#also Jake cooks many spicy food here

[merry-andrews]

Fallen Angel Bradley;

After stealing a lighting bolt and gifting it to humankind (because Bradley has a heart of gold💛) he's banned from heaven and tho he lives between people for many, many years. Until he meets Jake in flight school (being an angel doesn't mean you shouldn't have a job!) Jake who is a little lost demon, banned from Hell because demons born from fire with a burning scar on their body, naming their human mate (isn't that true? Everyone of us has a little evil somewhere hidden inside that sometimes whispers things like; it's OK to eat more cookies right before lunch!🤭) but Jake's mate was an angel.

They become rivals, somewhere in the middle one argument leads to another, turns to yelling that echoes around empty locker room and Bradley rushes in, kisses Jake so hard to shut him up so it's how they start sleeping together ❤. They find out about their true identify but they still love each other!

Finally one day, Gods forgive Bradley for stealing fire and so he's given his wings to return but.. he decides to stay between people on Earth with his demon partner forever💗.

[nightghoul381]

Ellis Twilight ~ Main Route Mad Love Chapter 23 + Letter

Disclaimer for route warnings | Masterlist

Additional Content Warnings: Spicy content so MDNI

This a fan translation so it is definitely not 100% accurate. I do not own anything related to Ikemen Villains. Support Cybird by buying their amazing stories!

Part 1

After hearing the truth that Jude had uncovered, I was in Ellis’ room.

When I tried to put down the cup of piping hot milk that I had wrapped in both hands, our hands touched…

Ellis: “…”

The hand that had left the cup was held tightly.

(It’s been a long time since we spent time together like this…)

Kate: “I know I’ve said it already, but… thank you for your help.”

Kate: “Also, I’m sorry.”

Ellis: “Huh?”

Ellis tilted his head curiously.

Kate: “The last time I came here, I made you say it would be better if we weren’t together…”

Ellis: “In that case, I should thank you for that, Kate.”

Kate: “Eh?”

Ellis: “And that you’ve always tried to take good care of my heart.”

Ellis: “Even though I was only capable of loving in such an abnormal way that even my parents called me the devil, you accepted me.”

Ellis: “…I was happy. Thank you.”

(I should keep my distance from Ellis—I don’t know how many times I’ve thought that…)

Kate: “Every time I wonder if I should get any closer to you Ellis…”

Kate: “I was touched by your kindness… and I couldn’t let go.”

Kate: “Like cranberry jam spilling out of a jar that’s fallen over on the table.”

(It can never be put back into the original container again… my heart too will never return to how it was.)

--That was my relationship with Ellis.

Ellis: “…Spilled jam?”

As if he’d just thought of something, Ellis’ eyes narrowed mischievously.

Ellis: “When the mission is over, let’s make some together.”

Ellis: “Let’s eat some delicious food while we’re shopping for ingredients, and then cook it in the kitchen when we get home.”

Kate: “Jam?”

Ellis: “Yeah. You said your heart is like jam.”

Ellis: “I thought maybe I could understand how you feel if we ate it together.”

Ellis: “I want to know everything, like why you fell in love with me, Kate, and what you were thinking.”

Ellis: “I want to get closer to your heart, so I can make you happy.”

His gentle gaze flickered behind his soft bangs.

Kate: “The next time we go out… will that be considered a date?”

Part 2

Kate: “The next time we go out… will that be considered a date?”

Ellis: “We’re a couple now, so no matter what anyone else says, I say it’s a date.”

(Going shopping for ingredients and making jam with Ellis…)

I was excited to have another fun event planned.

Kate: “I’m looking forward to it!”

Ellis: “Yeah.”

What I’d realized through this experience wasn’t just my gratitude toward Ellis.

When I thought about how I was constantly being protected by Ellis during missions, I felt a sense of regret and shame.

(I need to pull myself together so I can continue to be by Ellis’ side.)

(Because I want to have more exciting plans in the future with Ellis.)

As I secretly pumped myself up in my mind, Ellis snatched the cup from my hand.

The hot milk had long since run out, and my empty hand was embraced by a hand far larger than my own.

Ellis: “…Hey, are you ready for bed?”

As he looked into my eyes, I suddenly had a sense of déjà vu come over my heart.

--Flashback—

Ellis: “…Shall we sleep together?”

Ellis: “I don’t care either way.”

Ellis: “As long as it makes you happy, then it’s fine.”

--End Flashback—

It was similar to what Ellis had said to me after Jake’s tragic end.

Ellis was worried that I would have nightmares because he’d scared me.

(But, he seems to be acting the same as always.)

(Ellis’ smile had seemed somehow distant and sad…)

(But now--? Has the secret box been opened?)

I looked up at Ellis with my heart beating hard, and the moment our eyes met, he pulled me to himself tightly.

Ellis: “I won’t let you leave today.”

Part 3

Ellis: “I won’t let you leave today.”

(It seems like the secret box was opened…)

Moreover, now that the box had been opened, it seemed as if I had been swallowed whole.

Ellis’ strong arms conveyed all his feelings.

(I won’t leave…)

(Oh no! I thought we were just going to drink hot milk, so I didn’t bring any clothes for tomorrow.)

My face suddenly grew hot and all sorts of trivial thoughts started to pop into my head

Ellis: “I’m not going to ask ‘not tonight?’.”

Ellis: “Even if you think it’s no good, Kate, I can’t let you go.”

Ellis: “My selfish desire to make you happy takes priority.”

After the sweet whisper, my feet left the floor.

Kate: “Oh…”

Ellis picked me up, and the bed was right there in front of us… but I couldn’t refuse.

When I was gently laid down on the sheets, I was enveloped by the smell of the sun and Ellis.

However, the feeling of peace only lasted for a few seconds, and after that, I was at the mercy of the kisses that came one after the other.

Kate: “…Mmm…Mmmnn”

It didn’t stop at just the kiss… Ellis’ tongue pried open my mouth just like that.

The sound of our clothes rubbing against each other was music to my ears, and my body grew hotter and hotter.

Ellis: “I won’t go all the way today."

Kate: “…ngh,….”

He whispered after long kiss and for a moment, I was unable to think clearly.

Kate: “You don’t want to…?”

After taking several deep breaths, I was finally able to ask.

Perhaps I had an anxious look on my face, because Ellis hugged me tightly, as if to convey his feelings.

Ellis: “Of course I do. I want to make love to you right now.”

Ellis: “…It’s gotten to this point.”

Ellis pulled my hand closer, stroking it down his toned stomach…

Kate: “Ah…”

The moment my fingertips touched it, my skin grew hot all the way to the tips of my ears.

Ellis quickly let go of my hand, but

His warmth still lingered on my fingertips, and I could no longer look him in the face.

(…That’s Ellis’…)

I could tell he was clearly being patient.

Gradually, rather than feeling embarrassed about myself, I began to wonder if Ellis was okay the way he was.

(Why are you holding back with me…?)

Kate: “Are you really not going to go all the way…?”

Part 3

(Why are you holding back with me…?)

Kate: “Are you really not going to go all the way…?”

Ellis: “I don’t want to overwork you, Kate.”

His sweet smile made my heart ache.

But while I was happy to feel loved and cherished, I also felt frustrated.

Kate: “I’m glad you care about me Ellis.”

Kate: “But, I’d be happier if you felt good too, Ellis…”

Ellis: “…!”

I could feel his throat moving up and down, and his breathing became slightly irregular.

Ellis’ eyes shook a little, he took a breath, then he looked back at me and spoke.

Ellis: “…Not yet.”

***CHOICES***

1. Don't lie

2. You're kind, aren't you?

**3. You’re confused about how to answer right now? +4 +4**

***

Kate: “But, you’re confused about how to answer right now?”

Part 4

Kate: “But, you’re confused about how to answer right now?”

Ellis: “…Mmm,

Ellis murmured and then laid me down on the bed.

Ellis: “I won’t go all the way, but I’ll find lots of places where you feel good, Kate.”

Ellis: “What would happen to you if I did something to you, Kate?”

Ellis: “I’ll remember where you get weaker, and then I’ll make it even better next time.”

Ellis: “So don’t worry and just enjoy this.”

Kate: “Huh, wait a minute, what? Ellis…”

Naturally, Ellis didn’t wait.

Kate: “Haaah…ngh!”

In no time I was stripped naked and found myself moaning sweetly beneath Ellis’ body.

(It feels so good, I can’t control myself…)

My breasts bounced in his palm, and he caressed the tips with this lips and tongue…

The fingertips running along the space between my thighs made a lewd squelching sound.

Her body, not yet accustomed to his touch, experienced a new sensation of pleasure for the first time—

At last, I let go of my rationality in the overflowing joy.

Ellis: “I’m glad I was able to find a lot of your weak spots, Kate.”

Ellis: “Thank you for showing me your cutest face, and making me happy too.” 6789

Kate: “…Ellis, aah.”

At the whisper that fell in my ear, my body trembled sweetly.

My body was melted from the pleasure and I was being held gently in his arms…

And I fell into a comfortable sleep—

Kate had a happy look on her face as she fell asleep

(I want to stare at her forever.)

I wanted to make Kate happy.

I wanted to spoil her so much that she couldn’t live without me.

I could feel that desire swirling deep inside my stomach.

--“In the end, your own desires are the most important thing”

An unforgettable voice echoed in my head.

(…I wonder if Kate will get sick of this one day.)

(If that time comes…)

(No, I’ll fill Kate with happiness before that comes—)

I smiled and gently placed my hand around the sleeping Kate’s neck.

While imagining that ‘someday’.

The mastermind behind kidnapping me and trying to frame Crown—

The Privy Councilman was manipulated by Crown leaking two pieces of information at different times.

The first piece of information was “I was still a prisoner of the gang.”

The second piece of information was “A Crown employee took the bait.”

William, Lord Elbert, and Alfons all worked hard.

Both pieces of information were fabricated and sent to the Councilman, disguised as gang reports.

--And tonight, we succeeded in luring the Councilman out.

The mission would be carried out by Jude, Ellis, and Roger.

I was allowed to accompany them to fulfill my duties as fairy tale keeper.

Ellis: “Kate, please watch from a distance.”

Ellis had a worried look on his face and had expressed his concern about me many times since we left.

Kate: “I’ll be in a place where I won’t be a burden to anyone.”

Ellis: “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

I knew that, but I just smiled back at Ellis.

I wanted to see the outcome of this incident,

No matter what I said, Ellis wasn’t going to stop worrying.

Ellis: “I don’t want you to hate me, Kate… so I have to stay calm.”

His anxious expression hadn’t changed, but I got the feeling that what he was worried about was a little different than before, so I turned around.

Kate: “Why would I hate you…?”

Next Chapter

[chekovs-fuckup]

100 Homestuck Headcanons Of Mine

Both Meulin and Nepeta say “hewwo” unironically. They can also replicate the OwO and UwU faces near perfectly.

Roxy loves Five Nights At Freddie’s, Undertale, and Minecraft.

The Striders and Lalondes have a group Minecraft server.

One time Roxy convinced Rose to play Halo with her, Dirk, and Dave. That was when they found out Rose was surprisingly good at it, and Fortnite.

The trolls all love Animal Crossing

Actually, everyone loves Animal Crossing.

The Mayor is the only one who had Raymond. That is because Dave gave him Raymond.

Everyone else wants Raymond.

Vriska stabbed someone for Raymond. She didn’t get Raymond.

The Harley-English-Egbert-Crocker family have a group Minecraft server, and that’s it.

They tend to spend their free time seeing what whacky things they can alchemize.

At one point they managed to alchemize Captain America’s shield. No one is sure how, but it works.

Roxy and Dirk can both eat whole ghost peppers. Rose and Dave both hate spicy food.

Jane doesn’t mind spicy things but prefers sweet stuff instead. John and Jake are fine with a little spice but not as much as Roxy and Dirk. Jade can’t have anything spicy or she will get extremely sick.

Spicy peppers, and peppers in general, are lethal to trolls, due to the capsicum in them. The first time Karkat and Kanaya saw Dirk and Roxy eating peppers they freaked out.

Dirk and Roxy have occasional competitions to see who can eat the most peppers in a minute. It’s hilarious.

Karkat learned the Alternia equivalent of an Earth ukulele before the game. He remembers one song from it and occasionally borrows Jake’s ukulele to play it when he’s sad.

Jake, Jade, Jane, and John have every musical instrument you could name, and some you couldn’t.

Jake can play the ukulele and bagpipes. Jane can play piano and keytar. Alongside bass, Jade can play the trumpet and otamatone. John can play guitar and saxophone.

Dirk can play the otamatone. That’s it.

Roxy keeps requesting that Jade alchemize cats. She has about 30 by now.

Roxy gave Dave a cat. He named him Skittles, and claims it’s completely ironic.

Dirk also has a cat, named Twilight Sparkle

Rose has a cat named Cthulhu.

Jake has a parrot named Indiana Jones

Jade now has a corgi named Thor.

John managed to get Jade to help him alchemize a dragon. It’s name is Fluffernutter.

Jane is a master at anything kitchen-y. Jake and John both burn water. Jade can cook stuff but prefers take out.

Roxy knows how to make grilled cheese and soup really well, and Dirk is good with a grill but that’s it.

Rose makes the best hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. Any drink you want, she can make. She can’t cook anything though.

Alternatively, Kanaya is an excellent cook but thinks that mixing Dr. Pepper, Sprite, and Faygo together is good.

Kanaya has mixed every soda the kids could find together before. Dirk paid John $30 to drink it. John did.

“If you open a banana from the bottom you are a disgrace to the world and we all know you’re a top who can’t find a bottom.”- Rose, Kanaya, Jade, Vriska

“Opening a banana from the bottom lets you have the most banana without eating the weird thing at the end of it”- Dirk, John, Jane, Karkat

“Why bother peeling bananas when you can just eat them whole?”- Jake, Dave, Terezi

One time John used the Mayor’s cuteness to get Jane to bake him a cake. Dave found out and was pissed.

Dave convinced Rose to knit the mayor a sweater.

The mayor loves Doritos. He always gets the last one in the bag.

Kanaya loves mixing different types of one kind of food or drink. She has mixed all the candy in the house, much to the delight of most everyone, has mixed all the soda (it now lives in the back of the fridge for when they play truth or dare) and has mixed all the cereal in the house, much to the irritation of Roxy and Rose.

Dave ate a handful of Kanaya’s cereal mix because Dirk said he wouldn’t.

Has read Twilight: Rose, Roxy

Hasn’t read Twilight: Jade, Jane, John

Doesn’t know what Twilight is: Mayor, Calliope, Karkat, Jake

Hates Twilight: Dave

Vocally anti-twilight but secretly wrote and published a 100k fanfic: Dirk

Can swim: Rose, Roxy, Dirk, Jake, Jade

Can’t swim: John, Calliope, Jane

Hates bodies of water: Dave

Trolls don’t have grey skin, they have grey fur.

Said fur poofs up when the trolls are scared as a defense mechanism, like a cat. But instead of being fluffy, it’s spiky and sharp. Trying to punch a fluffed up troll ends badly.

If you mix Faygo and sopor slime you get the troll equivalent of weed.

Calliope found archery and axe-throwing, and is wonderful at both.

Dave convinced Rose to knit a sweater for the Mayor.

Cereal before milk: Rose, Roxy, Jane

Milk before cereal: Jake, John, Jade

“Just eat the cereal dry, cowards”: Dave, Dirk

Dave had a popular Vine account

Karkat does not understand the term Yeet.

