#and especially not something like bread that needs kneading/working directly with your hands

[redsunsetxiii]

**Please do not repost without credit** [TRANS] 2023.06.30 SONE NOTE LIVE vol 43 with Hyoyeon

Staff: You tried making ceramics this time! Please share your reason for choosing ceramics and the concept for your work.

Hyoyeon: I tried out various activities with SONE NOTE LIVE up until now so I was really uncertain what I would do this time. And then I decided on ceramics! After actually trying it out, I thought it was a nice choice. I believe it was the best at bringing out the details out of all the other activities. (laughs) I wanted to try it out before. It would be great as a present too since whenever the receiver uses the bowl or plate they would think of me. I love Japan’s chawanmushi*, so I tried to make a chawanmushi bowl for SONE JAPAN today. Ah, of course I made one for myself, too. (laughs) It’s a rice bowl and I’m happy to make something special for myself. I plan to use it everyday. 

*Translator Note: chawanmushi - savory steamed egg custard with assorted ingredients

Staff: How was the activity?

Hyoyeon: I haven’t touched clay since I was in elementary school, so I was a bit nervous before I started. Aren’t there a lot of scenes on TV and in the movies where the clay gets all limp if you use too much strength? So I wondered if I could do this kind of work well and lacked confidence, but it was so fun when I actually started doing it. Spinning the potter’s wheel was especially fun. It somewhat kind of feels similar to being a DJ, who needs to have a delicate touch when scratching records. DJing is quite a detailed operation as pressing the wrong button would change the sound. The feel of spinning the potter’s wheel was very light and comfortable. Adjusting the amount of water was also interesting. I surprisingly might have a talent [for this]! But it was a good thing I didn’t try to make a larger bowl~ (laughs)  Also, it was the most difficult to mix the colored powder with the clay. I had to add and then knead it in one by one. I thought that I might use a machine, but it was all by hand. (laughs) My hands hurt~ (laughs)

Staff: Please share what you were the most particular about during the creation process.

Hyoyeon: The color powder mixing process. The ceramic I made for myself had a base of yellow and green, with my favorite gray mixed in. The one for SONE’s present, I wanted to make it pink, but it was too bad there wasn’t a perfect pink for it. However, I added a lot of a color that was close to SONE pink! The color you can see here and there between in the pink is my favorite color ^^

Staff: If you were to give your work a score, would it decisively be a perfect 100? Please share a reason for your scoring as well.

Hyoyeon: The instructor helped me out but…(laughs) If I had to give it a score then 87 points! I thought 90 would be a bit high so I went with 87 points. (laughs) I guess instead of quality, I based it on satisfaction. It was about a 2 hour experience, but I got so into making the ceramics I forgot about time. It was so fun so I wanted to give it 87 points and I would like to try making them again! I want to make a full set for myself, such as rice bowls, soup bowls, and plates!

Staff: If you were to make one as a present for a member, what would you make and who would you give it to? Please share why as well! 

Hyoyeon: It’s very time consuming so I might have it made directly. (laughs) I want to make and give the members a plate that is very thin that you have to take care when using it or it would break. I wonder if that’s mean. (laughs) I might not make it (laughs) For such a thin plate, I would give it to Yoona or Yuri. Yoona makes bread at home by herself by watching Youtube and the like. I’d like her to place and then eat the bread she makes on the plate. And then Yuri is very interested in cooking, and is very good at Korean and Western cuisine. If I give her a plate, she might cook for me!

Staff: Please share your recent happenings. 

Hyoyeon: I want to meet SONE soon, so I’m trying my best to make music now. I’m really being thorough with making it so it’s taking time, but as it’s been one year since my last album, I’m fretting a bit. I’m preparing great performances along with music that I want to do, so please anticipate it. I went to Bali before working on my album and was able to relax and get a lot of inspiration there. I think that influence will be evident in my music.

Staff: This SONE NOTE LIVE will be released in June, the start of summer! Please share if you have any tricks for overcoming the summer heat! 

Hyoyeon: For me, it’s more of enjoying the heat instead of overcoming it. I especially love going to the beach and one day I’d like to go to Okinawa. I heard that it’s “the Hawaii of Japan”, but I haven’t been there for some reason. Also, I want to go to Samcheok in Korea. It’s on Korea’s eastern coast and the ocean is so beautiful there. I want to go snorkeling! Taking the heat head on is my trick! However, I apply plenty of sunscreen! (laughs)

Staff: You share yourself by the ocean or pool on social media, but do you have a routine that you have to do when you go to the ocean?

Hyoyeon: I always see the sunset when I go to the ocean, so I’m always on the beach during the sunset. I also love eating corn, so I always have it when I go to the ocean. In particular, I wonder why the corn I have in southeast Asia is so good. I have it cooked with butter and sprinkled with a bit of salt and cheese powder, but I usually have too much of it and can’t eat dinner. (laughs)

Staff: Do you have a goal or something you’d like to try this summer?

Hyoyeon: Although I love the ocean, I’m not confident in swimming. I always thought that I should learn survival swimming. Rather than actual swimming, I want to learn how to be in the water and float without moving much. You get off the boat a bit out of reach from the snorkeling spot when snorkeling overseas because it’s dangerous at the spot itself due to having so many people. I can’t swim so I’m the only one that goes to the snorkeling spot by boat. Seeing everyone else smoothly swim there had me very envious.  I’ve learned in swimming class but I still don’t have the confidence. My goal this summer is to master survival swimming.

Staff: Finally a message for SONE JAPAN!

Hyoyeon: SONE JAPAN, I’ll be going to Japan with my new music soon, so please look forward to it! I’m always encouraged by your warm messages on social media and bubble. I want to see you all soon on stage as a DJ and as the singer Hyoyeon. I always say the same things, but even then I want to say them. Thank you so much for all your support!

Translation by RedSunsetXIII source: SONE JAPAN website **Please do not repost without credit**

#snsd hyoyeon #HyoYeon #snsd #sone japan #sone note live #snsd trans

[hickorypizza]

What Do You Need To Make Pizza Dough

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to tell you how to make pizza dough from scratch. Making your own dough is a great way to get creative with ingredients and make something that tastes delicious every time. Plus, it's really easy - all you need are a few simple kitchen staples. In this article, I'll show you what exactly you need to whip up some homemade pizza dough. So let's dive in!

Flour

I love making pizza dough! It's a fun and easy way to make your own delicious bread. The most important part of the process is getting the right flour for the job. When it comes to bread making, I always use a high-gluten or 'bread' type flour. You can find these at any grocery store in either white or whole wheat varieties.

Once you've got your flour sorted out, it's time to start kneading! Kneading techniques are key when it comes to pizza dough - if you don't get enough air into the mixture then your crust will be dense and heavy instead of light and fluffy. And this isn't just about working up a sweat - using different motions like folding, pushing and turning helps develop gluten proteins that give your pizza its structure and texture. The end result should be a smooth, elastic ball with an almost silky feel that doesn't stick too much to your hands. With this simple base recipe under your belt, you'll have no problem adding whatever toppings take your fancy!

Salt

Moving on from flour, the next essential ingredient in pizza dough is salt. In particular, you should use either kosher or sea salt for best results. Kosher salt has large flakes which don't dissolve as quickly when incorporated into doughs and batters. This makes it a great choice for baking applications since it provides more control over how much of the salty flavor comes through. On the other hand, sea salt often has trace amounts of minerals that can add complexity to your final dish – especially if you’re using a wood-fired oven to bake your pizza! But no matter what kind of salt you choose, make sure that you don’t go overboard with it - too much will overpower all the other flavors in your pizza crust and ruin its delicate balance. Just remember to measure carefully and err on the side of caution when adding any sort of seasoning to your pizzas! With just these two ingredients, you are well on your way to crafting delicious homemade pies every time.

Yeast

I'm sure I'm not alone in having an obsession with pizza dough. It's just so versatile and delicious! Plus, it's relatively easy to make if you have the right ingredients. One of those key components is yeast, which comes in a variety of forms for different applications. Yeast varieties range from instant dry yeast, active dry yeast, and fresh cake yeast – all with their own unique properties that affect the flavor and texture of your final product.

Instant dry yeast can be added directly to other ingredients without proofing or dissolving first; however, this type may produce a more sour-tasting dough than others. Active dry requires proofing before use but produces breads with a better structure and springiness than its instant counterpart. Finally, fresh cake yeast needs to be dissolved before using but gives off a milder flavor while also providing additional leavening power due to its higher moisture content. So when making pizza dough (or any other baked good) it’s important to consider what type of yeast works best depending on the desired outcome. The wrong choice could mean sacrificing some much needed rise time or even ruining the entire batch altogether!

Olive Oil

I love using olive oil when I'm making pizza dough. Not only does it add a delicious olive flavor to the dough, but there are also many health benefits associated with this cooking ingredient. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and protect against heart disease. Additionally, its smoke point of 210°C makes it an ideal choice for baking or frying food at higher temperatures. When selecting which type of olive oil you should use for your pizza dough, extra-virgin olive oil is always the best option due to its superior taste and quality. Extra-virgin olive oil has been cold-pressed from olives and contains fewer impurities than other types of olive oils such as light or pure. Plus, since it's unrefined, it retains more of the beneficial antioxidants and natural flavors found in olives. The robust taste and health benefits that come along with extra-virgin olive oil make it perfect addition to any homemade pizza dough recipe! And if you want to take things up a notch – try adding some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for added flavor.

Water

I'm a big fan of making pizza dough from scratch, and one of the most important ingredients is water. It's essential for both hydration level and dough consistency. The amount you use depends on what type of flour you're using - generally speaking, all-purpose or bread flour requires more liquid than whole wheat flour.

When it comes to choosing the right kind of water, I usually stick with filtered tap water because it has just the right balance of minerals that make a great crust. If your local water supply isn't ideal, though, bottled spring or distilled water can work as well. Just keep in mind that mineral content might vary from one bottle to another so be sure to adjust accordingly when adding other ingredients like salt and yeast. No matter which type of water you go with, be careful not to add too much - overhydrating the dough will result in an overly sticky texture and won't allow it to rise properly during baking. So remember: start slow and gradually increase until you get the perfect consistency!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type Of Flour Should I Use? When making pizza dough, it's important to choose the right type of flour. For a gluten-free and fat-free option, you can't go wrong with almond or coconut flour. Almond flour gives your dough an earthy flavor that pairs well with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Coconut flour creates a slightly sweet taste for those who prefer something sweeter. Both are excellent options if you're looking for a healthy twist on traditional pizza crusts. How Much Yeast Do I Need? When it comes to making pizza dough, you'll need yeast - but if you don't have any on hand, there are some great substitutes. For a classic crust that rises nicely, try using baking powder or baking soda instead of yeast; just keep in mind that the rising temperature should be adjusted accordingly.

