#almond flour magic

[lavandamichelle]

Gluten-Free Groove: Ditch the Bread, Not the Flavor! (Tips & Tricks for Delicious Eats)

Hey friends, Lavanda Michelle here! Remember those times we’d devour mountains of garlic knots and laugh until our sides hurt? Well, some of my dearest pals have gone gluten-free, and let me tell you, I panicked. Can we still have epic foodie adventures without the bready goodness? Turns out, absolutely! So buckle up, buttercups, because I’m spilling all my gluten-free secrets to keep the party…

[whimsigothwitch]

Banana bread with blackberries and dates

A little kitchen witch magic for you all, I bake all the time so decided that I'll share some recipes once in a while on here too! This banana bread is perfect for (late) Lughnasadh celebrations, or just when you are in the mood to bake.

Witchy touches during baking;

Add the herbs or spices with intention! For example cinnamon for warmth and prosperity, nutmeg for protection and vanilla for love (while you add these spices, stir clockwise and say their magical properties aloud or in your head)

When pouring the cake batter in the baking mold, draw a sigil or rune of choice with intention.

Share the magic with loved ones or with yourself!

Banana bread recipe

240g flour (of choice)

15g baking powder

pinch of soda

1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg powder

Few drops of vanilla/ 1 sachet vanilla sugar

5 dates (pit removed)

2 bananas

2 eggs

50g butter (of choice, can also be oil)

Handful blackberries

Preheat the oven to 210 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients together.

Blend the bananas, eggs and dates in a blender until smooth and add to the dry ingredients.

Mix this together, and add a handful of blackberries. Mash them a bit and fold through the batter.

Grease a cake mold, or cupcake mold with some butter and put the cake batter into the baking mold.

(Optional) You can also add walnuts, almonds whatever kind of nut you’d like.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, check with a skewer (if it comes out dry, the cake is done!)

[moonstrider9904]

Sing Me Like a Folk Song

Crosshair x Female OC (Clair)

Summary: During a calm night at their cottage, Crosshair and his wife have some time to kill while a cake bakes in the oven.

Word count: 2.4k

Tags: Explicit, Smut, 18+ adults only. Domesticity, TBB canon divergent universe, established relationship and marriage, baking and handling of food, soft smut, PIV sex, creampie, oral sex.

This work is part of the Moonlight universe. If you want to read how Crosshair and Clair got together, you should totally check out that story too!!

Main Masterlist | One-shot Masterlist | Crossposted to AO3

Crosshair stepped forward silently, his former sniper instincts creeping into his movements, and he leaned forward for his head to be at the level of his wife’s. His ever-watchful gaze looked over her shoulder as she poured the batter into the sheet and used an offset spatula to even it out, and then, she added the layer of almond-coffee cream on top of the luscious, white cream cheese filling, smoothing that out too. That was his favorite part to watch when she prepared the cake that had quickly become his favorite.

Like music filling his senses, Clair chuckled as she reached for the cake batter to repeat another layer.

“I can feel you there, Cross,” she mused.

Crosshair smiled, and he set his hands gently on her waist, snaking them around her figure, feeling the fabric of her flower-printed dress and the pale pink apron she wore under his touch. He pressed his tall figure onto her small one and delicately kissed her temple, and he took a deep breath that allowed him to get a whiff of the sugar and butter and coffee and almond. Whenever his wife worked her magic in the kitchen, he felt like he was in heaven, but then again, his entire home, their cottage, their little town, and their planet, would qualify as paradise to anyone.

“Good,” Crosshair replied to Clair’s remark.

She laughed softly again. “I kind of need a full range of motion in my arms for this, Berry Pie.”

“You’re the expert baker, that shouldn’t stop you,” Crosshair tightened his grip around her.

Clair giggled. “That’s what I get for making your favorite cake.”

Crosshair peppered kisses around the side of Clair’s face, with gratitude sprinkled over each one of them, and he smirked into her skin when he felt her cheek becoming plump resulting from her own smile. Clair could ask for nothing more—she already had the two things she loved most in the universe, and when they would be together in one calm night in her cottage, baking a delicious cake as she was held by her beloved husband… it let her know life was good, but it wasn’t as if she ever doubted.

Clair had no reason to doubt since she met Crosshair, smirking at her and devouring her with his gaze that day at the Allium café. And he had been a tough nut to crack, but he’d cracked nonetheless, and the snarky, war-driven sniper now clung to her from behind, eagerly watching as she placed raw batter into a pan all because he’d expressed a craving for something sweet, something other than his beautiful wife.

Like an artist brushing paint over a canvas, Clair swirled the offset spatula and smoothed off the last of the batter, evening it out so that it would bake perfectly in the oven. There was just one more detail left, and from a nearby container, Clair grabbed the lumps of butter, flour, and sugar that she’d made before assembling the cake, and she began to sprinkle them over the top of the raw batter.

Crosshair watched her delicate fingers sprinkling the lumps that would result in an exquisite crumble topping, one of the best parts of the cake beside the creamy, sugary almond filling between the layers of bread, and he felt his mouth watering already. Crosshair then removed one of his hands from Clair’s waist and he reached for the glass container where the rest of the raw crumble topping was, and he took a piece from the container into his mouth, not giving a damn if the flour was raw. A little bit wouldn’t do him any harm, as Clair told him each time she baked something. Clair smiled brightly at what Crosshair had just done, and when she saw his hand reaching for another chunk, she playfully swatted it away with the softest of touches.

“You’ll get a bellyache, love,” she said.

Crosshair chuckled, the sound deep and purring into the curve of Clair’s neck, and he let his lips dance around her skin once more and travel up until they were at the level of hers. Clair turned her head and faced him, and she kissed his lips with a passion not unlike the one shared during their first kiss ever. The seconds they spent kissing felt like one delightful eternity, and when Crosshair broke the kiss to look into her deep brown eyes, he let his inner softness emerge as he smiled at his beloved wife.

