#they honestly taste good and the recipe is so so easy

[flight-freedom]

Recently I was craving Danish Pastries. It turns out they're just cream-cheese and sugar. But nonetheless they were good. I think the hardest part of baking must be making the end result look yummy. Most concoctions of sugar and butter and gonna taste nice but making them look mouthwatering is more difficult..

For some reason learning takes the magic out of the world. Now whenever I buy Danishes I'll just think "Oh- I'm buying cream cheese and sugar." I always used to think they have some magical unknown ingredient that only the Danes are aware of. Nope. The magical ingredient is cream cheese.. and sugar.

OH ALSO- I made a "Threads" account it's Instagram's replacement for Twitter and I'm not sure if it's just that I need to "like" different things on Instagram but Threads seems to be entirely women promoting their OnlyFans...??? Like WUT? Facebook you made a Twitter replacement but it's just being used to market OF accounts? Weird. You guys should ban that. I never used Twitter and don't plan to use Threads but was curious what Thread is.

[rabbitrah]

A continuation on my post about unloved foods, specifically this is my in-depth defense of root beer.

Root Beer isn't inherently gross, it's just one of those weird local flavors that's off-putting to people who didn't grow up with it. We all like different things and also we all tend to like flavors that are similar to what we grew up with. That's okay! But honestly root beer is pretty unique and, in my opinion, delicious.

One of the main complaints against root beer is that it tastes like medicine. Funnily enough, it was originally marketed as medicinal! This is true for most OG sodas actually. Pretty much as soon as carbonated water was invented, people were drinking it to soothe various ailments. A lot of the original soft drinks were actually invented by pharmacists. I just think that root beer is especially cool because the main flavor came from the root bark of sassafras, a common North American shrub. Because it's so widespread and aromatic, all parts of the sassafras plant have been used in food and medicine by many different Native American tribes throughout history and was subsequently picked up and used by European colonists. In the 1960s, some studies indicated that that safrole oil, which is produced by the plant, can cause liver damage. Whether or not this would actually remain true after it had been boiled and added to root beer is unclear, but it was really easy to replicate the flavor, so the sassafras in commercial root beer these days is artificial. Another fun fact about safrole is that it's a precursor in the synthesis of MDMA. None of this information has stopped my childhood habit of eating sassfras leaves right off the shrub whenever I walk past it on a hike. I'm like 85% sure it's safe and also mmmm yummy leafs go crunch.

Another root beer complaint is that it tastes like toothpaste. I think this is probably because another key flavor in most root beer recipes is wintergreen. I'm assuming that the people who think this are the same people who think mint chocolate chip ice cream tastes like toothpaste. I can understand and even respect that some people don't like mint and associate it only with brushing their teeth, but like. Mint is a pretty common flavor. I mean I think it's safe to say that humans have been eating mint flavored stuff for longer than toothpaste has existed... anyway!

Other common flavors in root beer (real or artificial) are caramel, vanilla, black cherry bark, sarsaparilla root, ginger, and many more! There's not one official recipe, and root beer enthusiasts often have strong opinions about different brands. Some root beer is sharper, with more strong aromatic flavors, and others are mild and creamier.

Another thing I think is cool about root beer is that it's foamier than most sodas. This was originally because sassafras is a natural surfactant (and why sassafras is also a common thickening agent in Louisiana Creole cooking.) These days, other plant starches or similar ingredients are added to keep the distinctive foam. Root beer foam > all other soft drink foams. That's why root beer floats kick more ass than like, coke floats.

If you've never had root beer before, imagine if a sweetened herbal tea was turned into a soda, because that's basically what it is. If your first response to that is a cringe, fair enough. That's why lots of people don't like it. If your first response to that is "interesting... I might actually like it, though" then I encourage you to track down a can of root beer today, hard as that might be outside the US and Canada. Next time you see an "ew, root beer tastes like medicine/tooth paste" take, know that there's a reason for that, but also the same could be said for literally any herbal or minty food/drink.

My final take on root beer is that it would be the soda of choice for gnomes. Thank you and good night.

[tetzoro]

☽◯☾ - THE LOVE COOK

꒰ synopsis ꒱ : Sanji has always had an affinity for cooking but nothing could ever compare to cooking for you. But his plan backfires and he realizes he’s in for more than he bargained for.

꒰ content ꒱ : MDNI. perv!sanji x dom!reader ; minor food play, handjob, minor cum play, lots of praise, unprotected sex, creampie, cunnilingus, usage of good boy (once), — WC : 4.6k

⭑ 𓂃 ꒰ Waxing Crescent ! ꒱  — kinktober masterlist

Sanji's always had an affinity for cooking. Since he was young, his love for it wove into the depths of his very being, one of the things he greatly identified with. 

Under Zeff's vigorous training, the young cook fought to chase his passion, learning everything he could in what it meant to be a chef that was fit enough for the seas. And as time went on, it only strengthened. Year after year of trying new recipes, of feeding people who were hungry and above all, never wasting a drop — the bond grew along with him.

But as he got older, there was a new bonus for cooking. One that was filthy and always left him feeling like a perv, and yet — he couldn’t stop indulging himself.

Sanji really, really loved cooking for women.

It's honestly sinful how much he enjoys serving them food. How he makes sure his fingers grace their lap with a napkin — the fleeting touch of their thigh sending a thrill throughout his body, always ensuring to push in their chair a little too tightly so their chest presses against the table, and of course, feeding them a heartfelt compliment here and there while eating up their flustered state.

Every cook loves to see the reaction their food can evoke in people but Sanji takes it to a new level. 

Women ooh and aww over his cooking, after that first bite he can clearly see it written all over their beautiful face’s. The direct line of pleasure he supplied them effortlessly coating their features, eyes rolling to the back of their head at the divine taste of their favorite foods.

But the real treat is when he hears their moans of approval. Quiet, loud, breathless, guttural, he’s heard it all. It's only natural that he savors the sound in the deepest banks of his memory to touch himself to those keepsakes later, pairing it with their heavenly expressions as his fist closes around his cock.

So when he finally has you as his little taste tester, sitting across from him as he serves you, the game changes. Suddenly, all of the other women he’s served pale in comparison to your reaction.

The moment the dessert coated fork touches your mouth he can see the explosion of gratification before him and he counts every blessing he has front row seats.

The small smile that graces your face, licking the extra cream off your lips as if you couldn’t get enough, an elongated yet quiet hum followed by his name and whatever praise you had for him immediately had his cock swelling in his trousers, pushing against the tightness of the fabric.

For a breath, he was just as dazed as you, watching your signs of contentment, your taste buds positively satisfied with all the flavors he lovingly poured into the dish. 

But he needed more. 

He needed to hear your praise once again.

“You like it?” Sanji barely managed to ask, straightening up as he tried to hide his lower half behind the counter.

“Like it?” You swallow down the food, your pretty eyes meeting his and he feels as if he was brutally shot by cupid's arrow, headshotted and left without any hope of being saved. “I love it.”

Something electric buzzed in the room that felt far too foreign to Sanji. Compliments would always effortlessly spill from his lips as easy as breathing but the way you were looking at him whisked every last drop of air from his lungs, suffocating them with the addicting allure of your praise.

The roles were suddenly reversed and now you were the one who was eyeing him.

Stalking up like a panther ready to strike, you rise from your chair and make your way over to him with a dark look in your eye he hasn’t been privy to before. Each movement was dragged out, languid yet precise. Like this was the moment you had been patiently waiting for and the thought drove Sanji close to madness.

“Mon-cheri–” Sanji started as he backed up against the counter under the intense aura you were emitting. It wasn’t a well thought out plan as you begin to corner him, effectively catching him in your little trap. He can’t lie and say the energy didn’t excite him, but it was certainly unexpected. Far too long he had been pining over you, dreaming of a moment like this but now that it’s here, he’s not so sure what to do.

“You know what would make this taste even better?” A redundant question as you don’t give him a chance to answer. 

Taking your pointer finger, you gently scoop up some of the whipped cream off of the delicious pastry that Sanji had ever so graciously made for you. With a measured stroke, you glide his cherished creation down his neck, along his pulse point so you can feel how vigorously it races for you, his heart throbbing viciously against the chamber of his ribcage.

“W-what are you doing?” The question falls flat, dithery nerves striking up a cord within him that had him wanting to reach for his nearest cigarette to cope with the heart palpitations you were giving him with each move you make. “Wait, don’t waste it!”

“Waste it?” You tilt your head as you stand before him. His hands clutch onto the edge of the counter behind him in an attempt to steel himself. A soft puff of air caresses Sanji's skin moments before you lean in with your tongue peeking out of the confines of your mouth. dragging the pink muscle along his neck, you hum in approval at the sweet taste. “Just what I thought, even sweeter.”

His face burns red, the flames desperately licking at his cheeks under the sear of your compliments. Normally, he would be the one gifting them out, carried with a sweet melody of adoration. The energy he so readily gives out is now crashing back at him in full force and the poor cook can only tremble in anticipation. 

Sanji's eye pinches shut in hopes of taking a moment to gather himself. But you were equipped with another dose of admiration, ready to pour it over him until he felt drowned in affection.

“You have such a pretty face, Sanji.” You push his hair back, revealing both of his closed eyes. “And beautiful eyes, I wish you’d show them more.”

Your wish is his command after all.

