and card games primarily but, there was one drinking game a few of the sinners had picked up that she had reluctantly allowed considering the positive impact. You’d come back down afterwards if your excursion proved fruitless with some flippant excuse about needing air or just a walk to digest the food. Stealing away and excusing your absence had become second nature long before your death. A skill developed in the paving of your path to hell.

You reached the door to his room relatively quickly; the elevator making the skyward trip exponentially fast. As you had strolled the hallway down towards his room though, the space felt barren. Like you were walking the halls of a recently abandoned building. You had grown so use to the hallway on your floor; the doors decorated with stickers, graffiti, art, or caution tape along with the resident’s name on a placard that Charlie had each person make on their first day. One of the more recently departed souls had said it gave off ‘college dorm room’ vibes. You hadn’t ever been to college, though you always pondered whether it might have been a fun experience. Not that you would have been able to afford it.

Yet this floor lacked any semblance of living. All the doors along the hallway empty of adornments or name plaques. A musty odor having settled into the air. The carpets still plush and full of color from disuse. There weren’t even the pictures on the wall that Charlie had hung on many of the lower floors. You couldn’t recall if anyone had ever claimed a room on the upper floor outside of Lucifer’s in his apple designed suite and Alastor’s studio, which he always shadowed himself away into. 

Even Lucifer’s door remained a pristine white. The golden handle and hinges practically glowing. This part of the floor, seemingly enchanted with some spell to keep the dust from settling despite the stagnant air that betrayed it’s appearance. An unwelcoming aura despite the grandiosity. Your face twisted with concern. This was the perfect place to seclude yourself away especially if he could teleport in and out to remain unbothered. 

Your knuckles gently rapped against the door with solid sounding thuds that echoed into the void. Your breath stuck in your throat as you listened. Straining your ears to hear anything over the beating of your anxious heart. You bit your lip and knocked again. ���Lucifa?”

Again you paused. Holding your breath hoping to hear something. 

Something was nagging at you. A gut feeling that was attempting to wrench the meal from your stomach with constant churning and twisting. You wanted to be wrong. Desperately. You needed to know you were wrong.

“Lucifa… I’m comin’ in.” You waited a moment to see if that might elicit a reaction, if he was there, before you pushed open the door to a darkened room. The stench of body odor and mildew immediately hitting you; exacerbating your tortuous gut as your heart seized.

You let yourself in, closing the door behind you. You found it hard to breathe but you made your way over to the wall of windows pulling the curtains back before cranking open the first set of windows. The door to the suite complaining with a gentle rattle at the influx of airflow. You turned using the city lights to examine the room better quickly spotting a lump in the bed.

You couldn’t see very well but, by the smell of the room he had locked himself away at least a full 48 hours. A plate stacked with food on the nightstand next to the bed appeared to be untouched with his phone next to it. As you examined him, you noted his chest slowly rising and falling. You hadn’t realized just how much you needed to see that until you sighed out, relieving a massive weight in your chest.

You turned drawing back the curtains and opening the rest of the windows. You then made your way over to the bathroom flicking the light on. Thankfully, there was an untouched stack of towels perched on the vanity. You pushed the showerhead slightly so it aimed more towards the far wall before you turned it on to let it run, throwing one of the towels down onto the floor to catch any of the stray spray before exiting the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” You looked up to see Lucifer, sleepily propped up on one arm and clearly flabbergasted by your presence given his incredulous tone. You knew this was a gamble. Despite the rapport you had built, it hadn’t been nearly enough to confidently stampede into his personal space as you were; especially not actually knowing the situation and going off a hunch.

Yet you doubled down. “Oh, don’t mind me Luci babe. Chawlie said you weren’t answerin’ your texts or cawls so I figga’ed I’d check in. ‘specially since you haven't seemed quite right for a lil while.”

His brows shot skyward and he turned to grabbed his phone. Groaning as the time flashed up onto the screen. “I…missed the dinner…” he sounded defeated as he fell back into the bed, hand hanging off the side letting his phone fall to the floor.

“Yeah…yeah ya did.” Your voice was soft. You made your way closer to him, seeing he was still fully dressed. You didn’t see his shoes on the floor so you were guessing they were in the bed too. “That’sa problem for tamarrow though.”

“What are you doing here? Why are you in my room?” he growled, unmoving from his collapsed position.

“I told ya, cheeks,” you said pulling the blankets off of him, revealing you were right about the shoes, “I came up ta check in. Ya gawt me a little worried honestly. First ya was actin’ awff the last couple weeks and ta’day ya ghosted. If ya want though, I could get Chawlie.”

