#eggs tomatoes nice crispy bacon

[pocket-size-cthulhu]

Happy birthday Frodo and Bilbo, you will always be famous you will always be loved

[tamilhobbit]

Didn't have time to do much this Hobbit Day as my medieval club was having an event all weekend. But I realised that, back in 2021 when I did all seven meals and a movie marathon for the 20th anniversary of Fellowship, I never did share photos here!

Breakfast: porridge with blackberries. Wholesome and tasty.

Second breakfast: "Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon." - Merry. I despise tomatoes, so omitted them. I also thought mushrooms and potatoes needed to be included. And then you may as well add eggs. So, fried eggs, delicious teeny mushrooms cooked in butter with garlic and pepper, fake/vegetarian bacon, fake sausages, and a hash brown. (My partner had real pork sausages & bacon.)

Delicious. 😋 Those mushrooms were amazing.

Elevenses: Buttered scones are mentioned in The Hobbit, so we had scones with jam and cream.

Luncheon: Freshly baked fluffy sourdough with a delicious, herby stew of mushrooms and vegetables with barley.

Afternoon tea: "... two beautiful round seed-cakes which [Bilbo] had baked... " - Tolkien. "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." - Legolas. Seed-cake & lembas.

Dinner: "I thought maybe if we was having a roast chicken one night or somethin'..." - Sam. Roast chicken for everyone else, with potatoes and carrots, and a Vegie Delights mock roast for me.

I did cheat and get a Woolies roast chook to warm up in the oven, since I was doing so much other cooking and baking and didn't want to have to do a whole roast chicken myself. 😅

As for dessert: "... raspberry jam and apple-tart..." - Bifur. I chose to combine them, and used a 1545 English recipe for the pastry. Then I added raspberry jam to the blind-baked tart cases and the filling came from the 1553 recipe for Blaunderellys. They're not burnt, it was just cinnamon and sugar.

Supper: "... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream..." - Sam. So supper was peach halves, roasted with honey and thyme, and served with strawberries and cream.

[greatbigbellies]

The McPreggo Menu (6/28/23 update)

While I by no means came up with the McPreggo concept, I am a very big fan of it, so I wrote up a hypothetical menu for funsies! This menu got a surprising amount of attention and I received a bunch of suggestions for future items. So here, I’ve implemented them and given the menu a nice content update! I tried to fit as many ideas as I could, but if I missed yours, send another anon and I’ll work it in next time! Full menu under the cut!

Every item can be ordered individually or in a combo! Combos come with your choice of a side, and a drink! Different sides have different effects, try them all! 

#1 The McPreggo Burger

The original filler-upper! Carry a singleton in minutes with this mouth watering single quarter pound patty cheeseburger, with tomatoes, lettuce, diced onion, pickles, and your choice of sauces!

#2 The Twinner

Twice as filling, twice as heavy, go full term with twins with TWO quarter pound patties, with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, diced onion, pickles, and your choice of sauces!

#3 The Triple Stack

Sensing a pattern? Go big with triplets, with three whole quarter pound patties (That’s 12 oz of meat!) with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, diced onion, pickles, and your choice of sauces! (Warning, Doctor’s note required for purchase)

#4 The Breaded Babymaker

A mouth watering crispy chicken sandwich topped with lettuce and mayo, on a sesame seed bun! 50/50 odds for a singleton or twins!

#5 The Labor-Inducer

Well… not QUITE real labor, but this breaded chicken sandwich packs a spicy kick with pepper sauce, knocks you up with one, and causes regular braxton-hicks for the duration of the food-induced pregnancy! Those those who enjoy a more intense experience!

#6 The Twinner Chicken Dinner

Three breaded and fried chicken strips, worth a trimester each! Each strip takes you up one trimester with twins, with each basket linked to a set of twins, so no fear going overdue by eating more than one serving! 

#7 The Fish Filet Sandwich

A tasty fish filet with light breading, with cheese and tartar sauce! Induces a singleton pregnancy with safe-but-noticeable polyhydramnios, giving extra amniotic fluid!

#8 The Quad Pod

A meal for the truly brave, comes with a double cheeseburger (The Twinner) and three chicken strips (The Twinner Chicken Dinner) to land you full of quadruplets at 40 weeks if fully consumed! (Warning, Doctor’s note required for purchase)

#9 The Family Feast Not a feast for a family, but a feast to help you MAKE one! A Triple Stack, A Breaded Babywaker, and a Twinner Chicken Dinner, to land you full of 6-7 babies, all at full term! Not for the feint of heart! (Warning, Doctor’s note and signed waiver required for purchase)

Breakfast (ALL DAY!)

Hash Brown

Crispy outside, soft potato-y inside. Warm morning goodness! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will make a belly drop as if full term and close to birth! 

Ready-To-Pop Tarts

Our most versatile product, each Ready-To-Pop Tart is named after the quantum baby it induces, and results in a 1-to-1 pregnancy experience as if you were carrying that baby at full term! Each name has its effects listed on the box, such as extra size, carrying low, specific cravings, and so on! Mix and match to carry multiples and craft your perfect pregnancy! Or, try a mystery unlabelled one and see who YOU get pregnant with!

Sausage Egg Muffin

A toasted english muffin housing a breakfast sausage patty, and a folded scrambled egg! A morning classic! If eaten before other McPreggo products, will delay the onset of those products by 1 hour per breakfast sandwich. Additional sandwiches will increase the duration of the delay. Delay timer begins after full consumption of the breakfast sandwich.

Bacon Egg Griddle

Crispy strips of bacon, folded scrambled egg, between two delicious maple flavored griddles! If eaten before other McPreggo products, will cause effects of those products to onset over time instead of instantly. Each sandwich consumed causes effects to onset over the course of 30 minutes, with additional griddles slowing the onset further. Cannot slow an onset to be longer than the base pregnancy duration.

The Baby Burrito

A breakfast burrito for those who are early-risers, this morning meal has scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, melted cheese, and tater tots, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Gives you a singleton at 20 weeks along!

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME ITEMS

These items are only available for small windows of time, and don't interact with our other products due to their unique nature. They’re a big commitment, but provide a very genuine experience. For customers looking for something that takes more dedication than a standard combo meal.

The McCrib

A special BBQ rib sandwich, only available during the first month of even numbered years. Slow cooked rib meat slathered in BBQ sauce, the McCrib answers the question of “what if humans could properly fully develop in the womb, rather than being born at just 9 months?”. Comparative to most other species, humans give birth very prematurely so that the baby can be safely delivered. McPreggo quantum babies aren’t ever birthed, allowing us to see what life would be like otherwise. Upon consuming a full McCrib, the customer starts on a 21 month pregnancy, spanning 7 trimesters, and allowing the quantum baby to grow to the size and weight of a one year old, with all the challenges and experiences that come with that. A slow burn experience, this pregnancy will include increased weight, size, and strength of the baby inside, finally reaching its apex after almost 2 years of uninterrupted pregnancy. It should be noted that McCrib pregnancies do not stack with each other, so only a singleton may be carried for 21 months. However, other McPreggo products will still function independently, meaning that additional temporary babies may be added, though baby altering effects from items such as the chicken nuggets, will have no effect on the McCrib baby.

