#cardamom bitters

[looming-lo]

Cocktail - Spiced Pear Old-Fashioned Recipe

The ideal fall cocktail is an old fashioned with pear and rosemary.

[chelseahogue]

Recipe for Spiced Pear Old-Fashioned The ideal fall cocktail is an old fashioned with pear and rosemary.

[a-wonderful-christmastime]

Recipe for Spiced Pear Old-Fashioned The ideal fall cocktail is an old fashioned with pear and rosemary. 1 pear wedge for garnish, 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, 1 cup ice cubes, 3 ounces club soda chilled, 1/4 pear chopped, 1/2 fluid ounce ginger liqueur, 1 very large ice cube, 3 dashes cardamom bitters, 1 lemon twist, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary divided, 1.5 fluid ounces bourbon

[supercantaloupe]

i am not immune to marketing gimmicks (<- just bought limited edition cocoa flavor online)

[thestarofcottonland]

hi pea!! i love your blog soo much and am also such a fan of your reviews on fragrantica 💝 so i wanted to ask: what’re your favorite fragrance notes and favorite perfumes based on those notes? :3 wishing you a great day!!

wahhhh thank you.....my reviews arent even anything special i dont conjure images well yet but im flattered....

despite having so many perfumes i feel like im still learning what my favourite notes are, i very often get caught up in what sounds good but i fail to really grasp the compatibility of the scents...or even what might have been compatible can be blended poorly.

my favourite notes im familiar with would have to be: honey, which ive found best encapsulated in Bee Ellis Brooklyn, jasmine, best in Gorgeous Jasmine Gucci (despite very sad longevity..), sweetened rose which sadly all the best looking ones ive found are hard to find or just hard to get in canada but Rose Gourmand Zara i do rather like, and i think i must love orange blossom cause its there in all the sweetest perfumes ive ever smelled (Paradoxe, Love Don't Be Shy, Made in Heaven, and D&G Devotion that i just ordered after loving it instantly in the store)

i need to get more familiar with milk, coffee, hay, and i think i could really love seaweed! i think its what lends that moldy smell to Sea of Gray Solstice Scents, and i actually love it so much. cant help it i have mold nostalgia!! im relating to animalic girlies now like yeah sometimes stuff stinks really good and its cozy.

[luckystrike-x]

.

[chryza]

she is my best friend

[rachalixie]

what stray kids' kisses taste like.

bang chan's kisses taste like warm tobacco and vanilla, a hint of sweetness and smoky sultry ash combining to make a swirl of campfire smoke in your mouth. his teeth are as sharp as the flames as they sink into your bottom lip, soothed by his marshmallow tongue. 

lee minho's kisses taste like rum soaked cherries, indulgent and sweet with a hint of bitterness that cuts through like colors on a stained glass window. he stains you completely red, the traces of his mouth against your skin leaving marks that can’t be covered up even if you intended to. 

seo changbin's kisses taste like sweet moscato, sweet with hints of grapefruit and raspberries, bubbly as he drifts along your tongue. he leaves you giggling against him, drunk off of the feeling of his lips on yours, kissing you again and again and again until you’re panting for more sips of him.

hwang hyunjin's kisses taste like roses and strawberries, floral and sweet and almost too much but never overwhelming. his lips feel like dainty petals against yours paired with the sweetest strawberry of his tongue dancing as fluidly as his limbs when he’s performing. 

han jisung's kisses taste like cinnamon and cloves, a bit of cardamom peeking through, as complex as a steaming mug of chai on a cold night. the comfort of your coziest socks as the heat from his mouth transfers to yours, making you melt against him like frost dripping off of evergreen trees. 

lee felix's kisses taste like lemon cupcakes, sweetness accompanied by the sharp bite of citrus that meld together in perfect harmony. creamy delicate swipes of tongue against lemon bites with his teeth that leave your head spinning. 

kim seungmin's kisses taste like crumbly butter biscuits, melting on your tongue, complemented by crystalized pieces of salt that cut through the sweetness with sharp fervor. the spice of freshly cracked black pepper comes through late, a welcome surprise hitting your head and making your eyes flutter shut. 

yang jeongin's kisses taste like salty ocean water, he hits your palette and makes you crave more and more. there’s sunshine dancing against your teeth as they meet, his tongue soothing the ache with the scent of sea breeze and fresh coconuts flowing through the air around you.

[sungvrhs]

SWITCHING SIDES - Lee Heeseung

"You may try to take control, my love, but I would always be the one holding the reins." warnings: EXPLICIT! SubxDom play. Female!readerxMale!Heeseung. The roles switch in the midway. Use of chains, cuffs and blindfolds, slight nipple play and fingering? WORD COUNT: 2.3K note: Posting for the Diary 2024: #15240822 with my twin @diorsyun! Reblogs and comments would be appreciated. It has been long since I wrote so please ignore the tipsy plot! English ain't my native language so please ignore any grammartical errors

───────────────⋆⋅MDNI⋅⋆───────────────

"Y/n! P-Please, Agh-" A choked moan escaped his lips as tears of frustration slipped down his orbs, wetting the silk cloth covering his vision. He was beyond frustrated since the moment you had him under your hold. What was even more was that you were sly enough to have him under your grip as you smirked to yourself whilst his hands fought against the cuffs restraining them. Having him helpless was super fun since you would always be the one to submit to him.  A little switch twitch was necessary wasn’t it? This was the third time you edged right before he released, causing exasperated sighs to escape his lips, heart heaving at a slow yet paced rate. “It has just been a little while till now Hee, I thought you were strong enough to pull through this.” You sulked, your fingers resting on his abs, tracing down the outlines whilst you took your seat on the bed right next to him. His mouth fell apart as he gasped for air, the choker around his neck being confined to immobilized his breathing just by a fraction. He was too hazed by the environment, and not hearing a response from his end had you pissed off as you grasped the loose end of the chain, pulling it taught as his neck jerked forward, your face leaning down to meet his with a space of few inches in between while; he could feel your minty breath clouding his lips. “Use your words, pretty boy.” It took him a moment to gulp down his saliva, nodding sideways at your statement. “I-It’s too much of the-” “Too much what? Didn’t think of the consequences twice before messing up with me did you?” You spoke in a higher pitch, practically scolding him which had him silenced. He prayed for you to not go on another round of teasing and torturing him silently as you looked at him, your heart swelling at his messed up state which swelled your heart.The way he thickly gulped down his saliva, his Adam’s apple bobbing at his former actions, the silk cloth almost drenched in his tears, you couldn’t take it anymore. Although, to be fair and square, this was what he had asked for. 