Slowly, Sanji's eyes begin to open — showcasing the birth of a new day as he reveals the beautiful blue that pools in his irises. The kind that reminds you of the All Blue book he’s shown you countless times when the two of you would curl up together while keeping watch for the ship. But once they lock onto yours, they abruptly morph into the stormy seas of the new world, holding the utter excitement of uncharted territory that’s waiting to be claimed.

“What are you doing?” Sanji asks the question again.

“Nothing.”Your voice carries a silken lilt that smoothes over him like a balm.  “Nothing you don’t want me to do, at least.”

“Like what?” He breathes out. If it wasn’t for the close proximity due to you crowding him in the small corner of the kitchen, he doubts that you would’ve picked up on his shaky words.

“Oh Sanji,” The giggle that spills from your lips has his knees buckling, hands twitching to touch you and he swears he might fall over for a moment from the mountain of sheer desire he’s trying to hike through. “Don’t be so coy. You’re the one that’s always flirting with me ever since I joined the crew, did you not mean all the wonderful things you said?”

“O-of course I meant them!” Sanji's face becomes coated in a dark pink once again, the blush spreading throughout his cheeks as blood starts to drip from his nose. He quickly catches it with his hand, all too acutely aware of his traitorous body. “I'd never lie to you, my sweet.”

“Then don’t act so surprised.” Your hands slide up his arms, eyes intently watching him as he shudders under your touch. “And let me kiss you.”

Without another breath, lips softly collide. An explosion of shooting stars burst between the two of you as sparks caress your body. It's tender, unpracticed, and entirely wonderful. Utilizing small movements as you slowly figure out the rhythm of each other's mouths. How do his lips move? How do yours? How could they mold together so you can share the same breath?

After a few moments, you begin to gel against his – growing needier, craving more. Suddenly, the little pecks aren’t enough and your senses long to be invaded by everything that makes him up. 

So, you boldly take the first step, your tongue pokes out to trace along his lip, feeling him out while your taste buds engrave the flavor to memory. His tongue follows suit, the soft muscle touches yours and after that, you blur into each other.

Like waves that grace the shoreline, you find a steady tide of give and take — back and forth as you learn what he likes, what will draw him back in, what will pull him under your current. 

Following a steady motion that you two create together, your own song dedicated to your souls courting each other, dancing around feelings the other had been too scared to speak of.

Reluctantly, your lungs scream for reprieve so you pull apart, a thread of saliva connecting you as you pant heavily, breaths fanning each other's face.

Sanji’s blown out eyes are stuck on your lips and you realize that air be damned, nothing would nourish you more than the way he kisses every emotion he’s ever held for you against your lips, grabbing at you like you’re the very thing that’s keeping him tethered to this world.

Another collision and you’re back to it — more desperate than before. The few moments you went without him felt like eons and you had to make up for lost time. A reunion that proceeds past this lifetime, one that was premeditated as the connection only strengthens with each glide of your lips.

His tongue swirls around your own, hungered grunts breaking out from deep within his chest as he grows addicted to the way you taste. Hands grasping and pulling along your body as if he needed more, needing to fully melt into you.

And you’re more than ready to let him.

Leading him to the couch, he lands with a soft thud before you begin to straddle him. The anticipation drums in his ears, blood pumping at an abnormal rate as it figures out where to flow. So much has already pooled all the way to the tip of his cock, painfully pressing against the confines of his trousers. The rest threatens to gush from his nose at an alarming velocity and it’s taking everything in him to hold it back.

All of Sanji's muscles grow taut in an attempt to reign himself in, locked in place as he waits for you to make your move to do something that would hopefully help relieve him of this agonizing pressure. He was simply pretty putty that laid in your tender yet tantalizing hands, leaving you to pick him apart and shape him into whatever you wished for as long as you just kept playing with him.

“How pretty.” You coo as you get rid of his suit trousers, freeing his needy cock by sliding the fabric down his thighs a little. Through a practiced motion, you spit into your hand, wrapping it around his length to spread some more slick.

Sanji gasped, jaw hanging open once your fist closed around his leaking tip, giving it a gentle squeeze.

His face said it all — he was looking up at you with such awe and desire. The kind that made him think you strung up all the stars and moon just so the beams would cascade along your skin so beautifully — just as it is now.

Pockets of light illuminate you so he can see everything you’re doing through an ethereal filter that the heavens themselves must’ve constructed.

“You’re beautiful.” He whispered, jerking into your divine hand. The honey coated compliment was so sincere, genuine, uttered in a complete state of reverence. It melted your heart to see him still wanting to give so much even though your intention was to focus on him.

Sanji deserves to be worshiped. It’s something you’ve thought to yourself for quite some time. sure, he could be a bit much sometimes, going over the top with compliments and relentlessly chasing after women.

But after spending so much time at sea with him, you’ve started to peel back the layers behind the woman chasing persona he loves to wear so much. To the man who had unshakeable morals, who protected those who needed protecting, to feed every hungry person — friend or foe. 

Sanji has so much to give, so generous with all the love he holds in his body. The love he so desperately wants to receive back but hides it behind cheesy pick up lines that can be dismissed with a laugh. 

But enough was enough. It was Sanji's turn to be adored, to be told all the beautiful things about himself while you stroke his cock and coo at him until he spills all over your hand.

Which is exactly where you had him now.

“You’re so sweet, Sanji.” You pepper a kiss along his jaw and to his scruffy chin, wrist leisurely flicking as you hold his cock in your hands. It was pretty, which was fitting. Long with a tip so red you thought he might burst. Luckily, most of the blood stayed pumping between his thighs rather than from his nose. For now, at least.

“You’re the aah-“ His blonde locks toss as his head hangs back, heavenly bliss whirling around him as he curls his toes — trying not to cum so quickly. He was so sensitive but he wanted more, greedy for everything you were more than ready to give him. “Sweet one.”

“No, no, Sanji.” You lightly nibble on his ear and his hips stutter up with a loud groan. “You’re going to listen to me, okay? If you want me to keep going, you just have to sit there and be good for me. No complimenting me, no trying to please me, we’re focused on you right now, okay?”

Sanji didn’t know what to say. Primal instinct told him to sit there and be quiet but how could he when you were an angel sent down from heaven, just for him? The pleasure you were feeding a starving soul like him was too good to pass up.

“Okay.” He manages to choke out as his release pools deep into his gut, threatening to spill out everywhere. All he needed was that extra push.

“Good boy.”  The phrase falls out of your mouth like a purr and he immediately cums into your hand with a whine, biting his lip trying to stay quiet. You don’t stop your movements as you press your lips against his, swallowing his whimpers as you start to overstimulate him.

But you’re merciful, and you don’t want to punish him. The only thing on your mind is making him feel loved, feel wanted, feel adored. 

“Let me —” Sanji starts to move, adjusting himself to tuck his half-hard cock away.

“Ah, ah, ah.” The smirk that takes up your face was killer as you brought your messy hand toward your mouth. You make a small show of playing with it, feeling how sticky it was, how it ran down your finger before plopping it into your mouth. “Don’t want to waste any of it, right?”

Sanji couldn’t even speak, the words stolen right from the tip of his tongue as yours danced between your fingers, removing every trace of him. You move down to kneel in front of him, the gasp he lets out sending a shiver down your spine. Anticipation bubbling up inside of you as lust pools in your gut, starting to burn with need.

Holding his half-hard cock in the palm of your hand, you swirl your tongue around, cleaning up the residual mess he made with a few precise movements. You lick along the length, feeling him hardening under your ministrations.

It only encourages you to engulf him in your mouth, showing him how far you could take him down your throat. Sanji groaned in response, fingers digging into your hair as his thighs tensed.

Once you’re finished, you remove your own panties from under your skirt and climb into his lap to straddle him once again. 

“Sanji, you really are just so sweet.” You repeat your words from earlier, gliding your now bare, drooling cunt against his stiff cock, “Makes me want to eat you up.” You pause, sucking a mark along his neck before whispering in his ear. “…devour you.”

Sanji was truly at a loss for words. Always the one so readily equipped with a line to show his undying admiration was now struggling to string together a coherent thought as your slick started to cover him.

“Like look at these wondrous hands.” To make a point, you hold them up as you continue to grind against him. “Always providing for us, making the world's most delicious food and spoiling us to your heart's content.”

Tugging his hands, you make sure they cover your chest so he can get a proper squeeze in that causes his nose to drip yet again, his cock undoubtable leaking with more pre-cum.

“I'd do anything for you.” He whispers, thumbs gently brushing over your nipple. Sanji was eerily quiet for a moment as he caressed the plush of your flesh, transfixed on the sight before him. 

“Anything?” The question hangs in the air as you brush his bangs to the side. His slightly sweaty forehead helped keep some of the pieces tucked from his eyes, both of his eyebrows now on full display – just like you wanted.

“Anything.” He breathes the word out like a prayer, a promise that he’d never deny you of what you’d ask of him. 

“Are you ready for me?” Your thumb trails along his parted lower lip, his darkened eyes hazy with an overwhelming lust but entirely set on you.

“Please.” He moans as you line up your soppy entrance with his cock, slick with your saliva and twitching with need. 

“Anything for you, monsieur.” Slowly, you lower yourself on his cock, letting him feel every inch of himself bury into you at an agonizing rate. Your wet, welcoming walls greedily sucked him in, wrapping snuggly around him so tightly that his head grows blank. 

Sanji's moans fill the room, his hands gravitating toward your waist as if it was pulled by another force, thumbing circles against your skin. It's taking everything in him not to bury his fingers into you and slam you down onto his cock, letting the most primal part of him mount you and take you in a way that directly challenges his morals.