As for how much yeast is necessary when you do use it, generally speaking two teaspoons for every cup of flour will suffice. How Long Do I Need To Let The Dough Rise? When it comes to the rising time for your pizza dough, you'll need to keep in mind how much yeast is used - more yeast will lead to less rising time. Generally speaking, you should let your dough rise at room temperature until it's doubled in size; this could take anywhere between 1-2 hours depending on the amount of yeast and other factors like ambient temperature. Once your dough has risen sufficiently, you're ready to shape and bake! Is It Better To Use Fresh Or Dried Yeast? If you're looking to make the perfect pizza dough, using fresh or dried yeast is an important factor. Fresh yeast gives your dough a lighter, fluffier texture and tends to rise more quickly than dry yeast when rising temperatures are optimal. That said, if you don’t have access to fresh yeast, there are plenty of viable substitutes out there such as active-dry yeasts, instant yeasts and even baking powder. Ultimately it comes down to what works best for you based on availability and preference! What Is The Best Way To Knead The Dough? Kneading pizza dough is an essential step in making the perfect pie. The best way to knead your dough is by using oil instead of flour on your hands and surfaces, as this will help keep the dough from sticking while you work with it. You can also add herbs or spices for extra flavor if desired! Gently stretch and fold the dough over itself repeatedly until it becomes smooth and elastic - about 5 minutes should do the trick. This process helps develop gluten structure that gives pizza its signature chewy texture.

Conclusion

Making pizza dough from scratch can be intimidating, but with these easy tips it doesn't have to be. I recommend using all-purpose flour for the best texture and flavor. Yeast is an essential ingredient in making pizza dough; fresh yeast will give you a better result than dried! To get the perfect consistency, knead your dough vigorously until it's smooth and elastic. Finally, let the dough rise for about two hours before forming your pizza crusts. With this knowledge under my belt, I'm confident that anyone can make delicious homemade pizza dough. It takes just a few simple steps and basic ingredients to create something truly special - so why not try it out tonight? Read the full article

[chrwrites]

Worth The Wait (LBSC Sprint Fic Challenge Secret Santa)

Happy Holidays, @sapphicmarinette! For this week’s @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Sprint Fic Challenge I tried to merge all your prompts but I ended up needing to work on it a lot more so have this while you wait for the other one to be done! The prompt I’ve chosen for this one is “teaching Luka how to bake”, hope you like it!

read on ao3

When Luka asked Marinette to teach him how to bake, he didn’t expect her to make him do something so difficult yet frustrating for a start. He just wanted to do something simple that wouldn’t have made him feel like an idiot for burning a batch of cookies in the oven or said cookies being hard and tasting bad because he forgot some ingredient or added more of the other.

Luka knew how to cook, but when it came to baking somehow he ended up putting himself in danger or hazarding someone’s health. Juleka always picked on him for that, even though he was the one who cooked most of the meals in the house – being the oldest brother be damned – and he wanted to prove that he could do that, too.

Christmas was approaching, and he could use the occasion to do something nice for his family. Asking Marinette for help was the only reasonable choice: her parents ran the best bakery in town, who else could he have asked? It’s not like he wanted to spend more time with her, did he? Right, he definitely didn’t consider that.

Marinette was wearing a cute pink apron decorated with her signature cherry blossom flowers on a pocket when she opened the door for Luka and welcomed him in her house. She handed him a white old apron and smiled at him happily. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, and the blue of her eyes was shining bright. Oh, she was so beautiful when she was relaxed.

After Luka washed his hands, Marinette put him to work, handing him an empty steel bowl where he had to pour the ingredients he was going to measure, “What are we making?”, he asked.

“Panettone”, Marinette said simply, the shift in her voice as she said the word made him feel warm inside, and he turned to look at her, entranced by the sound of her voice. “It’s a traditional Italian sweet bread usually made around Christmas, Papa makes some to sell for the bakery every year but they’re smaller because people don’t buy it that much. This is my favourite recipe and he makes it for me only”, she said proudly.

“Wow, you’re sharing family recipes with me? I’m honoured”, Luka teased, and Marinette responded pointing one finger to his face, the tone in her voice light yet menacing, “You better not share it with anyone”.

“Of course I won’t”, Luka reassured, “Where do we start?”

Marinette immediately instructed him to measure the ingredients before he poured them in the bowl. He melted sugar nto water, then added flour and egg yolks as Marinette made him place the bowl in the stand mixer and started it. They left the machine work for a few minutes and Marinette made Luka measure the other ingredients, the tone in her voice was steady and professional as she guided him, and it made Luka wonder how many times she had done this to be so confident in her directions. Or maybe it was because she was at her place and doing something she loved that made her feel like this.

All Luka knew was that this side of her he hadn't seen before made him fall for her more deeply than he already was.

After they were done adding the other ingredients to the mixer, Marinette put away what remained of them and Luka helped clean the counter that had inevitably gotten dirty with flour.

They kept each other company, talking about everything and nothing, and Marinette ended up joking about how Luka was too strong to make something as delicate as a good dough, to which Luka responded feigning outrage.

When the machine was done, Marinette sprinkled a layer of flour on the counter and took the dough out of its bowl, showing Luka how to knead it in order to give it the shape of a ball before making him have a go.

Luka nervously got his hands at work, only for his quick movements to be stopped by Marinette’s soft hands and her quiet melodic giggle, “Try and be more delicate”, she said as she put her hands on his and guided them in the movements, “Like this”.

Luka couldn’t help but stare at her and notice how graceful she looked as she guided his hands, and when he noticed the patient smile on her face, he also noticed how close she actually was to him. She could feel her body pressed next to his, and not only her hands on his. He took a deep breath, only to end up inhaling the sweet scent of almond and vanilla that made him short circuit whenever she was around.

The dough he was supposed to be kneading was completely forgotten as he turned his full attention to her, focusing on the slight frown in concentration on her face and her parted lips. It made him feel breathless, his hands were still moving guided by hers, but he couldn’t feel anything but the warmth surrounding him.

Then she smiled, satisfied, and raised her head to look at him directly in the eyes. The sweet scent of strawberries hit him as soon as Marinette raised her head and Luka, yet again, got lost in studying her beautiful features as he took in the small distance between them.

“Try now”, Marinette’s voice rang, and her hands leaving his made him come back to reality, forcing him to concentrate on the reason he was there in the first place.

He hesitantly shaped the dough following the movements Marinette taught him, and when she said it was done she helped him put it into a new bowl so it could rise.

She covered the dough with a cloth as Luka looked at her, “What’s next?”, he asked.

Marinette giggled, “Now we wait, Lu”, she said, and took off her apron to put it away, motioning him to do the same. He did, but he couldn’t help the confused expression forming on his face, “Wait, we’re done?!”.

His question made Marinette’s face twist into an amused smile, “For now, yes.”

“But… We didn’t do much. Aren’t you supposed to teach me, Marinette?”, he asked.

“I did! We made a perfect first dough, we have to wait for it to rise now”, she said calmly.

“Oh. Okay. And how long do we have to wait?”, he asked. Having to wait for their dough to rise meant that he would be spending more time with her, and he couldn’t really complain about it, could he? He wouldn’t have traded time with Marinette for anything.

“Twelve hours”, Marinette said, biting the smile forming on her lips as she anticipated Luka’s reaction.

“What?!”, was all he managed to say, his mouth dropping open and his eyes wide. He asked her something simple, not something that would take them that long. But the face Marinette made as she put her hands on her mouth to cover her loud laugh made it so worth it.

“Hey, you wanted something to impress your mom and sister, I’m giving you that!”, she protested, “I promise it will be worth the wait”.

With the look she was giving him, Luka would have trusted her into anything, and when she asked if they could hang out for a while, he gladly took the offer.

It didn’t matter if it wasn’t for baking, he loved spending time with Marinette, especially if she grabbed his hand to lead him to her bedroom. 

It was a blissful afternoon, the shy December sun shone on them before it set down, darkening the sky too early. Luka didn’t mind, Marinette was there with him, and she was happy. That was what mattered the most.

She said goodbye to him with a warm hug and a quick kiss on the cheek, and he left her house feeling all giddy and with the promise to come back the next day. 

The dough had tripled when Luka saw it, and he understood why Marinette used such a big bowl for the dough they had made.

The first ingredients he noticed on the counter were pistachios, candied raspberries and white chocolate chips. Marinette’s smile was as warm as the day before when she welcomed Luka and hugged him, and he lingered to her touch for longer than he would have liked to admit.

She made him zest a lemon and an orange before they mixed all the ingredients together, chatting quietly as the mixer worked. 

“I feel like I’m cheating”, Luka commented as he watched the dough turn yellow and become softer.

It made Marinette giggle, “Come on, we’ll have fun decorating it later! That’s the most interesting part, anyway, now let’s add these”, Marrinette said, handing him the cup full of pistachios and white chocolate chips and keeping the red fruits for her. She popped one happily into her mouth, making Luka look away from her and focus on ingredients mixing in the bowl beside them.

Right before the machine signalled the end of its work, Marinette prepared the counter spreading butter with her hands, and gestured for Luka to do the same. His mouth twisted when he looked at his slippery, hands, but Marinette stopped him from walking to the sink to wash them, “You’ll need it if you don’t want to get the dough stuck in your fingers as you work it”, she said and smiled as she placed the dough on the counter and divided it in two.

Luka looked intently at her quick movements and followed them until his dough turned into a ball, and helped her put her dough into a round case.

“Now we bake it, right?”, he asked as he dried his hands on his apron, but Marinette shook her head, “No, now we wait until it rises again”.

Luka’s brows furrowed in confusion, causing Marinette to let out a bubbly laugh, “It’s less than yesterday though, don’t worry”, she reassured, making Luka let out a sigh of relief. Her mouth twisted into a lopsided grin, “It’s only eight hours now”, she concluded, and giggled again at his reaction.

“You didn’t tell me it was going to be this long!”, he protested.

“It’ll be worth the wait”, Marinette reassured, and invited him to stay with her for the rest of the afternoon.

They sat on the couch, freshly baked cookies standing on the table between them, and Marinette sat right beside him as she put on a movie.

“You know, I would have been happy with you teaching me how to make cookies”, he said, taking one biscuit from the plate and putting it in his mouth.

Marinette responded with a grin, “I wanted to teach you something special”, she said, and snuggled close to him to place her head on his shoulder. Luka closed his eyes, making himself comfortable and wrapping an arm around her. She started playing with the fingers of his free hand, quietly enjoying the moment. It didn’t take long for Luka to forget about the movie running on the tv screen and focus only on Marinette, how her head fit perfectly under his chin and how sweet her scent of almond and jasmine was.

Oh, how he wished he could call her his, and he quite selfishly admitted to himself that he was happy she had decided to teach him a recipe that took so long to learn because he could leave with the promise of her waiting for him every day when she kissed his cheek as they parted.

Marinette welcomed him with warm hugs and happy smiles, and Luka held her in his embrace before he took his shoes off and walked to the kitchen.

This time the counter counted only a knife and a butter stick, Luka tilted his head, grinning, “You know, if you wanted to hang out with me all you had to do was ask”.

It made her blush.

“I- I’m only doing this because you asked me to!”, Marinette protested. She walked to set the temperature of the oven, and Luka shook his head fondly. She straightened up and stood behind the doughs that now were uncovered, a little dome standing proud under the rim of the case.

“Now we have to cut a little cross and put the butter in so it doesn’t burn in the oven and it stays soft”, Marinette said, and Luka followed her instructions. She checked the temperature in the oven and set the timer to 50 minutes.

She walked to the living room and Luka followed, he was getting used to spending time with her like this, and he didn’t mind when she leaned towards him and cuddled in his chest, he welcomed her, his arms wrapping around her automatically.

They laid in silence, the only sound between them was some old sit-com and Marinette giggling at some gags. It was natural, and he wished he could spend more days like this without any excuses. Only him and Marinette being confident around him, and him enjoying her warm and sweet presence that never failed to make him happy.