“I love you so much,” Crosshair whispered before leaning in again, resuming their kiss. He circled his arms around her waist once more and pulled her closer, and Clair giggled into the kiss, causing his chest to flutter. He loved that sound, and he could listen to it forever. It meant that she was happy and that she felt loved, and that was Crosshair’s single duty for the rest of his life.

At least, until it shared priority with a little one who came into the family.

Clair broke the kiss, giggling breathlessly, and Crosshair smirked at how he was still able to leave her dazed and flustered. Shyly, Clair tucked a strand of her black, silky hair behind her ear, and she reached out to get her oven mittens to then clutch the pan with the raw cake.

“Time to put this in the oven,” she cooed.

“Let me,” Crosshair reached for her hands.

But Clair shook her head in return, always proud of her duty as a baker. “Nope. I got it.”

Crosshair leaned on the counter as he watched Clair moving around the kitchen, from the way she opened the oven to how she took the cake and placed it inside, closing the oven door again and setting the timer down on the counter next to the oven. Crosshair’s gaze scanned every curve of Clair’s body when she bent over to put the cake in and when she straightened back up again, and his heart swole with affection at the intimacy of the sight, suddenly overcome with the need to have his arms around her again. With delicate movements, Clair had removed her oven mittens and cast them aside, and her big brown eyes were on him again as she directed a soft smile his way.

“Now we wait,” Clair said.

Crosshair tilted his head and raised his brows as he smirked, pacing over at Clair and reaching out to hold her waist again. “How long do we have to wait?”

“70 minutes,” Clair replied. “This one’s a slow cooker.”

“Oh,” Crosshair moaned softly, pulling Clair closer and feigning wonder. “70 minutes… What can we do in 70 minutes?”

Clair giggled and blushed at his flirting. “I don’t know. Enlighten me.”

Crosshair let out another soft moan that became a chuckle as he bent down, wrapping his arms firmly below Clair’s behind. When he straightened his figure, Crosshair lifted Clair directly up, reveling in her delighted laugh as she kissed him. Then, he slowly set her back down, but their kiss didn’t stop. As he felt Clair’s hands slide up his chest and find their rest at the back of his neck, Crosshair let his own hands travel to the curve of her back where the pale pink apron was tied. With an intricate touch, Crosshair undid the knot behind her back, and then he did the same with the straps that tied around the back of Clair’s neck until the apron was free for him to cast it aside, letting it rest over a chair. Clair whimpered softly into his lips, and the sound set Crosshair ablaze.

He’d waste no more time, and he’d make the most out of those 70 minutes. He bent over and picked Clair up once more, carrying her towards the living room the way he had done through the threshold when she became his bride. Crosshair set her figure delicately over the couch to then hover over her and cage her to it. Their kisses grew in passion and the heat built up between them, and Crosshair slid his hands up the smooth skin of Clair’s legs, slowly snaking under her skirt and up her thighs until they reached the fabric of her lace panties. Crosshair smirked upon feeling the lace at his fingertips, and he wrapped his hands around the rims to pull them down and cast them aside too as he quickly scurried downwards.

Peppering kisses up Clair’s legs, Crosshair slid himself under Clair’s skirt and let the flower-printed fabric drape over his head, shielding each other from their view. Clair looked down at Crosshair under the skirt of her dress and shuddered briefly in excitement, and a velvety moan escaped her when she felt Crosshair brushing his tongue over her sensitive folds. Her hips instantly bucked forward, seeking more of that friction, but she knew her husband well enough to know she didn’t have to ask for it. Crosshair pressed himself more onto Clair’s skin and made love to her folds long enough to bring her climax close, and then he shifted his approach, using his fingers to lift the hood of her clit and grant his tongue better access to the swollen, sensitive pearl.

He flicked his tongue in quick, repetitive motions over the bud and heard Clair’s breath quicken, with her moans and whimpers increasing in pace and in pitch. It wasn’t long before Clair’s thighs were clenching around Crosshair and her moaning filled the entire cottage, with her hips rutting against him to heighten her already breathtaking waves of pleasure. When Crosshair moaned into her clit, Clair threw her head back in ecstasy, as it was the last detail that crowned her orgasm, rendering it one of the best Crosshair had gifted to her. He continued to moan and grunt into Clair’s cunt, adding more and more to her pleasure until she was just at the edge of not being able to withstand such intensity any longer, and Crosshair emerged from beneath her skirt, granting her a moment to catch her breath as he scurried onto the couch next to her.

When Clair regained herself, she climbed onto Crosshair and straddled him. Hungrily, Clair kissed his lips, devouring him as she could taste herself on him, and she trailed her kisses downwards to suck and nibble on the flesh on Crosshair’s neck. Nipping at every one of his sweetest spots, Clair was able to draw moans, and even a few well-placed whimpers, from her otherwise stoic and composed husband. And as she continued, her hands traveled down to undo his trousers, to which Crosshair immediately obliged.

Clair lifted herself from him to get the pants off him with her mouth watering, and she was about to bend over to suck on his large erection when Crosshair gently clenched her cheeks and turned her face to look at him.

“There’ll be time for that later, darlin’,” Crosshair uttered. “I want to be inside you now.”

Clair cooed and giggled as she adopted her previous position, lifting her skirt so that she could position her thighs around Crosshair’s hips, and she sat down on him, moaning at the stretch of his cock inside her walls. Crosshair muttered silent praises at her, and he wrapped his arms around Clair’s waist, holding her so close that her body somehow felt smaller in his grip. She bounced softly on his cock, the pace slow and without any hurry, so tender and delicious, letting the couple feel everything.