The pace catches him off guard, fingers quickly moving to dig into the scratchy fabric of the couch. It wasn’t enough to steady him, the precipice of his release hastily rising at a rate he could barely keep up with.

The way your warm walls constrict around him, enveloping him in a way that makes him think you never want to let go. He barely has enough strength to pound up into you, opting instead to capture your nipple in his mouth, latching on while his hand caresses your other breast.

Sanji has always had a silver tongue, able to sing the sweetest praise and compliments toward any woman within a 20 foot radius. But you never thought about how well his mouth would be used in other ways. His soft tongue caresses your pert nipple, hardened by the contact and the slightly chilly air in the kitchen.

Lithe fingers gently pinch your other one, before trailing down along your sides and slipping between your thighs to roll your neglected nub between his digits. The sudden pressure gives your body an electric jolt, lurching forward and pressing your chest into Sanji's face more. 

Each roll of your hips earned another tender groan from the man below you, lost in a haze as you continuously fed him the sin that he had been craving for as long as he can remember. He pulls back from between the valley of your breasts, looking up at you with hearts flitting around in his eyes, his cock twitching in tune with its beat.

“Want you to come for me, mon-cheri.” He releases his mouth from your breast, looking up at you, limbs still twisted around you as he drives into you harder.

“Yeah? Want me to come all over your pretty cock?” You mewl, pressing your body flush against his as your own thighs start to tremble.

“Yes, please! I need it, need to come with you.” Sanji’s voice almost cracks under the intensity, gripping onto your shaky thighs as he begins to meet you thrusts, fucking himself harder into you. Your body jiggled under the intensity, spiraling you to your high and threatening to unravel you to your very core if you let go. 

So you did – letting the blinding white wash over your vision, course and tremble through your body as he fills you up with ropes of cum. Sanji all but whined, biting his lip in pure ecstasy as he teeters over the edge of oblivion.

The two of you try to catch your breath, a pair of lovers leaning against each other more out of necessity than comfort – but it was welcomed nonetheless. Sanji drew little circles along your back, the glide of his fingers soothing you back down from your high. 

He gives you a quick kiss on the forehead, moving you so you’re sitting on the couch, your head lolling to the back of it as you stare up at the ceiling.

Sanji shakily rises to his feet, swiftly moving toward the kitchen to get a fresh cloth to clean up the mess between your legs. But his keen eye spies something else that might serve more of a purpose right now.

“May I ?” Sanji asks, kneeling down from where you are sitting on the couch, gently wedding himself between your knees. Taking the whip cream he had swiped on his finger, he drags it along your inner thigh and throbs at the way you gasp in surprise.  “After all, I still haven’t gotten my own taste yet.”

“But I told you –”

“Oh sweetheart, I know what you told me,.” Sanji pries your legs open a little more, licking his lips as he takes in the way his cum is oozing out of your pulsing cunt. “Would you really deprive me of this?”

The sheer eagerness fills his eyes like wide saucers. The over enthusiastic man before you was more than ready to please you now, holding back this entire time as you had your way with him. He had been so patient that maybe he did deserve a reward.

“No.” Your voice is a little quieter yet filled with unbridled curiosity. The ghost of his tongue gliding over your nipples earlier resurfaces and you shudder in delight.

“Good, so good for me.” Sanji praises, licking up the stripe of frosting that laid defensively on your inner thigh, dragging it all the way to your cunt. The soft breathes from Sanji tickled at the sensitive flesh and had you trying to squirm away. But he had quick reflexes, gently digging in fingers into your hips and pulling them closer to his face. “Wouldn’t want to waste a drop.”

Sanji lapped at the cum dripping out from your entrance, ensuring to clean up all of the mess he left behind. The taste of your shared essence hit his taste buds and he swears he’s never tasted anything better. Groaning into your cunt, he clutches onto your plushy thighs and begins to eat you out like a starved man.

The vibrations from his guttural grunts directly attack your clit. The hot flash of pleasure coursed through your veins, spreading along to every nerve that was attached to your body, singing out in ecstasy as your thighs began to tremble and lock around his head.

For added leverage, you weave your fingers through the soft, pretty strands of his blonde hair, tugging on them like reins that will steer you right to the climax you were steadily building towards.

“‘m close.” You gasp, not giving him a chance to move his head as he’s locked in. But you don’t hear one noise of complaint – instead, it was just another groan of approval that ripped through your body and pushed you towards the edge. 

Stars burst behind your eyes, your mouth hanging open in a silent scream as Sanji worked you through your orgasm, squeezing out all the pleasure before overstimulation started to bite at you. Using his hair, you pull him apart from your sensitive cunt. The blissed out smile on his face no doubt mirrored your own. 

“magnifique.” Sanji breathed out, watching as your chest heaves under the fight to catch your breath, your lungs desperately gulping down air as it took everything in you to float back down from your high. He leaves a  wake of gentle kisses along your inner thigh paired with the soft praises he coos at you. “The heavens orchestrated this moment for us, my own little angel coming down to save me.”

Sanji places one last kiss on your knee, tempted to go all the way down your leg and worship every inch of your skin. He rises back up, grabbing the cloth he had originally set out for and returns back before humming a tune that you hadn’t heard before.

“What’s that song?” you ask softly, body twitching in anticipation as Sanji runs the cool cloth between your legs and being very careful not to overstimulate you. Too much. His eyes flash up towards yours once you speak, his attention always set on you no matter what task he’s working on. This was no exception.

“There used to be a beautiful singer that would visit the Baratie when I was younger. She’d come in every few weeks and sing for everyone there.” He goes on to tell the story while still cleaning you up, kissing every freckle and mole he can spot as the cloth tenderly glides along your skin. “She sang many songs but this one was my favorite. It was a love song that told the story of a couple who longed to find adventure together, going as far as transcending time and space to meet each other in every life.”

“That's lovely.” You give a small smile as he finishes. Sanji reaches for your panties, sliding them back up your legs before it’s back where it belongs. His palms caress down your thighs as he rises back up, pressing a warm kiss against your forehead that made your head all fuzzy.  “I've never heard you sing before.”

“Then you should come into the kitchen more often while I’m cooking, Mon-Cheri. I'm always humming a tune.” His thumb trails along your bottom lip – mesmerized at how swollen and kiss-bitten it was. You push forward, giving it the slightest amount of pressure as you return the favor. 

“Maybe I will.” Sanji gives you a little wink, stepping back for a moment as he fishes through his pockets to find what he’s looking for.

“It would be my greatest honor to have the most beautiful person in all of the seas accompany me during my tedious tasks.” Sanji flashes his most charming smile before he places a cigarette in his mouth and sets it aflame with his trusty gold lighter. “Now, let’s have you finish your sweet treat so I can indulge in mine again after.”

tags : @ambiguouslady42 ᡣ𐭩

[mediaevalmusereads]

Baking Yesteryear. By B. Dylan Hollis. DK, 2023.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Genre: cookbook

Series: N/A

Summary: A decade-by-decade cookbook that highlights the best (and a few of the worst) baking recipes from the 20th century

Friends of baking, are you sick and tired of making the same recipes again and again? Then look no further than this baking blast from the past, as B. Dylan Hollis highlights the most unique tasty treats of yesteryear.

Travel back in time on a delicious decade-by-decade jaunt as Dylan shows you how to bake vintage forgotten greats. With a big pinch of fun and a full cup of humor, you’ll be baking everything from Chocolate Potato Cake from the 1910s to Avocado Pie from the 1960s.

Dylan has baked hundreds of recipes from countless antique cookbooks and selected only the best for this bakebook, sharing the shining stars from each decade. And because some of the recipes Dylan shares on his wildly popular social media channels are spectacular failures, he’s thrown in a few of the most disastrously strange recipes for you to try if you dare.

***Full review below.***

Since this book is non-fiction, my review will be structured a little different from normal.

I've had this book for a while, but I didn't want to post a review before making a few of the recipes myself. I was already a fan of Hollis from his TikToks, so that might introduce some bias into my review - just so you're all aware.

Overall, I found this book to be quirky, easy to follow, and fun. I loved the bright colors and retro-feel to the photo shoots, and I appreciated that almost all of the recipes were accompanied by a picture of the thing you're supposed to be making. I also liked the blurbs written by Hollis himself; they very much felt like his voice, with his characteristic sense of humor balanced by his genuine love for baking and "old things."

Perhaps the most valuable part of this book, however, was the emphasis on lowering barriers to entry. I've read my fair share of baking guides that call for special ingredients or equipment, and there are a lot of recipes out there that are finicky and sure ton dissuade new bakers. Hollis's book, however, emphasizes that most (if not all) of these recipes can be done with basic tools - one does not even need an electric mixer (though it does make some recipes easier). There also aren't many fancy ingredients that aren't readily available at most grocery stores, so that also helps.

I do, however, have some minor criticisms which relate to the usability of this book. For one, the organization makes it rather difficult to find a specific recipe (or even category), particularly if you're like me and don't recall what decade it came from. While organizing the recipes by decade makes sense given the book's premise, it does make it more functionally difficult - you can't flip to the cake section, for example, and browse or put yourself within the general vicinity of the recipe you're looking for. Thus, readers will have to rely on either the TOC or the index a lot more, but this is a minor inconvenience rather than a huge drawback.