The scent of sugar filled the room, and Luka allowed himself to enjoy the moment, feeling at peace as he held Marinette in his arms and let his fingers dance aimlessly on her arms.

He didn’t have control on the words that tumbled quietly out of his lips, “You know, I could get used to seeing you every day”. They made Marinette’s head jerk up to look at him, blinking through her black lashes, and the surprised expression on her face quickly turned into a shy smile. 

She looked down at his chest, her fingers tapping delicately on it, “I would like that”, she said slowly, biting her bottom lip as soon as the words left her.

Luka could feel his heart pound louder in his chest, and he reached for her chin, gently lifting her head to look at her in the eyes, leaning in to her.

He felt her shiver under his touch, her big blue eyes locked into his before they fluttered close as she leaned into him, he could feel her sweet breath on his lips, the beat of his heart making it hard for him to listen to anything else. She was there, and she understood what he meant, and she wanted to kiss him, and she was about to kiss him too, like he had always dreamt.

But just like in a dream, he had to be woken up by the sound of a bell ringing.

The timer Marinette had set rang right before their lips met, and Marinette scrambled to get up and go back to the kitchen to get their cakes out.

Luka sighed, taking a moment to recompose himself before following her. She gracefully pulled out their creations from the oven and placed them on the counter, then made him help her go downstairs in the laboratory at the back of the bakery. He followed behind her, carefully watching out for her to make sure she wouldn’t trip on the stairs.

She rummaged through a drawer right after they arrived, carefully pulling out two long skewers and sticking them through the bottom of the cakes before placing them upside down in an empty rack. 

“Let me guess”, Luka said, leaning his back on the counter and crossing his arms, “Now we wait?”, he gave her a lopsided grin, and Marinette nodded, “Exactly, are you coming back tomorrow?”, she asked.

“Oh. I thought we’d have to wait for it to cool up not until tomorrow”, he said, making Marinette start rambling about flavours and how they needed to develop before actually eating it. It was a process that took time and patience but the only thing Luka could focus on as he heard her talk so passionately about the subject was the way her eyes sparked, how her lips moved and how happy her voice sounded instead of the actual words she was saying. Oh, there was a new song begging to be written in his heart.

“It’s going to be worth the wait”, Marinette concluded, and Luka pulled a stray lock of hair behind her ear before lowering his hand, “It better be”.

Marinette gave him a kiss on the cheek as usual, only to linger for a moment longer as she wrapped her arms around him.

She felt breathless when she pulled away and watched him leave, her legs feeling like jelly as she started walking up the stairs that lead to her room.

She had only one day left before all of this was over and she hadn’t managed to tell him how she felt yet. It wasn’t like they wouldn’t be hanging out again. They would, and Marinette would have enjoyed it as she always did. It’s just that… cooking with someone is so… intimate. 

Marinette had never imagined her to be cooking with someone and feeling at peace, she’d usually get nervous if someone else was trying to help her in the kitchen because they didn’t do things the way they were supposed to be done, and she preferred cooking alone for this reason. But as usual, Luka made things different, he made them better. It shouldn’t surprise her anymore.

Luka made things easy, there was harmony, there was warmth and happiness. It made Marinette feel comfortable, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

When Marinette greeted Luka when he walked back into her house the next day, she smelled like almonds and white chocolate, and it made him feel welcome as always.

The two cakes were out of their skewers and waiting for them along with pistachios, dried raspberries, white chocolate and cream.

She instructed him to boil the cream so they could make a ganache, and they spread a thick layer of the blend on the top of the cakes before Marinette sprinkled minced pistachios and the dried raspberries on it. 

“It’s all done now, we just have to wait until the frosting has dried and then we can eat it”, Marinette said.

The sigh of relief Luka let out made her giggle. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m very glad you taught me this and that I got to hang out with you, I just- I was running out of patience because I want to know what it tastes like”, Luka confessed, running a hand through his hair. 

Marinette smiled, and checked for one of the cakes standing on the counter, she gave him a satisfied smile, licking the thin layer that got stuck on her finger before getting a knife to cut two slices of their creation.

She passed him a slice, and brought her piece to her lips, smiling happily as she ate the first panettone of the season, it was tradition for her, and sharing it with him made it even more special.

Luka munched slowly, allowing the sweet flavour of the fluffy cake wash over his mouth.

The sweetness of the white chocolate was balanced perfectly by the raspberry and the pistachio, and the tinge of citrus exalted each flavour.

“This is amazing”, Luka said in delight, making Marinette smile proudly. 

“See? It’s worth the wait”, she said, tilting her head.

Luka nodded in agreement, “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it without you though”.

“Oh, I’m sure you can make it, it takes more patience than skill, and you’re a quick learner, too! You did great for your first try”, she said.

“Only because I have a great teacher”, Luka’s compliment made Marinette’s cheeks turn pink. She looked down, fidgeting with her apron and trying to find something to do to avoid his attention, only to notice that he left half of his slice on the counter. 

She straightened up, pulling the top coat he hadn’t eaten yet between her fingers and looking at him.

“You haven’t had the best part yet”, she said, hesitantly raising her fingers to his lips.

Luka hesitated for a second before allowing her to feed him, and just that gesture sent shivers through his spine.

The bite she so gently offered him was sweeter than the first one, probably sweeter than he would have liked, but having Marinette feeding it to him didn’t make him think whether he liked the flavour or not, he liked the girl in front of him, and when he saw her thumb get closer to the side of his mouth to clean it, Luka couldn’t help but take one step closer and wrap his hand around her wrist so it didn’t move from its place.

Marinette stood there, frozen, her pink lips slightly parted as she tilted her head up to look at him.

His free hand reached for her cheek, and she leaned into his touch, almost as she had been waiting for this, the gesture as natural as breathing. When he finally leaned in and their mouths met, it was like fireworks exploded through his chest, sending electric thrills all over his body.

It was sweet and gentle, and it tasted like it too. It tasted like Marinette, and it was love and care and passion and enthusiasm, Luka felt all of it.

She let out a content sigh as she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, letting her fingers tangle in his short hair. He pulled her close, the kiss slow and dizzying leaving them gasping for air. Luka kissed her smile ligthtly before reluctantly parting from Marinette, and pressed his forehead on hers, not ready to put some more distance between them yet. 

A giddy smile appeared on his face, his eyes still half lidded as his calloused thumb graced over Marinette’s lower lip, “Definitely worth the wait”, he whispered.

#lukanette #endgame lukanette #lbsc sprint fic challenge

[ladyaudentium]

Confectionary Affection

Title: Confectionary Affection Fandom: Final Fantasy Crisis Core Rating: T Pairing: AngealxOC Characters: Angeal Hewley, Zack Fair, Genesis Rhapsodos, Original Characters Links: A03, FF.net

This took me longer than I would have liked, but I'm back with the next chapter! This one is jam packed with Angeal and Zack content! Be sure to grab a cold drink and a snack to enjoy!

Thank you to all who reviewed, favorited, and followed after the first chapter so far! If I missed responding to anyone's review, I'm sorry! I'll be going back over the reviews for the previous chapter, and if I missed you, I'll send you a response!

Enjoy!

It was nearly impossible to forget that Angeal and Zack had stopped by her bakery.

Kalika and Anri worked themselves to the bone and were only just barely able to keep up to the new level of demand. Sometimes it was so busy during the morning that there was simply not enough stock left to open in the evening; not even if Kalika remade everything again.

At first the business had been making a considerable income, and even now, it was till turning a higher profit than the past, but the costs of running the establishment had also increased. Sometimes there was simply not enough ingredients or prepared pastries left to open again in the evening. Usually this ended up with the business losing money.

Not only that but the increased workload had Kalika and Anri burning out more quickly than they could regain their strength. Kalika's usual late nights and early mornings preparing dough and bakery items were quickly turning into working around the clock. It wasn't unusual for her to doze off kneading a bread dough only to wake with it on the floor or ruined from over working it.

Anri was the same, for the first time since she was a new employee, she was making mistakes with drink and food orders. As a result, the customers were becoming upset and more than once a scene with raised voices had caused Kalika to intervene and forcibly remove the troublemakers.

It was getting to the point where an extra set of hands was a necessary addition; preferably a set with some muscle behind them. Kalika sighed heavily as she once again wiped the chalk board clean. Her handwriting was never great to begin with, but her hands were still sore and shaky from the kneading she had just finished.

The sun was beginning to set, and the bakery had been closed all day. Kalika had spent all night and day preparing every bit of dough, batter, and meringue for the no doubt absolutely insane day tomorrow. If her usual delivery of supplies was on time, she would be able to open again the day after, but if not… well she would come up with something. She always did.

Slapping her cheek, she forced herself to stay awake for just a little while longer, she just needed to finish this task and then she was finished—

*KNOCK KNOCK* "Kalika?" a voice called from outside.

The young woman jumped at the sudden noise which caused a series of events to follow:

First, her precariously placed step ladder slipped off the edge of the counter, causing her to scream in fear and drop all her supplies creating a racket.

Second, the door burst open just as she desperately tried to remain balanced, her hands reaching out for anything that would keep her from the inevitable.

Third, she fell.

The young woman braced for the cold, hard impact of the floor, but instead was met with a warm embrace. Black hair and blue eyes entered her vision and it was with a sudden sinking pit in her stomach that she knew who it was.

Angeal Hewley.

"You should be more careful." He intoned lowly, his chest vibrating with his voice, "We need to stop meeting like this."

Kalika stared up into his bright blue eyes as her head rested on his chest. "I don't know, I think it's kind of nice?" the words escaped her mouth before she could think twice and immediately could feel her face begin to heat up in a deep, mortified blush.

Angeal blinked once in disbelief as his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

"Better be careful, Angeal or pretty soon she's going to be falling for you!" Zack called excitedly, breaking the silence.

The black-haired man, sighed deeply and screwed his eyes shut, clearly stressed, "Zack. What have I said to you about appropriate behavior and comments?" he prompted as the burly SOLDIER made a move to stand, his steady grip assisting Kalika to stand along with him.

There was a heavy sigh from the opposite side of the corner while the younger boy replied monotonously, "You said that I need to think before speaking and that words have impact. I can't take back anything once it's been said, sometimes the best choice is to remain silent." the energetic boy leaned back over a bar stool and with both hands over his face, "I can't help it though, you two make it so easy!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands to the ceiling.

"You need to learn self-restraint if you intend to be an honorable member of SOLDIER in the future." Angeal scolded and judging from the young boy's reaction, this seemed to be a common occurrence between the two of them. Somehow, that did not come as a surprise to the young woman.

"I know, I'm doing my best, Angeal! Sometimes it just bursts out before I can stop it!" Zack turned to Kalika, "By the way, we're here to return this! The scones were delicious, thanks!" he held out the same container that Anri had given them upon their departure from their last visit.

The blue haired girl blinked once in surprise as she accepted the box; a reusable one that was not their typical to-go boxes. That sly girl, she had planned for this too. "Thanks, I'm glad you liked them." she looked up at Angeal, "I'm sorry for the trouble of making you come back here to return it. It would have been fine if you just disposed of the container instead." she also took the opportunity to notice that it had been washed as well. How… odd. Somehow, she just could not picture prominent members of SOLDIER doing something as ordinary as washing dishes.