The Beastly Burger

An extra large McPreggo burger stacked high with toppings, slathered in a unique “Monster Sauce”, and only sold annually during october. Initiates a 9 month long “anomalous pregnancy”, where the eater becomes pregnant with a mysterious, monstrous entity! Featuring many mouths, eyes, tentacles, and other fun additions that can be felt on the inner walls of the womb! Squirmy and active, it’ll make for a highly engaging and invigorating pregnancy! Will not interact with other McPreggo products, though they can be enjoyed in tandem. (Warning: unusual belly blemishes and strange cravings may occur)

Sides

Fries

Crispy, salty yukon gold fries! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will make a belly lower and longer, resulting in a torpedo belly! Watch where you point that thing! (Small: +5% belly length, Medium: +7.5% belly length, Large: +10% belly length. Belly height will vary. Percentages are approximate.)

Tater Tots

Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will make a belly wider at the sides, resulting in a beach ball belly. Look pregnant from behind too! (Small: +5% belly width, Medium: +7.5% belly width, Large: +10% belly width. Roundness will vary. Percentages are approximate.)

Onion Rings

Ring segments of onion, battered and fried! What’s not to love? If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will make a belly’s skin a little tighter, resulting in more stretchmarks and visible veins! Look at those tiger stripes! (Small: +15% stretchmark visibility, Medium: +25% stretchmark visibility, Large: +35% stretchmark visibility. Percentages are approximate.)

Mozzarella Sticks

Breaded and deep fried sticks of mozzarella cheese! Warm and soft, with a great cheese pull! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will extend the effects of an active food-based pregnancy by 90 minutes per stick eaten! Comes in a 4 piece, 6 piece, or 8 piece!

Fried Pickle Chips

A staple with pregnant people, breaded slices of pickle, salted and fried to perfection. If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase the strength of pregnancy cravings when consumed! (Small: +20% craving strength, Medium: +40% craving strength, Large: +60% craving strength. Percentages are approximate.)

Chicken Nuggets

A staple, back and heavier than ever! A 6 piece nugget with your choice of dipping sauce! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase the weight of babies by 2% per nugget! Careful! That adds up faster than you’d expect!

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Made with a breading that brings the heat, rile up your cargo with this delicious side! A 6 piece spicy nugget comes with your choice of dipping sauce! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase the activity and energy of quantum babies by 4% per nugget!

Side Salad

A classic salad that gives you a healthy boost! A small salad that goes with any of our fine salad dressings (see dips, dressings, and sauces). If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase energy and lower fatigue of the eater by a noticeable amount! Combo with your favorite dressing to specialize for your next activity!

Hand Mixed Sodas!

Our Hand Mixed Sodas are made with a carbonated base, and are customizable with shots of flavor, each with their own effects! Combine your favorites for a delightful, refreshing augmentation to your pregnancy experience!

Cherry

A summertime classic with all the Red No. 40 you know and love!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will darken the visible linea nigra line on the belly by 20% per shot of flavoring!

Mango

Tangy, tropical, and uniquely sweet!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will cause stretchmarks to spread of places other than the belly, traveling across the hips, thighs, and arms too! More shots means more coverage!

Grape

The classic artificial cough syrup variety you grew up with, now with a twist!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase blood flow to belly skin, giving it extra visible “blush”. Increases belly blush by 25% per shot.

Orange

Unique and refreshing, goes with most other tropical fruits!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will cause the belly to glow with a safe, heatless light from within! Starts with a soft glow and grows brighter with more shots, though will never go above that of a laval lamp. Use Pineapple, Peach, and Blue Raspberry shots to color the glow!

Pineapple

Includes that tingling sensation from the pineapple enzymes eating you back!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will tint any glow effects from the orange syrup a bright yellow color! 3 shots reaches full color saturation.

Peach

Ripe and juicy, tastes like it’s straight form Georgia!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will tint any glow effects from the orange syrup a vibrant red color! 3 shots reaches full color saturation.

Blue Raspberry

Why is it blue? Who cares? Still tastes great!  If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will tint any glow effects from the orange syrup a cool blue color! 3 shots reaches full color saturation.

Lemonade

Tart opener with a sweet finish, and pairs with pretty much every other option! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase belly skin sensitivity to touch by 20% per shot. 

Dips, Dressings, and Sauces!

Caesar Salad Dressing

A mix of dijon mustard, lemon juice, and worcestershire sauce perfect for anyone craving a classic caesar salad! If drizzled over a McPreggo side salad and eaten, will increase nesting drive by 40% for the duration of the McPreggo pregnancy. The energy given by the salad will be put toward this nesting instinct.

Tangy Vinaigrette

An old favorite with a bite, this vinaigrette goes great on our side salad! If drizzled over a McPreggo side salad and eaten, will increase joint flexibility and ease of movement by a noticeable amount. Make your maternity yoga class a breeze with our lovely dressing!

Thousand Island Dressing

An american classic, thousand island is a great topper to our side salad. If drizzled over a McPreggo side salad and eaten, will increase sense of smell and taste substantially, making your craving foods taste even better!

Ranch Dressing

Classic thick, creamy ranch, good for nuggets and salads alike! When combined with any McPreggo food, will increase the visibility of veins on the belly by 60%!

Marinara Sauce

Take the routine out of your usual McPreggo order with out tomato-y marinara sauce! When eaten with our mozzarella sticks, will increase the duration of the pregnancy by a random amount, varying from 10-40%! 

BBQ sauce

Tangy and a little sweet, our BBQ sauce can’t be beat! If pregnant with a McPreggo product and fully aware of this sauce’s effects before eating, will induce a slightly hazy, forgetful “pregnancy brain” sensation for the duration of the food pregnancy! 

Fry sauce

A thick fry sauce for an even thicker patron! Enjoy this northwestern classic and round out a little! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will cause thighs and buttocks to grow visibly thicker, with increasing effects the more is eaten.

Ketchup

We don’t need to pitch ketchup to you. It’s ketchup. You know you like it. If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will shift the distribution of babies within the womb to make it visibly lopsided. Will never push babies into an unsafe or painful position for either party.

Desserts

Chocolate Chip Cookie

A classic treat with a cute twist! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will cycle through belly button types, with each cookie going to the next one in the cycle. Starts with an innie, then pops into an outie, then flattens out as though your navel was too stretched to even pop! If stretched, the next cookie reverts you back to an innie!

Ice Cream Sundae

Comes in hot fudge or carmel! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will lower the visibility of blemishes like stretchmarks or visible veins, resulting in a smoother, softer skinned tummy!

Ice Cream Sandwich

A classic straight from the ice cream truck! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will relieve back pain and contractions brought on by late-stage food-based pregnancy!

McBlendie

Cool, creamy soft serve blended with your choice of twix or reeses peanut butter cups! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will reset all other side and desert item effects. Will not hasten a McPreggo food pregnancy!

Milkshakes!

Cookies and Crème

A thick and creamy milkshake that’s loaded with blended chocolate cookie bits! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase milk production and potentially even breast size! (Small: +100% milk production, Medium: +175% milk production, Large: +250% milk production. Percentages are approximate, breast size increase will vary)

Apple Pie Delight

A whole slice of apple pie dumped right into our vanilla milkshake mix and blended until thick! It still counts as A La Mode, right? If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will increase sex drive in those who drink it and are fully aware of its effects before consuming. (Small: +75% libido, Medium: +125% libido, Large: +175% libido. Percentages are approximate and based on starting sex drive. Does not function without awareness)

Maternal Marionberry

Oregon marionberries, in a milkshake, served so thick you probably need a spoon. Need we say more? If pregnant with a McPreggo product, will widen and soften hips, and give you that pregnancy glow! (Small: +5% hip width, Medium: +7.5% hip width, Large: +10% hip width. Percentages are approximate)

Marshmallow Plush

A McPreggo specialty, a delightful blend of marshmallow cream with cool vanilla makes for a surprisingly heavy drink! If pregnant with a McPreggo product, soften the exterior of a pregnant belly, making you plush and plump! (Small: +15% belly fat, Medium: +25% belly fat, Large: +35% belly fat. Percentages are approximate)

At McPreggo, we strive to create a genuinely enjoyable dining experience, with a special twist! Our food has the unique, distinct, and trademarked ability to create a simulated pregnancy in anyone who eats it! Combine any number of pregnancy-inducing entrees with pregnancy affecting sides and desserts, and you can custom tailor your McPreggo experience to exactly your desires! Experience anything from a singleton to a septuplet pregnancy with our professionally prepared meals, and shape your belly and pregnancy experience however you wish. As a subsidiary of Quantum Yum LLC, we guarantee our food and quantem-multiversal pregnancies are safe, ethically sourced, and best of all, enjoyable!