You pushed him back in the pillows, a low grunt escaping his lips which you engulfed with your lips in a chaste kiss. The haste reciprocation of your mild actions reflected his utter desperation, with your fingers lightly gripping on his jaw. Nibbling on his lower lip, your tongue mingled with his, fighting for the upper hand. He fought for dominance but your hands were quick enough to grasp on his retrained ones, pushing them further to let him know who was the real boss here. With the scent of cinnamon and the taste of cardamom slipping on his tongue, his taste buds gulped down the bitterness, his face scrunched; the taste contradicting the sweetness of the lip gloss you wore. The bitter sweet flavor had him faltering his strength to fight back against you, but he really couldn't wait any longer. And he could not beg for it anymore. Whilst you noticed the tiresome body responding low to your fiery actions, you broke the kiss, causing him to chase your lips as to which he failed miserably. He was disappointed, although he didn’t make it evident, but you knew how he was feeling. He had been very patient with your painful yet amusing play and he was secretly enjoying every inch of it, despite the odds of his cries that rang through your ears. 

You slowly reach out for his blindfold, giving him an indication that you were going to take it off as he leans forward, his vision blurring and eyes squinting at the sudden exposure of light blinding him, a soft groan escaping his lips. He blinks a few times to get familiar with the surroundings, the exotic environment hazing out his brain as his gaze met yours. His chocolate orbs, glistening with slight tears, traveling up to meet your hazel ones whilst you straddled him. Your siren gaze had him shuddered with his doey ones as he found himself at the loss of words. Your locks hung loose as to which he wanted to tuck them behind your ear so bad. If only telepathy was something that existed but what was greater was how the eyes spoke in silence. The synchronized rhythm of breathing with chests heaving at a slow pace, eyes blinking at the same time as you found it hard to maintain the eye contact any longer, bursting into laughter as your head fell on his chest, the small vibrations causing him to chuckle. Funny how a small intimate moment turned into something hilarious. “Heeseung I can't do this with seriousness anymore.” Your light chuckles caused his face to flush with embarrassment, since your fingers were resting on his bare chest. Least to say that he was pretty sensitive when it was you who was turning him on every passing second. And you know your game pretty well. You knew he was trying to hide it well when you were resting your palm on his pecs. “You were t-the one who started it though.” He spoke in the midst of his chuckles, trying his best not to groan whilst your thumb softly grazed over his honey skin. You chucked, your right hand making way to cradle his jaw as you leaned close to whisper. “You were the one who recommended it. Besides, wasn't this all written in your ‘wildest dreams of desires?’” His eyes slightly widened at the mention of the secluded section of his diary. No one was supposed to read that. His face heated up whilst he stuttered. “N-No, nobody was supposed to read that.” Your palm left his face, your lips pressing small kisses on the shell of his ear, tracing it down to his jaw as his mouth fell open. He knew exactly where this was going and he wasn't prepared for the rest.

“But what's the fun in not doing it? Don't you always fulfill my needs? So why shouldn't I comply to fulfill yours?” You crossed your arms over your chest as you lay on top of him, your clothed body against his, your body temperatures were the only thing that were distinguishing the two of you. The silence was unexpected, as if he was in the midst of his thoughts trying to find his path out to draw a single conclusion. And he was taking longer than you had expected as you sighed, your fingers pinching on his nipples as he let out a groan. “Y/n!” His eyes widened at your actions. “Come on Hee, don't think much about it. I'll give you 3 seconds to either say a yes or no. 1…” And he panicked, not knowing as to what he was going to agree or disagree. “But what is it abou-” “...2…” Your fingers traced down his collarbone, his uneven breathing picking up pace as he stuttered. “3-” “F-Fine, fine. I agree.” He dropped his head back to the pillows, knowing well that this was how he was going to be for the next few minutes. You lightly squealed, tossing a candy in your lips as you purse your lips, relishing the taste as you hummed. “Thank you babe.” You smiled sheepishly, pulling him in a messy kiss as to which he responded back, the zesty taste of lemonade flavor causing his face to scrunch up whilst he tried to break the kiss, but you were quick enough to chase his lips. Your teeth engulfed his lower lips, pushing the sour candy into his mouth whilst you broke the kiss, the string of saliva keeping you both attached. “I hate it.” He spat out, disgusted at the flavor you chose causing you to raise your eyebrow as your hand traveled down to his clothed shaft, earning a low moan from his lips as he jerked his hips forward, hands fighting against the cuffs. His lips fell apart at the little ounce of pleasure he was receiving, your movements slowing down whilst you felt his need to chase his high. “No fuck, please don't stop Y/n.”

“I wonder who was incharge here in the first place Mr.Lee.” You spoke, pouring as your hand and face gestured gears running in the back of your head. “Please!” The word came out exaggerated, exactly how it would be when he would be pissed off on his need not being fulfilled. Besides, you couldn't let him suffer this time, he had been too patient in the last few hours. “Of course of course my love.” Lowering his boxers whilst he helped you remove them, you placed a soft kiss on the tip of his shaft. He shuffled in his place, another moan escaping his lips as you continued to stroke it down, pacing up whilst you helped him chase his high, a sigh of relief escaping his lips after a series of chanting your name and enticing melodies of pleasure.

You went up to unlock the cuffs, his hands dripping down the very next second they were lose as you mumbled a small ‘sorry’ with an apologetic gaze, softly massaging his wrists that had a few marks on them by now. “God I am not doing that again I swear.” He spoke, sitting up a little as you got off him, ignoring how you were drenched at the moment. A soft chuckle escaped your lips as you took the corner of the bed sheet in your wrist. “We'll see.” You spoke getting up to head to the restroom. You definitely had to take care of yourself before you headed out but feeling a light tug on your wrist had you halted on your place. Turning to face him you could sense the hunt of mischievousness in his eyes. “Where are you going?” He questioned, technically not wanting you to leave but you wanted to escape this asap so as to not embarrass yourself that you weren't soaking for him. “To change.” Your reply was short, contradicting the heartbeats that were racing a marathon. You went back to leave, only to get pulled by him harshly, as you landed on the bed next to him, your arms seeking for his support as you stumbled. You lifted your face to meet his, clouds of lust lurking in his orbs. He was quick enough to change positions, having you underneath him whilst his hands held your shoulders, pinning you down. Leaning down to whisper against your ear whilst his knees made their way in between your legs. And you knew what was coming.