Instead of saying “Yeet” Rose says “defenestrate”

Roxy has a Tumblr account filled with things their group has said.

Kanaya has designed outfits based around pride flags for everyone.

Dave likes Mindless Self Indulgence and My Chemical Romance

Calliope likes Fall Out Boy

John listens to twenty one pilots a lot

Dave also likes cavetown

Kanaya loves girl in red

The beta trolls ancestors can change their size.

The Grand Highblood and the Condesce shifted to a larger size permanently to intimidate other trolls.

Some don’t use it as much, or at all, like the Dolorosa, the Signless, or Neophyte Redglare.

Dualscar uses it to ease travel or to win fights, and will grow to extreme sizes so he can get through the water faster. It’s also ten times easier to sink ships.

The Psiionic couldn’t use the power once he became the Helmsman.

Darkleer uses it to grow smaller, so he can work on the small, delicate parts of his inventions.

Carapacians grow weed as a crop. For them, it’s their main source of food. For humans, it’s weed. It’s poisonous to trolls.

Sea dwellers’ lusii die more frequently (possibly due to the eldritch being at the bottom of the ocean), so they started letting older sea dwellers adopt sea dwellers that aren’t really old enough to survive without a lusus.

How many sweeps a troll is can be equated to human years, but when compared to other blood castes it becomes very skewed. A sweep equals roughly two human years, but different blood castes view this differently. Rust bloods, bronze bloods, and gold bloods all live fairly short lives, so 7 sweeps is roughly half their life span. Lime bloods and jade bloods all view 7 sweeps as being a bit like their early twenties. Teal and cerulean bloods would consider 7 sweeps to be roughly 13 or 14. Cobalt and purple bloods would see 7 sweeps as maybe being 6 or 7. Violet and fuschia bloods live for thousands of years, so legally and when comparing life experience to other fuschia/violet bloods, 7 sweeps is basically a very young toddler. This is just how each caste views age internally, given that they have different lifespans. 7 sweeps is roughly 13 or 14 in human years. This is explained badly but it’s also an alien concept put into English.

Teal and cerulean bloods have the closest lifespan to humans.

Dealing with eldritch beings shortens your lifespan because of the toll it takes on your body. This means that if Rose never reached godtier she would have died earlier than she was supposed to. This also means that if Eridan wasn’t chainsawed in half he probably would have had the lifespan of a purple blood or blueblood.

An ahab crosshairs or whatever can be really deadly in certain situations, but outside of that it’s basically useless.

The one time Dave met Kankri, he decided to put all of Mindless Self Indulgence’s songs on shuffle and play whatever came on first to Kankri. It was ‘Stupid MF’. Kankri flipped his shit and Dave is no longer allowed near him.

Meenah turned it into a game to see who could get the loudest reaction from Kankri by playing an MSI song. So far the winners have been 1. Vriska with ‘Faggot’, 2. Cronus with ‘Bitches’, and 3. Meenah with “Fuck Machine’. Honorable mentions include ‘Get It Up’, ‘Big Poppa’, and ‘Dickface’.

The honorable mentions change constantly

The game is ridiculously easy to win, given that most MSI songs are A) about sex, B) have slurs in them, C) are just really offensive in general, or D) all of the above.

To win the game you record Kankri’s reaction to the song and upload it to a forum on pesterchum.

Kankri is unaware there is a game.

Cronus repeatedly hits on everyone he meets. There are two people who he’s stopped flirting with, though.

The first one is Vriska. The first time he flirted with her she kicked him in the balls. The next time she stabbed him. He stopped trying after that.

The other one is John. He kept comparing Cronus to people from late 20th century movies with greasers in them.

Roxy loves riot grrrl bands.

Roxy, Sollux, John, and Karkat started a coding club. Roxy and Sollux help Karkat and John get better at coding, and also challenge each other to break into more and more ridiculous places.

At one point, using the codes that let Roxy and Dirk talk to Jake and Jane, Roxy and Sollux were able to hack into different government websites in different universes.

This includes the Pentagon, the FBI, and the CIA. They figured out how to get news live from the other universes, so occasionally they invite their friends over and watch a different world panic.

They end up doing internet troll stuff once in the websites. They’ll leave things equating to “aliens from another universe were here” and shit. They’ll make it so every time the website is open the screen turns pink or red and blue.

One time they left a picture of a message in Alternian. When the feds decoded the message, it just said “2ollux and Roxy were here. 2ucker2.”

One time they replaced all the photos of people with badly photoshopped versions of the photos where all the faces had been replaced by either Nic Cage’s face or Danny Devito’s face.

When they aren’t breaking into government websites, Roxy and Sollux will set up firewalls for the other to try and get past.

Aradia and Federico bleached Eridan’s hair while he slept, and cut it short. They also put pink bows on his horns. Just because.

Because Sollux can hear voices of the imminently deceased/is basically half dead, and Aradia has a strong connection to death, they were able to manipulate this so they could communicate telepathically. It takes focus, but they can do it.

Dirk knows Japanese, and can understand Damara. He is the only one who can.

They have inside jokes about everyone they know

Vriska found 5 or 6 doomed versions of herself and brought them back to life. They live in a shared hive and use the fact that they are all various Vriskas to prank people to an extreme. The only one who know whats happening outside of them is Terezi, because A) seer, and B) the one who gave John the list of things to do was brought back as well and told her.

[canyouhearthelight]

The Miys, Ch. 26

I know the last few chapters have posted earlier in the day, but I’m excited I at least got this up on the right day. Yay!!

Life has been going on over here, and it keeps happening... Which is a hazard of living, right?  Better than the alternative.

As always, feedback is a glass of wine and dark chocolate for me (which I love, sincerely), so please leave any feedback you may have!

After a mild panic, the Council was able to calm down everyone who heard Tyche’s exclamation of poisoned food.  Grumbles were still plainly audible, but any rioting had been averted for the moment.  We had no choice but to clarify and explain what we suspected, but begged everyone not to let the information out until an official statement had been released.  Huynh had suggested blocking everyone’s communications access, but the idea was – thankfully – shot down immediately.  

Once all the food and drinks were tested, Miys was able to determine that anything not sealed had been tampered with.  It was no surprise that nearly everyone on Level One had traces of the drug in their systems, the only exclusions being Derek and Maverick.  Derek, I knew all too well, had severe aversions to food textures and mainly lived on what amounted to granola bars and room temperature bottled water, so the fact that he didn’t have any hydrocodone in his system was almost expected and confirmed that it was only being put in the food.

I motioned for Maverick to sit down with me and Antoine.  After some debate on what amounted to a criminal investigation, Eino had pointed out that I had the most experience of the people present when it came to interacting with anyone on the autistic spectrum.  Antoine was with me in his capacity as a companion, as he would be the least threatening back up I could have with me while still being more than capable of intervening if it became necessary.

“What did the short you say about poison?” Maverick asked almost immediately, eyes wide with mild panic.

“Someone put Vicodin in most of the food and drinks,” I explained.  I didn’t see any point in sugar coating it, having noticed in the past couple of days that Maverick was nearly impossible at picking up on subtlety. “Most of us have had symptoms, and Miys tested us.  They say the majority of us have enough in our blood to affect us.  You don’t, and I need you to explain why.”

He relaxed immediately, to my shock. “Is that all?  I’ve only had bottled water and black coffee since I came up here,” he shrugged like it was no major deal.

Antoine’s eyebrows furrowed.  “You are saying that, in nearly forty-eight hours, you have not eaten a single thing?”

“Well, yeah,” came the response, as though it should be obvious. “I didn’t like any of the food that was brought in, so I didn’t eat.  I’ve been taking supplements!” he declared defensively as I started scowling when I found out he hadn’t eaten.  “It happens, like, a lot, so I always carry them with me just in case.”  He took the bottle out of his jacket and rattled them for emphasis before handing them to me.

A glance at the label gave me the impression that they were just robust multivitamins. I handed them to Antoine, knowing he would have a better idea of what he was looking at.  He nodded and confirmed. “They’re just vitamins, but these are for geriatric patients?”

With a shrug, Maverick stated matter-of-factly, “Those are designed for people who don’t eat enough to meet their basic requirements.  Usually, yeah, it’s old people, but I end up missing meals pretty frequently, so those are the best ones.  That’s what the doctor told me back on Earth.”

To say I was horrified was a dramatic understatement.  How long had he been just skipping meals because he had what sounded like food aversions?  “Maverick. Jake. You can just tell me what you like, and I’ll make sure we have food for you. I do it all the time for Derek, and for his friend Sam.  Hell, I do it for anyone just about.  You don’t have to starve yourself and live on multivitamins and water.”

“Nah, I know I’m being a pain in the ass about food.  It’s fine, really. But please top calling me Jake.  It’s legally Maverick.  I changed it.  I earned the name Maverick.”

I was so confused.  “But you introduced yourself as Jake?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Terran Defense never updated my records, so they are all under that name. I wanted you to be able to find them. But it’s not my name.”

Oh.  I was starting to get angry, not at him, but at the people who made him so nonchalant at the sheer level of fuckery people had used in regard to him in the past.

“Can you go get Derek?” I asked Antoine quietly before looking back at the pilot on the opposite side of the table. “You aren’t being a pain in the ass.  I believe that you’ve been told that for a very long time, but that doesn’t make it true, and it certainly doesn’t make it right.  I am the one who will be deciding what food is brought up from now on, and Miys will be testing it.  So, if I say you can ask me for whatever you will actually eat, no one else gets a say in that.  Does that make sense?”

“Whatever,” he grunted.

I was saved by the arrival of Antoine and Derek. “Maverick Okima, I would like to formally introduce to Derek ‘That Guy’ Okafor, scourge of sysadmins everywhere. Derek, I am trying to convince Maverick that it’s okay to ask for different food if he doesn’t like what we are bringing in.” I focused on using Maverick’s own term – don’t like – rather than calling it a food aversion, mainly because I wasn’t sure he had ever had the difference explained to him from what few clues I was able to pick up.

<Sophia’s okay> Derek signed. <She likes feeding us food we like.  She says if we don’t like it, there isn’t a point in having food to begin with.>

Maverick looked very confused.  “My father said something like that before he died.  It’s a very Japanese thing to say.”

I pointed at my face. “Cajun, among other things.  I do not believe in ‘eating to live’. In my family, we live to eat.  The short me, as you call her, is gluten intolerant, some of my family doesn’t like spicy food, I love spicy food, so does Antoine.  I still manage to make one meal a week for all of us, cooked by hand I might add, and try to include Derek as much as possible when he feels up to.”

Derek snapped to get Mavericks attention before adding, <No spicy, no sour, no squishy.>

“He likes food with firmer textures,” I clarified on the ‘squishy’ comment. “Nothing mushy, or creamy, no cake, ice cream, or gelatin, that kind of thing.”

“Don’t you get mad that they’re picky?” Maverick asked, still suspicious.

I shook my head vigorously. “Absolutely not.  It’s a challenge, and if they don’t like it, that’s a failure on my part, not theirs.”

“She makes very good turkey,” Antoine mused before smirking. “Although her sister makes amazing doughnuts.”

<The mushy fish was gross.> Derek wrinkled his nose in an exaggerated fashion.

I just rolled my eyes. “I literally told you that you wouldn’t like it. I don’t like poached fish because of the texture.”

That seemed to be the comment that Maverick needed to hear. “Wait. You cooked something you don’t even like for someone else, because they wanted it?”

“Kind of?” I squeaked uncertainly. “Arantxa over there.  She didn’t ask for it, but as a holiday gift from me to her, I learned how to make one of her native dishes. I had no clue that it was poached fish when I made that decision. But she mentioned it the day I met her, and also that she didn’t know how to make it….” I trailed off and shrugged. “Personally, I like my fish seared, grilled, baked, or sashimi.  Poached is just… too weird for me.”

Antoine nodded very seriously. “It was very good, as a person who does like poached fish.”

“Rants seemed to like it,” I shrugged again. “All that mattered.”

“So, if I wanted mochi, because I didn’t get any the first time, that would be okay?” Maverick asked tentatively.  “Even red bean mochi?”

I moaned, “Oh my gosh, absolutely yes.  If there were any red bean mochi last time, I am sorry to say I didn’t get any.  You and I can just hog them all.”

<Hide them from Zach,> Derek joked. <I think he ate most of the gross dumplings last time.>

“Heathen,” I muttered jokingly.  It was really no surprise that Derek didn’t like mochi.  Glutenous foods definitely fell in the category of ‘squishy’.  I patted Maverick on the arm gently. “Okay, I’m pretty convinced you didn’t drug the food, mostly because you’re a terrible liar, which is something to be proud of.  On the food thing, please just make me a list of foods you like, or at least a list of stuff that makes you not like certain foods, and I will happily make sure to take that into account.  Real quick, though, I’m about to put in the request for tomorrow, so other than mochi, what do you want? Try to give me as many things as you can think of off the top of your head, because I want to be sure it’s in the system.”

“Miso soup, for sure.  Boiled eggs? Scrambled eggs are weird, but I don’t know if the consoles can do boiled eggs, and I never asked. Savory crepes are good, though. Ooo! Pizzza!  I love pizza, especially anchovy.  I know a lot of people think it’s gross, but it’s really good, I swear. Fried pies are good, too.”

“So, strongly flavored, savory and/or salty dishes.  Got it,” I murmured as I made a note in my data screen. I flicked my wrist absent-mindedly to dismiss it before musing “You probably would have liked the bacalao al pil pil.”

“Is that the mushy fish thing?” he asked skeptically.

“Yep.”

“Nope. I can’t do mushy fish. Mushy means it isn’t cooked right, which means I’ll get sick.”

I chuckled. “I totally agree.  The good news is, at least now I have someone other than Tyche to share pizza with!”

“No one else likes pizza!?” he gasped. “No way! That’s sacrilege!”

“Oh, tons of people like pizza,” I assured him. “But Tyche is the only other person I met who likes anchovy pizza.”

“They’re stupid. It’s awesome!”

I shot him a look. “Please don’t call people stupid because they don’t agree with you. It’s rude, and I can’t stand rude people.” It was a slight exaggeration; I had a pretty flexible definition of what was and wasn’t rude, but calling someone names because they disagree with you definitely fell firmly in the rude category.  “A lot of people don’t like fish, or can’t have too much salt, or just don’t do well with really strong flavored foods.” I nodded toward Derek, who flipped Maverick the bird.

“Okay, okay,” he apologized. “That was wrong of me. I didn’t think of that. Still, it’s really good.”

“Well, you have two other people to eat it with now,” I smiled.

Rather than celebrating, Maverick looked like he just realized something. “Wait.  Who is Tyche?”

“My sister.”

“You – Wait. That’s short you?”

“Yes, and for the love of whatever your favorite body part is, do not call her that to her face.”

“Noted,” he nodded seriously and gulped. “She’s scary.  Like, scarier than you, scary.”

<Be nice. They own the cat.> Derek warned him, slapping him lightly on the arm.

“I like Mac,” he considered. “I guess that makes you less scary.  I’m still pretty sure your sister could kill me, though.”

By this point, Antoine looked completely confused. “Why is everyone afraid of Tyche? I don’t understand.”

<Why aren’t you afraid of her?> Derek rebutted.

I shot Antoine a dirty look before he could reply. “I have absolutely zero desire to hear whatever tooth-rotting, fluffy nonsense is about to come out of your mouth,” I told him flatly.  The last thing I wanted was him to accidentally de-fang my sister’s well-earned reputation.