His head whipped to the side, his eyes wide before they narrowed. His voice deepening as he growled out, his horns poking through his skin and eyes flickering red as he pulled himself into and upright position, “Don’t. You. Dare.” 

The two of you stared at one another for a long moment. The sound of the shower running in the background masking the city sounds quietly wafting in on the breeze. The curtains softly rustling as they swayed, their shadows dancing across the floor. You give him a lopsided smile in an attempt to break the tension. He tore his gaze away from yours as his demonic features receded.

Slowly, you sat yourself down onto the edge of the bed. The frame creaking from the additional weight and the mattress sagging. Your hands found their way into your lap laying on top of one another as you pondered your next words for a moment. “My ma use ta get into a mood from time ta time. Couldn’t get outta bed. Didn’t care ta eat. Didn’t wanna go outside. She didn’t even like the t.v. or radio awn. Couldn’t pick up the book she had stawted an’ said she loved eitha. Best thing I could do for her was open the windas an’ get her into the showa. Clothes ‘n awll. She use ta say it made her feel a lil’ bit human just sittin’ an feelin’ the wata.” Lucifer’s face scrunched and he turned his head away. Plopping backwards onto the bed to bury his face into the pillow. Unwilling to admit how familiar all that sounded. 

“I know I’m bein’ pushy bein’ here. I can leave if ya want me ta though.” Your eyes locked onto the floor. You counted the breaths he took; each of them slow and even. When you counted 15, you slowly turned your head to look at him. You could only see a small portion of his face since he had turned away. You wondered if he had spent all the emotional energy he could muster on lashing out before.

He wasn’t defensive and he hadn’t sent you away. So you pushed. “Do ya wanna stand or sit in the showa?” 

His head turned enough for his eyes to pin you down, his face impassive now as he studied you. You let him ponder the question, as you reached out to gently pull off his boots. He rapidly blinked, sucking in a breath as he rallied another surge of energy only to be cut off. “I swear no funny bis’ness. I’m just takin’ awff what I can. Ya pants an’ shirt’ll stay awn.”

Slowly, Lucifer’s tension eased from his posture. You continued pulling off both of his boots, carefully setting them off to the side. You saw his hoofs and bit back a smile. Now wasn’t the time to gush about how cute this new aspect of him was. Not the time at all.

You scooted up the mattress, getting a better look at the condition he was truly in; his hair slicked back with grease, deep bags under his eyes, and his usual glowing skin seemed dulled. “I’m gonna sit ya up. ‘kay?” You waited a moment to let the idea grow on him before you slowly worked your hands under his back and brought him forward just enough you could undo and push back his jacket and subsequently his striped vest.

The whole time, he wouldn’t look at you. His eyes finding anywhere else to be. His lips pinched into a tight line. Yet he didn’t pull away. Didn’t make a move to get out of the bed on his own. Didn’t open his mouth to tell you to leave.

When you stood, his head started to turn towards you until you suddenly scooped him up to whisk him away from the bed -thanks monster strength!- catching him off guard. He didn’t struggle to be freed. After a moment, his head even tilted slightly to rest against your shoulder though it lulled forward to hide his face as you strode across the expanse of his room towards the bathroom oozing steam.

The mirror above the vanity had a thin layer of condensation across it, blurring the two of you which you figured was for the better. You turned, ensuring you maneuvered yourself so you nor him would hit off of anything, before you kicked off the heels from your feet and slipped one into the shower. Despite the throng of steam, it had erred on the cooler side which was better than too hot since you didn’t have a hand to spare. “I’m gonna sit ya da’hn unless ya wanna stand.”

“Sitting is fine.” he mumbled before you carefully, and rather awkwardly, lowered yourself and him to the floor of the tub with the showerhead raining water down across his chest. He shuddered at the temperature of the water, leading to hurried movements from you to increase the hot water in small increments. You figured you hit the sweet spot when he sighed out.

“Warma?” you asked softly and he shook his head from side to side as he leaned forward into the stream letting the water run down across his face and through his hair. He sighed again and slowly he pulled his knees up to his chest before his head tilted forward to rest his forehead on them. His arms slowly snaking around his legs to hold it all together. As the water ricocheted out of the tub, you were hesitant to move away. “You gonna be okay if I go swap the sheets out?”