“Are you drenched?” His lips ghosted against the shell of your ear, repeating your actions whilst they traced down to your jaw. You bit your inner cheek, trying your best to not let out those pretty sounds as you cleared your throat. “Drenched in sweat after the play? Of course. You were one hell of a ride.” If this was strong enough an excuse to be bought, Heeseung halted his movements, his face buried in your neck as he let out a small chuckle, the vibrations sending chills down your body. He pulled back to lock gaze with you, hands resting on the sides of your head as you answered back with a stronger gaze, the corner of his lips curving into a slight smirk. “Oh really?” Eyes traveling back and forth between your lips and orbs, his fingers playing with the waistband of your shorts, causing your breath to hitch. “How would you explain this?” his fingers pulled them down, a short gasp escaping your lips as the cool air met your pelvic, sending chills through your body. “I was the one being tormented, yet here you are, being a whole damn mess right in front of me.” His gaze locked yours, the hint of disappointment being evident through his orbs whilst you broke eye contact, your face flushed at his words. “I-I’m not.” you mumbled, voice inaudible with the way his fingers were drawing circles on your inner thighs.

“What was that hun?” You whispered in a low tone, sitting back to use his hands to part your thighs that you had kept shut right when you felt his fingers hover around your core dangerously. “I said I’m not-” Your words were cut short as his lips crashed yours, pulling you in a messy lip-lock. Every ounce of dominance left your mind once you felt his fingers pushing through your cervix, your back arching at his actions, letting out a moan which he gracefully swallowed, never once breaking the kiss whilst his fingers continued to work in rhythm. Breaking the kiss after a few moments, you were left breathless, completely ruined at the pace he was going that was almost going to knock up your orgasm but he pulled back, breaking the tempo as you groaned. “F-Fuck you Heeseung.” He smirked, watching the slick dripping down his fingers, eyeing it up and down as it glistened under the dim lights, with you dismayed at his actions under him. “Your wish is my command.” Smudging your own arousal on your lips, he shoved his fingers in your mouth, taking you by surprise whilst his other hand pushed his shaft inside you, thrusting at a wild pace which only accelerated with every passing second whilst your eyes rolled back at the pleasure. It had you lost that you failed to notice the chain slipping around your neck as he jerked it towards himself, the knot tightening by a fraction causing your eyes to flutter open wide.

"You may try to take control, my love, but I would always be the one holding the reins."

note#2: NOT MY BEST WORK I SWEAR I TRIED MY BEST BUT THIS MIGHT HAVE GONE THE OTHER WAY ROUND. BUT I hope you all liked it! Reblogs and comments would be appreciated <3

[grandmother-goblin]

Savoring the Sunrise

Ao3 - Masterlist

Summary: Morning sex with Astarion. That's it. That's the fic.

Relationships: Astarion x Female!Tav

Rating: Explicit (18+) for smut.

Word Count: 2.6k

Tags: Smut, morning sex, dirty talk, vaginal fingering, penetrative sex, spooning, post Astarion's personal quest.

Mornings had quickly become Astarion’s favorite time of day ever since he could stand in the sun once more. Sunrise used to mean running indoors or underground, or tiptoeing through shadows. It used to spell the end of his tireless nights slaving for Cazador and the beginnings of his daily torment.

Dawn used to be just another bitter reminder of the endless cycle of his inescapable hell. Now it meant so much more.

It meant the beginning of another day with the most important woman in his life. Coincidentally, she was also a cleric of the Morninglord, Lathander. Astarion’s own little ball of sunshine: Indigo.

Gentle sunlight streamed through the window of their room at the Elfsong Tavern, painting a stripe of subdued gold across white bed sheets. Wistfully, Astarion let his hand trail through that streak of light, making a fist as if he could capture it and keep it in his pocket.

Alas, once the tadpole was gone, chances were good that he’d be forced to return to the shadows, never to feel the sun’s warmth on his skin again. Although he had the opportunity to have it all – to become the vampire ascendant and to never fear the sun – he had given it up. 

And he didn’t regret his decision for a moment.

Besides, being with Indigo more than made up for it. She was enough sunshine for the both of them with her golden spun hair and bright smile. Her freckled skin made it seem like she had been kissed a thousand times by Lathander himself, and her eyes held all the radiance of the dawn.

Astarion didn’t know how many more sunrises he would enjoy before he had to retreat back into the shadows, but he knew he wanted to take advantage of each and every one.

Crisp linen sheets rustled as Astarion rolled over and settled himself behind Indigo, draping his arm around her waist and pulling her back against his chest. He could smell the sandalwood and cardamom from her soap lingering against her skin. Delicately, he brushed a strand of hair behind her pointed ear and gazed down at her face as she meditated.

“Indigo,” he said in a voice barely above a whisper. His bare foot brushed along her calf, subtly trying to tickle her into wakefulness. 

Although elves were at least slightly aware of their surroundings while they meditated, Indigo’s meditations were often so deep she might as well be asleep. For someone who worshiped the Morninglord, Indigo certainly seemed reluctant to greet the sunrise. At least, not until she had a cup of coffee.

But perhaps Astarion could give her something better than coffee. He smiled as he slipped the strap of her silk pajama top off her shoulder and pressed his lips to skin. 

“Indigo.” He tried to wake her again with a subtle roll of his hips, his briefs feeling a bit tight as he nudged her backside.

Although he and Indigo had been sharing the same bed for months, he had never tried to wake her up like this. There were several times where he had been most certainly in the mood, but it usually wore off by the time she rose from her coma-like meditation.

As simple and commonplace as it was, Astarion had never woken up next to someone he cared about – not until he found Indigo. He wanted that moment with her: intimacy in the first morning light. He wanted the incandescent feeling of starting the day as close as two people could possibly be.

His hand trailed down to the dip of her waist and slipped beneath her shirt. His fingers splayed across her abdomen as he pulled her closer. “Indy,” he said a little less quietly than before. “You better not be ignoring me, love.”

Indigo gave a little squeak of protest, draping her arm over her eyes. “It’s too early,” she mumbled as she snuggled herself closer to him, tangling her long legs with his.

Astarion swept her long, blonde hair aside and kissed the back of her neck. “Not for me,” he replied. “I think you just need some help waking up.” 

His hand ventured higher up her ribcage and cupped the soft underside of her breast. Gently, he pinched her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, drawing a gasp from her lips. “I have some ideas,” he said and kissed higher up on her neck. 

“Do you, now?” she said, her voice still raspy from disuse. “What ideas would those be?”