He balked slightly before straightening his shoulders. “Fine. I will let them be afraid of her. I was just going to say I’m not afraid of her because I am her partner, just like you are her sister. And Maverick has three other people to eat the anchovy pizza with.” He pointed to himself. “You never asked me, Sophia. Do you really think Tyche would not have me try it?”

I held my hands up placatingly. “Fair, fair.  I didn’t know you had tried it since the last time I mentioned it.”  I turned back to Maverick. “So, now that we’ve established your alibi - can’t consume drugs when you aren’t consuming anything at all - I’ll have Grey and probably Pranav fact-check it, just to completely rule you out as a suspect, okay?”

“Yeah,” he exhaled in what sounded like relief.  “Do you think it will take long? I have to pilot the ship to Meenie pretty soon, and I don’t know if they’ll let me while they’re doing all that?”

“That’s honestly Xiomara’s call, since we decided the flight crew fall under her jurisdiction.  It shouldn’t take more than a day, but I understand that we only have a couple hours before we’re done at Eenie, right?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Can you check with Councillor Kalloe, please?” he begged. “I don’t want my flight privileges revoked.”

“You bet. Antoine, are we done here?”

He gestured affirmatively. “I don’t know what else we can do right now, so yeah, I would say we are done. You,” he pointed sternly at Maverick, “will eat.  I will send Noah for the food myself. It is not safe for you to do something as important as piloting a ship when you have been starving yourself, but I also do not want to make you sick. You said you like miso soup, yes?” When Maverick nodded, Antoine stood. “I will ask our host to get miso soup, and I will watch you eat two hundred milliliters before you pilot. Sophia, if you could relay this to Councillor Kalloe when you speak to her, please?”

“Absolutely,” I agreed.

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[the-coconut-asado]

Oh Stumptown my Stumptown!

Portland likes to keep it weird. Officially. You could even buy the tee shirt if tee shirts weren’t so predictable.   

From a poster invitation to “Hear my TED Talk about DIY and Impending Doom” to the Big Legrowlski (sic) night club that hangs carpets on the walls -  not to balance the sound for the band but because they really bring the room together -  the City has an off-beat vibe that feels authentic even while it gets you scratching your head. And where else would you queue round the block for a voodoo-doll shaped doughnut with a pretzel stick through its ‘heart’?

You probably won’t be surprised when I tell you that Portland is  the Hipster Capital of the World. You know it’s hipster because it sells more coffee and has more microbreweries per head than anywhere else in the US.

We came for the food because People That Know told us to. It’s not simply that everything is delicious but that chefs, cooks, carts and food enthusiasts are trying to do different. It’s like Masterchef has landed in Twin Peaks. Entrepreneurs are making ice cream out of chickpeas and it works. A pastry chef has re-interpreted her favourite childhood book on a plate and you rejoice in the complex flavours of her tiny reconstructed bunny. So who’s the bunny boiler now?

One thing that puzzled me is why the City changed its name from the original Stumptown (pretty weird) to Portland (the Holiday Inn of city names). Devon, a local lawyer who we chatted to most mornings in Baristas Cafe, explained that Portland was never officially called Stumptown.  It became its nickname due to all the trees they had to cut down to build it, leaving the eponymous stumps in their wake. Stumptown is also the name of their iconic coffee brand, which I always assumed was NYC’s greatest invention. This is one of the many ways in which travel expands your mind.

Devon embodied something else about Portland: its friendliness. Even the passport officers are anxious that you have a good time. Full disclosure,  it wasn’t just Devon that we sought out each morning - it was Pepper, his cute little dog. I would eat Barista’s fresh, flaky rhubarb hand pie just to drop crumbs that Pepper would breakfast on. 

Devon put us onto a couple of great places to eat - one we made it to, one we didn’t. But more of that later.

Where to begin to describe this steel guitar food odyssey? Let me take you through our many highlights from the  mountain of food we consumed. Set it to the soundtrack of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Thing.

Our first evening, tired and hungry, we stuck to our guns and found Andina, the City’s Peruvian eatery. When you are both tired and hungry it’s easy to get seduced by posters boasting ‘Meatball Monday’ and forget your mission, but our persistence paid off. That legendary Portlandia hospitality squeezed us into a nook where there really wasn’t a free table, and we dined greedily on humitas, ceviche, lamb shank and seafood, washed down with Oregon’s finest home-grown Pinot Gris. I didn’t quibble that they brought something different from my order. In my fractured Spanish ‘Arroz con Pato’ probably did sound like ‘Seafood Risotto’  - and the risotto was obviously going to be delicious before fork met lip, so I didn’t send it back.

Next day, which coincidentally was Taco Tuesday, we hit the street food. 

Portland is big on street food (see: hipster capital of the world). Most food vendors have carts - permanent fixtures where the chef builds enough of a following over months or years to be able to open a small restaurant. Nong’s Khao Man Gai was just one of these. They do one dish - a Vietnamese poached chicken with a secret chilli sauce, accompanied by rice cooked in the chicken broth. You can also have a version with shrimp, pork or Tofu. We bought a bottle of the sauce to bring home. Life’s too short.

It’s not all carts - there are a fair few trucks too. 

One which specialised in cheese toasties challenged “ Come and relive the taste of your childhood. But if your childhood sucked, we’ll share the memory of ours”. Have you eaten a cheese toastie recently? I mean really felt the embrace of  a sandwich of molten cheese and fried bread? Maybe your childhood did suck after all.

That evening it was the turn of The Hairy Lobster restaurant, and that bunny dessert I mentioned earlier. Little Bunny Foo Foo to give it it’s full name. A delicate carrot cake, covered in cheesecake mousse, accompanied by a ginger crumb, caramel sauce and a marshmallow rabbit. 

Despite it’s show-stopping appearance and fusion of flavours, it was their roast squash with curry sauce and pumpkin seed praline that was the stand-out dish for me. The Lobster picnic for our main was pretty damn good too.

Friday brings me to Devon’s first recommendation, Pok Pok,  a teeny Thai eatery in the suburbs. Getting there had the added advantage of passing through a neighbourhood full of rambling old houses in the Amityville Horror style. I recalled the first time I had heard of Portland was from a TV thriller full of witches and jabberwocks called Grimm. They had definitely filmed it’s eerily beautiful moments around here.

If I had to single out a food highlight in a week of next-to-no food lows, I would choose Pok Pok. It gave me my first food coma in a long while. Something about it’s smoked aubergine, pork belly curry, marinated chicken with two dips, sublime mango with sticky rice and that rhubarb blush cocktail… I sense I am sharing my food coma with you now. Their signature dish is hot spicy chicken wings. The couple on the table next to us were too full to finish theirs so offered them to us. Maybe it was the wings that tipped me over the edge. I’ll never know.

And so to our last day, and the big daddy of Portland nights out: Jake’s Crawfish. Over 100 years old, walking into Jake’s is like walking into one of Sinatra’s memories. It has a justifiably stellar reputation, and seems to have maintained it for a century. I ate Steel-head trout for the first time, fished on their doorstep from Oregon’s Columbia River, coated with a horseradish crust, and preceded by half a dozen of the plumpest oysters I have ever eaten.

I haven’t yet mentioned Portland’s biggest hipster foodie habit: brunch. No matter what day of the week, the restaurants that brunch are always full. For most of our trip, we were waking up too early to really do brunch justice. Those rhubarb hand pies at Baristas had satisfied our hunger by around 8AM so a mid-morning banquet wasn’t really on. One day, however, we made it to Tasty & Alder in the Pearl DIstrict of the city and managed to sneak in a table for two before the queues built up. Worth it for their Green Frittata with salsa verde (who ever thought of doing that before?) and lightest, fluffiest American biscuits. We never made it to Devon’s second recommendation: Burmasphere, his friend’s Burmese cart on the other side of the river. And now we have an excuse to return.

When it came to rustling up some recipes that take me straight back to Portland weird, I whittled my list down to three: my version of Tasty & Alders’ green frittata with feta and salsa verde; a less labour-intensive version of Andina’s Arroz con Pato, made with chicken or guinea fowl; and in the spirit of weird, though by no means original, a cake inspired by Churros con Chocolate. The best possible end to a Taco Tuesday.

I messaged a friend of mine that had moved to Portland a few years back and asked why she had ever left. “ Too much rain and not enough art.” she said.  

You missed the point Sweetie. Great Food IS great art. And if you can’t stand the rain, get into the kitchen.

Green Frittata with Feta and Salsa Verde

A great little brunchy-lunch dish packed with flavour for the carb-conscious. If you want to add some carbs, slices of toasted sourdough will go down a treat. Serves 4

Ingredients

8 large free-range eggs

1tblspn, double cream

100g asparagus spears, chopped into 2 cm chunks

100g shelled garden peas or petit pois

50g feta cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the salsa verde:

Small pack of flat-leaf parsley (around 15-20g)

½ a small pack of mint leaves

3 tbsp. Capers

7 anchovy fillets

1 clove garlic

1 tbsp dijon mustard

8 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

How to make:

Bring a small saucepan of salted water to the boil, then add the peas. After a couple of minutes, add the chopped asparagus and continue simmering for another 2 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water. Put to one side.

Next, make the salsa verde. Put all the ingredients except the olive oil into a blender, season generously with pepper and go easier on the salt (anchovies and capers are already pretty salty). Then, add the olive oil and blend again. Don’t over blend at each step - it's nice to keep the texture a little rough.

Put a skillet on the stove and melt a knob of butter. Beat the eggs, add the cream and season. Lightly saute the green vegetables in the butter for a minute or two. 

 then pour the eggs over and crumble the feta cheese over the top. Cook for a couple of minutes until the bottom is starting to brown.

 pop under the grill to continue cooking, until the top is a light golden colour and the frittata has firmed up with a slight wobble (keep a close eye on this, probably takes 2-3 minutes).

Cut the frittata into 4 wedges and serve with a dollop of salsa verde on top.

Arroz con Gallina Picante

I never did get to eat Arroz con Pato in Andina, but while I adore the rich flavour of duck, devoting two or three days to confitting it before finishing the dish is only for the dedicated dinner party cook. This version with a spicy chicken and a feta-enriched herb sauce (based on a Melissa Clark recipe)  goes down just as well - or the richer Guinea Fowl, which I have used here. And Peruvian aji amarillo is now more available by mail order - substitute ordinary chile powder if not. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

1 medium-sized chicken or guinea fowl, jointed into 2 breasts, 2 drumsticks and 2 thighs (discard the back or freeze to make stock at a later date)

For the marinade:

6 garlic cloves, crushed

3 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp paste made with aji amarillo powder and olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

1 tsp sriracha sauce

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp ground cumin

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:

½ a large bunch coriander leaves, broken up

2 jalapeno chilies, chopped

75g feta cheese, crumbled

1 garlic clove, crushed

Juice of 1-2 limes

2 tsp chopped fresh oregano

½ tsp dijon mustard

½ tbsp aji amarillo paste (see marinade earlier for method)

1 tsp honey

1 tsp ground cumin

½ cup extra virgin olive oil.

For the Peruvian Rice:

3 tbsp sunflower oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, finely chopped

3 heaped tsp aji amarillo paste (see marinade earlier for method)

½ large bunch fresh coriander, broken up and blended till smooth with a tblspn water

500g fresh chicken stock

300g bottle of beer or lager

2 x small green chillies, chopped finely

500g basmati rice

1 red pepper, chopped into small chunks

100g fresh garden peas or petit pois

How to make

First, make the marinade. Mix all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl, cover the fowl of your choice in it, cover with cling film and pop in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.

For the sauce: put all the ingredients into a blender, and blend till smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate, taking out about 15 minutes ahead of eating to bring to room temperature.

For the rice. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a saucepan, add the onion and garlic and saute until starting to turn golden. Add the blended coriander and chili paste  and cook for a couple of minutes until the paste has thickened slightly and smells delicious.

Pour the beer into the saucepan, cook for a few minutes then add the chicken stock. Bring to the boil, season, then take off the heat, cover and put to one side.

Heat the oven to 200C. Pat  the chicken or guinea fowl pieces dry, then pop onto a shallow baking tray, season and drizzle with olive oil. Put the tray into the oven and roast for 35-40 minutes.

While the meat roasts, finish the rice. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a medium sized saucepan, add the peppers and cook for a couple of minutes. Then add the rice and stir into the oil and peppers until it starts to crackle a little at the bottom. Add the peas and chilies and stir again, then add the stock, beer and onion garlic mix. Stir, season if needed, then cover and simmer on a low heat for 25 mins.

Fluff up the rice and spoon onto plates. Top with the chicken or guinea fowl pieces, and crown with a dollop of sauce.

Churros Bundt Cake with Dipping Chocolate Sauce

I love churros, and I love a Bundt cake. If you want all the flavours but none of the faffing or frying, then give this a try. The cake will keep, covered in a tin. Just remember to reheat the chocolate sauce for dipping or pouring each time. Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

For the cake:

2 ¾ cups plain flour

2 tsp. Baking powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp. Salt

170g unsalted butter

130g caster sugar

50g soft brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 egg yolk

1 375g punnet of sour cream

2 tsp. Vanilla extract

For the cinnamon sugar ‘glaze’

2 tsp ground cinnamon

4 tsp caster sugar

For the chocolate sauce:

½ cup cocoa powder

Pinch chilli flakes

100g dark chocolate (70%)

1 cup double cream

½ cup dark brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp cinnamon

How to make

Preheat the oven to 160C. Grease and flour a large bundt cake pan (make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies).

Beat the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl (ideally using an electric stand mixer) until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one by one and continue to mix between each addition, finishing with the egg yolk. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and beat again until just incorporated.  Mix all the dry ingredients, add them to the butter and egg mix and fold in until smooth. 

Pour the cake batter into the bundt tin and bake for around 50-55 minutes until a skewer inserted near the middle comes out clean (I usually check the cake after 45 mins). Invert the cake onto a rack to cool.

Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt the butter and paint all over the surface of the cake. Dust the cinnamon sugar over the buttered cake, making sure you pat it in places to stick.

To make the chocolate sauce. Pop all the ingredients into a saucepan, then cook, stirring constantly, on a low heat until the chocolate has melted, everything is smooth and custardy. Let it bubble slightly then turn off the heat.

Serve slices of the churros cake with warm chocolate sauce poured over. There are some who prefer their chocolate sauce served cold. That’s fine too.

[likethetailofacomet]

HEY YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CHARACTERS. SO. POP QUIZ. 🦆 What is Jake’s favorite food that Kara makes? What is Karas’s favorite food that Jake makes? Whose cookin does Molly Llama prefer?

OH BOY! COMMENCE FLUFF WAR 2018! @ooo-barff-ooo @zaffrenotes YA SHOULDA LEFT THE SLEEPING FLUFF LAY.

Let’s call this: 

Mama or Daddy…or Llama?

Jake and Kara sat on the porch withMolly, waiting for Rebecca to pull up, Molly sitting in Jake’s lap,squishing his cheeks between her chubby hands, and laughinguncontrollably at the faces he was pulling. Kara watched them with asmile, one hand resting on her belly where they’d recently learnedthat not one but two little wolf cubs were growing, her other handtwined with Jake’s as they rocked slowly on the swing. It was abeautiful late September afternoon with bright sunshine and just thehint of a cool breeze blowing through the trees and the plethora ofpurple blossoms that adorned their yard. She sometimes couldn’tbelieve that this was their life; that they’d gone through the hellthat they’d gone through, had made it off the island and throughtheir six years of agony…that they’d found each other again andthat they were building a home and a family made from pure love andtrue joy. Looking at the man beside her, at the way his skin had juststarted to wrinkle near his eyes from smiling, at the way his chinand face were covered in two days worth of growth because it was theweekend and he wasn’t wasting Molly time with shaving, at the coffeestain on his t-shirt that he hadn’t bothered to do anything about,and she fell even more in love with him. She sometimes saw everymoment that they’d ever shared and every moment that they mightsomeday share, echo in his eyes when he laughed or when he kissed heror when he held their daughter, and she struggled to contain thefullness that it made her feel.