Please note that pregnancies from our food will never result in labor and will revert after 6 hours. However, a pregnancy is still a pregnancy, so expect back pain, swelling, internal movement, and cravings, among other side effects, from our meals. We hope you enjoy your food and have a fun and safe time trying out pregnancy! Sincerely, the R&D team at Quantum Yum LLC.

[detroit-grand-prix]

letzte rose - die traurige kaiser

Toto Wolff x Susie Wolff Royal/Historical AU

Chapter Summary: On a bleak November day in 1847, the Emperor of Austria, Christian I, goes about his usual routine. A visit from his advisor, Andreas Nikolaus Ritter von Lauda, brings grave tidings of happenings that even the Emperor was not aware of that threaten to shake the peace and stability of the entire country and its provinces. The news makes Toto, as the Emperor is known by close family and friends, that his self-imposed isolation has gone on long enough.

He was having that dream again.

It used to be his wife that he saw in his dreams, and it brought him great comfort in the miserable months following her death. But as the years wore on, the image of his wife became harder and harder to see, until he stopped being able to see who the figure with him was at all.

What used to be the clear, undeniable presence of Stephanie had been reduced to the feeling of delicate fingers caressing his cheek and smoothing back his hair. The scent of a delicate, floral perfume lingering in his nose. The reassuring weight of a hand on the small of his back. The feeling of a soft hand holding his. 

It always came with the feeling of relief, as the persistent loneliness that even haunted his dreaming life briefly dissipated, but whenever he tried to turn and look, to see the face of the angel who had deigned to save him from his isolation, there was never anybody there. 

He was alone again.

Every time.

— I fall at your feet, Your Majesty, good morning!

Toto snapped his eyes open upon hearing the words that Phillip, his Kammerdiener, greeted him with every morning.

He sat up, trying to rub the dust of sleep out of his eyes, as Phillip’s blurry outline coalesced into focus. He was in a deep bow, the oil lamp he was holding casting a delicate glow onto the walls of Toto’s bedroom. The sun was not yet up; it never was when Toto woke up, because he preferred to do so at an hour that most called “absurdly early”.

— Good morning, Herr Peter. 3:30 already, is it? — Toto said, trying to steady himself on his feet.

Phillip assisted him as he washed, shaved, and dressed. It was nice having Phillip to talk to so early, Toto had to admit, as he tried to ignore the dull pang of emptiness filling his chest that always followed when he had that particular recurring dream. It wasn’t on a nightly basis like it was in the months following Stephanie’s death, but once every few months now. 

Every time he had that same dream, it made him feel off-kilter, like a child’s toy spinning top that had been kicked off its point. He was hoping that reciting his usual morning prayers would help him feel centered again, as it normally did, but by the time his breakfast was served, he was still unsettled. 

Many in the court joked that they could set the palace clocks by the Emperor’s schedule instead of the reverse, which Toto thought was a fair assessment. He just preferred to minimize the decisions he had to make each day, is all - he had to make enough of them in the course of governing his empire, so he could not be bothered to choose what to wear or to eat or what time to wake up from day-to-day.

Promptly at 5am, his breakfast arrived, something else that varied little. One scrambled egg, one slice of grilled ham, a bit of cubed bacon, two slices of pumpernickel toast — toasted extra dark so that it was crispy like a cracker — with butter, a slice of tomato, and a sprinkling of salt on each, with a small mug of dark-roasted coffee, with a splash of cream. 

After his breakfast dishes were whisked away from his study, Toto got started on the pressing matters of the day: going through the reports and correspondences from various officials that were placed on his desk overnight. 

The rest of the palace usually stirred to life by the time he was halfway through the morning reading; not everyone was keen to wake up as early as Toto did, and that was fine. He found that sinking himself into his work was a good way to keep his mind off of other things. 

Even he had to admit to himself, though, it had gotten more extreme in the last few years. More than once, he’d found himself being shaken awake by his daughter, Rosi, having dozed off with his head on his desk, ink from whatever paper he had been reading smeared across his face. The last time it had happened, the concerned expression Rosi had on her face as she helped him to his bedroom had left him shaken for days. 

Toto was in the middle of reading a report about growing concern over a separatist activity in Buda — most of his correspondences seemed to be about Hungary these days — when the door to his study flung open to reveal the swiftly advancing form of Andreas Nikolaus Ritter von Lauda, one of Toto’s closest, most trusted advisors, trailed by a frantic aide-de-camp, who was shouting that the man — Niki, as most knew him — had to be announced before he could enter the emperor’s study. This episode played out every time Niki came in, without fail; he never stopped to be escorted in as most guests were, and his own military clout didn’t exempt him from the rules.

— It’s okay, Major. At ease. I will call if we need anything — Toto said, saluting the officer, who bowed and saluted back before retreating back to his post. 

Niki was an old friend of the family; his own grandfather had been an advisor to Rudolf VI. He was a hero of the Napoleonic wars who was badly burned during the Battle of Aspern-Essling when he was trying to keep the French from advancing on the village of Aspern so that its civilians could be evacuated. He was trapped inside of a house the French set on fire and sustained terrible burns to his head and neck trying to shield a civilian woman from the parts of the house that were caving in. He still bore the scars, decades later. 

An old military legend held that Rittmeister von Lauda had a priest summoned to what all assumed would be his deathbed in a nearby field hospital, but told the Father to “fuck off” as soon as the priest touched him with the anointing oil. 

Toto had asked Niki about that story once, wondering if it was just a tall tale, but Niki verified it himself, telling him that the priest tried to read him his last rites.“Goodbye, my son, may God grant you eternal rest”, the priest had told him. With a laugh, Niki told Toto that he thought the priest was going to give him words of encouragement to find the resolve to remain in this life, not try to send him off to the next. 

Niki also did not usually bother with the normal formalities and niceties of court etiquette, sparing only a slight bow in Toto’s direction as he crossed the threshold of the emperor’s study. Most people would be aghast at Niki’s curtness and rudeness, but Toto appreciated someone speaking plainly to him, as if he was any other person; he was almost certainly the only one outside of his immediate family that did.

— Did you see the news this morning? You and I make a prominent appearance.

— I was just reading the Wiener Zeitung, I didn’t see any…

— No, not in the newspaper. From the cafes. Here — Niki said, tossing a thick pamphlet onto the top of Toto’s stack of papers. It was one of the underground publications printed anonymously by university students and distributed through many of Vienna’s coffeehouses, made to circumvent the strict censorship laws set up by Chancellor Metternich decades ago. 

Toto pursed his lips as he unfolded the document, his eyes immediately drawn to what Niki was likely referencing.