His hand slid down the flat expanse of her stomach until he reached her panties. Hooking two fingers into the waistband, he tugged the thin material over the curve of her ass. “I’ll give you one guess,” he said, tugging her panties as far down her legs as he could reach. “If you get it right, I’ll reward you.”

Indigo hummed as she tilted her hips back, her bare sex brushing against the bulge in his briefs. “What if I get it wrong?”

“Then you’ll get my cock, my dear.”

Indigo snorted with laughter, her eyes glowing with amusement when she glanced over his shoulder. Astarion couldn’t help the stupid, love-stricken, grin that spread across his face. “Somehow, I get the feeling your cock was going to be involved regardless,” she said.

Astarion gasped in mock offense. “How dare you presume such a thing.” His fingers traced back up her thigh and circled the jut of her hip bone. He kissed her neck as his hand dipped lower, seeking the soft heat between her legs. “You have such a dirty mind. I was just going to push you off the bed.”

All too casually, she rubbed her ass against his erection, teasing him. “You’re the one who brought up your cock.” She blindly reached behind her and cupped him through his briefs. “And I think I prefer this to being pushed off the bed.”

She stroked up and down his length, making his cock grow thicker with her every touch. He pressed himself into her palm and groaned when she gave him a gentle squeeze. Gods, he loved the feel of her hands on him. 

“I thought you would,” he replied. Momentarily, Astarion withdrew from her touch, just long enough to shove his briefs down his hips. With one strong movement, he pulled Indigo’s body flush against his, eager for the touch of her skin . “Besides, I like having you in bed.”

“I can tell,” she said, rubbing up against his stiff cock.

Gods, he loved how she fit so perfectly in his arms with her whole body pressed against him. Astarion couldn’t count the number of times he thought of just how close they felt as he held her, hands free to touch her anywhere he pleased.  The knowledge that only a few articles of clothing separated him from sliding into the tantalizing heat between her legs felt like a forbidden temptation – one he was all too eager to indulge in.

A pretty gasp escaped her lips as his fingers delved between her thighs. He parted the soft lips of her pussy as he lavished her neck with open-mouthed kisses. 

A tiny, almost imperceptible, spasm of pleasure shot through her as his fingertip brushed over her clit.He circled her clit in a leisurely rhythm, a little slower than he knew she liked just to tease her, drawing out the moment of delicate intimacy for as long as he could. She arched into his touch, moving her hips in subtle encouragement.

He slipped one finger into her snug heat. Then another. She rocked into his hand almost involuntarily – desperate even, as if she wanted nothing more than to be close to him. The power and control he felt, having her writhe in his arms as he fucked her so tenderly with his fingers, was intoxicating. It was intoxicating, having her writhe in his arms as he fucked her so tenderly with his fingers.

“Gods,” she said breathlessly. “I want you in me.”

“Not yet, love,” Astarion replied, curling his fingers as the heel of his palm grinded against her clit. “I want you to come on my hand first.”

Whatever response she might have given disappeared on a moan that set his whole body aflame. He picked up speed, keeping his movements steady but intense. He allowed her pleasure to build. And build. Slowly and relentlessly she came apart in his embrace, her pussy clamping around his fingers as she rode out her orgasm.

A feeling of deep, primal, satisfaction coursed through him as he watched her. The sight of her mouth falling open in pleasure, the way her skin flushed, went straight to his cock.

He withdrew his hand, his fingers glistening with her arousal in the morning light. He brought them to his lips and licked them clean, savoring the taste of her with an edacious groan. Then he gave her a rakish grin and said, “You’re delicious.”

Indigo’s face flushed scarlet at his vulgar display, burying her face under her arm. “It’s far too early for you to be this naughty,” she said with a bashful laugh.

Astarion tailed kisses along her jaw as he reached between them and guided himself exactly where they both wanted him to be. “I thought you liked it when I’m naughty,” Astarion said as he notched his cock at her entrance. “Don’t you?”

“I like all of you.” Indigo backed herself onto him, nudging the tip of cock barely into her silken core. “But especially the naughty parts.”

When she tried to rock her hips again, Astarion’s hand held her steady so she couldn’t take him any deeper. At least, not until he let her. Helplessly, she tried to tilt her hips and gave a frustrated whine when he held firm. “Astarion, don’t tease me like this.”

“Oh, but it’s so much fun.” Astarion lifted her top thigh and guided it back over his, spreading her legs wide for him. “But if you want me so badly, who would I be to deny you?”

He cupped her jaw in his hand and tilted her head back, capturing her mouth with his. Wanting the feel of her lips against his, needing more of her taste on his tongue. Indigo tried to back into him again, desperate for relief that only he could provide. 

And he didn’t want to make her wait a moment longer.

Inch by decadent inch, Astarion sank into her slick heat. So right and warm and perfect. He couldn’t help how his mouth fell open as her walls gripped him as if trying to pull him deeper. Wanting him closer.

Low, pleasured, moans vibrated in her throat as she stretched around his thick length. Her eyes fluttered closed as she deepened the kiss, her tongue caressing his in loving, luxurious, strokes.

 Suddenly, he felt overwhelmed with the need to touch every part of her, his cock growing impossibly harder. He felt consumed by an urge to devour and caress as he fucked her so, so sweetly. Although their position didn’t allow for much range of motion, there was no place on her body he couldn’t reach. Yet, it felt like her body was made just for him.

Eager hands roamed across her front; her soft, rounded breasts and pert nipples, her flat stomach, the sensitive bud between her legs. She gasped against his lips at the lightest sweep of his fingers. “Astarion,” she whined and tried to push herself further down his shaft. “Gods.”

Instead of granting immediate satisfaction, Astarion paused for just a moment, still seated inside of her. He wanted to take the moment in: the sound of her breathing, the warmth of her body, the glow of the morning sun against both of their skin. Something about the moment felt special and he wanted to savor it.

It all still felt like a dream; feeling the sunlight, feeling safe for the first time in centuries, feeling the wonder of a true lover. 

Indigo was his just as much as he was hers – his partner and his equal. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Gods, he loved her. 

He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent as he thrusted in subtle, deep-seated nudges, filling her completely. “You take me so well, Indy.” His lips brushed against her ear as he spoke. A shiver went through her, yet he could not be certain whether his words or the feeling of his cock buried deep inside her elicited such a response. 

He pulled out almost completely and thrusted back into her with a little more force. “I want to start every morning like this,” he said as he pumped into her again. “Hearing those sweet sounds you make, feeling your body against mine…. Would you like that?”