She looked at Molly, at her perfectlittle face, always smiling and laughing. Her big blue eyes were theexact same shade as  her Daddy’s, but her hair was platinum blondelike Kara’s, and Jake liked to call them his angels with blondehalos. “Dadda, yama, mama,” she said over and over again,squishing his cheeks between each word. Kara giggled to herselfremembering when she heard Molly’s first word a few months ago. She’dbecome a babbling brook since then, but that first word will alwaysbe one of Kara’s favorite moments…and Jake’s. He found ithilarious.

“YAMA!” She had yelled, loud andclear and with intent, and Kara of course assumed that she wasshouting Mama, as she was standing right in front of her, feeding herthe sweet potatoes that she was mostly wearing. She jumped andgrabbed her phone to call Jake, checking the time to confirm that hewas taking his lunch break. He picked up on the first ring, like healways did when he saw her name flash across the screen. 

“Hey Princess, how are my girls?”he asked, chewing the sandwich Kara had made for him that morning- aturkey sandwich with mayo, onions and spinach. It was his favoritething that she made for him, because it was the first thing she evermade for him. Having had no past, she had no past experience withcooking, and in those first few weeks of adjusting to human domesticlife, assembling a sandwich was about the extent of her cookingprowess. But Jake loved her sandwiches, because they reminded him ofgetting her back, of feeling her in his arms after missing her for solong.

“Well,” she answered through hersmile, “Take a listen,” she held the phone up to Molly. “Moll,tell Daddy what you just said, ‘lil llama!” She could hear Jakeeven though the phone was away from her ear. She’s talkin’? Mike!I gotta go! Yeah, now! Molly’s talkin’! Shepulled the phone back to her ear. “You’re coming home? ”

“Youbet your ass, princess, I’m not lettin’ you have this one all toyourself!”

Tenminutes later he was coming in through the screen door, letting itbang shut behind him. “Where are my girls? I wanna hear what my‘lil llama has to say to her Daddy.” He was absolutely beaming ashe joined them in the kitchen where Kara was wiping the orangeremains of Molly’s lunch from her arms and cheeks.

“We’regreat, listen, Molly has something to tell you!”

“Whatchagot, Miss Llama?” he asked, stooping down to her level in thehighchair and giving her a noisy kiss on the cheek.

“YAMA!”she shouted again, clapping her hands.

“Shesaid Mama! Jake, she’s saying Mama!” Kara was practically bouncingup and down on her toes, clapping along with their daughter.

“Yama,Yaaaamaaaaa YAMA!” Molly excitedly chanted in a sing song voice,causing Jake to double over with laughter. He ruffled Molly’s soft,fluffy hair before standing and scooping Kara up in his arms.

“What’sso funny, there, Daddy? You jealous that our little girl said Mamafirst?” She was smiling out of her mind.

“Darlin’,you know how much I love you, right?” he tucked a piece of her hairbehind her ear as she nodded. “Well, princess, I hate to break itto you, but…” he let go of Kara and grabbed the stuffed llamafrom the counter behind her and gave it to Molly, who started kickingher legs and smiling like crazy. “She’s sayin’ llama, darlin’, notmama.”

It wasstories like this was made her fill with warmth and happiness andlove for their family. Just then, Rebecca’s car pulled up andpractically before it was in park the back door flew open and Lucasand Laura came flying up the porch steps. “Uncle Jake!!!!” Lucasshrieked, launching himself onto the swing between Jake and Kara. “HiAunt Kara!” he said, grinning at her with his tooth fairy ravagedmouth.

“Hey,Luc,” Kara said as he nestled against her side and said hi to hisbaby cousins. Laura hugged Kara’s other side before planting a kissto Jake’s cheek and letting Molly wrap her fingers around her hand.

Rebeccacame trudging up the steps struggling beneath three bags, promptingJake to say, “Alright, monsters,” his affectionate nickname forhis niece and nephew- in reality they had saved him from monsters,often getting the only good sleep he could when they slept overduring the years that he and Kara were separated by space and time.Lucas and Laura moved aside so Jake could hand Molly to Kara, whostood and situated Molly against her hip. Jake went to help hissister with the bags. “Dang, Becs, are they staying the weekend, oryou leavin’ 'em here for good?” he joked.

“Funny,Jake.” Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Just wait. Wait ‘til you seehow much stuff such little people end up needing for just a weekend.”She kissed her brother on the cheek before turning to Kara.

“HeyKar,” she said with a smile before giving her a kiss as well. “Howya feelin’ mama? And how’s this 'lil llama? Hi Molls!”

Mollyreached for her aunt and Kara handed her over so Rebecca could lavishher with kisses and raspberries, with Molly giggling and saying“AnnBeccs”- Aunt Becs. “Hi Becs, I’m doin’ alright, feelin’pretty good, thanks.”

“Wellya look great, girl. You’re really kickin’ butt at this mom thing.”Rebecca’s compliments on her parenting meant the world to Kara.Rebecca and Maggie were her role models when it came to the type ofmother that she wanted to be for their children. They chatted for alittle while longer on the porch while Jake took Laura and Lucas intothe backyard to catch lizards and bugs, their favorite thing to dowith their uncle, claiming that he was the best in the world atcatching critters. Eventually Rebecca had to go; she was heading outof town for a friend’s wedding and had a flight to catch. She calledto her children and they came running to give her a good bye kiss,Lucas holding a small green lizard in his open palm.

Karaset Molly into her bouncer and Laura sat down right next to her babycousin, assuring Kara that she’d keep an eye on her. Lucas flopped onthe couch and started looking through the many photo albums that Karahad on the side table- she hadn’t had pictures from her childhood,but Maggie had supplied her with quite a few pictures of baby Jake,and Kara had compiled them into several albums, along with as manypictures from their life together as they had. There was even a photothat Diego had given her from their wedding day in Elyys'tel,and one that he’d taken soon after they’d landed on La Huerta, withKara giving Jake a look that said, “You’re not really gonna justnap all day, are you?” Diego had held onto those photos until Karawas back, knowing that they would have crushed Jake if he’d giventhem to him before.

Laurawas flipping through the colorful pages of Kara’s first book- achildren’s tale about adventures in other dimensions, showing thepictures to a wide eyed Molly. Kara joined Jake in the kitchen wherehe’d made himself busy starting dinner. He always made his niece andnephew their favorite meal, which was also Kara’s favorite meal,though she’d have to abstain from it tonight. “Gumbo smells amazingthere, chef,” she said, wrapping one arm around his apron cladwaist before planting a kiss to his cheek.

“Thanks,darlin’,” he said, “Don’t worry, I’m makin’ you one that’s not asspicy, with chicken since ya can’t have the shrimp. And,” hecrossed to the stove to uncover a small pot with some boiledpotatoes. “I made some plain potatoes for miss llama, so we canfinally put to rest whether she prefers my white taters or your sweetones.”

“You’remy sweet one,” she said, laughing at her own corny joke. But hewas. She knew he was making gumbo and had resigned herself to makingscrambled eggs or something mild since she couldn’t eat shellfish orstomach spicy food at the moment- with Molly she couldn’t get enoughhot sauce, but the twin wolf cubs didn’t seem to like it hot. But thefact that he made her what he knew was her favorite thing that hecooked made her heart grow even more. He’d never stop surprising herwith his little acts of love.

Whenit was time for dinner, Laura helped Kara set the table and Lucashelped Jake ladle gumbo into bowls, and they all sat down to enjoytheir meal and see once and for all whose cooking Molly preferred-with regards to potatoes, anyway. “Alright, miss llama, Daddy madethis just for you,” he eagerly set the potatoes down in front ofher, trying to convey how exciting potatoes were. Molly looked atthem, then looked at Jake and shook her head.

“Nopo-tatoes…” she said, her little hands coming up questioningly.

“Yeah,'lil girl, those are potatoes.” He promised her, scooping some ontoher spoon. Lucas and Laura were watching, giggling as Molly clampedher lips shut and shook her head again. “Whatcha doin’, missMolly?”

“WantMama do it,” she answered, pointing to Kara.

“Youwant mama’s potatoes, baby girl?” Kara asked, beaming.

Mollynodded an enthusiastic yes. “Yesh, yesh, mama po-tatoes better,Daddy.”

Jakemimed being struck with an arrow to the heart and fell into hischair, causing Lucas and Laura to laugh uncontrollably, Molly joiningin taking her cousins’ cue. Kara was having one of those moments asshe walked to the fridge to get Molly her sweet potatoes. Thechildren’s light giggles mixing with her husband’s deep rumblinglaughter flooded her mind with glimpses of the future: of Jake withtwo kids climbing on him and another chasing him around the house, adog barking around them: of walking through the woods with him, theirkids a few yards ahead, their hands twined and love in their eyes forone another : of growing old and letting their children fill theirhome with grandchildren, of spoiling them rotten. She could seeMolly’s first day of school and the tears Jake would cry, she sawbroken arms from climbing things they shouldn’t be climbing, she sawChristmases and Birthdays and Wednesdays.

Takingthe potatoes back to Molly, she sat back down next to her husband.“Guess we know whose cookin’ she prefers, huh, Daddy.”

Jakegrinned, a glint in his eye as he swallowed a big mouthful of hisdinner. “Yeah, guess so, Mama Llama,” he pushed his chair outfrom the table before bending to have a chat with  her belly. “Butyou lil wolves better be on your Daddy’s side, 'cause I’m alreadyoutnumbered here.” He sat back up and winked at her and the rest ofthe night passed quietly and uneventfully and in just the sort offashion that Kara could fill a whole room full of photo albums with.

[fiirelords]

TAG GAME BONANZA!!

I’ve been tagged in a shit-ton of games and I haven't done them bc I’ve been busy (but the real reason is bc I’m trash™) so I’m just gonna post them all here under the cut; if you tagged me in any of these, I’m tagging you to do another one, choose whichever you like (or all of them lmao)(or anyone else who wants to do it, just say I tagged you lmao)(also people from nataliesroyalfamily and my bimblebubble fam u are tagged) do feel obligated to do it, this is not optional. (there’s a dot at the end, that’s how we know it’s official)(also I might have already answered to yours before, but idk to which (oops) so yeah :)) I spent a lot of time on this, I’m exhausted, please at least read it and get to know a bit more about me :))

Rules: Answer the 20 questions and tag 20 amazing followers you’d like to get to know better!

Tagged by: @opuggno​, @sirjsblack​ @njmphadora​ @simplywolfstar​, @tlnagoldsteln​ @billspotts​ <33

Name | ana Nicknames | most people just call me ana or *cringes* ana lourdes *sigh*, my mom calls me anita, my friends call me shitface, dog or bitch, @njmphadora​ and @findfyre​ call me ana banana (but I secretly, ok, it’s not that much of a secret, but I hate bananas)(or any fruit for that matter)(shhhhhh don’t tell them!!),and that’s about it Zodiac sign | aquarius Height | 1.65m or 5′4′’ Orientation | Straight Ethnicity | latin american Hogwarts house | ravenclaw  Favourite fruit | limes Favourite season | idk ok?? either fall or winter Favourite book | harry potter Favourite flower | I’m not really a flower person, I just don’t get it?? they’re just plants that smell like plants lmao Favourite scent | cleaning supplies, permanent marker (u know, the ones that smell nice), books (old and new), lime juice lmao, freshly baked cookies, fries (ofc) and idk what else Favourite colour | idk. black?? white?? it might be white bc it’s so neat?? but black is bold af asdfghds idk Favourite animal | cats?? turtles?? the fish emoji?? foxes (like dayumn) idk Last thing you googled | froot loops (my friends thought it was fruit loops lmao) Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa | ICED tea, hot cocoa, never coffee Average sleep hours | 3-4 hours (I should sleep more Cat or dog person | both lol (I love pets!!) Favourite fictional character | James Potter?? Number of blankets you sleep with | one Dream trip | london Blog created | December 23rd 2016 Number of followers | 1936 (excited but idk what to do for 2k!!)

RULES: answer all questions, add one question of your own and tag as many people as there are questions. I was tagged by @quidditchplayer​, @hagridsrubeus​ <33

1. coke or pepsi: COKE!!! (VANILLA COKE IS LIFE!!)

2. disney or dreamworks: disney


3. coffee or tea: ICED tea


4. books or movies: both! but tbh I have been watching a lot more movies than I have been reading books!


5. windows or mac: mac 

6. dc or marvel: MARVEL!! (sorry dc!! I still love you <3)

7. x-box or playstation: where’s nintendo though?? bc I still own a super nintendo lmao and a nintendo 64 does this make me hipster/vintage or smth??

8. dragon age or mass effect: … *cricket chirps in the distance* idk what this is lol


9. night owl or early riser: definitely night owl

10. cards or chess: cards
!! (I actually have a playing card collection lmao)

11. chocolate or vanilla: most of the time chocolate

12. vans or converse: converse


13. Lavellan, Trevelyan, Cadash, or Adaar: ummmm *more crickets come bc idk what this is either*


14. fluff or angst: angst I guess?? idk, it’s more entertaining lmao

15. beach or forest: idk, sorry… beach??

16. dogs or cats: both!!

17. clear skies or rain: clear skies


18. cooking or eating out: getting food (specially junk food)(McDonalds is life!!)

19. spicy food or mild food: I don’t eat spicy food, but I do eat this spicy sauce powder called tajín, I love it!! I have an obsession and it’s getting out of hand!! I have like 4 regular sized bottles, a big one, and a fun sized one…

20. halloween/samhain or solstice/yule/christmas: we don’t celebrate halloween (which sucks) so christmas 

21. would you rather forever be a little too cold or a little too hot: a little too cold
!!

22. if you could have a superpower, what would it be? shape shifting (I’m copying megan’s answer lol)(we are clones, so I guess it’s ok)


23. animation or live action: both!1 I am not choosing here!! just no!!!!

24. paragon or renegade: *more crickets come in, they start getting cozy, bring out some wine bc a party is starting*

25. baths or showers: I don’t understand baths tbh (just like music and flowers…) so showers


26. team cap or team ironman: team avengers!! (I may or may not have cheated…)


27. fantasy or sci-fi: fantasy??

28. do you have three or four favourite quotes, if so what are they: I don’t get quotes either lol I’m bad at humaning

29. youtube or netflix: both!! I’m such youtube trash tbh and netflix as well

30. harry potter or percy jackson: H A R R Y  P O T T E R !!!! (duh)

31. when do you feel accomplished: when I win
 (omg megan!! same!!)

32. star wars or star trek: S T A R  W A R S


33. paperback books or hardcover books: hardcover (I can hit so many people with them)(my friends love me ok??)

34. to live in a world without literature or without music?: music lol

35. who was the last person to make you laugh? @siriusblsck​ with her twitching eye

36: city or countryside? city

37: favorite chips? Caribas


38: pants or dresses? los pantalones


39: libraries or museums? idk, libraries I guess


40: character driven stories or plot driven stories? idk idk idk

41: fairy tales or mythology? not much into these

42. pen or pencil? PENS!! but math is done in pencil people!! 

43. toilet paper over or under? OVER IS THE RIGHT WAY!!!