The image of Angeal in a pink, frilly apron suddenly was at the forethought of her brain and she blushed deeply once again.

"It would be wasteful to merely dispose of an easily reusable box such as this." Angeal stated plainly. His eyebrows lowered with concern as he pulled a glove from his hand and gently placed his palm on her forehead, "You're quite red, are you feeling alright? Have you eaten anything today?"

"I - I think so? I've been busy today and haven't had a chance to sit down for long." Kalika blurted as she froze in place. Should she move away from his hand? Or would that be rude? Why was he being so friendly? Was he always this caring to strangers? Especially a stranger that just hit on him a minute ago. The blush returned full force to her face with that traitorous thought.

Before she could panic any further, he pulled his hand away and once again donned his glove. The young woman breathed a small sigh of relief.

"Busy? But you're closed!" Zack spoke up, and cocked his head to the side, "Wait, why are you closed? Shouldn't this place be hopping right now?"

Both sets of bright blue eyes settled on her with varying inquisitiveness. Zack's was honest confusion but Angeal's was less readable. His mouth was set in a straight line across his strong jaw while his eyes held a spark of suspicion that set a cold sweat down Kalika's spine.

Oh boy, how could she explain this without outright blaming them for the necessary closure and the empty ingredient cabinet?

"I… well… you see, ever since your last visit, business has been crazy. Lately I can't keep to the hours we normally hosted. Sometimes I'm up all night preparing!" Her words were spoken with a joyous tone, but from the lack of change in both of their expressions, she was not convincing them.

Angeal opened his mouth to respond, the frown of concern deep on his brow, but was interrupted by a fourth, unfamiliar voice, "Oh my Gaia, you're Angeal Hewley First Class SOLDIER! You're back! I can't believe it, I gotta tell everyone!"

Kalika felt the blood leave her face as her attention immediately snapped to the tall, blonde woman currently standing in the open doorway attempting to snap a picture of the two men.

"No, pictures without permission and we're closed, please leave!" She ordered, pushing past Angeal to confront the woman directly.

"What? But it's the middle of your posted hours and your door is open! You can't throw me out, do you know who I am?"

"Nope, and I'm sorry you've forgotten. Now, please get out, we are closed, and you are trespassing."

The woman's brown eyes flashed with indignation, "Listen, I don't know how you get off talking to customers like that, but—"

"No buts! I asked you to leave. I won't ask again." Crimson eyes sparked with anger as she stared the other woman down.

Red lips opened to argue further, but she was cut off by a deep, commanding voice "You have been asked to leave, you should comply with that request."

A quick, furtive glance backwards revealed Angeal standing straight, his burly arms crossed over his chest and a dark glare adorning his features. A shudder wormed its way down Kalika's spine. Scary, was the only thing she could think.

There was a beat of silence between the three of them. The woman suddenly looked appropriately ashamed of her behavior and without another word scuttled away.

The second the woman was outside, Kalika grabbed the door and threw it shut behind her. Much to her surprise, it bounced back open and that's when she noticed the lock was completely broken. Around the spot where the deadbolt should have been was a hole in the door frame and splinters scattered along the floor.

She shut it again, it bounced backwards.

She applied a little more force, it bounced backwards again.

Frustration and resentment burning within her, she tried again; it bounced backwards.

With all her strength, she slammed the door shut and before it could bounce back, shoved a chair underneath the similarly broken and limp door handle.

Defeated, she braced her hands against the door and let her head hang between them.

"It would probably be a good idea for you both to use the back door to leave. You'll attract less attention that way… plus, it seems this one is broken now." Kalika murmured quietly, not daring to look up in fear that they would see the unshed tears in her eyes.

"Kali…? Is everything… okay?" Zack's genuinely concerned voice broke the silence.

A lump caught in her throat and without looking at either of them she walked to the nearest table and sat down on one of the chairs, burying her face in her hands. She could not cry, not here, not with Angeal Hewley First Class SOLDIER and Zack Fair here to witness it. One shuddering breath later gave her the confidence to speak.

"Yeah, I'll be fine… somehow, I always am."

A shadow fell over her, "Is there anything we can do to help?" Zack asked.

"No, but thanks." Kalika waved him off but much to her surprise, he caught her hand between two gloved ones of his own. Surprised, she looked up into an uncharacteristically serious expression on the young boy's face.

"I swear on my honor as a SOLDIER I will do whatever it takes to help you, Kali. You're one of us now, right Angeal?"

"Don't swear on your honor lightly, Zack."

"I mean it! I do!"

Angeal nodded, seemingly accepting his young protégé's resolve. "How long has your door been broken like this?" the First Class inquired.

Kalika sniffed as delicately as she could as she attempted to take her hand back from Zack, but it was held tight. "It was fine earlier today; it was only just now that something seemed to be wrong. There was a hole where the deadbolt was and splinters from the door frame were scattered along the floor…" the young woman snapped her jaw shut when she realized the implications of her words.

Angeal's face darkened once again and his eyebrows angled inwards at a dangerous angle as he stared his young protégé down. There was a heavy beat of silence as Zack seemed to realize what was going on, "Oh… well… you know… SOLDIER strength, am I right?"

"No! It's fine really!" Kalika jumped up and did her best to placate the visibly upset SOLDIER, "It was old and in need of replacement anyways, I can probably write the replacement off as a business expense. I'm sure Zack didn't mean it."

Angeal sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "His intentions aren't the issue. SOLDIERs have enhanced senses and abilities. If Zack does not learn how to control these properly, he could end up hurting himself or worse, others." He looked up, "I apologize for the door, Zack you're going to suspend a fifty-pound weight in a squat today to make up for your lack of control this evening."

Zack groaned and Kalika winced sympathetically, "I don't think that's necessary, is it? Maybe since you're really strong you could help me with something, and we call it even?" she suggested. "I still need to finish rewriting that menu sign. We're opening with a new item tomorrow."

Angeal looked over his shoulder to see the unfinished chalkboard, "Is that what you were doing when you fell?"

An embarrassed blush crept over her face once again, "Yes, it's too high for me to reach on my own. So, I usually have to get creative… with a step ladder… on the counter."

"That sounds very dangerous." The raven-haired man lowered his eyebrows in concern and disapproval.

"Maybe you can help Angeal! Just lift her up and she'd be able to reach no problem!" an excited Zack exclaimed and, in his enthusiasm, squeezed her hand that was still held captive.

The young woman sputtered, "I- that's not what I meant, but maybe if one of you could just hold the ladder steady? I usually have Anri to help me, but I gave her the day off today."

Angeal turned and with one hand lifted the step ladder she had been using, revealing one of the legs to be broken off, "For the sake of your safety, I would advise against using this again."

"Oh… I see…" the young woman murmured as she worried her bottom lip, how was she going to get up there now?

Zack was practically vibrating with excitement from beside her. A quick glance to him revealed that he was glancing quickly between the two of them biting his lip in anticipation. He was planning something, if only the blue-haired woman could figure out what it was…

"To make amends for the broken door, I would be willing to lift you as Zack suggested." Angeal offered as he moved the broken ladder out of the way.

"I mean, are you sure? I don't want to be a burden. Are you sure I won't be too heavy?"

The burly man grinned and chuckled deeply. The genuine mirth revealed pearly white teeth and the genuine good-ness that radiated from him was unlike anyone she had ever met before. "I'm sure."

Kalika blushed for what seemed like the tenth time in under an hour, "I – Well… if you're sure, I guess. I need to get the chalk." Walking forwards, Zack finally let go of her hand and Angeal stepped out of the way to let her pass behind the bar. Grabbing the chalk from the ground and the eraser cloth, she turned back to the First-Class SOLDIER, "Okay, I'm ready, how would you like to do this?"

Angeal stepped forward and for the first time she noticed how tall he was. She had never felt so small compared to someone in her life, he dwarfed her in every sense. She was eye level with the middle of his chest, and he was easily twice as wide as her. Another blush adorned her cheeks as he knelt to one knee, "Sit on my shoulder and I will take hold of your legs."

Nodding, she turned around and as instructed, gingerly sat on his shoulder, doing her best to put as little weight on him as possible. Two arms wrapped around her knees, locking them in place and the next thing she knew, he was lifting her into the air.

Sucking in a breath she flailed, unbalanced, for one moment before a hand on her thigh steadied her. Angeal Hewley, First Class SOLDIER of Shinra was touching her leg. She tried not to think about how her butt was on his shoulder and instead focused on finishing the sign as quickly as possible. Her hands and shoulders cramped but she did her best to legibly scrawl the newest addition to her menu.

"Dumbapple tart?" Zack exclaimed, "Angeal, didn't you grow up in Banora?! That's so cool!"

"Is that true?" Kalika inquired, looking down to meet the bright blue eyes of Angeal.

"It is, both Genesis and I grew up there. His parents had the best Banora White tree, every summer we would take as many apples as we could and sit in the branches eating them." A small, nostalgic smile pulled up the corners of his mouth.

"That changes everything then, let me down, I'm all finished now."

With one swift movement, the hands disappeared from her person and for a brief moment, she hung suspended in the air before being gently lowered to the ground. The black-haired SOLDIER stared down at her with a quizzical expression on his face. Setting the chalk down she made to pass him, "Have a seat. I'll be right back," and disappeared into the kitchen.

The fridge opened with a hiss, a quick scan through the contents revealed her prize. Pulling two small tarts from their tray, Kalika put them on a plate and made her way back to the front. The fridge closed with a satisfying click behind her.

"Here, to thank you for helping me with the sign, please be the first to try a tart!" placing the plate on the bar counter, she waited excitedly for them to each take one. "They're Banora White apple tarts with some decorative white chocolate to counter the sourness and some edible gold sparkles for presentation."

Zack immediately grabbed one and in one bite put the whole thing in his mouth. His eyes lit up as he playfully slapped his mentor's shoulder, "D'ese are r'lly gud An'eal! You shou'd taste ish!" (translation: These are really good, Angeal! You should taste this!)

Angeal sighed in resignation as he took a tart, "Thank you, this wasn't necessary as it is us who are in your debt, not the opposite way around."

Kalika smiled brightly, "It's fine, really! Plus, I hope that I can live up to your memories of the times stealing and eating the apples."

With a small smile, he took a bite and instantly his blue eyes lit up with surprise, his eyebrows once again disappearing into his hairline. Swallowing, he turned back to the blue haired woman, "You have a true gift for baking."

Flushing for the umpteenth time that day, Kalika continued to smile, "I'm glad you like them. I'll package up one for Commander Rhapsodos as well and you can give one to him too!"

"How much do we owe you for the tarts?" Angeal asked as she pushed through the door to the kitchen.

"Nothing! They're thanks for helping me!" she called back as she began to package up the third tart and then returned to the front with it. Angeal stared her down, his mouth a straight line and his azure gaze steeled with his resolve.

"Please, it would be dishonorable for us to accept these gifts a second time. Especially when your door breaking was our fault in the first place."

Stumped, she could only stare. Never had anyone been so insistent on paying for a gift. "Don't be silly, these are gifts, do you insist for payment when you give a gift to someone?" she held out the tart wrapped in a white box with Confectionary Affection stamped on the sides. "Here's Commander Rhapsodos's tart, try not to squish it if you can, and now it's getting late. I imagine you need to get back to Shinra, since the front door's broken and likely a crowd of fans outside waiting for you to exit, follow me to the back door."