An erotic, husky, yelp was her only response as he plunged in harder. Deeper. Faster. Her blunt fingernails dug into his arm she met each and every thrust with near frantic need.

The tight circles he rubbed around her clit had her writhing, chasing the touch of his fingers as she bounced on his cock, lost completely to pleasure. Pleasure he was more than happy to give because she returned it tenfold, and not just in the physical sense. 

Her pussy clamped around him as he found the perfect rhythm. “Come on my cock, love,” he commanded, his voice low and husky as he pounded into her and exuding much more control than he felt.

Her breathing came in sharp, quick, pants as his hips snapped against her backside. He could feel it: the way her whole body went taut and so deliciously tight as she came apart in his arms, the sound of her pleasured gasps like music to his ears.

His fingertips dug into her thighs as he fucked her harder, faster. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of flesh against flesh mixed with their frantic breaths. His skin prickled and his balls grew tight as he neared his peak. In an instant, every thought in his mind vanished as his orgasm ripped through him. He bit down on her shoulder as he rode it out, drawing blood but not caring in the slightest. Indigo wouldn’t mind.

Holding her close, his thrusts grew slower as he kissed and lapped at her neck. He could feel the rise and fall of her chest as she caught her breath,satisfied and, no doubt, very much awake.

Astarion slowly pulled out and rolled Indigo onto her back, caging her beneath him. She smiled up at him, her freckled cheeks flushed and her hair a disarray. Yet her eyes were filled with absolute love and adoration – the kind that still brought flutters to his stomach.

He brushed her hair out of her face and settled himself on top of her. “Good morning,” he said, smiling back at her just as brightly.

“Good morning.” Indigo looped her arms around his neck as she cradled him between her legs. Then she got a playful little look in her eye and said, “I think waking up like that is almost as good as waking up to the smell of coffee.”

“Almost as good?” Astarion replied, raising his brows in phony indignation. “Do we need to go again, my love? Because I’m all for it.”

“If we go again, I won’t ever get out of bed.” Indigo played with the hair at the nape of his neck, her expression softening. “How would you feel about a coffee date instead?”

Astarion leaned forward and captured her lips in a brief kiss. “I’d like that.”

[najia-cooks]

[ID: Diamond-shaped cake slices arranged into a layered star shape, topped with powdered sugar, with dates and prunes placed around the edge of the plate. Two plates of Italian Christmas cookies are in the background. End ID]

Whole orange cake with sumac and pink peppercorn

This moist, flavorful cake is inspired by Sicilian torta all’arancia (orange cake) and Moroccan مَسْكُوتة‎ ("maskūta"). There is no peeling, zesting, or juicing of oranges required; oranges are added whole, and lend the citrus oils in their peels, the sweetness and flavor of their juice, and the tenderness of their pulp to the final cake.

Maskouta is a wheat-flour-based cake that often comes in orange or yoghurt varieties—this recipe combines both versions. The addition of yoghurt makes the cake incredibly tender, and adds a smooth tartness that perfectly balances the brightness, robustness, and slight bitterness of the citrus oils that infuse the cake. Cardamom and orange blossom water, both occasional additions in Moroccan orange cakes, add delicate aromatics that further round out the flavor of the cake; sumac and pink peppercorn add a sour, fizzling touch that draws the brightness of the orange to a head at the front of the palate.

Recipe under the cut!

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Ingredients:

2 whole organic oranges

1 3/4 cup (210g) flour

1 1/2 tsp sumac

3/4 tsp pink peppercorn

6 green cardamom pods

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp kosher salt

2 tsp orange blossom water

3 Tbsp olive oil

1/3 cup non-dairy yoghurt

1/2 cup non-dairy margarine, softened

1 cup vegetarian granulated sugar

Sicilian and Moroccan orange cakes do not usually include butter; however, I find that a creaming method, which incorporates air into a solid fat such as margarine, helps replace some of the leavening power of whipped eggs.

Instructions:

1. Scrub oranges thoroughly. Submerge them in cool water (weighing them down with a plate) and soak overnight.

This step removes some of the bitterness of the orange peels. If you don't have time for soaking, or if you very much dislike any amount of bitterness in sweets, zest the oranges by taking off just the orange layer of the peel with a microplane or vegetable peeler; set zest aside. Remove as much of the white pith as you can and discard. Use the zest and the peeled orange slices in place of the whole oranges.

2. Remove oranges from water. Blend them, along with orange blossom water, until homogenous. The mixture does not need to be completely liquid.

3. Toast cardamom pods and pink peppercorns in a dry skillet on medium heat until fragrant. Grind in a spice mill, or with a mortar and pestle. Combine dry ingredients (spices, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda) in a mixing bowl.

3. Cream margarine in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer for 30 seconds, until fluffy. Add sugar and cream for 2 minutes, until aerated.

3. Gradually add pulverized oranges and fold in. Add olive oil and yoghurt and fold to combine.

4. Slowly add dry ingredients and gently fold until combined. You should get a fairly thick batter.

5. Prepare a 9" x 13" (about 22 x 33 cm) glass cake pan with oil or margarine. Pour in batter and flatten with a rubber spatula.

6. Bake in the bottom of an oven at 350 °F (175 °C) for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick entered into the center of the cake comes out clean.

7. Once cake has cooled, cut into slices and arrange as desired. Top with powdered sugar.

[ich-bin-der-baer]

German Vocabulary: Herbs and Spices

der Anis -- anise; aniseed das Basilikum -- basil das Blatt (pl. die Blätter) -- leaf (pl. leaves) der Bund -- bunch der Cayennepfeffer -- cayenne die Chilischote -- chilli pepper das Currypulver -- curry powder der Dill -- dill die Fenchelsaat -- fennel seed die Flocken (pl.) -- flakes das Gewürz (pl. die Gewürze) -- seasoning; spice der Ingwer -- ginger das Kardamom -- cardamom der Kerbel -- chervil die Knoblauchzehe -- garlic clove der Koriander -- coriander; cilantro das Kraut (pl. die Kräuter) -- herb das Lorbeerblatt -- bay leaf der Meerrettich -- horseradish die Minze -- mint die Mischung -- mixture; blend die Muskatnuss -- nutmeg die Nelken (pl.) -- cloves der Oregano -- oregano das Paprikapulver -- ground paprika die Petersilie -- parsley der Pfeffer -- pepper der Piment -- allspice der Rosmarin -- rosemary der Safran -- saffron das Salz -- salt der Schnittlauch -- chives das Senfkorn (pl. die Senfkörner) -- mustard seed der Sternanis -- star anise der Stiel (pl. die Stiele) -- stem der Thymian -- thyme die Vanille -- vanilla der Zimt -- cinnamon

garnieren -- to garnish mahlen -- to grind reiben -- to grate salzen -- to salt würzen -- to season

aromatisch -- aromatic bitter -- bitter frisch -- fresh gemahlen -- ground getrocknet -- dried mild -- mild roh -- raw scharf -- hot; spicy süß -- sweet zart -- delicate

(die) geheime Zutat -- secret ingredient (die) Prise Salz -- pinch of salt der Salz-/Pfefferstreuer -- salt/pepper shaker nach Belieben -- to taste; as desired

[apolloendymion]

ok! i think tumblr ate my fucking apple cider recipe post. still, my autumn equinox tradition must carry on!