Momentarily, he didn’t move. After a second though, he nodded his head. “Holla if ya need me.” you uttered standing up leaving the curtain drawn back. You made your way out of the bathroom and in a whirlwind had the sheets off bed and the pillows stripped of their cases. You had heard Niffty, or maybe it was Charlie -not that it mattered-, mentioned in the past that there were fresh sheets at the end of every hallway.

You peeked in on Lucifer, statuesque in his huddled position, before bolting out of the room to the end of the hallway, finding a closet packed with sheets. You took a whiff to make sure they didn’t smell musty before pulling out what looked like a set in the right size. You hurried back into the room and checked in on the unmoving Lucifer before beginning to make the bed. 

The endeavor took a few minutes but once you had the sheets done, the pillows re-sleeved, and his comforter back on the bed you slipped into the bathroom once more kneeling down next to him. His shirt, pants, and hair were all thoroughly soaked now. The thin fabric of his top clinging to his nearly matching skin tone, almost looking as if it had molded to his form. Everything about the moment making him look picturesque in a renaissance style way. 

 “Ya want me ta wash ya hair?” you asked softly pulling yourself from your observations, your arms resting on the damp side of the tub. Lucifer turned slightly to side eye you, processing the question, before he nodded. You looked at the space, quickly trying to formulate a plan. “Ya think ya can twist so ya back is against this side of the tub?” you asked, patting the side of the tub you were leaning against. “That way ya body can stay in the wata.”

He nodded again and slowly started to twist until he had pressed his back to the side of the tub near you with his feet propped against the opposing side. You reached for bottle of shampoo you noted in the corner of the tub as he adjusted and waited for him to get as comfortable as he could. He leaned back, letting his head hang over the edge looking back at you.

After getting enough soap to cover the palm of one hand, you gently touched the back of his neck with the other before cupping the base of his head. He held his head up, not relying on your hand. Slowly, you ran the soapy hand up from his neck towards the top of his head, sliding your hand over in small increments as you spread the soap through his hair making sure to get both sides of the head. Once you had spread the soap around, you began to message the soap into his hair in small circles. Carefully, using both hands to work the soap in with your fingertips making sure the soap thoroughly lathered. As you had started to message his scalp, you steadily felt the weight of his head baring down in your hands until you were entirely supporting his head. While it made it a little trickier to work, you didn’t say a thing and just continued with your task finding ways to work around it.

Once you were certain you had worked out most of the grease from the back and sides of his head, you lifted a soapy hand and placed it on the top of his head. Using your fingertips again, you began the circular motions again as you had before to work up a lather before moving your hand in a spiral motion from his crown outwards to spread the shampoo.

At some point you had started humming as you worked. A nameless song. One you had heard in passing and only recalled the melody of. It had been a happier song from what you could vaguely recall but, your humming came out in a lower octave. The once airy tune taking on a more melenonic and ethereal air. One that unintentionally fit the current mood far better.

As you began to finish up working with his hair, your humming tapered off. A subtle shift. “Awlright, time to rinse Luci babe.” the whispered words just audible over the water. He hummed, his eyes fluttering open. You gently propped his head up, letting him gather his bearings before you pulled away just enough so she could twist himself back into his prior position under the stream of pelting water; knees to chest, forehead to knees, arms around his legs, with closed eyes.

“I’m gonna run m’hand through you’re hair.” you announce, giving him a moment before reaching forward to do just that. Your hand squeegeeing the shampoo from his locks as you ran it over his scalp again and again until he was free of suds. You did it a few extra times for good measure though before you pulled away.

With your drier hand, you reached for another towel to dab off your arm and hand before standing up and looking around for a bathrobe. You knew not everyone had one but, considering his usual self, you figured there was a chance he might. You opened the small closet in the bathroom to no avail before helping yourself to the closet in his bedroom. Thankfully, once you opened the door a beautifully royal red robe, with an embroidered gold L over the heart, revealed itself to you hanging by a hook on the back of the door.

 Re-entering the bathroom, you kneeled down to Lucifer’s level. “It’s time ta get aut. Now, I gawt’cha robe… so I was thinkin’ I’d get’cha stood up an put it ova ya shouldas. From there, if ya hold awn ta it I’ll unbutton ya shirt an pants. Then I’ll take ova holdin’ the robe if ya can shuck awff the wet cloths. I’ll take ya back ta bed afta. Kay?”