It was a political cartoon, one that featured an especially unflattering caricature of Toto. The figure had an enlarged head, and exaggerated features. He appeared to be grinning stupidly as he was crouched on the floor in a dark room lit by a single candelabra. This version of Toto was wearing nothing but his underwear and his crown, placed jauntily on his head. Sitting next to him was a large rat, dressed in a military uniform laden with medals and a sash with the words “Von Lauda” on it. The fur around the rat’s head and ears was missing, and it had a sour, hardened expression on its face. The rat appeared to be pointing at a tattered map of the Hungarian province on the floor. 

The caption read, “The Emperor and his pet rat plan the strategy for Hungary”.

Toto stared at the image for a few moments. The likeness was humorous, and its appearance in the papers was hardly surprising, and certainly nothing Toto hadn’t seen before. The rest of his advisors generally tried to keep material like it — the things that were overly critical of his reign, his family, the government, or the church — away from his sight, but Niki was one of his few that would never spare his feelings.

— Well — Toto said, glancing up at Niki — At least they made my nose the right size this time.

— I think they made me look better than usual — Niki said, donning a satisfied grin — It’s like they aim to flatter me.

He had long drawn comparisons to a rat, but at least, he had always said, it was more about his appearance than his character. In his younger days as a hotshot military officer, Niki had an especially prominent overbite, long front teeth, and an intense, piercing gaze that, even to his own admission, looked rather murine. His features had balanced out over time, between the scarring and age. His cheeks became more paunchy and made his overbite look less obvious, but the comparison had become intractable over time. 

— Joking aside, there is something serious to take from this — Niki said, taking off his trademark navy top hat. He generally did not remove it in most circumstances, as it hid the worst of the scarring from his wartime injuries, but the bright red trim ribbon made it his trademark. Over the years, Toto had noticed that he only took it off as a gesture of absolute sincerity — The fact that you and I are sitting in the darkness in this… drawing is no coincidence. I am sure you know that your citizens are growing increasingly unhappy with the government. It has been a long time since the people, your people, have seen you in public, and the perception is you are not the one governing, that Metternich is, and you’re just a figurehead, and a poor one at that.

— That’s not, I do plenty of governing, and that’s what I’m interested in, not putting on a show.

— Like as not, you are a symbol for the empire, but a symbol that sits hidden in the darkness is not worth much. You’ve been isolated so long that all of the goodwill you have earned with your people is evaporating because of the way Metternich has been handling things.

Toto sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. 

— I know you’re not wrong, but… between you and I, all of this was easier with Stephanie. She was so kind, she could naturally connect with people in a way that… I’ve never felt like I have been able to, but with her, it felt like all of it was manageable. The people loved her, you saw how many people were lined up for her funeral procession, the streets were nigh impassable for days.

— So, do we need to find you another wife, then? Someone to hold your hand and sweet-talk you while you do your job and rule your own country?

Toto gave Niki a deadly scowl. 

— Have you been talking to my mother? You sound just like her — he shifted uncomfortably in his chair, feeling like a little boy being scolded — I don’t need a wife.

— Well, you need someone to help you with your obligation to be visible to your people again. Why don’t you ask Rosa? She’s old enough, and she’s a lovely young woman, everyone that knows her adores her, and she’s as magnanimous as her mother was.

The mention of his daughter made Toto’s expression soften a bit. 

— She is, but I don’t…

— The point is — Niki said, standing back up — You need to see and be seen amongst your people again, because Metternich is guiding the country down a dark path, and you’re the only one that has the power to stop him before your citizens gain a taste for blood. I know you were not yet born at the time, but I’m sure you remember what happened to your great aunt Maria Antonia in France not so long ago.

He picked up his hat, placing it back on his head with a flourish that may as well have been the period at the end of a sentence. He exited Toto’s study the customary way — never turning his back on the emperor — with a short, sharp bow and a curt “Your Imperial Majesty,” before letting the door fall closed as he left.

Toto sat at his desk, frozen and dumbstruck. He glanced at the official portrait of the royal family that was hanging on the wall opposite his desk. It was painted when Rosi had just turned three, and Benedict five, as a birthday gift to Stephanie. He looked at it often; though the pain of his wife’s death was no longer quite so acute, he found that talking to a canvas-and-varnish version of her would sometimes help with examining a problem or question he was puzzling through, as if it were a means to externalize it.

He stared at his wife’s pleasant smile, as if at any moment, she would start giving him the answers to the nascent questions that were rattling around his head, but of course, none came. 

The portrait hung silent, as it always was.

He found it difficult to focus on his paperwork after that, but the chiming of his clock in his study told him that lunch would be served soon, anyway. 

While he ate breakfast alone in his study, he liked to take his lunch in the family dining room in his apartments. They were still solitary affairs; the only time he ate with others was during dinner. Most nights, he had dinner with his children and his mother, and on Sundays, the entirety of the extended imperial house gathered to dine; it was important to Toto that his relatives attend if they were in Vienna, but he didn’t know why. 

He sat at his usual place at the head of the table, where his place setting was made, and his daily menu was waiting. Toto’s tastes in food were not extravagant, but just like his breakfasts, he had his preferred meals. Official dinners with foreign diplomats or important guests meant that French food was served, but for his own meals, he much preferred simpler Viennese cuisine. Wiener schnitzel and Tapfelspitz were among his favorites, but today, he opted for brathendl — roasted chicken breast — with a side of roasted potatoes and carrots, and a buttered, seeded roll. 

Niki’s words continued to echo in his head as he was eating. The rest of the contents of the pamphlet surprised him. The newspapers and his advisors both offered glowing reports of the stability and peace of the Concert of Europe, but the pamphlet contained news of brawls between soldiers and civilians in the face of military draft commissions, economic recessions, food shortages ongoing in some areas, and the independence uprisings in Hungary, which he was aware of. 

How had he not heard of this happening? Chancellor Metternich would have been well aware…

— That weasel — Toto muttered. Niki may have been the one that looked like a rat, but Chancellor Metternich was the one acting the part. 

Niki was right. His isolation kept him in the dark, and kept it so the only information he had received was the information that the chancellor and other palace officials wanted him to receive. No wonder Metternich or his other aides never complained about him reducing his public-facing duties in the last few years.

— Frau Julia — he said, getting the attention of the attendant that stood by during his lunch each day. She seemed a bit startled. It wasn’t often that Toto had spoken to her beyond a nod of acknowledgement when she brought his meals to the table — Please, come here.

— Yes, your Imperial Majesty? — she said, stopping to curtsy once she was within arms’ length of Toto. 

— I have a question, and I want you to answer as honestly as possible. You need not fear any sort of censure or repercussions no matter what your response is, so please, be as thorough and truthful as you can be. Do you understand?

The woman — a compact, slender woman with red hair and brown eyes — nodded tentatively. 

— Yes, your imperial majesty.

— How do you think things are going… how do I say this? Politically. I’ve been made aware of some situations that I was not aware of, and I wanted to get your opinion, as one of my subjects and a citizen of the empire. Please, be truthful.

The woman’s eyes went wide in shock, and she quickly shifted her glance toward the parquet flooring, her fingers tightening their grip around the edges of the tray she was holding.

— Well… things have been difficult, Your Imperial Majesty. The grocers don’t have as much food as they used to, it seems like every day you hear about someone’s husband or son being forced into the army and sent to Hungary to fight, the farmers have staged a few protests… and it seems like so many people are going hungry, even though they put in a full days’ work. I’m grateful for the fact that I work in Your Imperial Majesty’s service, because the kitchens provide enough food that I can take home enough for my daughter and me to eat well, but my neighbors haven’t been able to afford meat or sugar in months…

Toto listened thoughtfully, stroking his chin. 