Clair looked deep into his eyes as he helped her move up and down his shaft, and Crosshair became immersed in the pleasure flooding his body. His wife gazed down at him sweetly, smiling at him, and even when she muttered loving declarations or tender praise, he didn’t have the headspace to process it. It was enough just to look at her as her figure bounced delicately, and the closer Crosshair got to his release, the more often he shuddered and grunted, part of him wanting to extend the moment to wait for her.

But Clair rested her forehead on his, smiling. “You can cum, love… I want to see you.”

Crosshair moaned and let his head fall back for a moment. If Clair kept speaking like that, he’d take her up on it, and it seemed as if his wife could read his mind at that moment. She whispered sweet words of encouragement, pulling him closer over the edge until all that was left for him was to fall, and Crosshair’s body trembled when the pleasure unleashed itself within him. During the last few moments before his release, Crosshair found it in himself to open his eyes and gaze into Clair’s, and the only thought that could run through his mind was how much he loved that woman, how he worshiped the ground she walked on. Finally, with Clair invading every corner of his mind and his body, Crosshair released inside of her and spilled hot white ropes inside her walls, filling her up so deliciously that she moaned at the sweet tightness inside.

With a bright smile, Clair slipped outside of Crosshair and sat down next to him on the couch, curling up beside him. Her hand rested softly on his chest over the fabric of his shirt, feeling as Crosshair’s pecs rose and fell, with the pace slowly coming back to normal. The two remained there, silent, full of intention to continue gracing one another with wave after wave of pleasure, though only finding it in themselves to bask in the other’s presence. There was nothing else they needed at the moment.

Crosshair looked at Clair and softly leaned in to kiss her forehead. As his lips were in contact with the warmth of her skin, he felt a wave of the sweet, warm scent of the cake baking in the oven—he’d forgotten about that for a moment—and a smile curved his lips as he took a deep inhale and filled his senses with it.

Clair took notice and chuckled. “Does that smell nice?”

“Mm-hmm,” Crosshair agreed, his eyes closing and body relaxing on the couch.

Clair clenched her fist around his shirt and kissed his chest softly before looking up at him. “Do you wanna go stare at the oven?”

Crosshair laughed softly and opened his eyes to kiss his wife’s forehead again. “Yes.”

With an amount of energy that astonished Crosshair for a moment, Clair got up and tugged on Crosshair’s hand, helping him up to standing, and the two made their way into the kitchen once more.

Thank you so much for reading! If you like this, please consider reblogging too to support me!

Back to Moonlight Masterlist

[r1-ka]

btw my current team (financier and caramel arrow have their magic candies, black pearl has the souljam thing i forgot)

for toppings full chocolate for snapdragon amd mystic flour, the special sea raspberries for black pearl, caramel arrow full raspberry, financier full almond

[piratefalls]

sentences sunday

uh...hi? it's been a minute. i watched one of my favorite lesser known 90s romcoms the other day and a lightbulb went off in my head. will it turn into anything? who knows. but here's too many words of chef!buck and businessman!tommy for those who may be interested.

Buck decides to take a peek into the dining hall and is met with the sight of a room full of people crying, waxing poetic about love and broken hearts over the Duck a L’Orange, roasted green beans, and white and wild rice medley with almonds he never could have made two weeks ago. He’s…confused, to put it mildly. He’s had some enthusiastic reactions to his food recently: some unnecessarily angry and others uncomfortably euphoric, but nothing up to this point has reduced his customers to tears. It’s baffled him since it started, but when he looks back and thinks about how he was feeling when he made those dishes - angry at a rude patron, aroused after Tommy first kissed him - the rapid shift in the quality of his cooking starts to make more sense.  Somehow his emotions - his passion, his love, even his current heartbreak - are finding their way into his food, and his customers can feel it too. Now that he’s aware, Tommy’s fear of Buck having put him under some kind of spell makes sense. It hadn’t been his intention, but what he feels is real, and he thinks the same is true for Tommy. He just has to find a way to prove it. So with this knowledge in mind, he heads back into the kitchen and starts thinking about how much he loves cooking. Focuses on how he feels most at home in a kitchen, and the magic of sharing a meal with the people he loves. He closes his eyes and thinks about what feels like home to him. Home is fresh baked bread infused with thyme and rosemary. It’s the dull thud of a knife on a cutting board. It’s flour handprints on an apron and laughing into glasses of merlot. It’s warm soapy water and damp dish towels and the roar of a gas burner igniting. It’s saltfatacidheat. It’s dancing in the warmth of a preheating oven and kissing on the kitchen ceiling. It’s sweet Georgia peaches and Rainier cherries and sour lemons. Home is where love is stored. Home is a kitchen in a tiny little restaurant that, not so long ago, almost ceased to exist. As he settles into the feeling, Buck calls his second audible of this service. Tonight, instead of the pretentious crème brûlée with candied pecans they’ve already started prepping, dessert is a riff on the recipe that started it all: a golden brown caramel eclair, this time with a light vanilla bean whipped cream.

thank you to @onthewaytosomewhere @judasofsuburbia @priincebutt @thinkof-england for being the most encouraging and best people to share a chat with.

and to @blueeyedgrlwrites and @alasse9 and so many people for the tags the last few weeks.

[exhausted-archivist]

Informal Thoughts on Universal Pantry Staples in Thedas

Yes, I'm thinking about food again. So, part of what I’m working on for the Thedosian food project I have is figuring out universal pantry staples for Thedas. I am largely working from canon, but I am also working from a watsonian perspective on what isn’t named canon. Which can be really hard because I have to look at BioWare and not try to explain why a tropical environment would not have an abundance of cherries, or how certain foods don't ship well even in modern terms and thus, no, Ferelden likely shouldn't have access to tomatoes. But hey, I'm working on the suspension of disbelief and trying to figure out how it could work in a world with magic, but where magic is feared and typically reserved for luxuries.