With that, she turned on her heel and pushed open the swinging door and motioned for them to follow her. Zack hopped up immediately, but Angeal took a moment to gather himself and follow. Passing through the kitchen and a small hallway with a set of stairs leading to the second floor, they came to the back door. Pushing it open revealed the dirt yard and receiving area for her shipments of ingredients.

"Thanks again for the treats, Kali. They were delicious as always!" Zack called as he jumped down the short flight of stairs, an arm extended in a cheery wave.

"Thank you for your hospitality. You honor us with your generosity. Genesis will enjoy this pastry, I am certain." Angeal stated solemnly, his eyes shining with the depth of his gratitude.

"Any time, come by again soon. Preferably without causing any trouble this time. Using the back door might not be such a bad idea to avoid any drama like with that woman earlier." She pointed to a black rectangle with a button in the middle, "Next time you're by, just ring this doorbell and I'll let you in."

Zack grinned devilishly and took a breath to make a comment, but before he could utter a sound, Angeal put a hand over the young boy's mouth to silence him. "Thank you Kalika, we will not forget your kindness today."

The blue -haired baker could only manage a small wave as they turned to walk away. Zack continued to wave enthusiastically until they were out of sight behind the fence. Closing the door, her knees felt weak. The sound of her name on Angeal's lips created a feeling in her like she'd never experienced before. Sliding to the ground she replayed the memory in her mind until she was sure that it would be with her forever.

She had offered for them to come back again, but it was such wishful thinking she did not dare hope too much. Once was a coincidence, twice was a pattern, but three times was a dream and nothing more.

But oh, how she loved to dream.

Oh they'll be back, but in the meantime, there's other shenanigans that need to happen first >:3c

Thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you'd like! I always enjoy hearing your thoughts!

#angeal hewley #zack fair #original character #me and my dummy thicc angeal propaganda #fic #confectionary affection #writing stuff #my writing

[icannotreadcursive]

Avengers PSAs: On the COVID-19 Pandemic 5: Food!

Clint was leaning back against the kitchen island in purple argyle pajama pants and a black T-shirt.

“Hey,” he said, making the salute-like ASL sign for hello as he did. “Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye or 'that random guy with the bow an arrow who hangs out with the Avengers' here to talk about grocery shopping and cooking during these quaran-times.”

He grinned at his own pun, then continued, signing to the camera to follow him. He pushed off from the island and walked over to the pantry and the two large refrigerators that flanked it. “Whether you're ordering your groceries for delivery or suiting up in your mask and gloves to brave the stores, you need to shop according to what kind of storage you have and you preferences as far as what you'll actually cook and what you'll actually enjoy eating.

“Now what I mean by shopping according to your storage is things like, if you have a lot of freezer space—maybe you have a freezer chest in the garage because you hunt, or you have a minifridge leftover from college that you can set cold enough to use as a freezer—then stocking up on frozen food is a good idea. If you don't have a lot of freezer space, then you can't stock up as much on frozen food and need to focus more on shelf-stable things like dry good and canned goods.

“The point is to be able to have enough food in your home that you can make three meals a day for your whole household for at least a week without having to go shopping and without things going bad before you can eat them. That kind of big stock-up grocery run gets expensive fast, and a lot of people aren't working right now or have their hours cut, so it can be hard to afford the kind of stocking up we all need to be doing. To help mitigate that and make things easier for others in your community, if you can afford to buy the more expensive versions of some foods, do so. Leave the less expensive options on the shelves for the people who can't afford anything else.”

He moved farther into the pantry and he segued subjects a little. “If you're not much of a cook or if you're particularly busy right now—working in essential industries, working from home, trying to homeschool your kids, whatever—then you need to focus more on prefab food, stuff you can just shove in the oven or the microwave or stick on the stove for a minute and be done. If you do like to cook or you've decided your quarantine activity is gonna be learning to cook and you have more time, then you should focus more on getting ingredients for cooking from scratch. Everyone should have a mix of both, though, and there are certain stables everyone oughta have on hand.”

He grabbed a box off a shelf, tossed it over his shoulder, caught it as he turned around, and held it out for the camera to see. “Noodles. You want noodles. It doesn't really matter what noodles. Dry pasta is great because it's extremely shelf stable, it keeps forever. I've eaten pasta that was a year past the date on the box and it was fine.

“I know a lot of stores are running low on boxed pasta, so maybe now's the time to try that lentil based pasta you've been eyeing suspiciously for a while, or get some tiny pasta like orzo, stelini, or even couscous that you usually avoid because they're not really noodles.” He put the box of pasta back on the shelf. “You can even make your own pasta if you really want to or you're really desperate. But if you have noodles—or pasta, same difference—you have a meal. Cook a whole batch to eat with sauce for spaghetti night, then save the leftover noodles, fry them up in a pan with some butter, scrambled eggs, and cheese tomorrow for lunch.

“On that note, you want eggs unless you're allergic—or vegan, I guess—and you want your dairy staples: butter, cheese, and milk. Butter and cheese both keep a long time in the fridge, especially hard dry cheeses, but milk is iffier. You canfreeze milk to make it last longer, just shake it up real good when you thaw it out, but you can also get UHT milk—ultra high temperature—that's been heat-treated so you don't have to refrigerate it at all until it's opened so you can keep it on the counter or in the pantry.” He looked around a little. “I don't think we have any UHT milk for me to show you or I would. Stark's bankrolling us, as usually, and we're doing what I mentioned earlier about buying the more expensive stuff if you can afford it, and, well, Tony can afford anything, so we've been getting direct delivery from a local dairy farm once a week—it's in glass bottles, Steve and Buck are thrilled, it's cute. Anyway, another thing you can do is buy a gallon of milk, buy some powdered milk, once you've used half of that gallon, mix up half a gallon worth of that powdered milk with cold water, add it to the half gallon you had left. Boom, whole gallon of milk again, and I promise it's not weird and watery seeming like if you just reconstitute powdered milk by itself. It's good.

“You also want rice, shelf-stable protein like canned tuna, or these funky little packets,” he held up a pouch of lemon-pepper flavored tuna, “stuff to snack on like crackers and whatever you like on crackers, and bread—which is something else you can make yourself, seriously buy some flour and get your bake on, kneading bread is a great way to work out your frustrations.” He smacked a large bag of flour, caught it as it threatened to fall off the shelf, resettled it, and flashed a thumbs up.

It cut back to Clint in the kitchen, sitting at the island now. “For the sake of your own sanity, it's also important to make it where feeding yourself isn't just a chore and you actually enjoy your food. There's a lot of little things you can do that will help with that a lot even if you're not up to much more than throwing some ramen in the microwave.”

A package of Yaki Soba slid quickly across the counter right past Clint—a slivery blur flashed behind him, kicking up a breeze that ruffled his hair, and Pietro caught the package before is skidded right off the end of the island. “Sorry,” Pietro grinned sheepishly as he handed the Yaki Soba to Clint, “my bad.”

“I knew I should have asked your sister,” Clint teased. He rolled his eyes as Pietro ducked back out of frame, then held up the Yaki Soba for the camera. “If you're gonna have one of these, take two seconds before you make it, dig through your fridge, add a little soy sauce or teriyaki sauce to the water before you cook it, give it some flavor. Toss some shredded carrots, coleslaw mix, or even canned chicken in there. Make this stuff be real food instead of I'm-trying-to-feed-myself-in-my-dormroom sadness with minimal effort.”

He tossed the Yaki Soba out of frame, presumably to Pietro, and a plushy hotdog got tossed back to him. He caught it easily. “Hot dogs are great, easy and fast to fry up in a pan, but kinda meh on their own, so have some potato chips or shove fries or tater tots in the oven. Make some chili and have chili dogs.

“Speaking of chili….” He tossed the plushy back and a jar of Prego pasta sauce slid to him—it stopped a little short and he leaned forward to grab it. “We should have practiced this. Anyway. Jarred pasta sauce is totally fine, but you can use it as a spring board for excellent homemade sauce. Brown some ground meat in the bottom of a pot, put some onion through a food processor, cook it in a big pan, add some garlic, process some more veggies, any veggies, add them and some wine to the onions, once that's cooked down, add it all in with the meat, pour in some store bought sauce, feast like a god. I'm not even kidding, Thor loves this stuff, I made a whole vat of it last week. It's easier to do in bulk and it freezes well.  Andyou can split some off, add beans and spices, make yourself some damn good chili. I'll post a recipe with actual measurements and stuff.”

He slid the jar of sauce back and caught a box of dry noodle soup mix that had been thrown directly at his face. “Make this stuff with more noodles—if your extra noodles take more than 5 minutes to cook, put them in the water first, then add the soup mix when ther's five minutes to go. When it's almost done cooking, like a minute left, pour in a scrampled egg or three. You've got egg drop soup, white people style.”

He tossed the soup box back and Pietro threw a pack of premade pizza crusts to him like a frisbee. Clint fumbled it a little but didn't drop it. “Make your own pizza! You can get these flatbread rounds to use as crust, or you can make your own dough—if you have a bread machine, it will make the dough for you. Then, put whatever you want on your pizza. You can go traditional with red sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, or you can get feta, pre-cooked grilled chicken, olives and artichoke hearts—Tony likes that.” He gestured off camera. “The wonder twins over here like carrots on their pizza; I'm not gonna question it. Natasha made herself a bacon mac'n'cheese pizza for breakfast today.”

He flung the pizza rounds away and, judging by the thwap sound, no one caught them. “Just, think about your food. Have fun, experiment, sing while you cook, plan before you go shopping, don't feel like you have to settle for spaghetti-o's and cereal just because you're stuck at home. And, hey, tell me what you're cooking, what you like on pizza. Stay home, stay safe, stay well fed. From me, and Pietro, and the rest of the Avengers—thank you.”

He signed thank you as well and waved before the video went black.

#PSA #Avengers #Marvel #coronavirus #covid19 #covid-19 #covid_19 #clint barton #HOH!Clint #hawkeye #food #cooking #quarantine #quarantimes #advice

[myrrtheapprentice]

Braids and Bread

(Just threw in a read more since the post is so long)

Myrr was going to knock, but the door was open. Inanna must have smell the ham bone in her bag. Smiling softly, she gave her a scratch behind the ear. Leaning down, she offered up the treat from the bag. “Morning Inanna. I was picking up a few things, and I couldn’t leave without something for my favorite girl.” Inanna huffed appreciatively, taking her treat as Sable wound around her feet, happy to keep her company. The little fennic fox was so attached to Inanna, and it always made Myrr happy to see them playing, or Inanna teaching him to hunt or look tough.

Myrr tried to straighten up, but the weight of the bag causing her to tip. Never being the most coordinated or shore footed, she just braced for impact when she was unexpectedly caught by a pair of strong hands. “Careful.” Muriel mumbled, putting her back on her feet. Myrr flushed, smiling up at him, her glasses a little more crooked than normal. “Good morning, Muriel. I thought I’d come by and make some bread… I mean if you’re still interested that is.”  She shifted a little from foot to foot as she stood at the threshold. “Well come in… You’re already here…” Quickly he let her go once he realized he was still holding her shoulders.