I also don't think the majority of the recipes are blow-your-mind good, but honestly, given this book's premise, I don't think that's the worst thing. The recipes are largely taken from sources aimed at home bakers, so you're not going to get professional-level pastries out of them. You will, however, get things that are fun and relatively simple to make, and they taste good enough to me that I'd consider making them multiple times.

TL;DR: Baking Yesteryear is a fine book for fans of Hollis's TikTok, but it goes beyond being mere merch. It not only provides historical recipes that are easy to replicate, but it also does a good job of lowering barriers to entry for new bakers. Experienced bakers might not be overly impressed by the recipes, but engaging with food history is a treat in and of itself, and it's delightful to see someone like Hollis engaging with the past with such enthusiasm and adoration.

[81folklore]

picnics and painting - PIASTRI

pairings: oscar piastri x private!reader

type: written

authors notes: idk what this is but i just started thinking of dates id like to go on and this happened!! enjoy?? idk😭

series masterlist

favorite dates

pottery painting

yn loves pottery painting, she always has a million ideas, but her favorite things to paint are mugs. she will do one and oscar will do one

oscar doesnt mind pottery painting, hes not very artistic but he likes the biscuits the place makes. his favorite thing to paint are plates, he finds them the easiest to paint (which makes it fun in his opinion)

picnic dates

they both love picnic dates, they both like different parts of the date but each date follows the same routine.

the day before they go shopping and prep some food, morning of the date they make either sandwiches or pasta. then they walk to their spot, the lake, and settle under an oak tree

the rest of the date follows a pattern of eating food, reading books and playing with eachothers hair (yn loves putting flowers into oscars hair, he happily lets her)

cooking/baking dates

cooking dates honestly dont happen a lot, yn and oscar dont argue a lot, but trying to cook when neither party are very good is extremely stressful and often ends in sulking (which is solved very quickly, neither can stay mad at the other for long)

baking dates however, are something they both love. yn loves finding new treats to bake and oscar loves making his grandmothers recipes. these dates dont happen enough, due to oscars meal plan (i mean who would want to have a baking date and not eat what they make?!) but when they do they have a lot of fun

bookshop dates

now yn loves reading but hates choosing books, even though she has a whole tbr list she find the whole process of picking one long and boring (which is actually a lie, she just finds it difficult to pick just one)

so they came up with a fun solution, oscar picks her books. these dates might seem strange to some but for them its fun! they go to their favorite bookstore, oscar having yns tbr list and a list of her favorite books, and they start browsing

typically their date will start with them both looking at books, before yn ends up just admiring oscar as he browses. she loves how concerntrated he gets, its so lovely to her, seeing how much he cares. he always searches so carefully, sometimes picking books from her list and other times picking ones he thinks she’ll love (spoiler she always loves the books he picks, he has amazing taste)

dinner dates

they love dinner dates, both lunch and dinner. they have a favorite restaurant and very rarely branch out. they both enjoy dressing up but prefer lowkey restaurants, they werent the fancy type.

dinner dates were the most common dates for them, they were easy to plan if they were away for oscars races, but were also good to plan last minute

they both loved italian so if they werent home and couldnt go to their favorite restaurant, they’ll find a (usually) family owned place to eat and while they rarely branch out restaurant wise, they both love to try new foods, so its not all bad

movie dates

pretty self explanatory, but they swap who picks each time. and whoever doesnt pick, gets to choose the snacks (which is usually either ice cream or popcorn). these dates are some of their favorites, just getting to relax and spend time with their person

these are also the dates that happen most on race weeks (other than dinner dates) as theyre easy to set up in a hotel room and help oscar sleep a lot (which is extra good on race weeks!!)

[shineonyoucrazyyandere]

I would NOT go from ANY yandere's grasp if they feed me what i like, like either i'd be too absorbed in eating or i'd be too tired after eating to really want to escape 😭 i don't really care what they'd do (love u btw)

Relatable honestly, man if that’s all it takes for a Yandere to keep you around, you’ll best bet they’re going to give it their all making you food to keep you around. Here’s a little comfy ramble…

I feel like most Jojo characters would be able to cook even if it’s just following a recipe. Foo Fighters does her best flipping through countless cookbooks, and watching videos of whatever your favorite things are. That’s what people do to bond right? Have good tasting food! It’ll surely bring you both closer together.

There’s a few that aren’t great with cooking, Mista occasionally burns certain things, he’ll admit cooking isn’t exactly his skill but figures everything out something eventually . (He finds it a pain to cook cheese sauces since they can burn easily) If it’s too complicated he’s taking you out to a restaurant that specializes in it.

Okuyasu isn’t the best with cooking at the start, mixing up spices, or under/overcooking. He manages to somehow convince Tonio to teach him properly. Being a good partner means making their favorite food properly in his mind so he’s not going to slack on that if it keeps you happy.

Since we’re mentioning food here might as well mention Tonio Trussardi here. This is the best way for him to be Yandere honestly right within his territory. Using Pearl Jam or not, it fills him with joy with whatever dish or snack you like. The way your shoulders relax once you eat sends this chefs heart fluttering like never before. He’s not really worried if you happen to be fond of something more factory made/processed his approximations are almost always better than the packaged things. (It’s better this way in his book anyhow).

I also feel like Gyro would probably take advantage of your lowered guard around your favorite food. He considers himself descent at his homelands dishes and of course Johnny likes his coffee he prepares, so often he ends up insisting to cook, practically taking over it from before on your journey. (Which works for him, you don’t need to worry about talking to whoever else anyway). He can’t wipe that stupid big grin from his face as you sit to eat your favorite thing. (That’s if you even notice from how tasty it is)

Koichi is another character who would take up some form of cooking for you. Maybe he just happens to eavesdrop one afternoon after class and see what exactly you’re eating? Then he makes himself useful and buys everything, then prepares it at home. Then hey, what do you know? One day or another you both happen to bump into each other and can even sit together for lunch for a little while.

(Here’s a part 8 character I feel like is underrated)

Karera is another character I definitely see using food to her advantage with you. She’ll get your favorite meals at whatever shop for free somehow (with a bit of handiwork from her stand love love deluxe). Oh hey, she just happened to buy something you like that was sold out most places, how about you sit and eat it with her? Making lunch/dinner? Duh she’ll make it for you, as long as you’re eating what she made with her own two hands (or bought/scammed herself) she’s happy.

If that’s what makes it easy to keep you around Jotaro doesn’t really mind. He’s right on it to getting/making it for you. Holly of course inserts herself pulling out recipes, she’d know you’d love. Just a small suggestion to her son of course as she winks. He’ll be right in the kitchen with her preparing everything, or quickly walking out to get whatever’s needed. Just don’t make yourself sick from eating too fast.

[feyburner]

a while ago you shared your rice onions bell peppers chicken recipe as your go to meal and i made it last night and it was amazing!!! tysm for sharing it. do you have any other chicken recipes that can be made in a wok/kadhai? I don’t have an oven so I was pleasantly surprised to make sth that actually tasted good and not just sth i whip up for sustenance 😅

Yeah for sure. I rarely use the oven when I’m cooking dinner, I do pretty much everything on the stovetop in a wok or frying pan. It's faster and gives me more control.

I think the best thing you can do is learn basic techniques. Once you have the basics down, you don't need a recipe to whip up a quick weekday dinner. You can just cook whatever you feel like cooking, with whatever's in your kitchen: whatever cut of meat, whatever veggies, whatever spices in your pantry.

99% of what I do is just the same basic techniques with different seasoning profiles, veggie sides, and carbs (rice, flatbread, potatoes, noodles).

Here are 4 things to do with chicken in a wok.

Dry Rub + Saute

The easiest and fastest. Simply make a spice mix, massage it into every nook and cranny of the meat (whole or chopped, either way), let it sit for a bit while you get other stuff ready and heat the pan (ideally you'd let it rest in the fridge for a few hours, but it's not necessary), then saute in oil.

The spice mix can be whatever you want (or a premade one, who cares). It's honestly hard to find a combination of random herbs and spices that doesn't taste good. After all, the basis of all cuisine is "doing stuff with whatever we have around," and I've never met a cuisine I didn't like. My go-to spice mix is 1 spoonful brown sugar plus roughly equal parts (1-2 tsp each) paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili or cayenne powder, salt, black pepper, plus 1-2 dried herbs. (Basically Cajun spice mix.)

How to saute (it's one of those things that everyone just assumes you know how to do, but maybe you don't!): First, heat wok over high/medium-high heat. You know the wok is nice and hot when you flick a couple drops of water in there and they instantly evaporate. Then, drizzle in enough oil to give the bottom of the wok a solid unbroken sheen. Swirl the pan so the oil coats the whole bottom. Watch the oil. When the surface is shimmering/trembling (should be very quick if your pan is already hot), it's ready. Carefully add your chopped meat or veggies in a single layer--don't overcrowd the pan, the meat will steam instead of brown. Let the meat sizzle untouched for like 2-3 minutes, then flip to brown the other side. You don't need to constantly stir or toss--that just lengthens your cooking time because the meat isn't touching the pan long enough to brown. That's how you get tough chicken! For chopped chicken, 6-7 minutes of pan-touching is plenty of time to cook through.

Marinate + Saute

Same thing as a dry rub, just wet. There are lots of ways to marinate chicken. The thing to remember is marinade = acid. Acid breaks down proteins, which tenderizes the chicken/meat.