I also didn't include things that would spoil easy, such as: cherries, grapes, lemons, oranges, plums, tomatoes, ect. Essentially anything with a high water content that would spoil easy. But are also super common around Thedas. Mostly because when I think pantry, I think long term storage. I also tried to keep out dairy products and eggs. But there is a way to keep butter for prolonged periods of time, so it got in by a slim technicality.

A quick note: when entering the suggested or speculated portion of these listings, this is not accounting for all economic levels because to do so would mean next to nothing was universal.

Additionally, when it comes to spices, we know that the Avvar value "lowland" spices heavily and use them for special occasions. However, because they aren't staples I was hesitant to include them in these list but opted to do so for no other reason than an idea that if they can get to the Avvar, they are likely commonly available else where. So spices are marked with a *

The canonically stated staples

These are actually pretty sparse. They aren't typically directly called out, but these few are, and so they have their own little section. Outside of that, well it is mostly suggestion.

Barley (At times mentioned to be specifically Fereldan)

Elfroot

Grease

Lentils

Onions

Wheat

Some canonically suggested universal pantry staples due to their common appearance in recipes, use in abundance, use in hard times/as rations, and seen prolifically in-game:

Allspice*

Almonds

Apples

Basil (dried or fresh)

Bay Leaves*

Black Pepper* (Coarse and finely ground)

Butter (typically goat, but cows as well)

Cabbage

Carrots

Cheese

Chocolate

Cinnamon* (ground, whole stick, ect)

Cloves*

Cumin* (crushed, ground, grated, ect)

Dill Seeds*

Dried Beans

Dried Berries (currants, cranberries, raisins, ect.)

Dried Meat

Dried Peas

Fennel Seed*

Flour (typically wheat)

Garlic

Ginger

Ham

Honey

Jam

Leeks

Mace

Mint

Mustard Seed*

Nutmeg*

Oil (not specified)

Oregano (dried or fresh)

Parsley/Mild green herb

Pickled Vegetables

Potatoes

Salt (historically Orlesians in the highlands salted a dragon worth of meat on an annual basis)

Salted Meat

Squashes (Pumpkin and others)

Sugar (typically from sugar cane)

Thyme

Turnips

Vanilla

Vinegar

Wine (Most common seems to be red wine)

If you think I missed anything or have any recommendations or thoughts of your own, please do share! I would love to hear any thoughts on what you think would likely be staples in the pantries of Thedas. If you need to know what is available, you can check out this post I have listing all the flora currently mentioned in Thedas.

[koffeewithkxyupid]

Blue Tokai : A Haven for Coffee Connoisseurs

In the vibrant streets of India, where the scent of spices fills the air and cultural diversity thrives, there lies a haven for coffee lovers and those seeking a boost in productivity. Blue Tokai Café serves as a tranquil oasis, inspiring serenity and creativity. My recent trip with a friend to the Hiranandani branch, along with my many previous visits to other Blue Tokai locations such as Runwal Greens in Mulund West, inspired this blog.

Bathed in soft yellow light, the ambience of Blue Tokai is carefully curated to reduce eye fatigue and evoke a sense of calm, allowing your mind to wander freely amidst the bustling energy of the city. Modern music flows gracefully, filling the air with a melodic backdrop that complements the atmosphere without overwhelming conversation or concentration.  The exceptional service and flexibility offered by the café's staff is commendable for their dedication to meeting individual needs. From customizing orders to providing attentive care, they create a welcoming atmosphere where every patron feels valued. It's this commitment to excellence that sets the café apart and fosters lasting customer relationships.

But it's not just the ambience or the customer service that sets Blue Tokai apart; it's the thoughtful selection of offerings that cater to both body and soul. Indulge in a velvety Coffee Milkshake blending rich espresso, creamy vanilla ice cream, and milk, offering the perfect fuel for a productive day.

Satisfy your cravings with the guilt-free Almond, Oat, and Chocochip Cookie, made with whole wheat flour and without eggs, reminding you that productivity can be delicious.

Explore Vietnamese culture with a classic Vietnamese Coffee, a potent mix of dark cold brew and sweetened condensed milk, invigorating both senses and mind.

Try the Viral Crookie, a delightful fusion of croissant flakiness and cookie chewiness, sure to spark joy with every bite.

For savoury options, enjoy the Roasted Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Homemade Pesto Sauce Croisstata, or the classic Basil Pesto Pasta tossed in a Genovese pesto made with fresh basil, cashew nuts, garlic, cream, and olive oil.

Complete your visit with Blue Tokai's signature Iced Latte, a refreshing blend of espresso, cold milk, and ice, providing the perfect respite from the midday heat. In the realm of specialty coffee, Blue Tokai stands as a beacon of excellence, offering not only a wide array of meticulously crafted beverages and delectable treats but also a space where productivity thrives and inspiration flourishes. So the next time you find yourself in need of a boost, head to Blue Tokai Café and let the magic of coffee and creativity elevate your day.

[momiji-bookhouse]

Hii! Can i have Sweet flower with kazuha for the event please ^v^

[Sweet Flower]: "You've got some flour on your cheek there, darling."

Event Masterlist

pairing: Kaedehara Kazuha x gn!reader

genre: fluff

cw: mention of parent's death

The kitchen is where you feel at home.

It is the place where your first memories were made, where your father would hold you while your mother worked her magic in the kitchen to whip up the sweetest concoctions. You would poke everything curiously, laughing in delight as you swipe a small line of batter onto your mom's cheeks — no doubt at the nudging of your dad.

When you're a little older, you and him would bet on who could steal the most desserts before she notices, resulting in her having to slap your hands several times as you try to swipe an egg tart or cookie, ignoring her scolding while running away with your prize inside your mouth.

When you're not stealing, your mom would let you stay by her side while she bakes, your eyes following her every movement as she moves around gracefully, not a single action wasted.