Rules: tag nine people you want to get to know better

tagged by @hogwarts-underground​, @lilyevcnz​, @billspotts​, @tonqs​, @shriekingshxck, @thatmarauderer :)

Relationship Status: single

Favourite Colour: black or white probably

Lipstick or Chapstick: chapstick, I don’t own any makeup

Last Song I Listened To: idk

Top 3 TV Shows: I don’t have a top 3 but you can check out my common room aka tv room and see which ones I have in the faves category I guess

Top 3 Characters: don’t know (I’m bad at faves)

Top 3 Ships: HP wise Jily, Romione, Wolfstar

Books I’m Currently Reading: the same 3 books I’ve been “reading” since december lmao, What if? by Randall Monroe, The Thing Explainer by Randall monroe as well and Gravity Falls Journal 3 (such trash™)

i was tagged by @lunalocegood​

rules:

you can only say guilty or innocent.

you are not allowed to explain anything unless someone asks you.

tag 10 people.

asked someone to marry you? innocent kissed one of your friends? innocent danced on a table in a bar or tavern? innocent ever told a lie? guilty had feelings for someone whom you can’t have? innocent ever kissed someone of the opposite sex? innocent ever kissed someone of the same sex? innocent kissed a picture? innocent slept in until 5pm? guilty af fallen asleep at work or school? guilty af held a snake? innocent been suspended from school? innocent stolen something? innocent done something you regret? guilty laughed until something you were drinking came out of your nose? guilty caught a snowflake on your tongue? innocent kissed in the rain? innocent sat on a roof top? guilty sang in the shower? innocent been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? innocent slept naked? innocent made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? innocent been in a band? guilty (does backup singer for 1 song count?) shot a gun? innocent donated blood? innocent eaten alligator meat? innocent eaten cheesecake? guilty have/had a tattoo? innocent been too honest? guilty ruined a surprise? innocent ate in a restaurant and got really bloated that you can’t walk after? guilty erased someone in your friends list? innocent dressed in a man’s clothes? guilty dressed in a woman’s clothes? guilty joined a pageant? innocent been told that you’re beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? guilty?? still have communication with your ex? innocent cheated on someone? innocent got totally drunk one night when you had an important exam the next morning? innocent a total stranger treated you by paying your fare? innocent got so angry that you cried? guilty tried to stay away from someone for their own good? innocent actually murdered someone? innocent thought about mass murder? innocent actually committed a mass murder? innocent rode in a stranger’s vehicle? guilty (do cabs count?) stalked someone? guilty had a girlfriend? innocent had a boyfriend? innocent totally drunk during a holiday? innocent

tell us one favorite character from ten shows and tag people

tagged by @njmphadora​, @zabiniblaisee​

friends: chandler bing

sherlock: sherlock

gossip girl: blair waldorf

himym: barney stinson

parks and rec: andy dwyer or april ludgate

the office: dwight schrute 

white collar: neal caffrey

pretty little liars: aria montgomery

suits: mike ross

brooklyn nine-nine: jake peralta

put your music on shuffle, list the first 9 songs and your favorite lyrics from each, then tag 9 people

i was tagged by @njmphadora​, @tonqs​, @euphemiapottcr​ @zabiniblaisee, @percweasly, @lilyevcnz, @anything-with-strawberries (I know it’s not the same game!! but I’m tired lmao)

sidenote: I’m gonna suck at this one bc I don’t listen to music :) (also I swear I have some other music ok?? my phone just really wanted me to listen to la la land and popstar lmao)

1. confucio - el trio de los tres

era un chino japonés, era el gran maestro kong, ganaba en el boliche, badmintong y ping pong, en la pista de baile no tenía comparación, ser el mejor en todo era su ilusión

2. another day of sun - la la land soundtrack

without a nickel to my name, hopped a bus, here I came, could be brave or just insane, we’ll have to see

3. mona lisa - the lonely island

mona lisa, you’re an overrated piece of shit, with your terrible style and your dead shark eyes, and a smirk like your hiding a dick what the fuck is this garbage?

4. city of stars - la la land

A look in somebody’s eyes To light up the skies To open the world and send it reeling A voice that says, I’ll be here And you’ll be alright

5. incredible thoughts - the lonely island

TV is free, but what is the cost? We have GPS and yet, we’re still lost A carrot in the desert, a camel in the garden A man with giant ears begging your pardon bonus: Imagine if a fish could play guitar And also sing, it would sound bizarre like My name is Mr. Fish These guys thoughts have granted my wish

6. rap god - eminem

But look at the accolades these skills brung me Full of myself, but still hungry I bully myself ‘cause I make me do what I put my mind to When I’m a million leagues above you Ill when I speak in tongues But it’s still tongue-and-cheek, fuck you

7. hey there delilah - plain white t’s

Hey there Delilah What’s it like in New York City? I’m a thousand miles away But girl, tonight you look so pretty Yes you do Times Square can’t shine as bright as you I swear it’s true

8. the greatest - sia

I’m free to be the greatest, I’m alive I’m free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest The greatest, the greatest alive The greatest, the greatest alive

9. I’m so humble - the lonely island

I’ve got it all and I’m gettin’ more But I never fall, beat 'em all Cause you know I’m so humble I’m so humble, I’m so humble I’m a superstar, I kick down the door Got the money and the girls And I’m also so humble I’m so humble I’m so humble, I’m so humble

tagged by @fleuvrdelacour​, @ameljiabones​, @kingscross​, @thatmarauderer, @opuggno

APPEARANCE:

I am 5′7″ or taller

I wear glasses

I have at least one tattoo

I have at least one piercing.

I have blonde hair

I have brown eyes

I have short hair

My abs are at least somewhat defined (kinda lol)(I’m fatty bc junk food)

I have or have had braces

There is something I would change about the way I look

PERSONALITY:

My Hogwarts house is: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin

I am an introvert

I like meeting new people (sometimes)

People tell me that I’m funny (More like I tell myself that I’m funny)

Helping others with their problems is a big priority for me

I enjoy physical challenges

I enjoy mental challenges

I’m playfully rude with people I know well

I started saying something ironically and now I can’t stop saying it

There is something I would change about my personality

ABILITY:

I can sing

I can play an instrument

I can do over 30 pushups without stopping

I’m a fast runner

I can draw well

I have a good memory

I’m good at doing math in my head

I can hold my breath underwater for over a minute

I have beaten at least 2 people in arm wrestling

I know how to cook at least 3 meals from scratch

I know how to throw a proper punch

HOBBIES:

I enjoy playing sports

I’m on a sports team at my school or somewhere else

I’m in an orchestra or choir at my school or somewhere else

I have learned a new song in the past week

I work out at least once a week

I’ve gone for runs at least once a week in the warmer months

I have drawn something in the past month

I enjoy writing

Fandoms are my #1 passion

I do or have done martial arts

EXPERIENCES:

I have had my first kiss

I have had alcohol

I have scored the winning goal in a sports game

I have watched an entire season of a TV show in one sitting

I have been at an overnight event

I have been in a taxi

I have been in the hospital or ER in the past year

I have beaten a video game in one day

I have visited another country

I have been to one of my favourite band’s concerts

RELATIONSHIP:

I’m in a relationship

I have a celebrity crush

I have a crush on someone I know (counting crush as my boyfriend)

I have been in at least 3 relationships

I have never been in a relationship

I have asked someone out or admitted my feelings to them

I get crushes easily

I have had a crush on someone for over a year

I have been in a relationship for at least a year

I have had feelings for a friend

MY LIFE:

I have at least one person I consider a “best friend”

I live close to my school

My parents are still together

I have at least one sibling

I live in the United States

There is snow right now where I live

I have hung out with a friend outside of school in the past month

I have a smartphone

I have at least 15 CDs

I share my room with someone

RANDOM SHIT:

I have breakdanced

I know a person named Jamie

I have had a teacher with a last name that’s hard to pronounce

I have dyed my hair

I’m listening to one song on repeat right now

I have punched someone in the past week

I know someone who has gone to jail

I have broken a bone

I have eaten a waffle today

I know what I want to do with my life

I speak at least 2 languages fluently

I have made a new friend in the past year

get to know me (better!)

I was tagged by @quidditchplayer​, @kingscross​, 

Blog: @oblviqte​

(nick)Name(s): ana, anita, shitface, ana banana (I still don’t like them…)

Preferred Gender: female

Star Sign: aquarius

Height: 1.65m or 5'4”

Sexual Orientation: straight

Favourite Colour: black or white or both

Favourite Animal: all animals!!

Cat or Dog person: both!!

Favourite Fictional Characters: ugh idk lmao

Number of blankets I sleep with: one

Favourite Singer/Band: none

Dream Trip: london

Dream Job: systems engineer/ programming, coding all that jazz 

When was this blog created: december 23rd 2016

What made you create this Blog? HP IS LIFE!!

rules: list ten of your favorite people from ten different fandoms and then tag ten people!

I was tagged by @ameljiabones​

1. James Potter (HP) 2. I can’t choose an avenger, I’m sorry I love them all (MARVEL) 3. eleven (STRANGER THINGS) 4. Jake Peralta (B99) 5. Dipper and Mabel (bc they are both me af!!) (GRAVITY FALLS) 6. Marty McFly (BTTF) 7. Peeta Melark (HUNGER GAMES) 8. aslan (NARNIA) 9.  Sherlock (SHERLOCK) 10. Spencer Reid (my bby omg I love him so much why is he not real??!)(CRIMINAL MINDS)

I was tagged by @billspotts​

Star sign: Aquarius

Favourite musical artists: I’m super weird and don’t really listen to music aah

Song stuck in my head: the la laland soundtrack is stuck on my mind forever!! (pls send help)(I hum while I take exams and people look at me!! heeeellplp!!)

Last movie i watched:  idk man, the last movie I saw was probably la la land lmao (I need to watch some movies!!)

Last TV show i watched: Skam

Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

Lucky number: 3, 7, 618

Favourite characters: at this point just scroll up lmao

Favourite fruit: limes

Favourite season: winter or fall

Favourite colour: black and/or white

Favourite animal: all animals

Coffee, tea or hot cocoa: ICED tea

Cat or dog person: both!!

Dream trip: london!!

tagged by @kingscross​, @hufflefck

What is your name? ana

How old are you? XVI

What houses are you in? ravenclaw

What kind of blog do you run?  idk, HP/multifandom I guess??

Your patronus? rottweiler

wand core? phoenix feather

Your Pottermore house results? Ravenclaw

Ilvermorny house? Wampus

Which book is your favourite? idk

Which book is your least favourite? hbp??

Which movie is your favourite? idk

What is your least favourite movie? sfx wise ps lmao but leaving that aside, idk

What is your favourite quote?I’m not a quote person

Favourite Potter? James Potter

Favourite Weasley? Fred weasley or Charlie, Charlie is cool

Favourite Malfoy? Draco Malfoy.

Favourite Black? Sirius Black.

Favourite Marauder? Remus Lupin (bc I already put everyone else lmao)

Favourite Golden Trio? Hermione Granger.

Favourite Silver Trio? Neville Longbottom

Favourite female character? Hermione Granger

Favourite male character? James 

Favourite professor? Lupin ofc

Favourite House? Ravenclaw

Which character do you dislike the most? snape and umbridge, but snape more, fuck that guy

What ships are your favourite? Jily, Romione, Wolfstar, Remadora (but not the way it happened in the books), Deamus, flintwood, Hinny

If you could make up your own house what would be the traits?tbh, idk

What would your Amortentia smell like? permanent markers, books, lime juice, freshly baked cookies

Which do you prefer, owls, cats or a frog? Owls are more practical and all, but we would probably have a family owl and I’m trash™ for cats

Which is your favourite Harry Potter era? marauder era

5 things tag

tagged by @burkesandborgin​

5 things you’ll find in my bag (I don’t carry a bag, unless my backpack counts…)

my phone

my Gravity Falls Journal 3 

my bag of sharpies

my pencilcase

my phone’s charger

5 things you’ll find in my bedroom

my cat

tajín

stuffed animals

my playing card collection

some books

5 things I’ve always wanted to do in life

get a tattoo

go to london

become successful

be part of a film/play production or smth

own a cool house

5 things that make me happy

tv shows

friends

making stuff

eating lmao

HP

5 things I’m currently into

decoding/deciphering ciphers/codes that stuff

plain colors

minimalist stuff

annoying people

making people laugh (but that’s always lmao)

5 things on my to-do list

watch all the movies I haven’t watched

catching up with tv shows

making a shit-ton of moodboards

buy swimsuits/beach clothes

send college recomendation letter info to some teachers 

5 things people may not know about me

I love plantain chips

I have a birthmark on my right knee and everyone thinks it’s a scar

I have a scar on my left knee and idk when I got it lol

I love super paper mario (it might be my fave super mario game)(after smash lol)(i love smash sm!!)(someone play smash with me!!)(dibs on kirby)

I know a bunch of digits of π (pi lmao) bc I’m a nerd

🌻���A body positivity tag game 🐝🌻

i was tagged by @njmphadora, @lilyevcnz <33

🌻🐝Tag people you want to feel pretty af 🐝🌻

Post your some selfies where you feel cute af ~ x x x x

Something you love about your hair ~ I love my hair sm tbh like it’s pretty lmao

Something you love about your eyes ~ like you can tell it’s me?? from when I’m a baby so I like that :P

Something you love about your mouth ~ it’s not bad, it’s goot a nice mouth shape I guss

Something you love about your nose ~ I LOVE MY NOSE!! like?? it’s just asdfyhs idk, I just like it and I get complimented on it a lot and people describe me by it, idk, I love it :D

Something you love about your legs ~ they’re long and they’re not totally skinny, like they’re curvy and they have a nice shape

Something you love about your butt ~ I guess it’s ok, it has a good butt shape?? it’s good…

Something you love about your tummy ~ even though I don’t eat any fruits or veggies it’s not like super chubby, like ofc I’m not a victoria’s secret model, but I’m skinny :)

Something you love about your chest ~ lol ok, so it’s like not too big but not too small, so it’s like a good chest size 

Something you love about your height ~ I’m like regular height (but my legs are long and my torso is short so finding clothes that fit me just right is hard, but also most clothes are kinda made for my height I guess??) I can wear heels or flats and look normal??