— I see. Thank you for your insight.

— If it helps, the university students that make those pamphlets and talk about politics and the law, they say it’s mostly the Chancellor’s doing. I know Your Imperial Majesty has a good heart, but they, the students, say that he’s the one really in charge of things.

He nodded thoughtfully, thanking his attendant for her insight.

— You’ve given me much to think about — he told her, which seemed to bring Julia a small measure of satisfaction and pride. He made a mental note to himself to have his private secretary arrange to have a small gift for her daughter, a bag of sweets, perhaps, sent to her home later that week. 

The rest of the day was lost to Toto as he wallowed in his thoughts. He leafed through documents that had already been reviewed, trying to read between the lines, grasping for the truth hiding under the half-lies fed to him by his advisors. He considered summoning Metternich directly to confront him that second, maybe even dismissing him outright, but he had been in his position so long that doing so threatened to destabilize the entire country.

No, the present situation required delicacy, and the sort of confident statesmanship he’d found that he had a talent for in his late teens and early twenties.

But the Emperor Christian I of then and the Emperor Christian I of now may as well have been two different people entirely. 

[findingmelissa]

Crispy chicken on brioche buns and salad with power greens, bacon, tomatoes, asparagus, and fried egg.

Can’t remember the last Friday night I made something nice for dinner. Can’t remember the last Friday night I was sober. Probably in February when I had that 6-week clean streak.

I really do love cooking. Drinking gets in the way of that. I get too fucked up to make what I planned and order out. Or I’m hungover and don’t want to eat what I planned and order out. Or I make eggs and breakfast meats or sandwiches or ramen because it’s easier.

And then I berate myself because I am spending money and/or piling on calories and weight while I have all this food in my house to use. I don’t want to do that anymore.

Tonight was genuinely fun too because I hadn’t planned the meal ahead of time and made this just because it sounded good. Very gratifying. 🥰

[cafeleningrad]

🍽️ 🍔🥧🍦🍳🍩 🧑‍🍳 🍿(I'm hungry)

You know what? Today was a day of indulging into some delicious treats, and there was a cooking advice post in my queue! Let the food questions come in! And thank you for joining the game. （＾∀＾●）ﾉｼ

🍽️ Are you craving any particular food right now? Not at the moment, yet a restaurant I really like is currently very creative with their pasta dishes, and I can't wait to treat myself with them after mock exams. 🍔 What's your ideal burger? After the absolute gourmet feast @bigre-fichtre presented, it's hard to come up with anything equally delicious. But let's try: Lye bread bun, medium rare beef patty spiced with minimally with caraway and red pepper, Gorgonzola sauce, fried mushrooms (either button mushroom or chanterelle) mixed with finely sliced springonions, and crispy bacon stripes.

🥧 Favourite pie? Savoury: Hare pie, with mushrooms if possible, with golden crust. Sweet: Lemon pie, Italian Chestnut cream pie

🍦 Top picks for a 3 scoop ice cream cone? Alright, please note that I pass at least 3 ice cream shops from my way from work to home. If I'd take a detour I'd pass 6. All of them are either in hands of Italian ice cream makers or ambitious hipster cooks. Hence, this answer is poisoned with spoiled rotten, pretentious city citizen pretentiousness: Raspberry, Pistachio, Early Grey.

🍳 What do you like to do for breakfast? On work days: Usually something I prepared before hand, and can easily be reheated like porridge, misosoup, or spiced fruit salad. If I've time, Shakshuka or Bánh Tráng Nướng (the latter I highly recommend as it's quick, easy, and tasty!) On free days (would love to have one of those someday...): Usually something egg based like scrambled eggs, or if I'm feeling fancy: Pancakes. My partner has some remarkably peculiar cooking skills which do include a perfect poached egg and omurice.

🍩 Hottest food to see somebody else eat? Well, my Vietnamese colleague once poured Sriracha over his Buldak-instant soup, so...

🧑‍🍳 Do you have a food or cooking (or eating) tip for us?

Not much of a secret but some savoury dishes sincerely flourish from sweet pinches: Add a pinch of cinnamon in your meat, no sugar, to you meat to give it a more tender aroma. A teaspoon of sugar or honey in your tomatoe sauce sooth the sour aspects of the tomatoes.

Oh, and if you've any vegetables containing a lost of water, let them leak first. Cut them, put them aside at a safe spot (board, plate, bowl, anything goes), add a pinch of salt, stir them a bit, so they can leak excess water. It helps to prevent certain dishes to become runny or soggy.

🍿 Best movie snack? In cinema: Could do without, although during action movies (sweet) popcorn is nice. At the home screen: Chickenwings (with mint dip), or pizza. ;)

[earthnashes]

Hey earth, I have an fnf oc question for you because I just like learning about others ocs and i like thinking about these mundane little things for my own ocs. What is the main casts favorite food? or, what is their favorite breakfast instead?

OCS QUESTION???👀👀👀👀👀

THESE are me girls for anyone curious! ;w; I actually have some content on them I haven't posted outside of Patreon yet, but ANYWAY! From left to right:

Sakura's favorite snack is jerky! She and Mal are the two most likely to be caught snacking almost constantly due to their high energy output, but Sakura prefers salty stuff. Jerky is her go-to due to the protein content in it as well :> Her favorite breakfast consists of crispy tortillas (or toast, depending on her mood) topped with eggs and potato hash, bacon, beans, sausage, avocado and tomatoes, stack of pancakes, and a nice cup of hot chocolate. If she doesn't have the time to go that crazy though she really likes a simple bowl of oatmeal + fruit and meat of choice :>

Kaela's (pronounce Kah-Ey-La) favorite snack are strawberries! She typically snacks on whatever she's harvesting at the given time, but strawberry season is by far her favorite because of the strawberries. As for breakfast, she really likes eggs and toast + a bowl of fruit. Keeps it simple!

Evangeline's favorite snack are granola bars! She prefers food that's quick to just whip out and eat, but she doesn't have much a tooth for salty or sweet. Granola bars hits an even ground in that and are very easy to port about, so they're her go-to. As for breakfast, she actually doesn't really cook unlike everyone else, so her go-to breakfast is typically as simple as a toasted bagel, maybe an apple and a hot cup of strong hand-ground coffee. When she meets Sakura though, the poor girl will learn the meaning of "cooking as love language" because Sakura tries to feed her all the time with the thought of "YA NEED MEAT ON THEM BONES D:" So if Sakura's cooking? Her favorite breakfast is French Toast

Mal's favorite snack is candy! Any candy really, though she really prefers the sweet and sour ones like gummy worms. It's largely because her realm doesn't quite have candy as varied as the ones seen in the human realm, and she quickly develops a strong sweet tooth after trying some. owo As for breakfast, she eats just as much if not moreso as Sakura, so if she's the one cookin she's making a whole buffet of food. Her go-to favorite is fire-roasted beef, eggs, roasted potatoes, and breadrolls with butter + jelly, and of course a fruit bowl in there somewhere uwu

Thank you for asking about me gals! ;w;

[lusifernocturne]

The Grim Kraken

Located near the dock, it has three stories plus a basement used for storage. The top floor is off limits to guest as the innkeepers and their family live there. The bottom floor has a large tavern, a communal room with 12 beds(renting a bed and chest in the room is 5cp), and 6 small single rooms(8cp). The middle floor has 8 rooms with two single beds(2sp), 5 rooms with a double bed(5sp), and 3 rooms with two double beds(8sp).