Apollo's Foolproof From-Scratch Apple Cider That Was So Good It Allegedly Landed Me A Boyfriend

you will need:

12 apples (the variety is up to you, i usually do half granny smith and half whatever's on sale plus a red delicious for garnishing)

10oz raisins

cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom pods, any other warming spices u like (whole > ground) (follow ur heart on the amounts, it's like garlic just throw so much in there. just go wild)

1 orange

brown sugar (i don't have measurements but be prepared to use a LOT lmao, i always buy at least one 32oz bag. you'll be sweetening to taste.)

large pot with lid

potato masher (optional)

two large bowls/pots/receptacles to strain the cider into

fine mesh strainer

cheesecloth or coffee filters (optional)

apple corer or knife

citrus zester

slotted spoon or ladle

the steps:

1. scrub apples gently under hot water to remove grocery store wax coating. core apples making sure all seeds & stems are removed. add apples, raisins, and mulling spices to pot with enough water to fully cover ingredients, and bring to boil. reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.

2. scrub orange to remove wax. zest and juice, avoiding the pith & seeds. use a potato masher or other utensil to lightly mash boiled apple mixture so every apple slice is at least partially broken up, then add the zest & juice to the pot. bring back to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for another hour. then turn off the heat and allow mixture to cool.

3. place two mesh strainers over two bowls or pots (and cover each with a cheesecloth or coffee filters, if you have them). with a slotted spoon or ladle, remove as much of the solids from the pot as you can and place them in one strainer (the larger one, if they are different sizes) to drain, then press out as much liquid into the cheesecloth as possible.

4. pour the cider from the simmer pot into the second cheesecloth and press. combine the liquid from both bowls.

5. add brown sugar to taste

cooking tips:

the times listed above are bare minimums. once all the ingredients are in the pot (minus sugar!) you can simmer as long as you want, so long as someone's nearby to supervise.

always add any sweeteners after the cooking process. otherwise, they'll burn and make the whole thing bitter.

if it's too acidic, add baking soda or more spices. if it's not acidic enough, add lemon juice, additional orange juice, or apple cider vinegar.

variations:

add 12oz fresh cranberries to the first step

sub oranges for lemons or apple cider vinegar

sub brown sugar for straight molasses, maple syrup, or alternative sweetener of your choice (I'd imagine fig or other fruit-based sweeteners would work best)

report back to me if you try something new!! i want to hear how it turned out!

serving suggestions:

add three or four cinnamon imperials (red hots) to your mug, along with a dash of fireball whiskey if you're so inclined. i cannot stress enough how fucking amazing this tastes.

garnish with apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and/or star anise

if you have dairy-free ice cream on hand, pour some cider over a scoop. you can use dairy ice cream, but it's more likely to curdle.

freeze some in an ice cube tray, then blend with some non-frozen cider for a slushie

ok I've never tried this, but i bet blending with pumpkin puree would slap. PLEASE tell me if you try it

this makes a metric fuckload of cider, which is very rich and can be watered down considerably (seriously). share with your friends and/or freeze some to last the season (or halve it, i guess, but that's no fun :P)

[ceruleanvulpine]

i've been considering getting into NA beverages, because i like interesting beverages including cocktails but I only rarely want to get drunk (and it doesn't take much to get me drunk). so yesterday i brought a bottle of Ghia Le Fizz to a party:

no one asked for this, but they were all very obliging in joining the taste test. reviews:

"not the WORST thing I've ever tasted"

"feels like an acquired taste. like, if I was going to like it, I would have to acquire the taste"

"garbage liquid"

(doesn't drink alcohol) "do they make it taste bad to make it like alcohol? does alcohol taste like this?" "alcohol tastes worse" "huh."

PERSONALLY I LIKED IT. first sniff was extremely "strawberry juice," so i thought it would be too sweet for me. next sniff was baffling dry musty herbs. not very sweet, quite dry and tart. not bitter. much more tannic (thx google).

ingredients:

Water, Strawberry Juice from Concentrate, Black Currant Juice from Concentrate, Chamomile Tea, Lapsang Souchong Tea, Date Concentrate, Lemon Juice from Concentrate, Fermented Jasmine Green Tea, Acacia, Gentian Root Extract, Honeysuckle Extract, Orange Peel Extract, Cardamom Extract, Holy Basil Extract, Orris Root Extract, Orange Blossom Extract, Cherrywood Smoked Salt, Orange Extract, Rosemary Extract

it was THIRTY DOLLARS (albeit slightly cheaper online) and no one but me liked it, so i probably wouldn't buy it again. however, if I saw it at a party, I would drink it.

6/10

[supercantaloupe]

thoughts on tea, coffee, pop, sparkling water? other beverages?

LOVE tea, i drink so much tea. basically anything but matcha or mint (though matcha + a sweet fruit flavor like strawberry or peach can be good, it's just not my go to though, and matcha on its own is too grassy for my taste). i've been really enjoying these high quality fujianese black and oolong teas i get from a shop near my internship lately

i don't really like coffee (though i enjoy tiramisu on occasion), but i think if i had like a real nerd level coffee obsessed friend willing to take the time and effort to teach me to enjoy specialty coffee i could see myself enjoying it. i appreciate the craft and the dedication and the weird freak levels of obsession that go into coffee by Coffee People and would like to participate in that. but as it is right now i have yet to drink a coffee and enjoy it. and it's not something i can see myself getting into without someone to hold my hand through the process, so it probably won't happen anytime soon.

i don't drink fizzy drinks at all. so that's a no on soda and sparkling water for me

other beverages. uhh. gonna be real with you i mostly drink tea or water. i do like flavored still water though. harder to find than flavored sparkling water, unfortunately. and juice, i like juice, but i don't drink it much because it's so sweet it'll hurt my teeth and stomach. fresh cider from the farmers market in the autumn fucks severely though. and i wish i liked alcohol because like coffee i think the craft is fascinating but i think alcohol tastes bad. sad.