You watch her make crystalline tanghulu from strawberries and sunsettias, cut squares of perfectly silken almond tofu and pouring osmanthus syrup over them, and press intricate designs onto mooncakes.

At one point, she notices that you begin to spend more time around the kitchen, less to pilfer and more because you're genuinely curious in what she's making and how she's making it. She started you with simple tasks such as pouring ingredients into the mixing bowl and cutting fruits with a child-proof knife, gradually teaching you how to wrap black sesame paste into glutinous tangyuan balls and make the creamiest puddings.

Many of your early attempts would come out misshapen and not quite right, but your dad would always eat them with gusto, no matter if you accidentally burnt it too much or put the wrong amount of ingredients in. Something kindled inside of you as you watch your parents eat the desserts you made, motivating you to work even harder next time to get it right.

You keep these memories of a narrow kitchen with walls seeped with the smell of sugar and spice and the echoes of laughter close to your chest. Especially when your mother was taken away by a swift and incurable disease.

You didn't think it would be possible for a kitchen to become more cramped, but everywhere you turn, a phantom of what was once was would haunt your vision. You alternate wildly between spending all your time in that tiny space and avoiding it all together, unable to bear to look at it. Your dad did most of the cooking when you both got tired of takeouts, no sugary scent wafted through the house.

It took a long time of crying, partial healing, and reflecting before you could step into the place without breaking down. Longer still for you to touch the well-worn baking equipments. Once you returned, you couldn't stop.

Like many, your mom didn't write down any of her recipes, instead relying on instinct and knowledge passed down from parent to child from each generation. Even if she did write them down, you had no doubt that she would be using words like "a pinch of this" or "a dash of that". She never taught you in precise measurements and instructions, but instead in how to feel.

This leads you to go down an obsessive rabbit hole, trying desperately to capture the taste you once knew, no matter how many batches it takes or how many sleepless nights. Your dad eats them all as he always does, even when he holds you close while you break down in tears, his own trailing down his cheeks.

It's a cathartic way of healing, but you heal nonetheless, no matter how slowly it takes. It culminated until one day you sink your teeth into a bouncy piece of almond tofu, and everything falls away until you're a child again, being lifted by your dad as both of you take a sneaky sip of the syrup, the sound of your mom's scolds faded in the background. You embrace your dad, and for the first time in a while, the tears in both of your eyes were joyful.

You realize that as much as baking heals you, watching other people eat your creations and see the memories washing over them heals you, too. You began to work multiple jobs here and there, and with help from your dad, managed to open up a bakery of your own. You make sweets that are familiar to the people of Liyue, but what sets you apart is that you're willing to make anything your customers ask of you. You've even had some customers from Mondstadt and Sumeru who came looking for a taste of home. You accepted all of their requests, as long as they're able to teach you or bring you a recipe. Atsuko in particular has become a regular, coming to pick up a mochi or two before going off to job hunt again.

It warms you to see your customers so happy, and that makes up for all of the hard work and endless nights poring over your failed experimentations.

One day, you open up as usual, putting all the freshly-made goods into the glass display case and placing the containers of fragrant tea leaves onto the counters. You just got word that the Crux have returned to harbor and was preparing for the sailors that would no doubt walk through your doors.

You're in the middle of putting another batch of egg tarts into the oven when you hear the door opens. You turn around, armed with your best smile to greet the customer. What you didn't expect to see is a young man in Inazuman clothing, the maple motif on his kimono matches the red streak in his pale white hair. He looks around your bakery curiously, and any interest you have about what an Inazuman is doing in Liyue in the middle of a highly publicized Sakoku Decree is squashed down by your customer service instincts.

"Hello, can I help you with anything?" You ask politely.

His eyes rest on you, the color reminding you of glazed sunsettias. He smiles, and your heart can't help but give a thump at how it lights up his youthful and attractive face.

"Good morning, this place was recommended to me, but I'm not too familiar with the sweets of Liyue. Could you recommend me something?"

"Of course. What is your preference when it comes to sweets? Do you like it to have more of a balanced, bitter aftertaste? Or something tart and citrusy?"

He thinks for a moment. "I have never really thought about it. Perhaps something light and airy to wash away today's humid weather?"

"I've got just the thing. For here or to go?"

"For here, please."

You nod and direct him to a table while you go to the back to retrieve the chilled almond milk. You cut them and scoop the delicate squares onto the plate, pouring just the right amount of golden syrup onto them, garnishing with a sprinkling of crushed almonds.

You place the dish down in front of him. "This is almond tofu with osmanthus syrup. Let me know if you need anything else."

You go to serve the next customer, wrapping up their order and receiving Mora from them. As you busy yourself, you can't help but glance over to him, eager to see his first reaction.

He spoons a piece of the glistening, white-jade jelly and slowly puts it into his mouth. Your mouth curves upwards when you see his eyes widening, a look of surprise crossing over his face. He takes a second bite, this time closing his eyes to slowly savor it. The romantics would say that in that moment, you can see an aura of flowers and sparkles radiating from him, and you like to think you're one of them. This is why you do what you do, after all.

After that, he stops by whenever he can, always taking the time to talk to you or even help out in the bakery when you needed. That's how you came to know him better, learning his name and bits of his past, the ones that he was willing to share with you.

(You're not so clueless as to not notice the faraway look in his eyes.)

As a sailor, Kazuha never remains on land for long, quickly whisked away by the calling of the sea as he sets out with the Crux to new adventures. But whenever he returns to Liyue Harbor, not only would he visit you, he would bring you ingredients from horizons far away. Valberries from windy Mondstadt, crunchy Lavender Melons the color of lightning, fragrant Padisarahs that shines purple when grounded. He gives them all to you without asking for anything in return, even when you insisted and managed to shove a dozen egg tarts into his hands.