Something you love about your weight ~ tbh for the amount of junk food I eat, I’m very happy with my weight :D

When do you feel prettiest ~ when my hair is down and it’s clean (so never lol)

When did you last feel beautiful ~ last saturday?? on tuesday?? idk lol

tag game!

i was tagged by @percweasly

rules: enter your answers then tag 10 people! use the first letter of your name to answer each question. real answers only. if the person who tagged you has the same initial, you must use different answers. you cannot use the same word twice.

name: ana

a four letter word: ants

a boys name: andrew

an occupation: astrophysicist

something you wear: apron

food: apricot

something you find in a bathroom: aloe vera body lotion

a place: azerbaijan 

reason for being late: andrew garfield was getting into a bus and I had to chase him

something you shout: aaaaaaaaa!!!

movie titles: ant-man

something you drink: a soda (lmao I cheated, sorry)

an animal: ape

a type of car: audi

title of a song: another day of sun - la la land soundtrack (that music tag got to me…)

tag ten people u want to get to know better

i was tagged by @fallxng-stars name/nickname: ana, anita, shitface and ana banana (still don’t like them…)

relationship status: single favorite colors: white, black, gold, silver, and others probably last song i listened to: look at the last song from the music tag game lol

favorite tv shows: can’t choose but you can see them at my common room aka tv room first fandom: HP hobbies: reading, scrolling thru tumblr, chatting w friends, using photoshop (editing!), procrastinating, watching tv, decoding ciphers, learning how to do stuff, drawing, and more books i’m currently reading: The Thing Explainer, What If? and Gravity Falls Journal 3 worst thing i’ve ever eaten: fruits and veggies (eww) favorite place(s): home, where the wifi is 

tag game

I wish there was a store where you could just pick up a fictional character and they could be your best friend, significant other, or even arch nemesis. Copy the idea, write who your best friend, significant other, and arch nemesis would be. Then, tag 5-10 friends to do this!!

tagged by: @fleuvrdelacour

best friend(s): Hermione Granger, Fred & George, Dipper and Mabel Pines, I wanna be bff’s with everyone tbh

significant other:James Potter, Dr. Spencer Reid, Jake Peralta and I’m probably forgetting someone

arch nemesis: ughh Snape, Umbridge, and Gideon Gleeful 

[bandlovergirl98]

This Or That Tag

“So I was tagged by @skyjane85 to do this ask, gonna get cracking on it then haha! *cracks knuckles to get ready*

1. Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi  2. Disney or DreamWorks: Disney 3. Coffee or Tea: Both, Monster, and Rockstar 4. Books or Movies: Both 5. Windows or Mac: Windows 6. DC or Marvel: DC  7. Xbox or Playstation: Neither 8. Dragon Age or Mass Effect: Idek what those are lol 9. Night Owl or Early Rise: both 10. Cards or Chess: Cards because I’m a fucking pro at The Resistance as an imperial spy hehehe!  11. Chocolate or Vanilla: Both 12. Vans or Converse: Both 13. Lavellan, Trevelyan, Cadash or Adaar: Idek what those are lmfao!  14. Fluff or Angst: Fluff  15. Beach or Forest: Beach  16. Dogs or Cats: Both , but I would love to own a cat more because I feel like almost every Filipino household owns a dog speaking from personal experience!  17. Clear Skies or Rain: Clear Skies and I easily get excited over hearing thunder crashing and seeing lightening lol! 18. Cooking or Eating Out: Both 19. Spicy Food or Mild Food: I’d have Sriracha on anything from scrambled eggs to a hot bowl of pho with lime!  20. Halloween/Samhain or Solstice/Yule/Christmas: I love em both!!  21. Would you rather forever be a little too cold or a little too hot : a little to cold cause more layers of blankets and sweaters the better! 22. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?: I would say the ability to make and fight with any weapon and have blinding speed, basically be a mix of my favorites Hawkeye, Black Widow, The Flash, Speedy, and Batman haha!

  23. Animation or Live Action: Both

24. Paragon or Renegade: I have no idea man! 25. Baths or Showers: showers definitely   26. Team Cap or Team Iron Man: Team Cap! 27. Fantasy or Sci-fi: Both 28. Do you have three or four favorite quotes? Oh my goodness, so many from my favorite band members, but here are a few that I love that are more than 3 or 4:

“Never give up. There is always hope, there is always life. You’ve just gotta open your heart to it. Live in love.”-Austin Carlile

“Keep listening to music, it gets you through everything. I promise.” - Mitch Lucker

“I will always encourage people to seek out the word of God, because I do believe that THAT is where truth really comes from. I believe that when things go wrong if you instead of looking at that as a negative, you choose to rejoice in all things. It’s the hardest thing in the world but I think that that is what ultimately leads to happiness.”- Matty Mullins

“Take joy in who you are, we know our wings are flawed.”- Andy Biersack

“Girls are like apples…the best ones are at the top of the trees. The boys don’t want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples that are on the ground that aren’t as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think there is something wrong with them, when, in reality, they are amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who’s brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree…”- Pete Wentz

“Be bold. You gotta be bold.”- Jaime Preciado

“Don’t get stressed over the little things and make sure you’re enjoying life to the fullest.”- Jack Barakat

“Never underestimate a girl’s love for her favorite band. Never think even for a minute, that she won’t defend them to her death. Because it’s not just the music that makes that band her favorite. It’s the guys, the gals. It’s the fans. People whom of which she has interacted with thanks to the band. That band might of saved her life, or just made her smile everyday. That band has never broke her heart and has yet to leave her. No wonder she finds such joy in her music.” -Alex Gaskarth

“I don’t hang out with people that are gonna get me in trouble.”- Ronnie Radke

“The only certainty is that we never know what tomorrow holds. We live for today, life is short, so let’s enjoy it together while we can.”- Jinxx

“Don’t be what you’re told to be. Follow your own path. Be your own person. Don’t get held down by everyone else.”- Danny Worsnop

“Follow your heart and chase your dreams until you catch them. Negative people who say you cant do something are only speaking for themselves.” -Jake Pitts

29. YouTube or Netflix: Both. 30. Harry Potter or Percy Jackson: Percy Jackson because I read a lot of Rick Riordan books when I was in elementary school.  31. When You Feel Accomplished: When I feel accomplished is when I’m standing up on my church stage singing with my choir with my dad. I truly feel at peace up there. All that hard work in practice paid off and made me more motivated to work hard for and pursue my musical dreams of becoming a freelance touring musician someday.  32. Star Wars or Star Trek: Neither, but I do know people that do love Star Wars.  33. Paperback Books or Hardback Books: Both 34. Handwriting or Typing: Typing because my handwriting is shit.  35. Velvet or Satin: Neither… give me plaids and flannels,  I can never have enough tbh!  36. Video Games or Movies: Movies  37. Would you rather be the dragon or own the dragon? Own the dragon cause transportation and a cool pet lol!   38. Sunrise or sunset: Both are equally beautiful!  39. What’s your favorite song? It would either have to be Purified or The Sinner 40. Horror Movies yes or no: No, I’m more of an action movie junkie like my dad lol!  42. Opera or Theatre: Theatre since I did watch Wicked and loved it, can’t also wait to watch Hamilton soon!  43: Assuming the multiverse theory is true and every story ever told has really happened somewhere, which one of the movie/book/tv show/game/etc worlds would you pick to travel to first? DC universe cause I would love to meet the heroes and villains irl tbh!  44: Are you scared of thunderstorms? Nah fam! Like I said they’re pretty exciting!  45. Would you rather travel back in time or into the future?: Into the future to see what my life would look like there!  46. What is, in your opinion, the most pointless/unnecessary thing ever invented? Meaningless rap and pop music that everyone else finds so easy on the ears tbh!  47. Favorite band/artist? Of Mice & Men, Memphis May Fire, Motionless In White, Black Veil Brides, to name a few, there’s a lot!!  48. If you could meet a Famous person that’s either Dead or Alive who would it be? I would have to say Austin Carlile because I love him and look up to him a lot!  49: How old were you when you had your first kiss? Never had it, school comes first according to my momma and pops, but for very good reason because I want to have my first kiss with a mini Austin Carlile! 

50: Favorite TV Show: None, I love music more than TV shows tbh!

I now tag @techteddyposts @alltimebecky @justbandstuffs @murderthemoment @myviolentdelight11 and @bandobbessedteenager 

Totally up to y’all if ya wanna do it! 

[jarclave13-blog]

Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks

posted by Kalyn Denny on March 25, 2019

Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks are a fun dinner idea that’s quick and easy enough to make on a work night! Please don’t skip the tartar sauce for these tasty little pieces of air fryer fish. Use Seafood Recipes for more tasty fish dinners!

Click here to PIN Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks!

I’m slowly warming up more to the Air Fryer, and these Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks are my latest Air Fryer experiment that turned out to be a complete winner. We used frozen cod that we thawed overnight, drained, and then sliced crosswise to make short pieces of fish. We dipped the fish in egg and then in almond meal that was seasoned with fish rub and a little black pepper. The fish sticks only take 10-12 minutes to cook in the Air Fryer, and then we devoured them with my favorite Ultra Easy Double Dill Tartar Sauce.

We purposely kept this recipe simple because we wanted to let the flavor of the fish really shine through. But if you wanted to add something like Spicy Old Bay Seasoning or another seasoning blend that’s good with fish to the almond flour mixture, go ahead and let your creative cooking juices flow!

Which Air Fryer Did I Use?

I originally bought a NuWave Air Fryer and used it a few times to make Air Fryer Spicy Sweet Potato Fries. Then I discovered the Cuisinart Convection Air Fryer Toaster Oven which is the one I used for this recipe. This air fryer has a larger basket, which lets me fit 16 fish sticks, and I find this model very easy to use.  I also like the convenience of having an air fryer that stays out on the counter. If you have a smaller air fryer model you might not be able to fit quite so many fish sticks. (Air fryer links are affiliate links. I’m not trying to convince you to buy an air fryer; you can follow the cooking instructions for Whole Wheat Panko and Almond Crusted Oven-Baked Fish Sticks if you want to cook the fish sticks in the oven.) Use Air Fryer Recipes to see the other Air Fryer recipes on this site.

(This is just a summary of what’s in the photos; see the recipe below for complete instructions.) Thaw the fish pieces overnight in the fridge if frozen. Then drain fish well and pat dry with paper towels. Cut fish crosswise into short strips about 1 inch wide. Prepare two bowls, one with beaten eggs and the other with a mixture of almond flour, Fish Rub, and a little freshly-ground black pepper. (I used my favorite Szeged Fish Rub, but any good tasting brand will be fine.)

Set Air Fryer to 390F/200 C. Preheat the air fryer if needed. Then dip each piece of fish first into the egg and then into the almond flour mixture.  Cook the fish 10-12 minutes, checking it after 10 minutes to see if you need more time. We used our fingers to turn the fish once, but it probably wasn’t 100% necessary.

Serve hot with Ultra Easy Double Dill Tartar Sauce or your favorite tartar sauce!

Make it a Meal: This would taste great with Kalyn’s Low-Carb Coleslaw or Spicy Mexican Slaw for a low-carb meal.

More Tasty Low-Carb Fish Dinners:

Low-Carb Fish Taco Cabbage Bowls ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen Low-Carb Fisherman’s Pie ~ I Breathe I’m Hungry Low-Carb Salmon Patties with Double-Dill Tartar Sauce ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen Fantasy Fish Cakes with Aioli Sauce ~ Beauty and the Foodie My Favorite Low-Carb and Keto Oven-Baked Fish Dinners ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen

Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Yield: 16 fish sticks

Total Time: 30 minutes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish sticks cook in about 10 minutes and they’re delicious with Double-Dill Tartar Sauce!

Ingredients:

4 pieces of cod, halibut, or other thick white fish fillets

2 eggs, well beaten

1 cup almond flour

1 – 2 tsp. Fish Rub, depending on how seasoned you prefer it

1/4 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper

Tartar Sauce for serving (We loved this with my Double-Dill Tartar Sauce, see notes.)

Directions:

Thaw the cod, halibut, or other thick white fish pieces overnight in the fridge if frozen. Then drain fish well and pat dry with paper towels.

Cut fish crosswise into short strips about 1 inch wide. We got 16 strips from four fish fillets, but if your Air Fryer is a smaller model you might not be able to cook that much at once.

Prepare two bowls, one with beaten eggs and the other with a mixture of the almond flour, Fish Rub, and a little freshly-ground black pepper.

Set Air Fryer to 390F/200 C. Preheat the air fryer if needed. We sprayed the Air Fryer basket with non-stick spray.

When you’re ready to cook, dip each piece of fish first into the egg and then into the almond flour mixture, sprinkling almond flour over with your fingers so the fish is lightly coated. Lay the fish sticks in the Air Fryer basket as you coat them.

Cook the fish 10-12 minutes, starting to check after about 7-8 minutes minutes to see if you need to rotate the fish. (We turned them over once but I’m not sure it was essential because the Air Fryer circulates the hot air around the food.) At 10 minutes check to see if you need a bit more time.

Fish is done when it feels firm to the touch and is lightly browned on the outside.

Serve hot, with Tartar Sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

If this makes more than you’ll eat at one time you can refrigerate the fish and reheat in the Air Fryer.

You can use the ingredients from this recipe and the cooking instructions for Whole Wheat Panko and Almond Crusted Oven-Baked Fish Sticks to cook this in the oven without an Air Fryer. (Notice that recipe is not low-carb so be sure to use these ingredients for Low-Carb fish sticks!)

Notes:

We loved this recipe with my Ultra Easy Double Dill Tartar Sauce, but no judgements here if you prefer to just buy a purchased tartar sauce. Check the label though because some tartar sauce has added sugar.

I absolutely love Szeged Fish Rub, and use it any time I’m cooking fish, but there are many brands of good fish rub that will work in this recipe.

Recipe created by Kalyn and tested with Jake and Kara.

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions: Easy Low-Carb Air Fryer Fish Sticks are a great dinner idea for low-carb diet plans, including Keto. Almond Flour is not allowed for Phase One of the South Beach Diet, but this would be great for the other phases.

Find More Recipes Like This One: Use the Recipes by Diet Type photo index pages to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to Follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Nutritional Information? If you want nutritional information for a recipe, I recommend entering the recipe into this nutrition analyzer, which will calculate it for you. Or if you’re a member of Yummly, you can use the Yum button on my site to save the recipe and see the nutritional information there.

posted by Kalyn Denny on March 25, 2019

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Source: https://kalynskitchen.com/easy-low-carb-air-fryer-fish-sticks/

[oselatra]

Essential New Orleans

An extensive guide to eating, drinking, dancing, karaoke-ing, strolling and Carnivaling in the Crescent City.

Carnival season in New Orleans kicked off in early January and reaches its peak on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras day, which falls this year on March 2. Any time is the right time to visit New Orleans, but there is something special about this time of year, when it can feel like the whole creative force of the city is devoted to the art of celebration. No rough guide can do it justice — the city is inexhaustible — but here's a starter kit. If you're picturing frat boys barfing on Bourbon, don't worry: There's a better way.

Eat

First things first, pack in as many of these New Orleans classics as you can: The fried chicken at Willie Mae's Scotch House, the muffaletta at City Grocery, oysters at Casamento's, the jambalaya supreme at Coop's Place. Other good spots for Cajun/Creole/soul food: Li'l Dizzy's Cafe and Dooky Chase. And yes, I'm stating the obvious here, but it must be said — go get beignets and a cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde. A tip that might save you an hour: If there's a line, ignore it. They don't make this clear to tourists, but locals know — there is no hostess, you just keep your eye out for someone leaving, have a seat at any un-bussed table, and a waiter will swoop in before you know it.

While this is a topic of endless local debate, for my money, the best po-boys in town are at Domilise's. For a different twist, try the immaculately stuffed barbecue shrimp po-boy at Liuzza's by the Track. If you want the full po-boy tour, longtime midtown haunt Parkway Bakery and Tavern is also worth a visit. And to cure your late-night hankering, Gene's dishes out hot sausage po-boys 24 hours a day from its can't-miss-it bright-pink building at the corner of St. Claude and Elysian Fields, always a wild (if occasionally dodgy) scene in the wee hours.  

On the fancier end of the spectrum, the hottest table in town might be Saba, the new Mediterranean restaurant from James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Alon Shaya. Among the elaborate and unforgettable hummus options: blue crab with beech mushrooms, lemon butter and mint; lamb tongue with pickled barberries, red onion and almonds.  

Cochon, from another James Beard award-winner, Donald Link, is a favorite spot for casual splurging for locals and foodie visitors alike. Cochon serves up Cajun-influenced downhome gourmet; it's the sort of place where you can find both a world-class wine list and fried alligator. The Louisiana Cochon is its show-stopper: pork braised overnight into a succulent and crispy cake, topped with pork cracklins, cabbage and pickled turnips. If you can find the room, other highlights include the wood-fired oyster roast, the rabbit and dumplings, and the indulgent charcuterie plate. Ask about moonshine offerings. Other great restaurants from Donald Link: fine dining at Herbsaint, seafood at Peche and casual Cajun deli and butcher shop Butcher next door to Cochon.