[serpentface]

hello i would love to hear about culturally specific dishes in the blightseed setting. what do the animals taste like hows their fat content... herbs and seasonings and the trades involved perhaps..... hows the salt economy? love your setting and if you have a list of ingredients i will invent meals in my head and be well satisfied... i just love food and cooking in world building it is so important to me :-)

OK this is crazy because I had literally just cooked a Lore Friendly Meal the night before I got this ask.

Since this is a super broad question gonna default to Imperial Wardin since that's what I'm writing in right now and has the most developed food economy. (Sorry.)

This region currently dominates the eastern Inner Seas tradeway so has a very broad access to imported foods and spices, and many of its staples are not originally native to the region. Its regional cuisine is quite diverse and varied, largely owing to its status in the tradeway and a long history of immigration to the region (as well as a wide variety of native regional variations in diet).

For simplicity's sake I'm mostly going to stick to staples that are grown in-region (whether native or not) or commonly imported. Also mostly sticking to domesticated plant life, or very common and easily acquired wild plants. (Also not all these plants/herbs/spices would be 1:1 with real-world equivalents, or would be of unique variants that don't exist irl, but if they're basically the same thing I use the IRL word)

Staple base foods: maize, barley, wheat, and rice (closer to O. glaberrima than O. sativa), red yam (a yam regarded as very delicious), white yam (a hardier but poorer tasting yam, often associated with poverty), cassava, chickpeas, other legumes.

Staple vegetables (regionally varies): Cabbage, lettuce, okra, onions, garlic, chili peppers, celery, peas, kolis (a drought tolerant, cactus-like plant. Young stems are tender and edible), camiche (a tree that produces edible seedpods and young leaves).

Staple fruits: Dates, figs, pomegranates, olives, melons, apples, bitter cherries, kolis fruit, nara (a type of citrus, comparable in flavor and sourness to lime).

Widely used spices/herbs/flavorings: cumin, saffron (VERY expensive but natively grown), coriander, culantro, thyme, fennel, sage, tumeric, cardamom, ginger, firebug (an insect that is dried and crushed, provides a reddish hue and slight acidic flavor), anuje (a tree sap which is the region's most popular sweetener).

Livestock: cattle, horses (the small 3 hooved kind), hogs, ducks, geese, one domesticated species of gazelle, some camelops (rare in this region, imported), one type of small domesticated lacetor, several types of fowl.

Other meat (common wild game, or livestock raised in smaller or more localized capacities): crocodiles, gazelles, aurochs, salutachin (a meat dog breed), doves, nechoi, lacetor, hippegalga, anara (a large semi-aquatic rodent), hespiornis, unkata (a large flightless bird), ibis, pheasants, rabbits and hares, caviar ants.

(Of the fantasy game, most nechoi have a strong, lean gamey meat, but an-nechoi is fattier and milder. Lacetor is generally mild and tough (with a few very fatty cuts) and benefits from slow cooking and heavy spices. Hippegalga is lean and mildly gamey and has a nutty quality. Anara tastes like wild rabbit, but slightly fattier. Unkata kind of just tastes like turkey.)

Alcohol: Wine is very important and is consumed (mostly watered down) on a daily basis. Date wine is most common and least expensive by far; only small parts of the region are ideal for viniculture and grape wine is somewhat uncommon. Other fruit wines are common (bitter cherry and kolis fruit being most popular). A very strong liquor is produced from anuje sap, with sweeter and lower ABV versions available as a kind of dessert wine. Grain-based beers and liquors are widely available, but not as prized as fruit/anuje drinks. Mead is somewhat rare and is mostly seen as inferior to anuje.

Salt economy: this region is a dominant player in the salt trade, having a large area of salt flats and marshes in its south. Salt is widely accessible throughout the region via internal trade routes.

Fishing: The region has a huge fishing industry along its coasts and the diet in the coastal cities is enriched with seafood. Pretty much any edible sea life is eaten. (Dozens of fish species, octopus, squid, clams, urchins, oysters, scallops, crabs, lobster, shrimp, etc etc). The tiny, schooling larval form of yotici are also sometimes eaten.

There's also a 'whaling' industry for leviathans, which have very rich, blubbery meat high in iron (I guess I'd describe it as a fattier, stronger, bloodier version of alligator meat), and uhrwal, which have very tough, gamey meat and are considered an acquired taste, used specifically for delicacy dishes.

Misc lore:

Arthropods are not widely eaten in the region and have stigma as peasant or famine food. Some local exceptions are made for locusts, and the eggs of caviar ants (there is a very small industry of ant farming in Ephennos, brought by White Sea qilik immigrants).

Dogs have been used for meat in this region for hundreds of years (largely in the form of the salutachin, a breed specifically developed for meat), but the practice declined under the 3rd Burri empire (in which context it was seen as an 'unclean' food). Cultural trauma from feral dogs eating the dead (and in turn being eaten by starving civilians) during a siege-induced famine has made it specifically taboo in Godsmouth. Dog is now widely considered a famine/poverty food in most of the region, though corn-fed salutachin is still a delicacy in the city-state of Wardin.

Animals that eat human flesh are taboo to consume in most parts of the region (whether this extends to all/most predators or just obligate scavengers varies).

Eggs of skimmer gulls and ibis are considered delicacies.

The basic diet varies across the region, but a huge proportion of the established cuisine revolves around cumin, onions, and peppers for flavoring.

The majority of the diet for an average person is built on savory grain porridge and mashed legumes.

Dairy products are important to the everyday diet in the eastern 'dairy belt' of the region, but are of lesser significance elsewhere. Horsemilk and cow's milk are both common.

Maize is usually consumed after nixtamalization for greater nutritional content.

Most people (especially in the cities) do not eat meat on a regular basis, as even for self-sustaining farmers and herders, the value of livestock for milk, textiles, labor, sacrifice, and trade means that frequent slaughter is often unsustainable. Most get their everyday protein needs met with legumes, and those in coastal cities have broad access to seafood.

Animal sacrifice is vitally important to the practice of the Imperial Wardi faith, but the meat of sacrifices is not eaten (outside of a few specific rites and festivals) and is instead burned.