Typical marinade acids: lemon juice, vinegar, soy sauce, buttermilk, yogurt. Simply pick one and build the rest of the marinade around it. If you use something very acidic, like lemon juice or vinegar, you'll want to balance it with fat: roughly equal parts lemon juice and olive oil. For soy sauce, it's really salty, so you'll want to balance it with something sweet: honey, brown sugar (i.e. teriyaki). Buttermilk and yogurt are great bases for a spice mix--think US Southern buttermilk fried chicken, or Indian yogurt marinades.

Once you have a balanced base, you can add whatever herbs and spices you want. Then just make sure all the meat is coated in marinade, cover, and chill in the fridge for a few hours. Then saute as usual (though you might want to use a little bit more oil to avoid bits of marinade sticking and burning).

Curry

Very easy and delicious. There are 1 million kinds of curry. This is just me but I think of it as a spectrum from thin to thick. "Thin" would be like Japanese or Thai style, where the base is primarily broth or stock (sometimes with coconut milk/cream) thickened or flavored with roux or curry paste. "Thick" would be like certain types of Indian curry, like makhani style with the blended tomato-onion base, or yogurt base, or creamy cashew/peanut/etc. base.

The main building blocks are gonna be onion, garlic, ginger. Then spices and other seasonings, obviously depending on what kind of curry you're making: curry powder, garam masala, lemongrass paste, cumin, coriander, cardamom, chili, mustard, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, etc.

If you are making "thin" style, you might want to make a roux. A roux is just equal parts fat and flour cooked in a pan.

How to make roux: 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter. Melt butter in pan, add flour, stir constantly over medium-low heat until desired color. Light roux = cook 5 min just until blond/golden, use for white sauces like bechamel. Brown roux = cook until caramel color, use for curries and soups. Dark roux = cook until deep chocolate brown, use for gumbo or jambalaya (mostly for flavor, not thickening).

To make roux for a curry, make a light or brown roux and add curry spices near the end. Let it fry for 1 minute or so to bloom the spices. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.

Another way of thickening curry is to cook chopped or diced onion until softened, then sprinkle on 2-3 Tbsp of flour + whatever spices you're using and stir for 1 minute or so to cook the flour and bloom the spices. Then add liquid.

3 basic curry methods:

Japanese style. Make curry roux. Heat oil in a wok. Add chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in minced garlic and ginger (or ginger-garlic paste). Add chopped chicken and cook, stirring, until white on the outside. Add 4 cups chicken stock. Add chopped carrots and potatoes. Season with soy sauce, honey, etc. Simmer 15-20 minutes, uncovered, until chicken is cooked and veg is softened. Take 1 ladleful of cooking liquid and whisk into your roux until smooth. Stir that mixture back into your curry. Simmer, stirring, 5-10 minutes until thickened.

Thai style. Heat oil in a wok. Add curry paste or ginger/garlic/lemongrass paste + curry spice mix and fry 1 minute to bloom. Add 2-3 cups stock a little at a time, whisking, to avoid lumps. Add chopped chicken, onion, potato, whatever else you want, plus 1 can coconut milk/cream. Season with fish sauce, tamarind, sugar, etc. Simmer 15-20 minutes, uncovered, until chicken is cooked and veg is softened.

Indian tomato-base style. Marinate chopped chicken in yogurt marinade with curry spices for a few hours. Heat oil in a wok. Add minced garlic and ginger (or ginger-garlic paste) and curry spices. Fry 1 minute to bloom. Add chopped onion (and bell pepper if you want) and stir together. Add 1 x 28oz can tomato puree. Cook, stirring, 5 or so minutes until slightly darkened. Carefully transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer back to pan. Add 1 can coconut milk/cream or 1ish cups heavy cream. Simmer 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, sear chicken on both sides just until browned and caramelized. Add to curry and cook for 10 minutes until cooked through.

All of these are very hard to fuck up, since they're so similar to soup. Pick a style, pick some spices, go for it.

Finally,

Stir Fry

Who doesn't love stir fry, the world's most versatile food. "Stir fry" as a technique is different from "saute" in that it uses a bit more oil and a slightly lower heat, so there's a slightly longer cook time. (And you're stirring more.) For stir fry, you'll want to velvet your chicken to make it super tender and juicy. Otherwise, all you're doing is making a stir fry sauce and then cooking chicken and veggies in stages.

To make a stir fry sauce: The equation is: Water + fat + balance of sweet, salt, spice, sour + thickener. My go-to is like 1/3ish cup water + 1-2 Tbsp sesame oil + brown sugar, soy sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice or rice vinegar + 1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp water to create a cornstarch slurry. Just mix everything together and set aside. Then saute your chicken first, remove from pan. Add your veg to the pan in stages depending on how long they take to cook: first something like broccoli or carrot, cook for a few minutes, then onion and pepper, then minced garlic and ginger at the very end (garlic burns easily). Add your chicken back in, give a stir, pour your sauce in, give it a stir, done.

Good god this got long. Sorry. Work was slow today so what else am I gonna do.

Anyway, hope this helps! These 4 basic things, in combination with the wide world of seasonings, can create infinite easy meals. Let me know if you try anything. Good luck!

[aaajaxolotl]

Feast Your Eyes: Fandom Cookbook Recipe Review #2

You Won’t Have Mush-room For Seconds - Minecraft: Gather, Cook, Eat! Official Cookbook

Tonight’s menu: sourced from the Official Minecraft Cookbook

Main Course: Mooshroom Burger, pg 55

Side Dish: Roasted Crops, pg 26

Full review under the cut!

Aurum Leuci’s Log:

[Begin recording.] Uh, hi. It’s Chef Aurum Leuci again, late… still. Are you sure you fixed the portal coordinates? Because this is NOT the culinary facility. Everything is cubes. I think I might actually be in a computer, because, uh.. when I say everything is cubes, I mean everything is cubes. I’m fine, and my gear is fine, and everything I make is fine, but I’m on an island full of giant pixelated-looking mushrooms, and pixelated… cow… things? With mushrooms growing on them.

…those could probably make a delicious meal, actually. Don’t worry about me, I’m going to see what I can cook up for some quick dinner. This weird new dimension might be a place worth exploring. As always, no need to worry. If I get into a sticky situation, I’ll jump dimensions again— but hopefully I’ll at least have time to eat.

If it’s good, I’ll be sure to bring some back to the lab for you. Aurum Leuci out. [End log.]

Please see this post for my full review scale!

Main Dish: Mooshroom Burger

RATING:

Difficulty: 5/5

Ingredients: 5/5

Immersion: 4/5

Time: 5/5

End Result: 4/5

TOTAL RATING: 23/25

I love this recipe, and so does my entire family. It’s a delicious swiss-and-mushroom burger that’s easily made completely plant-based using Impossible Beef and Daiya cheese- and it always turns out SO good! The reason this recipe isn’t quite perfect is twofold, so let me start with the somewhat sillier reason first: I WANT THIS BURGER IN MY GAME!!! Please!! We have the technology (bread, mushrooms, cooked beef). Give me the mooshroom burger, Mojang. Or at least a sandwich of some kind. The second point off is a matter of personal preference; the original recipe makes four absolutely MASSIVE burgers. Like, big enough that my family (all four of us) could barely finish them the first time I made this. I highly recommend cutting the recipe (and the resulting two, still massive, burgers) in half. Aside from that, this recipe was perfect (and delicious!) and very satisfying.

Side Dish: Roasted Crops

RATING:

Difficulty: 5/5

Ingredients: 5/5

Immersion: 5/5

Time: 4/5

End Result: 5/5

TOTAL RATING: 24/25

This recipe is another one I wish I could rate absolutely perfect. It’s easy, the ingredients are easy to get but relatively uncommon in most dishes, and the end result tastes incredible! This recipe made me love carrots, and it resulted in me even agreeing to TRY beets, which is a huge feat. The only point it loses is that the cookbook drastically underestimates prep time for cutting and peeling the vegetables. Especially if you’re not used to handling beets, they’re messy and will definitely freak you out at least once when the juice gets on your hands. Honestly, though, this cookbook was worth buying JUST for this recipe. It’s a consistent hit with my family.

Tune in next Wednesday (6/12/24) for another fandom cookbook review!

[ur-fairy-of-mimicry]

A random thought came to my mind. If ranked, which of the Specialists is the best to the worst cook?

This is my opinion, from best to worst:

Brandon, Helia, Riven, Timmy, Sky

Okay, let me explain why I see it this way. And I'll try not to make it too long. ^^"

Brandon

For me, Brandon is the best at cooking. He knows each and every dish in Magix and aces them perfectly. Everybody loves Brandon's cooking, and they are always excited whenever he's in the kitchen.

I've seen a headcanon where Brandon lived in a large family, so I'm going to add that in because I can visualize it a lot. Brandon is probably the second or third eldest, so he's definitely tasked to take care of his siblings.

Being Prince Sky's squire means protecting him from any sorts of dangers, but he wouldn't mind cooking a good meal for the prince. I mean, isn't that what a good squire does for his master?

This man just wants to see people smile with his cooking skills. It makes him happy, too, as they remind him of his beloved family.

Helia

I gotta say, Helia definitely has some skills in cooking, too! As much as they taste very good, Brandon just surpassed him. They'd be in a cooking competition and the squire will still win. It's not like his minds, though. Helia isn't really into home economics in the first place.

Despite that, Helia still has his artistic skills! Therefore he's very good at plating and he is a veteran at making dishes looking appealing. Helia loves to cut the fruits and vegetables into different shapes.

Even if he's second best cook, Helia is still happy to be able to cook. There are times where he and Brandon cooperate. And the outcome? It's incredible and beyond words.