Innkeeper: Sirus and Passion(Tiefling couple), with their kids Art(17 year old boy), Wit(14 year old girl), Naza(11 year old girl), Mavzer(5 year old boy), and Dexez(8 year old Leonin who was left on their door step as a baby).

Menu (or average price of a room/meal): Roasted Oxen and Dried Watercress with a tankard of ale (7 cp),  Goat and Quail Egg Omelets, served with lingonberrys(4sp), Roasted hazelnuts and fresh apples with a strip of bear jerky and a wedge of ripe cheese(10sp), Celebratory Goat Stew with assorted fruits, nuts, and cheeses(10cp), Spicy Jambalaya with crispy eel skin strips on top(8sp), Bread pudding with extra sharp dire goat cheese, comes with a side of grilled onions and carrots(10sp), meatloaf with garlic bread and potato edges(9cp), Shrimp Salad(8cp), Salmon Burgers with lettuce/spinach, tomato, and red onion with a side of fries(6sp), Seafood Gumbo, rice, corn bread, and fried okra(9sp), Clam Chowder, bread, and side salad(4sp), Fish and chips(8cp), baked or grilled fish with apple walnut slaw(2sp), pancakes with bacon/sausage, 2 eggs cooked to your taste, and mixed fruit(3sp), Stewed Mutton and grilled cabbage(4cp), Vegetable Stew(3cp), Wheat Porridge(3cp), Stewed Mutton and Soft Cheese(4cp), tankard of Mead(2cp), tankard of Ale(2cp), tankard of Rum(5cp-10sp depending on quality), tankard of local fruit wine(10cp-12sp), tankard of beer(2cp), and the special brew menu made by Passion.

Rumors: Ruins in the woods, imports, items of interest, and local jobs.

Passion's special brew menu:

Tarnation - A strong spiced cider served warm and traditionally drank as quickly as possible after a boisterous cheer or a lewd drinking song. Enchantmented with the effect of the consumer belching a small flame right after ingesting.(20gp)

The Sweet Roll - flavors of cinnamon and sugar blend with the strong scent of rum. The drinker gains an additional 1d4 to any pickpocket attempts for the next hour.(15gp)

The Chromatic - 5 different shots, one for each color of the different dragons. One is black and syrupy, one blue and gives a tingly feeling, one is on fire, one is green and tastes a bit minty, the last is white and frosts the closest things. They are mixed together and separate in the cup making a very nice presentation.(30gp)

Ginger Ale - Wait, this doesn’t taste like ginger at all... An ale that turns your hair ginger, effect lasts for 1d6 days.(10gp)

For Phoenix’s Sake - a local sake or rice wine, popular with priests.(20sp)

[icleanedthisplate]

Dine-Out Meals of January 2024, Ranked

I ranked the following based on taste alone. I made no consideration for ambiance or the general dining experience or whatever. I included meals I got to go. I included food trucks, catered meals, and fast food.

A solid showing by restaurants in Huntsville, Alabama and Wichita, Kansas this month.

Should you be interested in the pictures or reading the few words I had to say about each meal, click on the home page and scroll down or see the archives.

Cream of Asparagus Soup, Artisanal Cheese Platter (shared), Pan-Seared Gulf Yellowfin Tuna. The Bottle Restaurant. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.10.2024.

Combo Marino, Plantains, Flan. Gabby’s Peruvian Restaurant. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Italian Beef Bene, Cinnamon Roll (shared). Raduno. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.14.2023.

Beetroot Salad, Salmon, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. The Revivalist. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.11.2024.

Pork Ribs w/Collard Greens, Mac & Cheese, Banana Pudding. Wright’s BBQ. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.4.2024.

Jinya Bun, Jinya Tonkotsu Black. Jinya Ramen Bar. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Tuna Tacos, Pan Seared Black Seabass, Curry Duck Breast, Poblano Mac & Cheese Casserole, Honey Soy Brussels, Sticky Toffee Cake (shared all). Table 28. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.13.2024.

Bleu Burger w/Duck Fat Fries. Dempsey’s Burger Pub (Clifton Square). Wichita, Kansas. 1.23.2024.

Feta James, Mr. Nice Guy, Apple of My Eye (shared dessert). Leverett Lounge. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Harissa Avocado Bowl. CAVA. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Assorted Sushi Rolls (Rainbow, California, etc.). Fujiyama Express. North Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

Local Mix w/Grilled Chicken. Urban Cookhouse. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.12.2024.

Baleada Con Todo w/Carnitas. El Sur Street Food Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.8.2024.

BLT-AE Sandwich w/Grilled Veggies, Jolly Green Juice. HomeGrown. Wichita, Kansas. 1.26.2024.

Chicken Scratch Salad w/Rotisserie. Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.6.2024.

Grilled Salmon (Snappy) w/Grilled Veggies, Rice & Beans. Flying Fish. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

Shrimp w/rice, Steamed Veggies. La Chingada. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.5.2024.

Egg White Grill, Yogurt w/Fruit. Chick-fil-A. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.10.2024.

Petit Jean Ranch Salad (to go). Zaza Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.22.2024.

Bacon Cheeseburger w/Onions & Mushrooms, Fries. Vanilla Milkshake. CJ’s Butcher Burger Boy. Russellville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024.

Green Chile Stew, Crispy Ahi Tuna Taco. Local Lime. Rogers, Arkansas. 1.23.2024.

Tortilla Soup. Chuy’s Chuy’s. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.20.2024.

Whipped Feta & Prosciutto App (shared), Salad Lyonnaise. Wild Fork. Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1.26.2024.

Chicken Livers w/Okra, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas. Cindy’s Place. Corinth, Mississippi. 1.10.2024.

Grilled State Bird Sandwich w/Fries. Hill Station. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.31.2024.

Chicken Salad Sandwich w/Chips. McAlister’s Deli. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Ark-Mex Enchiladas w/Tomato-Cucumber-Mint Salad, Pinto Beans. Heights Taco & Tamale. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.30.2023.

Yogurt & Granola w/Fruit Compote. Mylo Coffee Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.31.2024.

Fattoush Salad w/Salmon. Meddys. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Green Goddess Salad. Newk’s. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Conway, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024. (No photo)

Meat & Cheese Plate (shared), Pork Ribs w/Beans, Slaw. Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous. Memphis, Tennessee. 1.12.2024.

Bangkok Noodles w/Shrimp. Bangkok Thai Cuisine. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.3.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Conway, Arkansas. 1.23.2024.

Red Pepper Sous Vide Egg Bites. Starbucks. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.11.2024.

[shoshiwrites]

🍳 Their ideal breakfast 🥞

Jo — Pancakes with fresh cherries and/or blackberries, plenty of hot coffee, and maybe a couple pieces of extra-crispy bacon.

Frankie — Cappuccino, and brioche con gelato (hazelnut flavor). When it’s cold she’s not opposed to a nice bowl of hot cereal with brown sugar.

Evie — Eggs in spicy tomato sauce, and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Clara — Her mom’s traditional spread — good bread, jam, sliced cheese and meat, and sweet milky coffee.

Vicky — Sausage, eggs, and tomatoes, strong coffee or tea.

Lena — Really crunchy cereal with really cold milk, raisins and/or a banana, and hot chocolate or Ovaltine.