However, you're determined to do something for him. So you went to Atsuko to ask her about Inazuman sweets and whether she can teach some to you. It took a few weeks of experimenting and endless baking in your kitchen, but you're finally able to make something that you're proud of. The next time that you catch wind of the infamous fleet anchoring itself at the harbor, you're ready for him as he walks through the door.

Kazuha glances at the plate that you offered in front of him. "Is this...what I think it is?"

You nod excitedly. "Surprise! I can't let you leave empty-handed this time." You put a hand up to stop him. "No buts, Kazuha. Please, just taste-test this for me? I want to make sure I got it right."

He takes a translucent Mizu Manjuu from the plate, and your heart can't help but thrum in your ears in anticipation. He pops it cleanly into his mouth, causing you to lean forward to catch his reaction.

He chews, and the longer he does the more you notice the gold flecks in his eyes sparkling back at you. An emotion that you recognize in many of your other customers take hold of him, one that twists the face into euphoric happiness and subsequent nostalgic sentimentality. In that moment, what memories had flooded him?

"This is..." There's a catch in his voice. "This is absolutely delicious. How did you learn to make these?"

"I have some help." You smile in satisfaction. "Did they taste like the real thing?"

"That and everything more. You have a marvelous talent, (Y/N). Your sweets have a special quality that I don't think even the best vendors in Inazuma could hope to replicate."

The blush that blooms from your cheeks travel all the way up to the tips of your ears. "You flatter me too much, Kazuha."

The white-haired ronin raise a hand close to your cheek, wiping away the streak of flour on it and leaving a behind a tingling trail, his smile genuine. "My words may be embellished, but they are never insincere."

You realize then though you love to feed all of your customers, you've come to love feeding Kazuha the most. He weaves his way into your heart as easy as the wind through your hair, planting himself into every corner of your mind and refuses to let go. It's as natural as shaping perfectly round sweet buns, so much so that you never feel like you have to rely on a recipe or method, even with your first kiss.

That's how you find yourself having to smack your boyfriend's hand as he dips a finger into the bowl of matcha cream that you're mixing.

"Kazuha," you scold. "That's for the dorayaki."

"I'm just tasting for you, my love," he says innocently. "It's delicious, as usual."

"For your information, I've already tasted it." You push the bowl further away from him. "I remember saying that about the red bean filling too, but that didn't stop you, did it?" Even as you say so, you find yourself giving him the spoon you used. Consider it a reward for him making the pancakes.

So there you stand with Kazuha in the cramp kitchen — him somehow still able to flip the pancakes expertly while having a hand around your waist, you spreading the filling onto them, both of you laughing and sneaking sweet kisses.

The kitchen smells of butter and sugar. And gods, does it feel like home.

[macaron-alice]

Hiemelda and spring

As Hima has been living on Earth for two years now, from time to time she misses her home planet Zenith, and returns there to visit her family. So now, on one of the cold February days, looking at the snowstorm outside the window, Hima’s thoughts left the Earth far away, and Hima herself followed them. She really wanted a warm late spring, when the sun shines brightly, everything around comes to life and blossoms, but there is still coolness and freshness in the air, yet spring is not a hot summer, so this time of year inspires Hima very much. In the place where Hima's family lives, it is always winter (it is a bit different from winter on the Earth because inhabitants of Zenith have long learned to control the weather so there is never a snowstorm on Zenith).

[The Lavenderwine family are caretakers of one of the largest conservation gardens on the planet. The garden is covered with a huge dome and has sections. There are optimal temperatures in every section maintained for the animals and plants living in it.] There are some sections where seasons changes like on Earth, and there are those inside of which is eternal spring. So when some flowers bloomed, others immediately began to bloom. Hiemelda decided have some rest in this section.

Hima loves to collect flowers, but she does not pick them, but creates exact copies of them using her magic. Such copies retain all the properties of a flower - color, structure and smell; such a flower will never wither. Hima also likes to take beautiful photos of the park and drink wine. The Lavenderwine family not only ensures the functioning of the garden under the dome, but also produces lavender wine on an industrial scale. A separate section is allocated for lavender fields. Hima also likes walk there. The adult members of the family like to drink lavender wine. Hima has a small bottle of lavender wine with her, Hima also carries a set of tea cups and saucers and drinks wine from them like tea. Her brothers and sisters can join this “tea party”. Hima's bottle is magically connected to the wine storage, so that whenever it is empty, it is refilled. The people of Zenith, by the way, are not as susceptible to alcohol as regular people, so Hima’s condition will not change even if she drinks a lot of wine. And of course Hima eats sweets with wine. Surprisingly, Hima discovered her favorite sweet on Earth - French macaron. Now she has mastered their recipe perfectly and distributes macaron to everyone around her. Also thanks to Hima, almonds are now grown on Zenith, which is necessary to create almond flour - the main ingredient in macaron.

[tozettastone]

With a deep, weary sigh: so it turns out you can't buy any almond meal/flour product from the Coles lines, because although they advertise it as an "ideal substitute for wheat," on the front of the package it is in fact processed on the same equipment as wheat products and they have to include the "may contain," allergen declaration on the back in teeny tiny writing. No, they aren't hiding their magic, actually-GF almond products in the health food aisle. I did not find a single GF almond flour/meal product in my local.

I'm sure this will not bamboozle anyone's aging aunt who is trying to serve 15 people over the holiday season and is unused to accommodating the 2 coeliacs in the family.

I can't believe I'm about to declare any kind of loyalty to a major supermarket, but even the metro Woolies carry their "macro," wholefoods lines, from which the almond meal (for now, according to its declaration) is gluten free.

[quietlywatchingwritingreading]

I was inspired by @somegaybones post over here, decided to try and gather up some various Cookie Biology ideas.

do to discussion of speculative biology, and the potential triggers related to that, I'm putting this under a readmore.