He flushed, picking up the bag from her shoulder.  Coming inside, she waved for him to put it down by the table. He watched curiously as she unpacked her things. There were a few jars of jam she’d made that she put to the side. A little frown creased her forehead as she dug through her bag. “…. Honey bear…” She mumbled to herself, causing Muriel turned a deep crimson not realizing she was talking to herself. “…Y-Yes?” He stammered, causing her to blush furiously as she put the rest of the things on the table before turning with the little glass bear full of honey  in her hands. “ I umm… just got this for you. I thought, you’d like it.”

Muriel looked at the wall a second, realizing the mistake. Though, he did like the nickname, even if he wouldn’t ever say it. His gazed turned back to the little glass bear, really touched she’d thought of him.  “ Th-Thanks…  Did you make all this too?”  Myrr nodded, rolling the jar between her palms before putting the it down. “I enjoy it, and I wanted to share with you. Did you want to watch, or help? I’d enjoy the help if you like.” She added, her voice more timid at the end. After a few moments, he nodded a small smile on his lips. “I’d like to help. What do I need to do?”

His smile grew as her face lit up at the prospect of baking with him. She bounced a little on her heels, before a little blush crossed her face. “ I’ll pull you hair back first if you don’t mind, and mine as well. Just to keep it out of everything. I mean if you don’t mind.” She fidgeting, letting out a small breath he nodded.  

She had him sit on the floor as she perched herself on the bed. She was so short it was the only way she could do this comfortably for both of them. Gently she began to brush out his hair in long strokes. Absentmindedly Myrr started to hum a simple little tune that seemed to fill the hut with warmth, or maybe it was just Muriel’s heart that was being warmed. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned back against her a little as she tenderly worked out the gnarls. He was completely at peace here with her.

Muriel was a little disappointed once she was finished braiding is hair back. Her hands were so gentle compared to Morga. Everything about her was so soft. He glanced up at her, a smile in his eyes as he watched her. She’d lain her glasses aside so she could brush her own hair back. Without them he could see her eyes clearly. He felt he could get lost in them, trying to follow the flecks of silver and blue in that soft green that eventually mingled with the brown surrounding her pupils.

The soft melody repeated as she started to braid her hair back.He did notice that her hands were not as nimble trying to get the front pieces of her hair back as they’d been with his own locks. He hesitated a moment, not really wanting to interrupt, before quietly asking, “Would you like some help? ” He wasn’t looking at directly at her, a light blush spreading across his face as he fiddled with his fingers. Myrr just smiled, leaning down to shyly kiss him on the temple. “I think this should work for now. It’s just a little messy.” Which was the true, little pieces sticking out of her braids where his were smooth and flat. She didn’t seem to mind.

Slipping off the bed, she offered him a hand up. That elicited a small chuckle from him as he got up on his own before taking her hand. She was so small compared to him, and he didn’t want to pull her over. They just stood there a moment like that in the comfortable silence. “Well need some firewood, and water. Let’s go.” They walked out into the woods in a companionable silence, Myrr with a bucket in one hand and Muriel collecting firewood in the other while they still held hands.  

It wasn’t long til they were back at the hut. While Muriel set a small fire for them as Myre lay out a few cups and bowls of different sizes. Muriel stood there awkwardly beside her, hand crossed in front of him. “You still want to help?” She asked, smiling up at him. “I need two cups of flour in big bowl please, just level it off with the back of the knife. I’m just going to get the yeast to bloom.”  Muriel already had on cup in the bowl after poking through to find the proper size. He curiously watched her, never having heard of it before. “Bloom?”  She’d put the water, a little sugar, and the yeast in a bowl and covered it as she smiled up at him. “Yup, got to get the yeast to start working so that the bread will be light and fluffy, well one thing. Kneading it is important too.”  

She continued to give instructions, kind and soft spoken as always. Muriel was finding he was enjoying himself, especial since she was so happy and at ease as she worked. He was careful and precise as ever, but he could help stealing glances at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. The flour on her cheeks and her crooked glasses just added to her charm. Without thinking, he pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose causing her to flush, which made him flush. “S-Sorry.” Myrr smiled broadly up at him, shaking her head. “ Don’t be sorry. I really appreciate it. Here.” She reached up and brushed some flour off his cheek.  “What would you like to do now? We need to wait a little while the dough rises.”

He shifted a little, not sure how to answer before quietly mumbling to her. “I could try and fix your hair. I mean if you like that.” He was staring at a point somewhere over her shoulder, his face beet red.  Though he looked back down at her as she took his hand. “I think that’d be nice. I can sit in your lap so you don’t have to stretch down so far.” If she thought his face was red before, it found a way to turn a darker shade of red, causing her to panic. She didn’t know what to do so she just tried reaching out and patting his arm. “You don’t have to! I’m sorry… It was just a suggestion.”

Muriel scrunched up his face as he looked away. He shifted a little uncomfortably almost causing her to step back, before he gently pulled her to sit in his lap  on the bed. Gingerly he pulled off her glasses, and started to undo her braids. A soft sigh came from her as he started to brush her chin length golden tresses. It was so soft, he couldn’t help running his fingers through it. It lightly smelled of lavender and chamomile. He was tempted to bury his face in it, and just let the calm wash over him. The thought made him blush as he paused a moment before continuing the long, gentle stroke that made her so content.  

He didn’t ask how to do the braids, not wanting to disturb her. Instead, just working off what he’d seen her do before. She barely felt a tug as he worked, almost completely dozing off in his lap. Even after he had finished pulling her hair back into picture perfect braids similar to his own, he didn’t want to move and disturb her. Instead he just wrapped an arm around her and held her close. A small smile graced his lips as he rested his chin on her head, giving her a soft squeeze around the middle that she almost didn’t feel. It was so cozy holding her in his arms, he started to doze of himself.

#myrr #muriel #myrr x muriel #the arcana #long post #i'll do a part two eventually #if anyone is interest

[withloveandsugar-blog1]

What a time to be alive.

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, I can’t help but wonder what they’ll say about this in text books. We are living a part of global history as we speak.

I have gone through many emotions the last week, and am finding comfort in the things I enjoy doing, and the people that I love. I finally bought new strings for my guitar so I can really start practicing, I’ve been practicing self-care as much as I can (bubble baths and wine, anyone?) and of course, lots and lots of baking. 

I had quite a few people reach out to me asking about homemade bread - with all of the panic buying happening all over the country, it’s been a staple thats difficult to find, especially if you’re ordering online to maintain a healthy social distance. Below you’ll find my recipe for french bread. My recipe calls for a scale, so if you don’t have one, don’t worry! There are some great bread recipes out there that don’t use the metric system - I’ll share a few links to some of my favorites with you at the end of this post. With only six ingredients, this is something fun and easy that you can make with the whole family. No bread in the stores? No problem!

Homemade French Bread:

NOTE: anything labeled with *** please see notes at the bottom of this post.

500 g bread flour (if you don’t have bread flour, all purpose works just as well)

350 g warm water

10 g yeast (if using active dry yeast, use about 15 g)

2 tbs. granulated sugar

10 g kosher salt (if you don’t have kosher salt, table salt is fine)

Spices of your choice, to taste

Directions:

Place sugar and yeast in warm water and mix well. Instant yeast will bubble and foam much more than instant dry yeast, so don’t worry if it seem “flat”. Set the yeast mixture aside, and place your flour and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer. This can be done all by hand in a large bowl - just as long as you don’t mind getting a little dirty!

Add your yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, and using your bread hook (or clean hands), knead the dough until it starts to come off the sides of the bowl. It will look smooth and will no longer be sticky. Grease your bowl, and place your dough inside. Cover it and allow it to proof inside of your oven for about an hour or until doubled in size***

Once your bread dough has doubled, “punch” the dough down (I use my hands for this to better control over-mixing). Sprinkle a little flour on top, pull your dough off the sides and fold it over itself for about 30-45 seconds. This process will be repeated three more times. The second to last “punch down” is when I add my spices, if I choose not to leave the bread plain. Have fun! Some of my favorite things to add are everything bagel seasoning or fresh herbs. 

Once your dough has rested and proofed for the fourth time, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and push the air bubbles out with your fingertips - start in the center and push out for a few seconds, starting from the bottom and working your way up. You should end up with a small circle (think pizza dough) that you can then roll and shape into a log. Place your bread into a greased loaf pan, cover and allow to proof once more until doubled in size. 

Brush your loaf with olive oil, coat in more seasoning (if you’d like) and bake at 375 degrees for about 40-45 minutes***

*** I make a proofer out of my oven for breads. Leave your oven off. Boil some water, and place it on the lower rack while your bread sits on the top rack and close the oven door. The steam from the water will help your dough to rise. I re-use the same water and pot each time, allowing it to come back to a boil on the stove while I knead my dough in between proofs. 

*** Want to make sure the outer crust of your bread is nice and crispy? Throw a few ice cubes directly into the bottom of your oven after placing the bread in to bake and close your oven door. The ice melts and evaporates, leaving you with the perfect crisp at the end. 

Here a few links to great alternative recipes - no scale needed!

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/french-bread/

https://www.lifeasastrawberry.com/easy-crusty-french-bread/

I hope this recipe can give you something fun to do together during this time of uncertainty. Enjoy your loaves, and enjoy your loved ones. We could all use the extra love and reassurance right now. Sending kindness and good vibes your way. Happy baking.

With love and sugar,

B.

#withloveandsugar #thepinkpalacebakery #recipe

[arcane-literary-dreams]

Midnight Baking - Illain

She would see him every once in a while, as she wandered about the marketplace. It was always so familiar, catching a glimpse of the head of dusk kissed hair working about as he baked and cleaned. They’ve met each other, of course, Illain and Clover.  

Though, due to her business with the palace, and own tasks at home, she never seemed to find time to hang around longer, whether it be to talk with Selasi, or simply enjoy some time with them.

Clover would find her thoughts wandering, drifting back to each comfort, each warm and nostalgic moment she could, and at times, she would find her wondering about Illain, who he was, and what he liked. She was curious, as she was with many things.

Though, in this particular moment, she found it rather difficult to even think after a long day of running about and researching. It was one of the few times she’s requested to go home, and she planned on resting full heartedly.

It was with a heavy sigh and dreary eyes, Clover trudged quietly through the marketplace, soft, solid thuds of her shoes resounding as she stepped on planks of wood. There was something about the market within the depths of the night. Even with the dull gleams of lanterns strung across the booths, faintly teetering against the brink of blowing out completely, the stars would illuminate a path of their own, wisps of smoke from dying fires would dance, floating up into the sky only to disperse with that of the moonlight.

She blinked at a rather bright light, making it out to be the booth at the corner of the stairs. Clover cocked her head the slightest, an eyebrow raising as she strode closer.

Illain was bumbling about the work area, not noticing the approaching girl as he seemed to fervently work on what looked to be a completely fresh, not even dough, batch of bread.

“Illain...?” She called out softly. Tentative, her hand brushed against the coarse grain of the counter, peering into the booth.

“Huh...? Oh, yes?” He spun around, seemingly startled at her soft voice. “Oh! Hello, Clover...!”

She nodded in response, before peering down at her hands. “Illain, alright. I got it right..” She muttered to herself in reconfirmation, before straightening her shoulders, eyes clear as she stared up at him inquisitively.

“What are you doing awake at this time? It’s almost morning, at this point.”

He fumbled with his hands, carefully rearranging the bowls of ingredients. “Ah, haha,” he chuckled, momentarily rubbing a hand against the nape of his neck in embarrassment, “I’m just preparing tomorrow’s batch, is all. The one we had originally was ruined from a small accident, and I uh, offered to stay back to remake it.”