Khaitmeat is rarely eaten outside of desperation (or opportunistic slaughter of old/injured animals) due to their great value and a developed taboo around its consumption in some parts of the region.

Hunting is a pastime for the urban upper class and typically forbidden within the territories of the city-states without an expensive 'license' (unless one one's own lands, which also generally requires having big money). Poaching for meat in the outskirts of cities is common among the urban poor.

Hunting is a key part of the diet throughout the rural parts of the region, many rural commoners eat meat more frequently than their urban counterparts on this merit.

Some established dishes (either vaguely conceptualized, or have come up specifically in writing):

Pounded white yam and nothing else (a famine food).

Pounded white yam with whitefish and pepper soup, a hearty common meal in Godsmouth.

Savory cornmeal cakes (cornmeal cooked in vegetable broth, lard or olive oil, peppers, onions, cumin, salt, cheese, wrapped in a corn husk and cooled to be eaten on the go).

Shitty cornmeal cakes (a famine food) (cornmeal with weevils in it, you can't really get the weevils out and it's protein so might as well, salted and cooked in water).

Grain festival beef/horse stew (tough bone-in cuts slowcooked with peppers, onion, garlic, and any other available vegetables. Usually heavily spiced. The resulting broth is used to cook the grain (usually hominy, rice, or barley), the meat and vegetables are served on top, sometimes with cream or cheese).

Hominy porridge with milk and sprinkled cheese.

Wheat porridge with dried dates and anuje.

Reed duck boiled in date wine, flavored with peppers, coriander, cumin, and saffron (VERY fancy).

Pickled kolis stem bulbs.

Fermented kolis stem bulbs and cabbage.

Gannegal soup (made with bull penis, hominy, garlic, onion, cabbage, and chickpeas in a spicy broth, supposed to support fertility)

Raw hippegalga meat, thinly sliced with onion and hot pepper, all marinated and cured with nara and eaten cold atop barley or rice (also supposed to support fertility)

Anaebi soup (made with reed duck, lily bulbs, rice, and okra, supposed to support a healthy pregnancy)

Cow tripe and cabbage soup

Finely chopped meat/fish/shellfish or vegetables with onions, wrapped in dough and fried or baked.

Peledyo (A strong, heavily fermented fish sauce favored in the coastal cities (this is pretty much a garum ripoff), which is mixed with wine, vinegar, honey, etc to form the base of other sauces)

Very spicy shellfish soup with a peledyo, wine, and pepper broth.

Caviar ant eggs marinated with nara, vinegar, chopped onions and cabbage, mixed with rice.

A sweetened bean porridge made with cream and anuje.

Hummus-esque spread made with chickpeas, garlic, onion, peppers, and olive oil, usually eaten with bread.

Whole spitroasted horse

A type of root vegetable sausage (intestine casing stuffed with mashed cassava or yam, onions, garlic & cumin seeds which have been cooked down in lard, sometimes with minced meat/offal. Boiled all together.)

Blood sausage (usually horse or cattle)

A kind of donut fried in oil and then soaked in anuje and fruit syrup.

Roasted peppers and onions sauteed in heavy cream, usually served atop grain or a grain porridge.

Toasted locusts, locusts fried with rice or barley, pounded white yam stuffed with fried locust and onions (opportunistic meals during locust plagues)

Fried sprats with pepper and onion sauce

Crab stock soup with onions, peppers, crab meat or whole softshell crabs, and crab roe (sometimes with cream)

Squid ink soups (variety of seafood or seafood-stock soups, blackened by squid ink)

A simple 'trail mix' made with dried camiche seeds and hominy

Dessert bread glazed with fruit syrup or anuje, covered in dried dates

Raw minced lacetor with peledyo, garlic powder, cardamom, coriander. Used to top grains or to be eaten with pounded yam.

Thinly sliced uhrwal flank simmered with date wine and vinegar.

Fatty cuts of an-nechoi belly, usually slow cooked and eaten in soups.

Minced kolis stalk, onion, and pepper, salted and marinated with nara or vinegar

Roasted figs with cheese

Also here's the lore friendly meal I cooked, the grain festival beef stew. Here served in only the lore friendliest of dollar store paper bowls

This specific dish is eaten as a part of yearly grain festivals celebrating the end of the harvest. In most contexts it's an agricultural community event with each family contributing whatever vegetables and spices are on hand, and each donating some of their harvested grain. It's cooked in a huge pot and usually serves dozens of people.

The exact vegetable/herb/spice components would vary wildly within the region, timing, and by the success of the various harvests, but will generally be farmed (rather than foraged) due to the nature of the festival as an agricultural celebration and thanks-giving. Cumin, peppers, and onions are considered the absolute bare minimum necessity. The grain will usually be maize, barley or rice, and may be mashed into a savory porridge instead of eaten whole.

This will usually be one of few times a year where meat is eaten in abundance in the agricultural context. The meat is almost always beef or horse, usually tougher bone-in cuts are chosen for this specific dish. These animals will have been slaughtered specifically for this festival, with the best cut of meat from each being burnt in an offering of gratitude to Ganmache and Anaemache (ox-face and river-face of God, both of which are associated with agriculture and harvests), at the base of what will become the cooking fire.

The meat and vegetables are cooked on low heat in water until the meat is soft and tender and a broth is formed (which should be very strong and spicy, as it will be used to flavor the grain). Some of the broth is drained and used to cook the grain, which is then served with the meat, vegetables, and a few spoonfuls of broth on top. In the eastern dairy belt, milk/cream may be added to the broth, and/or it may be topped with crumbled cheese or sour cream. This is next to heresy in the west.

---

For my easily accessible grocery store equivalent, I used a beef shank, 2 onions, 2 jalepeños, one habanero, a bunch of garlic, okra, and cabbage. Seasoned with cumin seeds and tumeric (very lore friendly) and a sazon packet because I had it (most of the spices involved are at least passably lore friendly). Also jasmine rice (not lore friendly but it's what I had).

I first toasted cumin seeds in olive oil, then added the vegetables and stirred until they were cooked down. The meat and vegetables/spices were cooked in water on low heat for ~5 hours and seasoned to taste. Some of the broth was then removed to cook the rice. Meat + vegetables are spooned on top of the rice, along with some broth.

Results: It's preddy good. Might be a little better with roasted or sauteed rather than heavily cooked down vegetables, but the latter is how it would be eaten. I also had a sore throat at the time and ended up just drinking the rest of the broth. It felt amazing. 6.5/10.