Riven

Riven here is just in the middle. He's a decent cook, and that's enough as long as he can live. Unlike Brandon and Helia, his dishes are rather simple. The two above would cook the fancy and extravagant, but this guy here would prefer easy and quick. But of course, they need to be tasty.

Don't underestimate him, though! Riven here has some knife skills! I headcanon that he's very good with chopping and cutting things, and people will just be watching him with a shocked Pikachu face.

Overall, he's not really considering cooking as a hobby. But whenever there are some good cook books (remember, Riven is a bookworm!), he's definitely reading them and try out the given recipes. So, maybe you'll spot him in the kitchen every now and then.

Timmy

I don't really see Timmy as the kind of person who cooks, honestly. It's a headcanon of mine where he enjoys to-go meals and salads. He doesn't really cook, so Timmy doesn't have the skills either. He's busy with his daily technologies and calculations, so it's somewhat of an excuse for him why he cannot cook.

But like mentioned, Timmy likes salads. He may not be very good at cooking in general, but he does know what is healthy and unhealthy for the body. Whenever Brandon asks what they'd like to eat, Timmy will choose a Ceasar salad and proceed to explain its benefits and vitamins.

It might seem lazy for him to refuse to try cooking, but he still got the brains! If you need some advice for healthier meals, this guy is a great help. He might as well suggest healthy diets, and you'll never regret it.

Sky

... bro, isn't it obvious? He's a prince. Everything is literally served out for him. He probably never walked inside a kitchen in his whole life when he was still in the palace. I doubt he actually knows a thing.

Despite lacking knowledge about cooking, Sky does like to observe. He would chat with one of the Specialists (mostly Brandon) while watching him cook today's breakfast. Sky would definitely be willing to try, however it usually results to the Red Fountain kitchen burning to ashes...

When he actually succeeds cooking without burning the kitchen, the next problem is its appearance. It doesn't really look appealing to the eyes and when tasted, it's... ambiguous. But hey, at least he's trying!

[didnt-hear-cold-as-you-live]

what are some of your favorite drinks to make/some beginner drinks that are not too hard to make but are still delicious? i'm at the point where i want to learn to make actual nice drinks for myself and for friends but i honestly dont know where to start

Okay so I have two levels of answers to this question! Also I’m answering in ml because American measurements are dumb af for measuring cocktails, if you’re in the US just know 30ml = 1 standard shot so pour according to that

Level 1: I do not know any classic cocktails at all other than my own bar order (which is fine, I didn’t either really before I started in Melbourne so no judgement!

Classic Daiquiri - the most basic classic cocktail there is, really, but SO good if it’s made with a nicer / non-well dark rum (my favorite is Plantation’s Fiji Blend). Called a bartenders handshake because it’s so simple. 15ml lime juice, 15ml simple syrup, 60ml rum.

Margarita - if you don’t know how to properly make one, now you do! 15ml lime juice, 15ml triple sec (aka orange liqueur, I like Dry Curaçao!), 45ml tequila. Add 2 dashes of hot sauce for a spicy marg

Cosmopolitan - slay version of a vodka cran. 15ml lime juice, 15ml triple sec, 30ml cranberry juice, 45ml vodka.

Tom Collins - a great tall drink if you want something fizzy! 15ml simple syrup, 30ml lemon juice, 45ml gin, top with soda water.

Level 2: I’m familiar with the Hard Basics and was asking for a level above that!

Espresso Martini (this is my recipe and it’s bangin) - 5ml real maple syrup, tiniest ever splash of vanilla extract, 40ml chilled coffee, 30ml coffee liqueur, 45ml vodka

Passionfruit Daiquiri (again, my recipe) - super easy level-up to the classic daiquiri. 15ml lime juice, 20ml passionfruit liqueur (I recommend Chinola if you want a nice one!), 45ml dark or light rum. Dark rum will give it a deeper & more robust flavor profile, which I like. If you want to taste the passionfruit more, go light!

French Martini - this is a great one if you like a fruity drink! You can increase the pineapple juice depending on your fruity preference. 20ml pineapple juice, 20ml raspberry liqueur, 45ml vodka. If you’re looking to up your Vodka game I recommend Reyka - it’s an Icelandic small batch vodka made w melted glacier water, and it’s so incredibly smooth you can almost sip it. Literally nicer than Grey Goose and it’s a very entry level price point avail at most liquor stores. Goes great in this!

Aperol Spritz - you can make an ANYTHING spritz using this recipe and swapping the liqueur. The passionfruit is great for something sweeter! 60ml Aperol, 30ml soda water, 90ml sparkling wine

Hope this helps bestie! You can go a LONG way with adding sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, and one liqueur to your liquor cabinet. A general archetype a lot of classic cocktails follow is 15ml of something sweet, 15ml of a citrus, 45ml of alcohol if the sweet thing was alcoholic, 60ml if it wasn’t.

I also love the free app coupe for discovering classic cocktails!

[invinciblerodent]

Baldur's Gate 3's Potato Chowder - RECIPE

So a few days ago, I found this recipe around the start of act 3, near the kitchen of the Temple of the Open Hand in Rivington:

[Screenshot of recipe as it appears in-game. Exact steps will be transcribed below, within the recipe.]

It looked... honestly very simple and not dissimilar from a Hungarian potato főzelék/stew (which is a very cheap and homely peasant dish I love), so I just made it for lunch today, and guys....

this soup is uh. really fucking good. I tried following it as close to the letter as possible, but since it's quite vague, I did have to improvise a fair bit- but it's very cheap and easy to make, it's warm and comforting while still quite light (there are like. NO spices in there, it's a very European-feeling dish), and I'd say it's surprisingly filling, but it's. It's potatoes, so there's nothing exactly surprising about that.

I tried to write out the recipe in a very beginner-friendly way, so even if you're not super confident in the kitchen, it should be easy to follow! ❤️

Make yourself some video game soup, it's awesome.

INGREDIENTS:

(For about 6 servings)

A roughly egg-sized lump of lard (This can be subtituted with a different cooking fat if you'd like, but I recommend sticking with lard, as it adds a nice flavor, and it's kind of the staple fat for these peasant stews.)

Potatoes (I used just under two pounds)

Half of a medium leek

Small yellow onion (or half of a larger one)

2 cloves garlic

Roughly 1/2 to 1 cup white cooking wine (optional, substitute given in recipe)

Vegetable stock (or chicken- or beef stock, or water)

2-3 tbsp all purpose flour

Salt to taste

1/2 cup of sour cream/créme fraiche (optional)

Shredded cheese and/or croutons to serve (optional)

(Recipe with transcriptions and exact steps under the cut!)

(This is basically all there is in this. Honestly.)

STEPS:

"1. Put your lard in a pot- a chunky one, mind. When it stops being lard and starts being hot lard, add any good-smelling veggies (leeks, garlics, onions) that you've chopped all thin. Please salt this so it doesn't taste of nothing."

This first step is pretty self-explanatory. I sliced the white part of he leek thinly, cubed my onion, and minced my two large cloves of garlic. In the lard melted in as chunky a pot as I've got (make sure it's not non-stick!!!), I sauteed first the leek and the onion with a big pinch of salt, and once the onion was translucent, the leek soft, and they've released some liquid (around 3-5 minutes on medium-low heat), I added the garlic, and cooked it until fragrant.

"2. When it's soft and good-smelling, chuck in any flour you've got and stir the mixture so it don't burn (note for me - it's very important not to burn it, emphasize)"

"2.5. PLEASE DO NOT LET IT BURN THAT'D BE RUBBISH"

Now we make a roux by adding just enough flour to the mixture that it starts sticking together, and looks fairly dry, but no part of the flour remains powdery. (This was about 3 tbsp for me, but since this process goes quick, I did eyeball it).

It's important to keep stirring, as this can and does stick to the bottom of a pot, but it will determine the thickness of the final soup, deepen its flavor, and give it a nice, creamy consistency. I made mine fairly blonde (light tan in color, cooked just past long enough to dissipate any raw flour smell), but it can go to a fairly dark, caramel color before burning if you'd like the flavor to be a bit deeper. (This should only take a couple minutes.)

Please do be careful- it the roux burns, that flavor will be impossible to get rid of, so.... yeah, it would be rubbish.

"3. If you're fancy and have wine (or have a generously stocked temple wine cellar nearby) add a bit of it now and cook it off. When it's done, add some wedged potatoes and a lot more liquid (not wine this time or you'll have a headache in the morning)."

We now deglaze the bottom of the pot with the wine: after pouring it in, with the wooden spoon, we scrape up any stuck pieces of flour or aromatics that there might be on the bottom.

(Note: If you don't have wine, or would prefer not to use alcohol for any reason, a neat trick is to mix about 1 tbsp of white wine vinegar and 1 tsp of granulted sugar into a cup of water, and use this mixture as a substitute for 1 cup of white wine. In most recipes, the wine's main purpose is to add acidity as well as sweetness to the dish- this trick aims to replicate those qualities, and tastes very similar in the end result. I use it often in almost anything that calls for white wine if I happen to not have any at hand. But do make sure to taste beforehand, it's very easy to go too heavy on the vinegar! It should taste sour, but not so much that it's unpalatable.)

Then, I rinsed my cubed potatoes (though the text calls for wedges, those often don't cook quite evenly!) with water to get rid of the excess starch, added them to the pot, and then covered them in vegetable stock. You can use chicken- or beef stock (which would make the soup a bit richer, heavier) or water (if you want it lighter) as well- in this last case you might need to add more salt than you'd think. (Make sure to taste- it should be flavorful, but not salty! Bouillon cubes and premade stocks often have a very high salt content, so if using that, you might find you don't need to add any.)