“Oh! That’s so nice of you, Illain.” She smiled widely, although brought a hand to her chin in thought. “But, how much more do you have left?”

“Maybe... around three more batches?”

Clover’s frown deepened, and she noticed that he had begun preparing the yeast in the time they were speaking. She assumed he couldn’t make it all in one big batch, since although it could work, sometimes kneading so much dough can difficult and hard to measure the consistency of...

“Would you like any help?” She inquired directly, and he blinked up at her.

“Help? Oh! Well, I’m sure I’ll be fine,” he quickly replied, flustered at the sudden question. “It’s really late, like you said.”

“That’s alright. I don’t mind. I would like to, and at this rate you’re not going to get much sleep.” She insisted once more.

“Well, alright,” He murmured, and she found herself smiling softly at him; his mannerisms were really cute, and she couldn’t deny she found him attractive... “...thank you.”

For a moment, neither of them knew what to do, before Clover walked around the wide of the booth, ducking beneath the curtain to slip into the back area. They bumbled about briefly, before Illain had located a spare apron for Clover to borrow in the meantime. She carefully undid the buttons at the hem of her sleeves, rolling it up for better access.

Illain gazed curiously at her as she began to lift a sack of sugar, carefully measuring out what she needed. She had stumbled back from the weight, placing it back down with a solid thump.

“Have you worked here before? I didn’t know you knew Selasi’s recipe.” he commented, noticing she seemed to be doing this with practiced ease.

“I haven’t, but yes! I do know the recipe, so I can help a bit with that.” She responded, pleased that she seemed to be getting her measurements alright. “As long as I’m not imposing, of course.” She added rather politely; a brief, yet painfully obvious shy simper dancing across her lips as she glanced away momentarily.

“Not at all!” Illain stammered, and she chuckled lightly, airy and breathy. She shifted the slightest as to not be in his way, though he didn’t seem to mind.

As they continued about, they switched jobs, Illain offering to measure out the rest of the ingredients while Clover carefully kneaded the dough. It wasn’t a particularly difficult task, measuring, that is, she was just simply so tired, she hadn’t realized how weak she felt.

It warmed her heart, really, for him to be so sweet to offer so. It was a pattern she’s been noticing, just with how he’s interacted with others, his customers, how Selasi has spoken about him. Clover couldn’t help but be intrigued.

“Do you enjoy baking?” Her voice was light, and curious, Clover glancing at Illain, smiling wryly. “It’s alright if you don’t, I understand if you’re simply working.” She reassured, gaze flitting back to the bowl of dough she was working.

“I do!” He answered quickly, finding a warm flush settle on his neck. “Selasi’s really friendly, so it’s really welcoming. It’s nice to see everyone enjoy what we make.” He smiled fondly, light flour dusting at his fingers and clothing. “What about you?” He asked in return, grin becoming rather bashful.

Clover paused, slowing her movements as she kneaded some cool butter into the dough.

“Me...? What about me?” She replied readily, as though asking for confirmation. Her hands faltered, as though she hadn’t been expecting to be asked such a question, as though it  was almost unreal.

“What do, uhm, you think?”

“Oh!” her voice squeaked slightly, and he watched as she blushed the slightest as well. It was, kind of cute, truthfully. “Uhm, I think it’s lovely! Baking, that is. It’s nice to do every so often, although I like cooking more!”

She begun rambling, and he realized she could sometimes get a bit distracted like that, when all caught up within her thoughts. “If I recall correctly... there’s this really old recipe I love, though I don’t quite remember who taught me, that’s really pleasant! A rolled bun, with coarse sugar topping it, and a tart filling of freshly picked currants...”

Her voice was smothered in a soft adoration, tone so very light, so feathery, over the clinking of the dishes and mixing bowls, it was almost difficult to notice. Yet all the same, his gaze remained upon her, listening intently.

Clover chuckled shortly, though, peering down at the dough this whole time. “I haven’t been able to make it, especially since currants can be kinda hard to come across.” She smiled sheepishly, although gazed down at her hands.

She grabbed a kitchen towel, fresh and clean, from the stack kept below, carefully laying it over the bowl and dough, allowing it to rise. She placed it besides Illain’s finished batches as well, giving it plenty of time to rest, so that tomorrow, it would be perfect and ready for baking!

Clover clapped her hands, wiping any excess flour off in the process, “Well!” She begun, though laughed amusedly, short and light, at Illain’s initial surprise. He hadn’t expected her to clap so suddenly, especially in the dead of night!

“Well,” She repeated, straightening herself. “I think it should be alright here. It can get rather cool during the night but it should be alright Just make sure to bake it soon after dawn arrives, I'm sure we can't afford to have the dough ruined!”  Her tone was much lighter than it was previously, singsong and bouncing, with the slightest lilt to her voice, eyes shining in teasing joy.

She went to clean her hands, drying them carefully upon the clean parts of her apron, as she pondered over what should happen next.

“Haha, of course! Thank you, Clover. You... really didn’t have to, but thank you for your help...!”

Illain simpered widely, eyes crinkling warmly into gentle crescents, and she found herself at a loss of words for a moment, starstruck.

She felt so warm, with how openly expressive he was, and how kind and considerate Illain was in general, she had previously had some sort of idea of what he was like, but she found herself enjoying talking to him so much more than she originally though.

He was so easily flustered, it almost spurred a sort of confidence within her.

“Of course, I don’t mind helping at all! Now...” It was a small dip of a bow, reaching to grasp his hand in her own. A gentle graze of her fingers, so very featherlike and gentle, she brought a hand to her lips, brushing a sweet kiss against his knuckle. “Be sure to head home and rest soon, please. There’s not much time before dawn, after all.”

She peered up at him through her eyelashes, eyes hooded the very slightest. With a gentle squeeze, she released his hand, and smiled. Clover straightened herself, the faint darkness of the night hiding her reddening cheeks, although she perked up in surprise, finding that Illain, under the illuminating lanterns of the booth had frozen entirely.

He wasn’t processing this at all, was he.

Goodness, he was so very cute.

He was struggling to formulate words, gaze flitting about as he avoided her own curious one.

Clover composed herself once more, finding another opportunity to perhaps tease him. She had noticed it previously, but there was a smear of fluffy white flour, upon his cheek. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed, but he sure did notice when her attention stilled upon him.

“Wait, Illain, there’s some flour on your cheek.” she murmured, stepping closer.

He had reached to brush at his cheeks, although his hand was already dirtied. “I can get it.” Clover reassured, touching his forearm.

He was a little bit taller than her, she found. Perhaps a few inches or so, but either way, she had to peer up the very slightest, hesitating as she went to touch his cheek.

Illain’s voice died in his throat, and he found himself fumbling with his hands as he was unsure of where to put them. She was close, but not so much he was uncomfortable. It was just enough for her to get a clearer view of his face, as he could for her.

It was a soft graze and a hesitant exhale, he could faintly feel the tips of her fingers brush against his face. Instinctively, his eyes shut, a gentle hand hovering near Clover, though the other reached up to rest against her own, lightly before freezing in realization of his action, peeking an eye open to find she was staring at him just as wide eyed.

This time, he caught the almost sweltering blush that heated her cheeks, the both of them flooding in embarrassment.

And yet, her light fingertips ghosted against him, and her lips tightened in a fine line,  brushing some bangs from his face, before pulling away entirely.

A small silence followed, the two of them shifting slightly in their place, before she nodded to herself. “I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.” She mustered out quietly, before meeting his gaze with an apologetic smile.

Before he could speak, she reached for her bag, securing it upon her shoulder, and stepping back. “Goodnight, Illain.” She murmured.

He had snapped out of his stunned silence with a quick “G...Goodnight, Clover...!”, and she waved cutely, before turning around and walking away into the darkness.

Neither of them could really believe what had just happened. Perhaps it was because they were both so exhausted, and tired, or perhaps it was simply the atmosphere of the night that was causing them to act this way, they wouldn’t know.

Clover’s pace had quickened, and she found herself wanting to return home as soon as possible. A small noise of embarrassment escaped her, and she cupped her cheek in flustered panic, though, a slow, sweet simper teased at her lips.

She enjoyed tonight. It was so very refreshing, after a long day like this.

Perhaps she should request visits home more often.

Bonus:

“She used to work here, at this very booth before you came along.” Selasi begun wryly, and an almost forlorn smile crossed their lips as they begun flouring the surface of the counter once more.

“She told me she never did, though? That you taught her when she first arrived.”

“Well— yes,” They replied, haltingly. “It was when she first arrived here. But it wasn’t as recent as she thought it was.”

They pursed their lips, continuing nonetheless, diverting their attention as they kneaded at the dough. “When I taught her, not too long ago-” their voice hitched as they gave the dough a solid push, “-that wasn’t the first time.”

Illain glanced over his shoulder, from where he was carefully carving fresh pumpkins. He couldn’t afford to look away for too long, not unless he wanted to cut himself by accident.  “Really? Hm...” A soft hum was elicited, and Selasi merely turned back to their work.

“She was a good egg, really. She still is! I just needed to get this off my chest, I suppose. I think something has changed with her, is all.”

There was a solemn hint to their tone, so very subtle, so very faint, it was as though Illain had been imaging it. He knew he wasn’t, though, and his curiosity was piqued once more, and he was perhaps a tad bit concerned as well; he cared very much for Selasi, and he found the late night encounter with Clover almost whimsical, what with how mysterious it was.

Selasi huffed a hearty laugh, leaned back as they surveyed Illain’s expression. “Ah, don’t you worry, lad. Clover is Clover, though, it can be some food for thought if you wish.” They reassured, patting a flour dusted hand upon his shoulder.

“Now, is the oven all ready for our first batch?”

@lazyvoyager I had s much fun with this! I hope this isn’t too long, I feel like I got really into it haha!! Clover found Illain’s easily flustered nature so very cute, she found herself more confident in initiating any sort of flirtation with him~! 

It was kind of difficult to come up with a lot of Illain’s dialogue, so I hope he isn’t super ooc,, and that this isn’t like,,, super slow or boring at all fjdsklfjlds!! I don’t usually post writing online, so I hope this is alright~!