He gave a lethargic nod and the events proceeded fairly close to how you had described them. Getting him standing had been easy though unbuttoning his shirt and pants had been more of a pain than you had anticipated. Your awkward fumbling leaving your cheeks slightly tinged a rosey hue despite your usual callousness to all things sexual or physically intimate. It hadn’t seemed to phase him thankfully, though you were certain he was spent since his eyes had remained closed through the entirety of your fumbling. The disposing of his clothes, bundling him up in his robe, and getting him back was effortless. You had even managed to grab the last towel and laid it down on his pillow before laying him down and tucking him in.

As you finished getting him sorted, you glanced at the plate of food gone to waste on the nightstand. “I’d like ta see ya eat some’in but, I know I awlraedy put ya through the ringa. Is there anythin’ you really want right now?” 

You looked around the room as you gave him a moment, figuring you could close a majority of the windows back up and draw the curtains again. A decent night of sleep might help and he didn’t need hell’s sound pollution soiling it. Before you could move to take action you heard him finally respond. “Hum that song again.”

You blink and looked back to him seeing his eyes cracked open as he looked at you. “The one from earlia?”

He responded with a slow nod. It made you let out a breathy laugh before you started up the tune. As you hummed, you flitted over to the windows and closed all but one of them. Drawing the curtains back again to darken the room. The open window giving a little life to the curtain hiding it as it pushed and pulled it in a tidal motion while blocking some of the obnoxious city sounds.

You returned to the bathroom, cleaning up the pools of water as best you could with the towel you had haphazardly cast to the floor. Once you were certain the floor would dry on its own, you wrung out the towel in the tub as best you could before hanging it up and taking your leave of that room for the final time turning off the light.

All the while you continued to hum the melody on repeat; sometimes adding notes here or there, playing with the vibrato, or drawing out notes to give different pacing. Not all of the vocal playing worked in your favor but your audience didn’t seem to mind. He looked as though he had fallen asleep. His breathing even and his head having lulled to the side on the pillow.

You contemplated taking your leave. Your presence didn’t seem to be needed any further if he had been able to fall asleep though, you hesitated. Your humming quieted to a whisper and then died off. Shortly after, you heard a soft ‘hm?’ from Lucifer. 

The melody began again and you made your way over to the far side of the bed. Slowly, you lowered yourself to the edge and began making yourself comfortable. You sat down with your back propped up against the headboard and shifted a pillow this way or that before grabbing your phone and turning it on silent. Thankfully you didn’t have work today and if anyone from the hotel asked, you had gone back to your room for the night. You then placed it in your lap with your hands overtop of it. Your head falling back against the headboard watching the sway of the curtains as you zoned into the rhythm. The warm gusts of air caressing the both of you, beckoning you into an entranced momentary haze before eventually succumbing to slumber.

[beautyandlifestyleblog86]

These pairings not only highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients but also demonstrate the importance of using herbs to add depth and complexity to a dish. Whether it's a simple grilled peach dessert with honey and thyme or a classic pasta with basil pesto, the combination of seasonal ingredients and herbs can create a culinary experience that is both delicious and memorable.

Examples of delicious pairings -

1. Grilled salmon with lemon and dill: Pairing fresh salmon with the bright flavors of lemon and dill creates a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for spring or summer. The citrusy notes of lemon complement the richness of the salmon, while the herbaceous freshness of dill adds a pop of flavor.

2. Roasted butternut squash soup with sage: Butternut squash is a fall favorite, and when roasted and blended into a creamy soup with fragrant sage, it becomes a comforting and flavorful dish. The earthy sweetness of the squash pairs beautifully with the savory, slightly peppery flavor of sage.

3. Grilled peaches with honey and thyme: Grilling ripe peaches and drizzling them with honey and a sprinkle of fresh thyme creates a deliciously sweet and savory dessert or side dish that is perfect for summer. The caramelized peaches, sweet honey, and aromatic thyme combine to create a flavor explosion that will tantalize your taste buds.

4. Lemon rosemary roasted chicken: Roasting a whole chicken with lemon slices and fresh rosemary sprigs creates a mouthwatering and aromatic dish that is perfect for any season. The tangy citrus of the lemon complements the woodsy, fragrant notes of rosemary, infusing the chicken with flavor and creating a deliciously juicy and tender result.

5. Pasta with basil pesto: Fresh basil pesto made with basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil is a classic pairing that creates a bright and flavorful pasta dish. The herbal, peppery notes of basil combined with the nutty richness of pine nuts and the salty tang of Parmesan cheese make for a deliciously satisfying meal that is perfect for spring or summer.