Cochon is one of a number of contemporary restaurants in New Orleans that blend fine dining with country cooking. A couple of other masters of this form, both uptown: Coquette and Patois. If you can score the one outside table at Patois, it's the perfect romantic spot for a date. Have yourself a pickle-tini: Hendrick's gin plus juice from Patois' homemade bread-and-butter pickles.

Meanwhile, for fine dining on the finer end, the big spenders should make a reservation at August or Compère Lapin. Or if you have a hankering for old-fashioned New Orleans decadence rather than the contemporary foodie scene (think turtle soup, Oysters Rockefeller, bread pudding, classic French Creole rabbit dishes, served up in roaring-'20s opulence), some of the best options: Brigtsen's, Brennan's, Clancy's and the ultimate classic, Commander's Palace, where the 25-cent martini happy hour for Friday lunch remains the supreme see-and-be-seen scene for the dandy set.    

If you want to go fancy but you're on a budget, check out the city's best happy hours: Domenica — 2-5 p.m., half-off wood-fired pizza and half off drinks; Luke — 3-6 p.m., 75-cent oysters on the half shell and half-off drinks.

The best bang for your buck in town: Boucherie. Everything on the rotating and vibrantly eclectic "casual fine dining" menu is good: boudin balls, scallops, grit fries, sashimi, bacon brownies, Waygu beef brisket, Krispy Kreme bread pudding. And it has the best Pimm's Cup in the city, if you ask me. Its sister restaurant around the corner, Bourreé, a Cajun smokehouse, butcher and patio beer garden, serves up seasonal fresh-fruit daiquiris, hot wings, boiled peanuts, boudin links and more — an absolute gem for laid-back al fresco dining.  

Other cozy, relaxed neighborhood spots: Bennachin offers up West African comfort food in the French Quarter; Bacchanal is a wine bar in the Bywater that serves exquisite tapas in a picturesque outdoor courtyard with live jazz; the small and intimate 1000 Figs serves impeccable (and affordable) Mediterranean cuisine in mid-city; and Pizza Delicious is a casual, counter-service restaurant in the Bywater that has become a local favorite — true to its name, its thin-crust pizza is delicious. Be ready for lines, but check out Turkey and the Wolf, the Irish Channel sandwich shop that was recently named the best new restaurant in the nation by Bon Appétit magazine.

For breakfast, the best vibe is Pagoda and the best food is Toast, while the talk of the town is a new spot, Molly's Rise and Shine. Satsuma Cafe and Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar are great neighborhood spots. If you're in need of morning munchies in the Quarter: Stanley is a touristy but fine option in Jackson Square; Clover Grill on Bourbon Street is an inviting greasy diner for the hungover set.

Drink

My vote for the best cocktail in the city is the Ramos Gin Fizz at the Sazerac Bar. Yes, it has a hefty price tag at $14. But you're on vacation: Treat yourself. The Sazerac Bar, in the Roosevelt Hotel a block off the Quarter, is an art deco masterpiece, with a mahogany bar, walnut-paneled walls and iconic murals by the artist Paul Ninas. This is the bar where legendary Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long held court, always with a Ramos Gin Fizz in hand. The story goes that Long got a highway built between Baton Rouge and New Orleans just so that he could speed his limo from the state Capitol to the gin fizz awaiting him at the Sazerac Bar in an hour flat. Among the other too-good-to-check stories: While staying at an upscale New York hotel, Long was unsatisfied with its version of the drink and flew the top bartender at the Sazerac Bar up to "teach these New York sophisticates how and what to drink." I don't blame the Kingfish — the Sazerac Bar's Ramos Gin Fizz remains heavenly stuff.

Meanwhile, for inventive and contemporary takes on fancy cocktails, stop by Bar Tonique, or check out the Cuban-inspired frozen cocktails at Manolito.

But maybe you just want cheap beer that's cold, and you don't mind a little grit and grime. The following dive bars have low prices, an aroma that lingers from before the city's smoking ban, and plenty of character (and characters): Iggy's, The John, Big Daddy's, BJ's, Bud Rip's, Cutter's, Snake and Jake's Christmas Club Lounge, Miss Mae's.

While gallivanting around in the French Quarter, have a Bloody Mary at Molly's at the Market (ask for it spicy). Other cozy bars downtown that are worth a pit stop: In the French Quarter — Lafitte's, Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone, Cosimo's. In the Marigny — Lost Love Lounge, R Bar, Mimi's.

And when it's time to take it all in, the best rooftop bar, with stunning views of the city: Hot Tin.

Be merry

Preservation Hall remains the city's premier place to see traditional New Orleans jazz; make sure to get tickets in advance, as the intimate space inevitably fills up. For the booming funk of the city's many brass bands, the more adventurous souls among you might seek out the hallowed neighborhood dives that serve as meccas for live brass: check the listings at the Candlelight Lounge, Bullet's, Vaughn's and the Mother in Law Lounge. For the uptown set (Tulane students like to dance, too!) — the Maple Leaf is another great spot. Or just wait for the happy surprise of seeing a brass band play in the street — walk around Frenchmen Street and you'll inevitably come across one blasting on a corner. Frenchmen is home to the Spotted Cat, a terrific spot for trad-jazz, klezmer, Cajun and blues, with patrons spilling out to dance in the street; other spots to check the listings on Frenchmen include Snug Harbor, d.b.a. and Blue Nile. If you are lucky enough to be in town when a second line parade is rolling with a brass band on a Sunday afternoon, this quintessential New Orleans experience is not to be missed — check wwoz.org for upcoming second lines or just keep your ear open for tips.

Karaoke in New Orleans is like karaoke everywhere, except the guy belting out "Born to Run" might be wearing a space insect costume made of immaculately woven neon tinsel. Kajun's, a divey downtown joint, is thusly one of the most spirited karaoke bars I've ever set foot in. Located on St. Claude Avenue, a hard-partying street in the heart of a hard-partying city, Kajun's has all of the cheap-beer-fueled abandon with a dash of psychedelic mayhem. If New Orleans is famous for its high-culture musical traditions, the city also hums on pastiche and kitsch. Kajun's is the sort of establishment where the besotted fool singing a Lisa Loeb song begins to feel like a messenger from God.

St. Claude Avenue is rapidly gentrifying these days, but remains home to longtime bars that serve as nightlife headquarters for the city's outré scenesters. Just down the block from Kajun's, the AllWays Lounge, an expansive freaky-deaky performance space and watering hole — what David Lynch might imagine for a dive bar — is one of the most joyously unique venues in the city, and a great spot to see the full creative wizardry of local revelers. Other venerable bars on the strip to check out, hosting everything from dance parties to brass to death metal: Hi-Ho Lounge, Saturn Bar, Siberia. One block up, the extremely divey St. Roch Tavern hosts raucous and sweaty nights devoted to New Orleans bounce music. The St. Claude corridor would also be the area where you might befriend a crusty rogue at the bar who can fill you in on the wacko happenings in the New Orleans downtown scene that are too spontaneous and secretive to find in listings like this one.

The best place to swim in your undies and/or eat a waffle: The Country Club, a Bywater mansion that houses the late-night after-party scene for weird New Orleans — with a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. They no longer allow skinny dipping, but the Country Club retains a swanky anarchy in the wee hours; meanwhile, once the sun comes up, they serve one of the best brunches in the city.

Out and about in town

If you need a quiet moment to get away from it all, head to City Park. The 1,300-acre sanctuary is one of the nation's oldest parks, offering a green respite from the concrete bustle and buzz of New Orleans since 1854. Rent a paddle boat, canoe or kayak to explore the park's waterways, or wander around and check out the botanical garden, the sculpture garden, the antique wooden carousel at the old-time amusement park and the New Orleans Museum of Art, the city's flagship fine arts museum. It's also worth a stroll to follow the bayou on the east end of the park down into the picturesque Bayou St. John neighborhood.

City Park features the oldest grove of mature live oaks in the world. The Singing Oak, near the park's Esplanade entrance, is one of the most enchanting spots in the city. The work of local artist Jim Hart, the tree is subtly adorned with giant chimes (up to 14 feet long), positioned to catch the breeze from the nearby lake and ring a pentatonic scale. Sit beneath the shade of the drooping live oak and enjoy the gentle symphony. It's the perfect place for a picnic: Grab provisions at mid-city's neighborhood grocery store Canseco's or, better yet, pick up a few pounds of cooked crawfish from Danny's #1 Seafood in the Seventh Ward. Short of stumbling upon a neighborhood crawfish boil, a do-it-yourself, peel-and-eat picnic is the best way to have crawfish in New Orleans; skip the buckets at overpriced French Quarter restaurants and get a big bag fresh from Danny's or from Cajun Seafood, which has various locations around town. FYI for the hardcore mudbug fanatics eager to host your own boil: You can get live crawfish shipped home or even take them as a carry-on on a plane.

One of the most delightful ways to see a long stretch of the city is to hop on a streetcar. If you're in the French Quarter and want to see uptown New Orleans, take the St. Charles streetcar, which goes all the way from the heart of the Quarter to the riverbend on the other side of the town, through the north end of the Garden District, Audubon Park and just south of the Loyola and Tulane campuses. It's a perfect trip for house-gazing and people-watching. New Orleans Original Daiquiris is just around the corner from the last stop uptown; pick up a daiquiri to give your ride a little buzz. Warning: Trying to take the streetcar on Mardi Gras weekend can be nearly impossible because of the crowds; the St. Charles streetcar is also not an option when St. Charles is on a parade route.

For shopping and strolling, try Magazine Street six blocks south of St. Charles at the other end of the Garden District, a charming stretch of boutiques, antiques and restaurants. The French Quarter is also great for ambling. Skip Bourbon Street unless you just have to have a grain alcohol concoction in a novelty neon container; instead hop one block over and try walking the length of Royal Street from Canal to Esplanade during the daytime. You can also catch a $2 ride at the foot of Canal Street on the Algiers Ferry, which offers beautiful views of the city as it crosses the Mississippi River to Algiers Point, a walkable neighborhood on the West Bank.

And make time for these absolute New Orleans treasures: Domino Sound Record Shack, a collector's paradise; the interactive sound installation Music Box Village, an open-to-the-public wonderland of musical houses and structures; and the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a warmly curated collection honoring Mardi Gras Indians, second lines, jazz funerals and other aspects of the city's black cultural history.

Carnival

If you want the absolute pinnacle of Mardi Gras madness, you'll want to make the trip for Mardi Gras day and the weekend preceding it, but keep in mind that the parades and celebrations of Carnival go on for weeks beforehand, with schedules easy to find online.

The bigger parades can be overwhelming, but they're a fun window into how much of a communal, family event Carnival is (particularly further from the Quarter on the parade routes). The best of the biggies: the irreverent Krewe du Vieux, famous for its wicked satire, kicks things off in mid-February; the all-female Krewe of Muses rolls uptown on the Thursday before Mardi Gras (its elaborately bedazzled shoes are one of the most prized "throws" of Mardi Gras season); and the historically black Krewe of Zulu tosses hand-painted coconuts in its mammoth procession on Mardi Gras day.

Everyone, at least once, should try the bone-rattling thrill of hanging out under an overpass on a Mardi Gras parade route, where the processions pause for the high-school marching bands to take advantage of the throbbing acoustics under the bridge.

Various nontraditional parades have more manageable crowds, more opportunities for impromptu participation, and often the most interesting DIY art. Dance along with the costumed revelers at the Box of Wine and Red Beans walking parades; check out the incredible shoebox-sized tiny floats of the all-miniature parade, 'tit Rex; gawk at the rolling art installation that is the science-fiction-themed Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus; and woof along with Barkus, the all-dog parade. Things get stranger still if you can hunt down one of the various secret, no-permit parades by word of mouth; the Mystic Krewe of Eris provides an experience you won't soon forget if you can find them.

If you are in town for Mardi Gras weekend, check out the Panorama Brass Band at AllWays Lounge on Saturday night. Make sure to get some sleep on Monday — the party on Mardi Gras day starts first thing in the morning and lasts all day. Start downtown with the walking parades of the Society of St. Anne or the St. Anthony Ramblers, featuring the most lovingly outlandish costumes in the city. They don't follow precise routes, but R Bar or Mimi's are good spots to join up, and they roll down Royal all the way into the Quarter. Or start your morning uptown on St. Charles to watch Zulu and follow them into the Quarter. One way or another, spend some time checking out the costumes and mini-krewes on Royal, which provides a steady stream of wonders all day. Catch an outdoor band in Jackson Square, then duck into Pirate's Alley around the corner for an absinthe, then mosey to the Moonwalk riverfront park, where the day's adventurers take a minute to relax by the Mississippi.

It may take some searching, but Mardi Gras day is also one of just two days a year that you can witness an utterly singular New Orleans cultural tradition: Mardi Gras Indians are out chanting, singing and strutting in the stunning costumes that they have worked on all year. The best spots to find them are under the I-10 overpass on Claiborne and outside the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Seventh Ward. 

Essential New Orleans

[spencersarc]

Ok so we seem to have turned into some football mad family which from last weeks confession of not being a Football fan other than watching the odd England game is quite a step up!

This week we were asked along to the Lovely Hotel Football to review their family friendly Squad room along side The Class of 92 room which is a must for Manchester United Fans.

I have to say we don’t tend to book many hotels its hard to find ones that can accommodate all 6 of us in rooms next to one another.

But as me and Spencer’s ARC Daddy had stayed at this hotel before when we attended a blogger conference and loved it we thought we would give it another go as a family.

Arriving at the hotel late due to a baby illness on the way we explained that we had a table booked in the Cafe football. They were so accommodating and told us not to worry they would let us settle in and move our booking a half an hour.

The staff on reception and throughout the hotel and Cafe Football are so friendly and helpful. You really don’t feel like anything is a chore. They are very accommodating too.

Squad Room

Our first room The Squad room located on floor 8 just one floor below “heaven” the roof top pitch where the hotels Football Camp is being held had amazing views from the two massive windows one over looking the city lights and one over looking the Old Trafford Stadium.

Arriving in the room the kids were so excited by the subtle football theming, the goal and ball feature wall and the wallpaper on the way to the room that is made to look like old football cards with players on.

Mini Bar

I have to say the last time we stayed here I was amazed at the Free mini Bar yes free and like no other mini bar Its stocked with old favourites like club biscuits, vimto, picked onion space raiders and more besides. They even tell you at reception that even if you don’t eat it during your stay. Just take it with you. It’s free!

On top of the Free mini bar this time the room had two packs of Top trumps cards and a pack of mini chocolate footballs for each of the big kids. The kids spent no time at all eating the chocolate footballs. And ripping open the top trumps cards.

There is also the standard tea and coffee facilities and all of this is within the price of the room.

Bedtime

Climbing into Bed after a long day exploring or in our case driving up to Manchester was like a dream apart from the buzzing from the air conditioning unit from the room next door which luckily we were also reviewing due to the size of our family. The buzz was easily rectified by turning off the air-con. I have to say the buzzing didn’t affect anyone else in our room just me as I have tinnitus and it interfered with my own buzzing ears.

Comfy

I just love comfy hotel pillows and duvets I never seem to be able to buy the same quality for our bed. The ones at hotel football do not disappoint. And they don’t skimp either there are four pillows on the bed so you’re not having to fold them over and over like in some hotels I’ve stayed in the past. To be honest I could have stayed there all day long!