[cafehardrockkk]

Delicious Fried Chicken Sandwich: A Crispy Comfort Classic

A fried chicken sandwich is a beloved comfort food, offering the perfect blend of juicy chicken, crispy coating, and soft bread, often topped with pickles, lettuce, and a flavorful sauce. Whether served at a fast-food chain or a gourmet restaurant, this sandwich is a favorite among many for its mouthwatering taste and satisfying texture. With its combination of simple ingredients, it's a meal that hits all the right notes—crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor.

The History of the Fried Chicken Sandwich

While fried chicken has long been a staple in Southern cuisine, the rise of the fried chicken sandwich can be traced back to the 20th century. Early versions were simple, featuring a fried chicken breast served between two slices of bread. Over time, however, chefs began experimenting with the recipe, adding new ingredients and flavors to elevate the sandwich into a culinary delight.

In the United States, fast-food chains such as Chick-fil-A and Popeyes have been pivotal in popularizing the fried chicken sandwich on a national scale. Their rivalry, especially in recent years, has spurred a “chicken sandwich war,” with each chain vying to create the best version of this classic dish. This competition has driven innovation, with new ingredients and flavors being added to the traditional sandwich to cater to a wide range of tastes.

Components of a Great Fried Chicken Sandwich

The beauty of the fried chicken sandwich lies in its simplicity. However, there are key components that can make or break the sandwich:

The Chicken: The star of the show is the fried chicken itself. Whether it's a boneless breast or thigh, the chicken needs to be perfectly seasoned and coated in a crispy batter. The chicken should be juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a golden-brown coating that adds both texture and flavor.

The Bread: Soft, slightly toasted buns are essential for a good fried chicken sandwich. The bread should complement the chicken without overpowering it. Brioche buns are a popular choice because of their slight sweetness and buttery texture, but potato rolls and even classic hamburger buns can work well.

The Pickles: A traditional topping for a fried chicken sandwich, pickles add a tangy crunch that contrasts nicely with the rich flavor of the fried chicken. Their acidity helps balance out the dish and brings a refreshing bite to each mouthful.

The Sauce: Whether it’s a simple mayonnaise or a more complex aioli, the sauce can elevate a fried chicken sandwich from good to great. A creamy sauce can add a touch of richness, while spicy or tangy sauces can add a kick of flavor.

Additional Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, and coleslaw are popular toppings that can bring freshness and texture to the sandwich. For a more indulgent option, some may add cheese, bacon, or even a fried egg on top of the chicken.

Homemade vs. Restaurant Fried Chicken Sandwiches

While it's easy to pick up a fried chicken sandwich from your favorite fast-food joint, making one at home can be a rewarding experience. Homemade Grilled Chicken Sandwich allow you to customize the ingredients and flavors to your liking. You can experiment with different spices in the batter, try out various types of bread, or create your own signature sauce.

To make a great fried chicken sandwich at home, start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk for several hours. This helps tenderize the meat and adds flavor. Then, coat the chicken in a seasoned flour mixture before frying it in hot oil until crispy and golden. Assemble the sandwich with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

[marysuepoots]

A tasty burger with a beef patty, crispy bacon, a fried egg, cheddar cheese, and more, all on a toasted English muffin. It's based on the flavors of a traditional Full English Breakfast.

Ingredients: 1 beef burger patty. 2 slices of bacon. 1 egg. 1 slice of cheddar cheese. 1 English muffin. 1 tomato slice. 1 lettuce leaf. Salt and pepper to taste. Butter for cooking. Ketchup and/or HP sauce optional.

Instructions: In a pan, cook the bacon until it's nice and brown. Take it out and set it aside. Melt some butter in the same pan and fry the egg until it's done the way you like it. Add pepper and salt. Put away. Add salt and pepper to the beef patty. It should be cooked in the pan until it's done the way you like it. Place the slice of cheddar cheese on top and put the lid on top until the cheese melts. Take it off the heat. In a pan or toaster, toast the English muffin halves until they are just barely browned. Put the burger together: Cover the bottom half of the English muffin with lettuce. Put the cooked beef patty on top of the cheese that has melted. Add the fried egg and then the crispy bacon to the patty. Put a tomato slice and the other half of the English muffin on top of it. If you want, you can serve the Full English Breakfast Cheeseburger hot with ketchup and/or HP sauce.

Annie L

[tamilhobbit]

Was at an event all weekend, including on the actual Hobbit Day, and since then I've been resting and recovering and not up to cooking much. Finally got around to making a proper hobbit breakfast today.

We know that while travelling they have, "Tomatoes, sausages, [and] nice crispy bacon," but I detest tomatoes and didn't want to waste one just for the aesthetic. I can only assume that they also have eggs when at home. And we know hobbits adore mushrooms and potatoes! So here's a Hobbiton Breakfast. 😊 It was delicious.

(Hash browns didn't feel hobbit-y, so I did skillet potatoes instead.)

[firstmedicaldiagnosticspvtltd]

WILD HERB RECIPES

Wild herb recipes taking into consideration food allergies

Liven up your food with wild herbs! Wild herbs add variety to your menu and are a good source of many important minerals and trace elements. Also, wild herbs have very few allergenic properties, making them a good source of enrichment for mindful eating habits, especially if you have a delayed food allergy, commonly called food intolerances.

Breakfast:

Wild herb quark

100 g wild herb mixture (mixture of eight different salad herbs), such as ground elder, wild mallow, chickweed, shepherd’s purse, dead-nettle, dandelion, campion, wild arugula—varies depending on season

250 g quark (can be substituted by goat or sheep cream cheese)

100 ml mineral water

Salt

freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

Peel and slice onions and shallots. Wash the herbs and shake dry.

Mix quark with mineral water until smooth, and season with salt and pepper. Fold in the herb mixture. Cover the quark and allow to stand for 30 minutes.

Wild herb scrambled eggs

Makes four servings:

250 g bacon, diced

1 large onion

50 g ground elder

6 chicken eggs (can be substituted for goose or quail eggs)

Salt, pepper, paprika

3 Tbsp mineral water

Preparation:

Finely chop onions. Sort ground elder and cut into small pieces. Render the bacon in the pan and sauté chopped onion until golden brown. Add ground elder and allow to soften at low heat, stirring repeatedly. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add mineral water, and whisk gently with a fork. Add the egg mixture to the pan and prepare like scrambled eggs. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.

Main Dish:

Pear and carrot soup with common sorrel and wood sorrel

Makes four servings:

250 g pealed and finely chopped carrots

1 large pear

30 g butter (alternatively, clarified butter)

1 Tbsp honey

2 finely diced shallots

0.8 l strong vegetable stock without yeast

60 g common sorrel

10 g wood sorrel

4 Tbsp crème fraîche (alternatively, natural soy yogurt)

Salt, freshly ground white pepper

Preparation:

Melt the butter, add the finely chopped shallots, carrots, and sugar and sauté until glazed. Add stock and spices, and allow carrots to simmer until soft, approximately 20 minutes. Peal and core pear. Cut common sorrel into very fine strips. Add pear and crème fraîche to the carrots and purée in a blender. Season soup again afterwards. Place common sorrel on preheated deep plates, fill with hot soup, and garnish with wood sorrel. Instead of sorrel, cilantro also makes a nice compliment to this soup, but you will need about 50 g of cilantro and a few ground coriander seeds.

Risotto with common sorrel and wood sorrel

Makes four servings:

180 g rice

50 g finely diced vegetables: carrots, celery, and leek

1 finely diced onion

100 ml fresh cream (alternatively, sweetened soy milk)

30 g common sorrel leaves

20 g wood sorrel (hare’s foot)

Salt, freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

Cook the rice with chopped vegetables in a pressure cooker with a pinch of salt for about 10–15 minutes, allow to stand for another 5 minutes, and drain. Sauté the diced onions in butter (or clarified butter), add rice, and fill up with cream. Heat and stir occasionally. At the end, add fine strips of cut common sorrel and season generously again. Serve on deep plates and garnish with wood sorrel. (A fish fillet with crispy skin is very delicious when paired with this dish!)