[diyrecipes1]

Slow cooker French onion beef

 Ingredients

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

1.2kg beef chuck steak, excess fat trimmed, cut into 3cm pieces

1 brown onion, cut into thin wedges

2 carrots, peeled, coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

180ml (2/3 cup) red wine

40g pkt French onion simmer soup mix

7 fresh thyme sprigs, plus extra, to serve

1 1/2 tbsp cornflour

Mashed potatoes, to serve

Steamed green beans, to serve Click here to continue

[dragonballnewstar]

"Soup?" Her tone made it obvious that she was entirely engrossed by the steaks she was searing.

"For tomorrow's clam chowder...

Ingredients:

1 shallot, thinly sliced (1 oz)

3 tablespoons olive oil

½ cup white wine

2 small cloves garlic, crushed

3 sprig thyme

25 clams in the shell, thoroughly cleaned

½ cup water

2 tablespoons butter

½ leeks, thinly sliced (2 oz)

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced (3 oz)

1 small onion, thinly sliced (4 oz)

6 slices bacon, thinly sliced (3 oz)

½ small Yukon potato, thinly sliced (4 oz)

1/3 cup water

1 cup cream

1 cup creme fraiche

Salt and pepper, as needed"

[najia-cooks]

[ID: Three rectangular, dark golden brown pastries on a plate. The pastries are filled with a deep golden curd, drizzled with white icing, and garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme and curls of lemon peel. A lemon wedge sits to the left of the plate. End ID.]

Puff pastry tarts with lemon-thyme curd

Flaky, crispy puff pastry is topped with a homemade lemon curd in this classic mini-tart recipe, perfect for breakfast, brunch, tea, or dessert. The savory pastry and the brightness of the lemon cut the sweetness of the curd, while fresh thyme adds a bit of minty, peppery complexity.

Recipe under the cut!

Patreon | Tip jar

Makes 12 pastries.

Ingredients:

For the pastry:

1 batch puff pastry

For the curd:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tablespoon agar agar flakes (or 1/2 tsp agar powder)

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

Zest of two lemons (about 1/2 Tbsp)

1/2 cup (120g) non-dairy margarine

2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves, removed from stems and minced

Pinch salt

Crack of black pepper (optional)

Replace the agar with 1 Tbsp of cornstarch in a pinch.

For the 'egg' wash:

1 Tbsp non-dairy milk

1 Tbsp agave nectar

Instructions:

For the curd:

1. Juice and zest the lemons. Scrub lemons under running water for a few seconds to clean their peels (especially if they're not organic). Use a surform tool to zest the lemons, or use a vegetable peeler to remove just the top layer of the peel (trying not to take too much of the white pith) into strips, and then mince.

Press and roll the lemons firmly against a hard surface to make juicing easier, then cut them in half and juice with a reamer or citrus press. Pass the juice through a fine sieve to remove seeds and fibers.

2. Make the curd. Whisk together sugar, agar or cornstarch, lemon zest, thyme, and salt in a small pot. Add lemon juice and stir to combine. Add margarine.

3. Bring curd mixture to a low boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Lower the heat to medium low for and continue to cook, stirring often, or 10-30 minutes until thickened.

You will know it is thick enough when you can run a finger across the back of a spoon dipped in the curd, and the trail your finger made does not collapse back into the curd but remains visible. Keep in mind that it will thicken further as it cools!

4. Remove curd from the pot into a bowl and refrigerate until cold.

For the wash:

Whisk ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.

To assemble:

1. Cut your puff pastry in half and refrigerate the half you're not working with. Roll the other half out into an 8 x 12” (20 x 30cm) rectangle, then cut it into 6 4” (10cm) squares.

2. With a small, sharp knife, score the edges of each square to form a smaller square about two inches in diameter in the center of each pastry. Be careful not to cut all the way through the pastry—you just want to create a little bit of separation while leaving the square in one piece.

3. Refrigerate the dough squares you have formed and repeat with the other half of the puff pastry.

4. Brush the pastry squares with the 'egg' wash mixture and bake in a preheated oven at 400 °F (205 °C) for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.

5. Using a sharp knife, gently trace over the previously scored squares to re-separate; press each central square down, leaving the outer borders puffy and elevated.

6. Add a dollop of lemon curd to each square and garnish with thyme, mint, or candied lemon peel, or drizzle with a mixture of powdered sugar and non-dairy milk.

Note that non-vegan recipes for puff pastry tarts with fruit curd often instruct you to bake them, for some or all of the cooking time, with the curd already added—with an eggless curd, I found that this resulted in the curd bubbling up and spilling over the sides of the pastries, then burning to the bottom.