Babies

Sometimes when staying away from home even if the room is advertised as having a cot available it doesn’t mean it fits in the room very well but the room here is so spacious. We managed even to bring in the other cot from the other room so that we could all sleep together.

There was even an extra cot Mattress and sheets provided which a lot of places ask you to bring along with you.

Time For A Wash

In most hotel bathrooms there is just a shower, at Hotel Football there is a shower and a bath. The shower is very spacious and you could probably fit the whole family in there. There is no clingy shower curtain its a wet room style shower.

All of the bathroom products are in the style of football shirts bring the whole football theme in with the room.

Squad rooms can be booked as part of a Stay and play package when signing up for the Half Term Football Camp.

Class Of 92 Room

When you arrive at your room you will see there is something different from the other rooms as the Class of 92 rooms have an identifying red number instead of the white that other rooms in the hotel have.

Entering the room you will see signed football shirts and framed signed poster as well as quotes around the room.

In the Class Of 92 room the Complimentary Mini Bar is stocked with the usual sweets and crisps as well as the hotels very own Hotel Football Beer. Which I have to say went down well with Spencer’s ARC Daddy.

This room had been split into twin beds and then the cot for a baby but as I said we managed to fit it into the other room. Even divided like this the room still felt spacious.

In both rooms there is plenty of work spaces if you do have to do a bit of work during your stay.

If you are there for the football then don’t worry the smart TV has complimentary sports channels as well as all the usual channels if you would rather watch the soaps.

Cafe Football

You can book a table at Cafe Football during your stay. We had booked for when we arrived and as I’ve said we were late due to a poorly baby. Spencer’s ARC Daddy ended up staying in the room with the little twins while me and the big twins went for dinner.

Food

Both Jake & Melody chose meatballs and spaghetti from the Children’s menu. (Children’s meals are a set price for their main meal, dessert and soft drinks)

Now in hindsight I should have chosen for the fussy little critters as although when I tried the dinner found it nothing but delicious the meatballs were quite spicy and the food was full of flavour. Which most would find delicious. But my kids are on a beige diet at the moment. A better choice would probably have been nuggets, and chips! Which I’m sure would have been equally delicious.

Let me tell you they had no trouble polishing off the ice-cream.

I on the other hand went for vegetable pie with chips and four cheese sauce. With a side of garlic bread. I had no trouble eating up this delicious meal. It was just the right sized portion too.

I opted for a sweetie pic n mix for pudding that I took back to the room to share.

We also had breakfast with our stay and breakfast consisted of continental and or cooked options. As well as obviously tea and coffee or juice! The breakfast didn’t disappoint.

  Room Service

When I ordered our meals I also ordered Spencer’s ARC Daddy his to be delivered to the room.

He opted for fish n chips which he said was delicious and when we arrived back in the room there was only an empty plate for evidence of that.

Travel.

When we stayed last we caught the train and then a taxi from the station. I think we could have actually got on a tram but as par usual we were in a time scale and running late.

Parking

This time we drove. There is a dedicated hotel car park which is a set price of £5 overnight. It is a first come first served basis.

Roundup .

All in all our stay at Hotel Football was brilliant. The whole hotel still feels new and fresh. It’s super clean and tidy and just has a lovely feel about the place.

The kids found it super exciting and we have already booked again for the BlogOn conference in may next year.

Thank you Hotel Football and Cafe Football for this amazing opportunity to review your rooms with our squad!

To book or for more information you can email reservations@hotelfootball.com

Nina x

Although we received a stay and meal at the hotel in exchange for a review all opinions are my own and as always I only work with companies and brands who fit with our family’s ethics and lifestyle.

If you think we are a good fit for your brad and would like to work with me or my family please email collab@spencersarc.com

Hotel Football – Squad Room, Class of 92 Room & Cafe Football Review. Ok so we seem to have turned into some football mad family which from last weeks…

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New Post has been published on https://cookingtipsandreviews.com/how-to-pickle-onions-and-how-to-eat-em/

How to Pickle Onions (and How to Eat 'Em)

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Laura DenbyApril 20, 2018

Learn how to make sweet, tangy pickled onions with our quick step-by-step guide.

Shutterstock/Neil Langan

For many home cooks, pickled onions might be an unusual, complicated ingredient. They mysteriously pop up on a hearty club sandwich or crispy fish tacos, bringing a surprising kick of bright and vibrant flavor. However, this sweet, sour and slightly acidic topping is easier to make than you’d think. (It’s almost easier than making refrigerator pickles!) We’re here to teach you how to pickle onions, with a few pantry staples that you already have on hand.

Which Onions Make the Best Pickled Onions?

Feel free to use either red or white onions, but we think red onions are best because they have vibrant tang and a beautiful, cherry pink color. (Why are most pickled onions pink, you wonder? They start with red onions!)

How to Make Pickled Onions

Ingredients

2 small onions

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup water

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon salt

Pickling spices of your choosing

Step 1: Prep the Onions

Slice the onions into thin rounds and separate the layers with your fingers. Set aside in a glass bowl.

Step 2: Make the Pickling Liquid

Using a small pot, bring the vinegar, water, sugar and salt to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. At this stage, you can also add any spices or flavorings to the pickling liquid. For a hearty pickle, I like to add mustard seeds and peppercorns. For a sweet and spicy pickle, I add anise seeds, cloves and nutmeg. You can use our homemade pickling spice recipe to get started. The flavor combinations are endless, so get creative!

Test Kitchen tip: It’s important to use white vinegar because it’s clear, colorless and relatively flavorless. Unlike other vinegar, white vinegar won’t affect the flavor of your onions.

Step 3: Pack ‘er Up

Next, pour the pickling liquid over the onions in the glass bowl. Set aside and let cool completely. Transfer the onions and their liquid to mason jars so that they are completely submerged. Tightly seal the jar lids and refrigerate. (Need room in the fridge? Here’s how to get things organized.)

These zesty veggies can be enjoyed as soon as an hour or two after pickling, or can last for up to a month in the refrigerator.

Step 4: Use ’em Up

We’ve got so many ideas for you! Try ’em on top of these chicken salad sandwiches or as a garnish on traditional meat loaf. Pickled onions add a bit of zesty acidity to ordinary foods, like our top-rated grilled cheese, which helps elevate flavor and make the sandwich more complex. This combo of salty, sour and sweet is also a great add-on to our spicy grilled fajitas, main dish salads or basic avocado toast.

With this skill in your culinary toolkit you’ll be pickling like a pro in no time. Tangy!

Even More Pickled Recipes

Grandma’s Dill Pickles

This treasured dill pickle recipe is like an old friend. These crispy spears have a slightly salty, tart flavor with a good balance of dill, garlic and peppers. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

Get Recipe

Pickled Sweet Peppers

I’m in my eighties and still love to can my homegrown produce. I call this recipe “Summer in a Jar.” The peppers have a nice combination of tart and spicy flavors. —Edna Clemens, West Branch, Michigan

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Easy Refrigerator Pickles

These refrigerator pickles are a great way to use cucumbers and onions from the garden. Here in Upstate New York, we have an abundance of cucumbers. —Catherine Seibold, Elma, New York

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Spiced Pickled Beets

With spicy, robust flavor, these pickled beets are so good, they’ll convert any naysayers! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

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Pickled Green Beans

This recipe produces zippy little pickles, preserving my green beans for months to come…if they last that long. I crank up the heat a bit with cayenne pepper. —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Microwave Pickles

You can enjoy a small batch of these sweet crunchy pickles anytime without the work of traditional canning methods. They’re loaded with flavor and so easy to make. —Marie Wladyka, Land O’Lakes, Florida

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So-Sweet Squash Pickles

These crisp crunchy slices, seasoned with celery seed and mustard seed, have a sweet-sour taste that everyone is sure to relish! The colorful blend of yellow squash, sweet red pepper and chopped onion makes a beautiful presentation. -Eleanor Sundman Farmington, Connecticut

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Pickled Sweet Onions

These slightly crunchy pickled onions are not only a great gift for Christmas, but also a terrific contribution to a backyard barbecue as a relish for burgers and hot dogs. —Laura Winemiller, Delta, Pennsylvania

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Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Easy and economical, Refrigerator Dill Pickles are tangy, zesty and crispy. No one will believe you made them yourself! —Jake Haen, Ocala, Florida

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Freezer Cucumber Pickles

When I first started to make these crunchy and satisfying freezer pickles, I wasn’t sure if the method would actually work. To my surprise, they came out perfect! Now I make enough to take them to picnics or give as gifts to friends and neighbors. —Connie Goense, Pembroke Pine, Florida

Get Recipe

Pickled Bell Peppers

Everyone around here knows me for this colorful, tasty dish. I serve the peppers with a lot of meals and other times I’ll turn it into a salad for a weeknight cookout. —Heather Prendergast, Sundre, Alberta

Get Recipe

Fire-and-Ice Pickles

These sweet and spicy pickles are great on a sandwich or all by themselves as a snack. The recipe is an easy way to dress up store-brought pickles and make them a special treat! —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Get Recipe

Refrigerator Garden Pickles

Canning isn’t necessary for these crisp-tender, tangy pickles. Keep them in the fridge and eat them up within a month. —Linda Chapman, Meriden, Iowa

Get Recipe

Pickled Green Tomato Relish

When I’m left with green tomatoes at the end of summer, I reach for this recipe. Friends and family are so happy to receive the sweet-sour relish that they often return the empty jar and ask for a refill! —Mary Gill, Florence, Oregon

Get Recipe

Tangy Pickled Mushrooms

Home-canned pickled mushrooms are a great addition to your pantry. They’re ideal for cocktails, appetizers, salads and relish trays.—Jill Hihn, Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms, West Grove, Pennsylvania

Get Recipe

Christmas Pickles

My pickle recipe was adapted from one a dear family friend shared. These morsels are delicious any time of year, but the green, red and white hues of the pickles, cherries and onions make them ideal for Christmas gift giving. —Patricia Martin, Shelbyville, Tennessee

Get Recipe

Sweet and Sour Zucchini Pickles

To use up all those green beauties in your garden, make these unexpected zucchini pickles. Preserve them now to share as a holiday gift from your kitchen. —Tina Butler, Royse City, Texas

Get Recipe

Spicy Pickled Garlic

Here’s a delicious condiment for the garlic lover on your list. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how pickling mellows out the garlic, making it a tasty sandwich topper. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Refrigerator Jalapeno Dill Pickles

I’m passionate about making pickles. My husband is passionate about eating them. He’s too impatient to let them cure on the shelf, so I found this quick recipe to make him happy. Add hotter peppers if you like. —Annie Jensen, Roseau, Minnesota

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Watermelon Rind Pickles

“Waste not, want not” has always been smart advice—especially when it produces picked watermelon rind that’s so refreshing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles

I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles, too. I think you’ll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois

Get Recipe

Sweet & Spicy Pickled Red Seedless Grapes

Most people don’t think about grapes when creating a canned pickle recipe. The pickling liquid for these grapes includes red wine, vinegar, and common pickling spices like coriander, mustard seeds and hot pepper; it also contains warm spices like cinnamon and star anise along with brown sugar. These flavor-packed grapes are unique and delicious on an antipasto, pickle or cheese tray.—Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

Get Recipe

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Wake Up Your Taste Buds With This Spicy Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Whether you’re looking for a healthier alternative to rice or you simply want to integrate more veggies into your diet, this Spicy Cauliflower Rice, contributed by Mercola staff employee Rachel Saenz, is a dish that you’ll surely enjoy. It’s low-carb, gluten-free and loaded with a wide array of nutrients.

What’s more, it’s flavored with various health-boosting spices and seasonings for an added zing. There’s no reason for you to pass up this invigorating dish, so try making it today and surprise your family with a flavorful recipe that has a healthy twist.

Serves: 6 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 4 cups cauliflower “rice” (grated or processed into very small pieces) 1 teaspoon coconut oil 1/2 medium onion, finely diced 3/4 cup tomato sauce 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 jalapeno, finely chopped

Procedure:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add onions and jalapenos, and then sauté until tender, about two to three minutes.

Add the garlic and cauliflower, sauté until the cauliflower is tender, approximately two minutes.

Add tomato sauce, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir to evenly coat the vegetables. Cook for three to four minutes, or until tender and heated through.

Here’s How Cauliflower May Help Enrich Your Well-Being

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that’s been getting a lot of press lately due to its remarkable versatility. You can eat it raw and crunchy by adding it in a salad, roast it until it’s caramelized or process it to resemble carb-rich foods like rice and potatoes (as with the recipe above).

While it’s often overshadowed by its greener cousins broccoli, lettuce and kale, cauliflower also deserves a spot in your healthy diet, as it contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, some of which include:

  Vitamin C

Vitamin K

Thiamin

Riboflavin

Niacin

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Choline

Potassium

Cauliflower is also an excellent source of antioxidants and phytonutrients, including beta-carotene, kaempferol and quercetin, to name a few. With the rich nutritional content of cauliflower, it’s not surprising that it provides a lot of health benefits too, such as:

Helps reduce the risk of cancer

Helps improve heart health

Helps keep inflammation in check

Helps maintain proper digestive function

Helps detoxify the body

Helps boost brain health

Don’t Underestimate the Merits of Spices and Seasonings

Spices and seasonings not only turn an otherwise boring dish into a mouthwatering meal, but they also boost its nutritional value without drastically increasing the calorie content. Some of the nourishing spices and seasonings used in this recipe include:

Cumin: Known as the second most popular spice in the world, cumin is rich in phytochemicals, which account for its carminative, antiflatulent and antioxidant properties. It’s also an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron, copper, zinc, potassium, manganese and vitamins A, E, K and C.

Paprika: A dash of paprika may help improve your eye health, since it’s rich in lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. It also contains copper and iron, which may help improve blood circulation and formation, which in turn reduces your risk of heart disease.

Cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, K and B6. It’s also rich in manganese, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and potassium.

Himalayan salt: Unlike regular table salt, Himalayan salt is less processed and has no additives. It contains 84 trace minerals, some of which include magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and potassium.

Other ingredients that make this dish tastier and healthier include garlic, which is known for its antibacterial and antiviral effects, and onion, which is an excellent source of valuable polyphenols that may help reduce your risk for cancer, maintain good heart health and enhance gut flora, among others.

This recipe also makes use of coconut oil, a superfood that’s rich in fatty acids and known for its many health benefits, such as improved brain function, better heart health, healthier immune system and higher energy, to name a few.

A Few Tips to Keep in Mind When Cooking Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice is quick and simple to make, but that doesn’t mean that you can just toss those “grains” into the skillet, leave them to cook and wish for the best. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure that your cauliflower rice tastes light, fresh and appetizing:

Don’t sauté for too long: While a quick sauté may enhance the flavor of cauliflower rice heating for too long may cause it to lose its light and fluffy texture. If you don’t want to end up with a soft and soggy dish, be mindful of the cooking times mentioned above.

Avoid using too much sauce: Cauliflower rice doesn’t absorb sauces or liquids the same way rice does, so be sure to put just enough sauce to coat the “grains” instead of pouring too much liquid into your dish.

Don’t cook too much cauliflower rice all at once: Cauliflower rice tastes best when it’s freshly made, so as much as possible, cook only the amount that you can eat. If you’re planning to store it for later meals, don’t store it for more than two days, since it may soften and give off a strong smell.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/04/29/spicy-cauliflower-rice-recipe.aspx