(It sohuld look something like this.)

"4. Cook for half an hour or so til the potatoes are nice and tender, and mash some of 'em up in the liquid. If you've got any cow products - cheese, milk and the like - add them now for extra delicious results."

From when the mixture starts to boil, it should take about 25-35 minutes of simmering on low heat, covered, for the potatoes to soften- you can test doneness by sticking a fork in one of the pieces, or gently pushing one against the edge of the pot with your wooden spoon. It should give easily at light pressure with both methods.

I then put the sour cream/créme fraiche in a heat-safe container (a mug will do perfectly), and ladled a bit of the hot cooking liquid on top of it, mixing it thoroughly- both to thin it out, and bring the temperatures closer to each other, which should help avoid any curdling. Stirring constantly, I then add the cream mixture to the soup in a thin, slow stream. (Any mildly acidic, creamy dairy product should work here- though I do think yogurt might be a bit too sour, if using that I would probably omit the wine.)

Then, as everything is done cooking and the cream is distributed evenly with no curds, I turn the heat off for safety, and using a very traditional, very fantasy, not at all anachronistic immersion blender, I blitz the entire thing for roughly 30 seconds. You can of course blend it less for more chunks (or remove some cooked potato bits before blending to add them back later), or even longer for a smoother consistency, but I did like that about that much blending left only a few, small chunks of nicely cooked potato in the otherwise smooth and creamy result.

I served with shredded Port Salut cheese and croutons on top- but this is of course optional, and I think just some nice, crusty bread would also work wonderfully!

Go make yourself a video game soup!!!!!!! It's so easy and good!!!!!!!

[daydreamingyuta]

Strawberry Sunday│Jaehyun

Sunday’s were your favorite day of the week. It had become tradition for you and Jaehyun to spend every Sunday you could together, relaxing. The only rule to your Sunday’s together was that you were not allowed to worry or do any work at all. It was a whole day strictly meant for relaxing and enjoying each others company. 

You both took this rule very seriously and most Sundays spent together, you both didn’t lift a finger to do anything. But this Sunday was a little different. You suddenly got the very strong urge to cook something. Not that cooking was ‘work’ but it did have the tendency to stress you out and not taste as good as any takeout you could get. So when you told Jaehyun this, you expected him to laugh and ask you what restaurant you two should order from for dinner. 

“We actually should make something.” Jaehyun says, surprising you.

“Wait really! But we don’t know how to make anything.”

“We’ll figure it out. Just as long as it’s not anything too complicated.”

Excited by this, you two hop off of the couch to see what you already had in the kitchen. As you two rummage through the fridge and the pantry, you find that you had all the ingredients to make penne pomodoro, which was one of your favorite pasta dishes.

“Pasta’s easy enough to make”, Jaehyun says as you show him the ingredients. “But we should make a dessert as well.”

“Strawberry cake! We have everything to make it!”

Jaehyun smiles at you cute excitement, “I’ve seen those before, they look really good.”

“Okay! Let me look up a recipe for everything. We have to follow it perfectly because otherwise it’s going to be a disaster.”,You say pulling up the recipes from pinterest. 

When you finally find one that looks the best, you two began making the penne pomodoro first. It’s pretty easy because you two aren’t making the pasta from scratch or anything. 

Halfway through, it seems that Jaehyun has everything under control, so you decided to start working on the dessert. This way it will be baking in the oven by the time you guys are eating dinner. 

You preheat the oven and then grab the box of strawberries. You wash them off and began cutting them up. Lost in thought, you didn’t hear Jaehyun come up behind you. But you did feel his arms wrap around your waist and his head rest on your shoulder. He watches you cut the strawberries as you slightly lean into him, feeling his warmth. 

You feel slight disappointment as he removes one of his arms that was wrapped around you, thinking that he was going to go back to cooking. But he leaves his other arm right where it is while the other pushes back you hair. He returns his arm back around you, hugging you tight and places the sweetest little kisses on your neck. 

“Hmm, smells so good baby.” 

“I don’t really think you can smell the strawberries Jae.”

“You’re wearing that new perfume I got you?”, He says while softly nibbling at you ear.

“Maybee.” You say, trying to get away because you’re ticklish but in reality you never want him to stop. You relax when his head goes back to rest on your shoulder. “Can I ask you something, Jae?”

“Ask me baby.”

“I love you so much.”

“That wasn’t a question.” Jaehyun says in a whisper.

“I know, but you’re being all sweet and it’s making me nervous and I can’t think straight.”

Jaehyun softly laughs, “I love you so much too y/n.”

He goes back to making dinner while you finish dessert. Everything honestly smells so good and by the time dinner is done and the cake is in the oven, your mouth is watering. 

You grab a plate but Jaehyun takes it from you, “I got it love, go sit down.”

He fills your plate with food as you sit down. He sets your plate in front of you and places his in front of his seat. You two take the first bite together and it taste so good. It’s not gourmet or anything, but for two people who don’t cook very often, it was very tasty. 

Once you two are done eating, you continue to sit at the table together, lost in conversation. You smile when you see that way Jaehyun is staring at you right now. He is looking at you like you are the most beautiful person in the world. And to him, you are. He can never get enough of you and he never fails to make you feel loved. 

The sound of the oven beeping takes you both away from your conversation. You get up and take the cake out, smelling the sweet aroma that fills the entire kitchen. You set it down to cool for a while. 

Typically after dinner on your Sundays together, Jaehyun would relax while playing some music on his record player while you read. This Sunday wasn’t any different as you grab the book that you were currently reading and Jaehyun grabs an album. 

You two cuddle on the couch together, Jaehyun with his eye closed enjoying his music, and you lost in your book. Once his album was finished and you had read a couple of chapters, you two decided that it was time to try your dessert. 

He cuts two pieces for the both of you. You two take a bite and it is everything you were hoping it to be. It’s light and fluffy and the strawberries tasted perfect. 

Days like this filled you heart with so much joy and love. You were so happy that you could spend time with Jaehyun in this way, not having to worry about a single thing. You two have always been each others safe space, when everything just got to be too much, you could escape to your little world together.  

[chelemlem]

oooh what kind of things do you bake? I'd love to try them sometimes 💞 have a sweet day!!

hello anon!!!!! thank u for giving me an excuse to talk about BAKING

sooo just before covid i took a 3 week dessert course and kind of became obsessed??? during lockdown i used to watch tons & tons of videos on process nd technique instead of physically yaknow Doing Anything bc i hated the idea of ~wasting ingredients~ at my mediocre skill level which looking back was an insane approach but i kinddd of think it helped bc when i started making things more regularly the improvement was p quick !!

my fave thing to bake is pastry (puff, choux, shortcrust, filo) so basically any kind of sweet tart/croissant/eclair/profiterole/pie ❤️ i also love a savoury curried egg or chicken puff but that's kind of a gamble bc what EYE think is an okay level of spice does not fly for everyone else. when it comes to large batches for a party or something i usually stick to sweet 2 be safe

pictured: fruit mascarpone tart → mango danish → tiny baby pains au chocolat <33

course i make cake and stuff too and it's FINE but i also know lots of ppl who are better at it lol. i'm pretty Terri at piping anything more complex than a simple swirl so when it comes to deco i tend to stick to covering the top with store-bought macarons/fruit and calling it a day. also maybe it's just me but full layer cakes are such a hassle to cut and store...... i adore a cutieful low commitment CUPCAKE tho <33

my order of preference when it comes to baking is pastry > cookies/brownies/cupcakes > layer cakes >>>>> bread. ugh BREAD i cannot figure her out but i Want to...... someday...

thing is bread is honestly such a delicate process where ur final product will flop unless the ratios are justé right and u proofed at something.000001 degrees and mercury is in retrograde whereas the rules of pastry are more relaxed and intuitive and involve doing vaguely unhinged things like holding fistfuls of ice cubes before you handle ur dough so the heat from ur palms doesn't melt the butter... it's also great for LAZY BITCHES LIKE ME because a "4 hour recipe minus baketime" sounds intense until u realize 3h15 mins of that is just chucking the thing in the fridge between rolls

choux au craquelin is probably what i make the most often. love a textured little cream puff!!! versatile and scalable and easy to transport... she's that girl truly

also today i remade the mango one i was telling k about and it turned out muchhh better with a chunkier filling yay 🥭

convinced i'm never going to get a pretty cross-section in my life but wtvr they still tasted good !!!

goals for the future:

bread but specifically this yummy pesto babka i had in february

creme brulee donut......... need her

crookie but less dry bc i've been kind of unimpressed by the ones i've had so far

something citrusy w/o relying on chocolate as a crutch

basically i really love baking! like experimenting/trying new recipes ofc but also just the process of consciously altering and improving upon stuff you've already made :')

and yeah feeding ppl is bonus <3 hope u have a good day too!!!