Various Known Things:

-All cookies contain Jam, with jam acting as a replacement for blood. However we also have an idiom using syrup (“you can cover icing, but you can’t hide syrup”) which might imply that there are different blood types for different cookies. With Strawberry Jams being the most common, but other flavors/syrups might exist. 

-Cookies don’t have bones, but in Ovenbreak Dr. Bones exists. Also whenever they revivs anyone they show up with little cartoon skeletons. It’s probably just meant to be a fun visual gag. Still, Rye Cookie is shown to have little Dough Teeth, and Capsaicin has a lot of small, sharp pointy teeth. So it’s possible that cookies have a dough skeleton that crumbles with the rest of them, replacing what would be bone. (Capsaicin’s teeth may be in reference to Pepper Seeds, one of the the hottest parts of a pepper. )

-Cookies canonically have souls/spirits/ghosts. Some cookies even are ghosts/spirits.

-Cookies are all inherently magical, but not every cookie can cast magic. Magic seams to have some sort of genetic component tied to it. There is some Magic that most wizards can use, such as Flight, and very specific magic tied to the cookie. For example, The Paladins all have light magic, and apparently this is a physical part of their dough, as Strawberry Crepe detected it In Madeleine.

-on that last note a cookie’s dough can contain abstract things like ‘Convincingness ‘ in their dough, as a physical detectable object.

-Cookies are bald. Their hair is actually Cream, and that cream can be dyed. (Espresso, Almond cookie, and Dark Choco Cookie all were explicitly stated to have dyed hair. ) 

-Cookie reproduction exists. In ovenbreak they all escaped from the oven. However there are definitely cookies with parents/family linages. 

-Cookies can scar, and 'healing flour' was mentioned at one point.

[nihonnojihifukainomajonoseiiki]

I made heart-shaped macarons for a love spell.

These heart-shaped macarons not only taste delightful but also contain magical energy, making them perfect for a love spell or romantic gesture.

What you'll need to make heart-shaped macarons for a love spell

1 cup almond flour (symbolizes fertility and protection)

3/4 cups powdered sugar

3 large egg whites, at room temperature (for clarity and purity)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract (for sweetness in relationships)

Red gel food coloring (symbolizes love, passion, and romance)

Edible gold dust (for beauty and attraction)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cups powdered sugar

50g fresh strawberry puree (symbolizes love and romance)

1 tsp rosewater (symbolizes love and romance)

1 tsp vanilla extract

A pinch of cinnamon (to heat up passion)

Instructions

Prepare your space. Before starting, cleanse your kitchen space by burning sage or using a cleansing spray. Set an intention that this macaron baking is dedicated to love, attraction, and connection.

Set your intentions for love and attraction while sifting the almond flour and powdered sugar together. Visualize a loving relationship or partner being drawn to you.

Beat the egg whites in a bowl until frothy. As you do this, speak or think affirmations like, "As these eggs rise, so does love blossom in my life." Gradually add granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites carefully, creating a smooth batter. Stir in the red gel food coloring until evenly mixed.

Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe small heart shapes onto a lined baking sheet. Let them sit for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake the macarons for about 12-15 minutes. Let them cool completely.

Beat butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the strawberry puree, rosewater, pinch of cinnamon, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined. The filling should be fragrant, romantic, and full of sweetness.

Transfer the filling to a piping bag.

Once the macaron shells are cooled, pipe the filling onto one shell and sandwich it with another.

Dust the finished macarons lightly with edible gold dust. Gold is often associated with beauty and the divine, so visualize your aura glowing with love and attraction as you do this.

Before serving or consuming, hold your plate of heart-shaped macarons, and charge them with your energy. Speak or meditate on your intention: “With these sweet treats, I attract love, devotion, and passion into my life. Let my love be returned tenfold.”

Share the macarons with your lover during a romantic evening or date night. You can even eat some yourself, as part of a self-love ritual.

[bygoody]

Adorable Hello Kitty Cookies to Brighten Your Day!

Who can resist these super cute Hello Kitty-shaped cookies? 😻🍪 Perfectly baked, sweet, and oh-so-fun to make! Whether you’re a Hello Kitty fan or just love adding a playful twist to your baking, these cookies will bring a smile to your face. 🌸🎀 Grab your favorite cookie cutter and decorate them with colorful icing for an extra touch of kawaii magic! ✨ #HelloKittyCookies #KawaiiBakes #BakingFun

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract

½ tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Pink, white, and yellow royal icing for decorating

Edible black food marker or black icing for the face details

[breadmakerforglutenfreebread]

Unleash the Gluten-Free Baker Within: Bread Maker Magic

In today's culinary world, where dietary preferences and health consciousness shape our choices, gluten-free baking has emerged as both a trend and a necessity for many. As more individuals seek alternatives to traditional wheat-based products, the demand for gluten-free options has skyrocketed. This trend has prompted innovation in kitchen appliances, notably in the realm of bread makers. Enter the realm of Bread Maker Magic: Unleash the Gluten-Free Baker Within.

Understanding the Gluten-Free Craze

Gluten-free diets are not just a passing fad but a dietary requirement for individuals suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Even those without these conditions often choose gluten-free options for perceived health benefits, including improved digestion and increased energy levels. This shift in dietary preferences has created a burgeoning market for gluten-free products, including bread, which historically has been challenging to replicate without gluten.

Read more:

Gluten Free Bread Machines and Mixes

Frequently Asked Questions About Bread Machines

The Rise of Bread Makers in Gluten-Free Baking

Bread makers have traditionally been hailed for their convenience in home baking, simplifying the bread-making process from start to finish. In recent years, manufacturers have responded to the demand for gluten-free options by designing bread makers specifically tailored to accommodate gluten-free recipes. These machines not only mix and knead gluten-free dough effectively but also bake it to perfection, producing loaves that rival their gluten-containing counterparts in taste and texture.