Asparagus and tomatoes in gelée with chickweed pesto

Makes four servings:

400 g white and green asparagus, cooked

2 beefsteak tomatoes

0.2 l strong asparagus stock

4 gelatin sheets

Salt, freshly ground pepper

50 g chickweed

1 Tbsp roasted pine nuts

2 Tbsp hazelnut oil

Preparation:

Peel and dice beefsteak tomatoes. Bring the asparagus stock to boil, reduce a little, and strain through a cloth. Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for a few minutes, squeeze out, and add to the hot stock. (You should have about 0.15 l of stock remaining after the reduction step.) Season again to taste. Brush a small loaf pan with a small amount of oil and line with plastic wrap. Cut the asparagus in half lengthwise and layer with tomatoes in the pan. Fill pan with warm broth and allow to thicken overnight. For the pesto, cut chickweed into small pieces and crush in mortar with a pinch of salt. Add pine nuts and also crush (thin with asparagus stock as needed). Fold in the nut oil, and season to taste again. Remove the cold terrine from the pan, slice with a very sharp knife, and serve with fresh chickweed, asparagus spears, and pesto.

Grilled chicken breast with wild garlic marinade

Makes four servings:

400 g chicken breast fillets

40 g wild garlic spread

Salt, pepper

Preparation:

Cut chicken breast fillets into slices and cover generously with wild garlic spread. Add salt and pepper as needed. Marinate in fridge for at least one hour. The marinated chicken fillets will release their best aroma on the grill, but they can also be fried in a pan with some rapeseed (canola) oil. Pair this dish with potato salad, rice, or noodles.

[millycooks]

Quiches

Tonight I made mini quiches, crustless mini quiches specifically, for dinner. I forgot to take pictures but they turned out really nice. This made the perfect amount for three people for dinner.

Ingredients

6 extra large eggs (it's the size I buy)

1 carrot (medium size)

1 zucchini (medium size)

Pinch salt

200g approx bacon, diced (don't trim the fat)

2 tablespoons crushed garlic

Approx 1/2 cup grated cheddar (I use Tasty)

Method

Preheat oven to 190 Celsius.

Put bacon in pan on low heat, you want the fat to render out, when it is rendered add the garlic and cook til preferred amount of browning/crispy. I don't crisp mine up for quiches but I like a little bit of colour. Let it cool a little.

Whilst the bacon is cooking, in a large mixing bowl grate the carrot and zucchini (I prefer the large grating size for this, not the fine grater). Add the pinch of salt and mix. Let sit whilst bacon cooks.

Add bacon and garlic (with the rendered fat) , eggs, and cheese to the vegetables. Beat with spoon until well combined.

Spoon into muffin tray, this made 12 regular muffins exactly, if tray is not non stick or silicone lightly grease before filling. Extra cheese can be added on top if you wish.

Bake for approx 20 minutes, check with fork that egg is cooked. Take out and serve hot, it can also be eaten cold.

Notes

Other vegetables that can be used are: grated pumpkin, diced tomatoes (deseeded), diced capsicum, corn kernals, sauteed diced onion, or sauteed diced mushrooms. For this amount of eggs you use about 2-3 cups of vegetables. Be aware that higher moisture content will affect the texture of the quiches.

I leave in the rendered bacon fat for flavour but you can just not put it in. The moisture from the vegetables means you don't need milk, so if you omit the cheese they are dairy free.

Unlike other crustless quiches I don't use flour, I don't see the point, the egg sets fine and while it might not brown the whole way around I usually end up with a golden top and bottom. Fiddling with a crust and getting it to cook properly is just annoying.

These refrigerate, freeze, and reheat well. I've used mini muffin trays before, frozen them in batches of 2-4 a bag, perfect size for breakfast or morning tea for one. They defrost very quickly and can be eaten cold or reheated. If you make them smaller or larger just adjust the cooking time.

[stringeralong]

Netherlands, Feb 2023 - Day 3 of 4

The BIG day, most of the reason I had been so desperate to travel to Amsterdam one day. The Van Gogh Museum.

I was incredibly lucky to be able to buy tickets such short notice, as word is they sell out fairly quickly and it’s nearly impossible to get tickets on the day. I bought my ticket for Sun 5th Feb on Thurs 2nd as soon as I had booked my coach.

But first, breakfast. And in true British spirit, I had to try an ‘English Breakfast’

Majestic: €20.50 (£18.41) for: fried egg, slightly toasted bread, mushrooms, baked beans, roast tomatoes, crispy bacon bits and small sausages + apple juice.

They saw me coming, right? I dropped the ball on this one by walking through a pretty touristy square with an empty stomach and heading towards the first place that did something resembling food. The food wasn’t bad, mostly pretty nice, but the price was unfortunate and I didn’t actually really want it but I had already sat down and been encouraged to order a drink. It filled a hole.

I hopped on the Metro and then a Tram using my pass from the day before and headed to the zoo!

Artis €27.50 (£24.70) entry. I think this also includes the aquarium but it was closed for refurbishment at the time :(

I love a good zoo, but my bad zoo habit is that I’m mostly interested in the random local birds that just happen to be hanging out. They had some cool animals such two beautiful huge Jaguars, a golden and a black. I couldn’t get a decent photo of either of them but I managed to get a video of the wonderful chuffing sound.

After managing to avoid spending any money in the gift shop, a true achievement for me, I hopped back on the tram and headed to the Van Gogh Museum.

I was early, obviously, so I went for a spot of lunch.

Irish Coffee + panini: Small Talk €14.20/£12.75

Then it was time, for Clare to drown in the sweet sweet sorrow of the Van Gogh Museum. The (almost) the entire reason I had made this trip, why I had suffered on a coach packed in like sardines, why I had drained my bank account. I actually felt nervous as I walked to the entrance.

What if it didn’t live up to the hype?

It was everything I needed it be to.

I got to see many paintings for the first time in person. Everything was a totally different size than I was expecting. It was overwhelming and emotional being so close, getting to see the texture and brush strokes. There were some paintings and sketches I had never even heard of, and it was great getting to hear and read the stories behind them. I fell in love with these lil guys.

The audio guide was interactive and had visuals to accompany the segments. It wasn’t actually too busy either, as if the museum has capped it a good amount. Realistically, they could have sold more tickets to churn a profit but everyone would have had a worse experience so I was pretty impressed.

My entry was from 15.00, but the kind people at the door let me in from 14.45 (although it seems to be something they do often as a standard rule rather than a special acceptation for me), and I was there until just before close at 17.00. So I spent about 2 hours wandering around, sobbing quietly.

Here I am looking like a doofus with my tattoo and the work that inspired it. Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette by Vincent Van Gogh and the Tattoo by Kate. Shout out to the poor lady I wrangled into taking this for me (she took a load which was very kind).

Vincent Van Gogh Museum €20.00/£17.91 online + Audio Guide €3.50/£3.14

Completely worth every cent. I understand that enjoying the Van Gogh Museum is not exactly a unique thought or experience but there we have it. Lives up to the hype, and for me personally it surpasses it. But that's just one mans opinion.

After emotionally recovering on my journey back to the hostel, I had a few drinks in the bar and bullied a stag do. I did buy them some shots to make up for it though.