[fatuismooches]

What if the reader knew Childe and his family way before they got sick, and now that they are Childe’s whole family is fussing over them. In every letter Childe sends them he updates them on how you’re doing and how your recovery is going, and in every letter they send back they include family recipes of soups and over things that are good to eat when you’re sick, and Childe cooks every one of them while reading the letter out loud for you so that you don’t have to do any work yourself. And if you’re feeling well enough to visit in person, you best believe they’re all hugging the hell out of you as soon as you step inside the door, and Childe has to chide them and remind them to take it easy with you :,))

YES YES SWNDINW MY GOSH I LOVE CHILDE SO MUCH/ His family straight up ADORES you. To the point sometimes Childe just sits in the corner half-poutingly as he watches his parents and siblings fawn over you. Are you cold? Here are a few blankets. Hungry? Here, help yourself to as much food as you like! Oh, and they have the best stories ever so you're never bored! (Childe playfully fakes his tears at how you stole his family but you know he's just joking, you give him lots and lots of kisses 🥺)

When you're not with them the amount of letters that come at a time is almost comical. One from every member of the family. But mostly Tonia, Teucer, and Anthon, who are the most fond of you. They always like to send you little stories that they've learned at school so you aren't bored lying in bed. Childe always reads them out to you like bedtime stories 🥺 His parents are the ones who send him the secret recipes (the ones they've held hostage from him but decided to relinquish just to see you get better) and they always are so kind to you, they're like your parents as well :) Not to mention at this point, you've tasted soups from every nation simply because Childe wants to find your favorite (also courtesy of that young innovative chef and the gentleman at the funeral parlor)

Teucer once sneaked out and made it to Liyue himself again just to see you ;( You're like his other big sibling, he has to know how you're doing! The letters can't satisfy this little boy anymore. You always try not to worry Teucer too much about your condition but the smol bb wants to take care of you too sometimes. Always holding your hand, trying to make you laugh. Childe honestly gets a little teary-eyed in private when he thinks about you and his family's close relationship, he loves you all so much.

When you do visit them again omg they are so ready for you, you get swamped with hugs and love in the literal doorway to the house. Ajax can't help but feel his heart be warmed by the sight :)) He may not be the sanest guy around but damn if he doesn't love and dote on you!! He would do anything for you if it meant you feeling better. Scratch that, he would do anything for you in general. Bro is so silly doing choo choo trains with the spoon. Malewife simp.

[peanautbotors]

mexican style spiced rice (190c) 🍚 🌶️

serves 2 = 380c

one serving = 190c

spice scale ✿ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ (not spicy)

~ vegan friendly | oil free

ingredients

100g basmati rice ~ 315c

1/4 tsp turmeric powder ~ 4c

1 clove of garlic ~ 7c

1 large green chilli ~ 7c

1/4 tsp sea salt ~ 0

1 tsp tomato purée ~ 4c

1/4 tsp cumin powder ~ 5c

1/4 tsp dried fenugreek ~ 0

5g fresh coriander ~ 1c

method

boil a kettle of water and rinse the rice in a pot until the water is mostly clear then drain

add the rice, water and turmeric into the pot, stir and cook until for about 8 minutes until the rice is mostly cooked through

whilst the rice is cooking chop up the rest of the ingredients ~ drain the rice and set aside, in the same pot add in the chilli, garlic, a little bit of water and the salt

sweat the chilli & garlic then mix in the tomato paste and a little bit more water, stir and cook for a few minutes

add in the rest of the spices and the rice ~ mix together, turn the heat to low and cover the pot

steam for another few minutes until the rice is fully cooked, make sure to stir in between so it doesn’t stick

stir through the coriander before serving :)

HIIIIII i know i haven’t posted in ages oops honestly i haven’t been cooking as much as i used to due to it being very stressful and more time consuming having to measure everything out, count and track but this was super easy to make so i thought i’d post anyways ~

this is definitely not an authentic mexican rice recipe however it is inspired by the tangy flavours of arroz rojos (mexican red rice) ~ it’s quick, simple but has good flavour and tastes great beside taco style meat (vegetarian for me ofc) also similar to my yellow rice recipe ! <3

home recipe

photo cr: my photo

my other recipes ➳ <3

[melancholicheart]

All This Time- Chapter 4

cw: trans male pregnancy (past, mentioned), angst, miscommunication, fluff with a happy ending

Johnny catches up with his daughter, joining her and Simon in the sand and Lizzie situates herself between the chains. She holds on tightly and Simon stands behind her and pushes her back gently.

She yells a little, excitedly, as Simon makes her soar through the air.

Johnny stands in front of her, lunging out for her little feet every time she swings towards him. She holds on tighter and wriggles in the seat a little to escape Johnny’s outstretched hands.

They spend a while playing, taking it in turns to push Elizabeth and putting her at the top of the slide to let her go down. Johnny even goes down with her one of the times.

She’s on the climbing frame when she complains to Johnny about being thirsty. Simon offers to get her a drink but Johnny says he’ll go, as long as Simon stays with Elizabeth.

He walks slowly, taking a minute to himself. He has no idea how to approach any of this with Simon or Elizabeth. He doesn’t know what to say, what to do. He doesn’t want to ignore the past but it’s so easy to fall into a familial role when they’re all together.

Johnny takes a moment, when gathering the juice and water from a nearby shop, to wonder what he’s doing. He trusts Simon, he once loved him with every fibre of his being, and that side of him wants to allow Simon to do this. To bond with his daughter and have fun with her.

His sensible side, as he calls it, or his parenting side disagrees. Simon is still military, after all, and there’s no doubt in Johnny’s mind that Simon will leave again. Go back to fighting to the death where one day, he just might not come home. He doesn’t want Simon to hurt his daughter that way, doesn’t want her to suffer because of them, and he worries away at his lip as he strolls back to them both.

Each step raises a new question in his mind to ask Simon. Is he ready to retire The Ghost yet? Is he willing to drop everything for his child? Is he prepared to be a full time Dad? A metal taste coats his tongue as he licks his burst lip, stepping back onto the park and spotting Simon in a corner with Elizabeth sat opposite him. They look to be building sandcastles.

“Papa,” Elizabeth says upon spotting Johnny, “Daddy said he’s gonna make me s’getti for tea!”

“Did he now?” Johnny muses, taking a seat between the two of them and handing out the drinks. Elizabeth goes back to perfecting her sandcastles whilst Simon nervously scratches his neck.

“If that’s alright with you, that is.” He mumbles, cracking open his water bottle and helping Elizabeth with her juice too.

Johnny nods, “Of course it is. We’ll need to nip to the shops first, though. Daddy makes a very special spaghetti sauce, Beth, even better than mine!”

Elizabeth puts a leaf in the top of her sandcastle and looks up at Simon, “Nae way!”

“Yeah way!” Johnny says, scooping sand into the bucket and making his own sandcastle, “Your Dad always used to make it for us, every Friday!”

“I’ll show you how to make it, kiddo,” Simon says, “It’s a secret recipe though, you can’t tell anyone else.”

Elizabeth nods, “I won’t! I’m good with secrets.”

“Oh yeah?” Simon asks, “What’s your biggest secret?”

“Cannae say, won’t be secret then.” Elizabeth replies without a beat and Simon chuckles.

“Good one.”

A little time passes, Elizabeth still playing and Johnny making small talk with Simon. It’s unnaturally awkward for them but Johnny only hopes the nerves ease.

Simon excuses himself for a short while, claiming to need the bathroom, and Johnny watches him leave. His head is hanging low and his hands are stuffed in his pockets as he shuffles in the direction of the bathrooms that Johnny pointed out to him.

“Papa, is ma Daddy gonna stay forever now?” Elizabeth asks. Her childlike curiosity sparks a pain in Johnny’s chest as he searches his mind for an answer.

“I don’t know my love,” Johnny answers honestly, “But I hope so.”

“Me too.” Elizabeth says with a happy smile. She toddles around the park in the meantime, bouncing from each piece of equipment to the next before Simon comes back.

Johnny, ever the attentive one, notes how Simon looks small. Shrinking into himself, he has a reddened face and irritation on the skin near his eyes, like he’s been rubbing it.

When Simon sits back down, his eyes track Elizabeth around the park and he doesn’t say a word.

“Simon, is everything alright?” Johnny asks, shuffling closer to him a little.

There’s a pause, one that has Johnny wondering if Simon even heard him, before a slight nod of his head is noticed.

“Are you sure? You can tell me anythin’, Si, it’s just me.” Johnny says. He nervously toys with the sand in front of him, “I know it’s been years but we’re still us. I’ve still got your six and I know you have mine.”

Simon scoffs but cuts himself off before he can elaborate. He nods and mutters a quiet ‘yeah’.

Annoying as usual, Johnny goes to press again when Elizabeth comes bounding back over. She trips in front of Johnny and falls into his arms with a giggle as he wraps his arms around her, checking she’s okay as she jumps back up and plays with Johnny’s hair.

“Papa can we go to the shops? We go the big Tesco for s’getti stuffs? And we see Nanny then!” She blabbers out, tugging a little on Johnny’s hair as she shakes sand out of his mohawk.

Johnny turns to Simon, “Are you ready to make a move to the shops?”

Simon nods.

Johnny presses, “You sure?”

“Contrary to what you may believe, Johnny, but swings and slides don’t exactly fill me with excitement.” Simon stands and holds a hand out for Johnny to take.

Which he does, of course. He stands with a spring in his step and grabs Simons shoulder, reminiscent of the day he very first met his Lieutenant. He smiles, “There he is, ol’ Ghostie back with us.”

“Shut up MacTavish.” Simon mutters with an incriminating blush spreading across his face, despite his formidable nature.

Johnny holds a hand out for Elizabeth and they walk slowly to keep up with her little legs as they leave the park. It’s only halfway down the road when he realises his other hand has found it’s way back into Simon’s grasp.

He says nothing, and neither does Simon.