Features to Look for in Gluten-Free Bread Makers

When selecting a bread maker for gluten-free baking, several key features enhance the baking experience:

Dedicated Gluten-Free Setting: Ensures proper mixing, kneading, rising, and baking tailored to gluten-free recipes.

Customizable Programs: Allows users to adjust kneading and rising times to suit specific gluten-free flours and recipes.

Non-Stick Interior: Facilitates easy removal of gluten-free bread, which tends to be stickier than traditional dough.

Additional Accessories: Such as gluten-free recipe books or measuring tools, to further support gluten-free baking endeavors.

See more: https://www.merchantcircle.com/breadmakerforglutenfree-orlando-fl

Mastering Gluten-Free Bread Recipes

Creating gluten-free bread at home requires an understanding of alternative flours and ingredients. While rice flour and tapioca starch are common bases, experimenting with almond flour, chickpea flour, or sorghum flour can impart unique flavors and textures to gluten-free loaves. Incorporating xanthan gum or guar gum helps simulate the elasticity and structure that gluten provides, ensuring a satisfying rise and crumb in the finished bread.

Tips and Tricks for Gluten-Free Baking Success

Achieving bakery-quality gluten-free bread at home can be challenging but rewarding with the right approach:

Follow Recipes Closely: Especially ratios of wet to dry ingredients to achieve the desired consistency.

Allow for Proper Rising Time: Gluten-free dough often requires longer rising times to achieve optimal texture.

Experiment with Flours: Mix different gluten-free flours to find combinations that suit your taste preferences.

Use Fresh Ingredients: Particularly active yeast and baking powder to ensure a good rise in your bread.

The Future of Gluten-Free Bread Making

As technology advances and consumer demand grows, the future of gluten-free bread makers looks promising. Manufacturers continue to innovate, integrating more advanced features such as smartphone connectivity for recipe sharing and real-time baking updates. These advancements not only make gluten-free baking more accessible but also empower individuals to experiment with new flavors and textures in their homemade bread.

Conclusion

Bread Maker Magic: Unleash the Gluten-Free Baker Within embodies both the evolution of dietary preferences and the innovation in kitchen appliances. As more individuals embrace gluten-free lifestyles, the role of bread makers in facilitating this transition becomes increasingly significant. Whether you are new to gluten-free baking or a seasoned enthusiast, a dedicated gluten-free bread maker can transform your kitchen into a hub of culinary creativity and delicious experimentation. Embrace the journey of gluten-free baking with confidence, knowing that with the right tools and ingredients, you can achieve bakery-quality bread that satisfies both the palate and the dietary needs of your loved ones.

[bluezenzennie]

𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓸 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼! 𝓦𝓮𝓵𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓮𝓪 𝓣𝓾𝓮𝓼𝓭𝓪𝔂 ~

A little something made by my friend Flora and I, where we share tea stories, poetry, recipes, moodboards and more!

All are allowed to come sit in the lounge and share some tea and cake, as we enjoy each other's presence. Last but not least, remember to tag Flora and I in your tea Tuesday posts! We'd love to see what you have in store for this Tuesday's tea time.

Today's theme is: "Early summer mornings"

𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓪𝔀𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓶𝓾𝓯𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓼

Early summer mornings call for freshly baked goods! So I say you and I bake some lovely strawberry muffins and then go outside to eat them while enjoying the slow sunrise.

( Strawberry muffin recipe! )

Servings: 12 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Total Time: 50 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with knife, plus 2 teaspoons more for tossing with strawberries

2 teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon salt

1 stick or ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon almond extract

�� cup milk

2¼ cups diced strawberries, from 1 pint, divided

2 tablespoons turbinado sugar, for topping

( Follow the rest of the instructions of the linked text up top and enjoy <3 Heads up that if you are like me and don't use fahrenheit, you'll need a converter to help you figure out right measurements! )

𝓣𝓮𝓪 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓹𝓸𝓮𝓽𝓻𝔂

The brisk air of the early summer morn kisses against your skin and bathes your warm body with careful cool breezes. Alive, at peace from the heavy heat that'll loom above us later in the noon. I cannot deny, though, that the comforting warmth of the early hour makes me appreciate the weather. There is a certain charm to it, the cold breeze mixed with the to be warm weather. Not too hot, not too cold. Simply stuck in something more tolerable, temperate.

Magics of the world. Mother nature works in her own strange ways, giving us the loving embrace of the morning dew in summer and clearing our bodies with the freshness it bears. The sun taunts during the day. Testing the waters and licking against our skin.

But not here in the early morning as it rises to greet us. It smiles, showing us the art it can create in the sky with its light and grace. Showing us colors we will never get tired of.

Early summer mornings are to be enjoyed and appreciated for the calm and beauty they bring. For the laughs with friends, for the comfort of solitude.

Tea Tuesday taglist: @a-world-of-whimsy-5-5 @barbedwireandfences @evander-fucklear @edensrose

And we will see you next Tea Tuesday <3 Next theme will be announced Friday!

[mysteriouslyjellyfish]

last night I dumpstered some bruised apples and a big tub of mixed nuts.

today I waved my kitchen wand over them and now I have full jars of applesauce and mixed nut butter. magic. magic snacks.

mmmmm. for some reason I don’t always really like eating nuts, but I do love me some cashew+almond+hazelnut+pistachio+walnut butter.

it was bonkers cold last night but I’m glad I went. I also acquired a bunch of other fruits and veggies, tomato basil bread, assorted bagels, and all-purpose flour. once again contemplated a package of bacon but I just can’t bring myself to take meat. yet. maybe someday? maybe not. also encountered cans and cans of cannellini beans but they were all bulging, and that’s a dumpster no-no.