#the arcana #mc x mc #illain #clover truong #fan apprentice #long post #my writing

[tinyriver]

Yoo I want to get started baking my own bread. Do you have any favorite "recipes" or tips to share? Love your content btw

ooooh yes. i do have bread tips. (bear with me, it’s past midnight and i should be sleeping so this is a bit crazy) 

start with something easy, don’t start with ciabatta. start with something simple like white bread or some generic loaf thing. then ramp it up.

i like instant yeast. it’s quick to work with, and i can make bread in an afternoon. if the time commitment of bread is scary, start with instant yeast recipes.

yeast and salt do not mix. both are important but don’t let them touch too much. bread is science and science says salt kills yeast.

i like kneading. a lot. some people like using their stand mixer to knead. i think the process of hand-kneading lets you get to know the dough. you get a feel for when it’s overworked, and can tell just when it’s perfect. 

don’t knead with too much flour. if you add too much flour, then it changes the consistency of the dough.

make breads that you like. if you really like challah, try making one. if you love rye, try it. if it fails, try again. stay excited about it.

get to know your yeast. especially with active dry yeast. you technically don’t have to proof it, but you totally should because you get to know the science around it (it likes a very specific temperature), and also know if it’s actually working (if it doesn’t foam/bubble, it’s a dud).

slash your loaves. your bread will expand, so give it some room to grow. otherwise it will bust out in unsightly ruptures.

take your time. let it rise for a bit longer if you think it needs it. don’t be afraid to let something rise overnight. be patient. the longer you spend on a bread, the more satisfying it is to take it out of the oven.

you don’t need anything fancy to make bread. literally just an oven, flour, water, yeast, and salt. you don’t even really need a dark warm place to let it rise. i’ve had a successful bake with the dough rising in the corner of my living room in a clear glass bowl covered with a dishcloth. also, this is how you destroy capitalism. these ingredients are cheap af. your bread is better and more satisfying then store-bought, it has less ingredients (like preservatives) and it costs waaaaayyyy less.

and for some good recipes, i’ll link a few good ones under the keep reading

the first loaf i made was a cuban water bread, and it was absolutely amazing. this was what made me fall in love with making bread. it was so fun to make, and turned out so well. it’s kind of like a french bread, but a little softer. really good for having with soup or some sort of dish you want some bread to mop up the sauce or something with. i lifted it from some cuban cookbook somewhere. i’d recommend halving the yeast and giving it double the time to rise, but if you’re in a hurry, this is totally fine. (also it’s not by weight, so idk how you feel about that)

ingredients:

4 tsp rapid rise yeast (or just do 2tsps and double the rise)

2 cups warm water

1 tbsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

6 cups sifted bread flour (i sometimes do a bit less. and remember to sift the flour)

1 tbsp olive oil

¼ cup cornmeal (or less. i don’t like too much cornmeal but it is important)

1 quart boiling water

some bay leaves if you want

directions:

dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large bowl

add the sugar, stir, and then add the salt (this is the only time that salt being added directly to the yeast has ever worked for me. idk why it does, but it works)

add the flour while stirring

shape dough into ball, put in a bowl greased with olive oil, and then oil the ball. cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise until it’s doubled in size. (this could take anywhere from 30 min to 4 hours or more)

take it out, knead for 5 min on a lightly floured surface, and shape it into two long loaves

put the loaves on a baking sheet that’s been predusted with cornmeal, and let rise for 10 min

slash the loaves, tuck the bay leaves into the slashes, and then brush the loaves with water

put the loaves in a cold oven and then turn the oven to 400°F (about 200°C) and put a pan of the boiling water on a rack below the bread

bake for around 40 min, until crusty 

this whole wheat loaf is nice. my tip for this would be to ditch the loaf pan and just do a hand rolled loaf, but if you’re making sandwiches than maybe stick with the pan.

i’m trying to perfect my boule, they seem to always be too chewy, and i overknead them every time. but i’m getting some success with this recipe. skip the food processor, just hand mix, and add the salt a bit later.

if you’re ready for something fancy, i like this ciabatta recipe. it’s shorter that most, but still has you make a sponge and do a bunch of rises.

if a loaf is done cooking, it will sound hollow when you tap it

happy baking my friend :) love you too

#.asks #wow this was longer than i intended #baking #bread #i love baking so much #.essay

[queertazsecretsanta]

Bird Feed

A gift for @call-me-page, created by @aphaceland!

Happy Candlenights!

Title: Bird Feed

“Lup, that better not be the fresh bread you’re feeding them.”

“They deserve the best, Taako.”

Ever since the two of them opened up the Bready or Not Bakery, people had been flocking to the twins to get their fill of the kickass pastries they made. Unfortunately, they weren’t the only ones flocking. At first it was a group of pigeons that swarmed a warm bun that someone dropped on the sidewalk outside. Then word traveled to the sparrows and seagulls after some poor soul dropped their cupcake frosting-side down, sending sprinkles scattering across the curb. The most recent freeloaders had been a bunch or ravens or crows or whatever cawing up a storm right in front of the shop. At this point Taako had had enough and Lup wasn’t helping at all.

“That’s probably not even good for them.” Taako said, crossing his arms and leaning on the door frame.

“As long as it’s not all they’re eating it’s fine. Just a little snacky snack for some good birdy boys,” she said in a sing-song voice. Great, his sister was baby talking to a bunch of dirty street birds.

“Alright, suit yourself. Just know that ya boy, that’s me, hi, is gonna take your tips if you don’t get your butt inside and help me make the rest of the muffins before the store opens.”

At that, Lup gets up, dusts herself off, and runs back inside, glancing back only once to see the gathering of various birds enjoying the crumbs she left behind. Only after the birds finished their small snack did a raven, much larger than the other ones present, land right in the middle of the frenzy. The other birds flew off, leaving the raven looking for what was left. The large raven flew over to the side of the shop, right beside the display case that Taako was setting up for the day. The raven perched itself on the windowsill and pecked at the glass.

Taako only spared a single cursory glance the raven’s way before he went back to setting up. It was enough that he had to get out of bed early to make the pastries, but he had to arrange the display just right so that it was all appealing as fuck. The taste was already amazing, natch, but you need to make sure the people actually bothered to buy it first. He was positioning a cheesecake slice so that strawberry was just perfect under the lighting when the raven pecked at the glass again.

“What?” he asked, nearly dropping the cake in the process.

The raven pointed its beak insistently at the display. Taako couldn’t tell what exactly it was pointing at, but that hardly mattered anyway.

“Sorry, my man. You missed the feeding frenzy like a minute ago,” he shrugged, not sorry in the slightest. The raven only shook its head and ruffled its feathers, pointing again at the counter. Taako looked over at where the beak was pointing and saw the bowl of elderflower macarons.

“Nope. This is a Taako o-ri-gi-nal. Paying customers only.”

He was talking to a bird. A smart bird, but a bird nonetheless. He made a shooing motion with his hand and it seemed to have finally gotten the message. It flew off to leave Taako in relative peace before the morning rush started.

The raven, however, was not deterred. He waited patiently, with puffed up feathers, outside of the door, not quite feeling the cold breeze of the brisk autumn day. He had closed his eyes and nearly drifted off when he heard the telltale ‘ding!’ of the bell over the door being rung. Someone was going inside. Seizing the opportunity, the raven hopped up and walked in before the door slammed shut. Too short to be within line of sight, he walked over to the back room, making sure his talons didn’t clack too loudly against the tile.

Inside, he saw the elf from before. He looked engrossed in his baking. He was kneading dough for some confection when a kitchen timer went off. The raven clambered underneath a table and tried to hide in the shadows. Taako didn’t seem to notice him, though, and went over to the oven to pull out a tray of cinnamon rolls. The smell of fresh cinnamon wafted through the room, spurring the raven into action.

The raven flew out from under the table directly at Taako. He flared out his wings and yelled, mimicking the elf’s voice. “TAAKO O-RI-GI-NAL!”

Taako jumped with a yelp and fumbled the tray. A few cinnamon rolls fell before he could right it, though the screaming fucking bird in his kitchen was currently taking priority. The raven swooped down and grabbed a roll before it hit the ground and attempted to fly away. However, this gave Taako an opportunity to attack. He put the tray down and grabbed the bird’s leg. It flapped uselessly in his hand, clutching its stolen prize for dear life.

“What the fuck!” he yelled.

A few seconds later, Lup burst in with her wand at the ready. The confused and somewhat frightened expressions of the customers were visible for the few seconds the door was open. Lup looked around the room, seemingly searching for another person. Her worried expression turned deadpan when she saw her brother holding a bird that was awkwardly trying to free its leg.

“Goddamn it Taako, it sounded like you were being murdered in here.”

“Worse!” He pointed the raven at her. “This is what happens when you feed the birds, Lup.”

The raven had certainly found itself in a sticky situation. He could already feel the effects of the polymorph spell wearing off. He threw his head back, trying to eat the cinnamon roll before he turned back. Unfortunately he couldn’t even have that. Taako grabbed the part of the roll that was still hanging out of his beak and threw it out.

“Just toss it out the back door. And wash your hands, you don’t know where it’s been.” Lup said.

“Oh yeah, says the one who was feeding them the good bread in the first place. What happened to your good birdy boys, huh?” he teased, but walked to the backdoor anyway.

At that point, the raven was relieved. He may not have gotten the whole thing, but just tasting it would suffice. More importantly, he needed to get somewhere private or else the spell would end right in the middle of-

It sucked that it was an instantaneous transformation. Suddenly, instead of Taako holding a mischievous raven with half a cinnamon roll in his mouth, he was holding a grown man with half a cinnamon roll in his mouth. By the leg. The sudden shift in weight caused them both to fall over.

Taako was taken entirely by surprise. And, nope! He did not like that shit one bit. He pushed the man roughly off of him. “What the fuck is your- oh shit you’re actually kinda hot.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry! Are you hurt? I didn’t- I didn’t think it was going to go like that,” the man said.

“What did you expect to happen?” Lup said, now thoroughly confused.

Taako took the time to study the man as he and Lup argued. Well, it was more Lup arguing and him apologizing. He had shoulder-length dreads and a tastefully short beard. He was fully gothed out, with a black suit, skull patterned tie, and raven skull earrings. Taako also noticed the barest hint of fangs as he spoke. Fuckin’ nice.

“So, what’s your story? Any reason you, uh, busted into my shop, bird boy?” Taako said, almost certainly interrupting his and Lup’s conversation.

The man regarded Taako for a moment and Taako hoped he was checking him out. He fixed his tousled hair and rolled over onto his side so he could have a good look. Lup rolled her eyes.

“Um, my name is Kravitz and I’m not usually a bird. It’s just… the food here is so good and I don’t have any money-”

“You don’t have any money?” the twins asked in disbelief, gesturing at his immaculate suit.

“What, your sugar daddy’s holding out on you?” Taako asked with a giggle in his voice.

Kravitz frowned. “I don’t- I’m not- I don’t have one of those, so no. My job doesn’t really have a salary?”

Mild disbelief turned into full-fledged suspicion. What the hell was this guy talking about? “What do you even work as?” Lup asked.

Kravitz took note of the fact that she still hadn’t lowered her wand, so he had to choose his words carefully. He couldn’t exactly tell these people he was a reaper for the Raven Queen. If word got out that the literal Grim Reaper uses the powers that his Queen gifted him to get food from a local bakery, his reputation would take a massive hit. Especially since he technically doesn’t need to eat in the first place. Gods, he wanted this moment to be over.

“I work… as a… mortician.” Kravitz cringed at his own answer.

Taako rested his chin in his hand and cocked his head to the side. “Pretty sure they get paid.”

“They get paid more than us, I know that much.”

Kravitz stood. “Look, I’m sorry for the trouble and the mess. I really don’t have any money. I can find something to give you, though.”

He reached into his pockets and felt the jingling of trinkets he had collected on the job, as well as the occasional reward from the Raven Queen. He would hate to give those up, so he only pulled out a pair of earrings and a necklace he found on a previous job. They weren’t his style anyway. The earrings were both gold with sparkling rubies dangling from a chain. The necklace was probably part of that set. It was also gold, but it had several chains of dazzling rubies adorning the front. He preferred to wear cool colors, and this looks good enough to cover the losses.

“Um, is this good?”

Both twins practically ran into him to get a good look. Lup snatched up the earrings while Taako inspected the necklace. Their eyes widened as they appraised the jewelry and gave each other a look. Strings of anxiety knotted up in Kravitz’ chest. He hoped it was enough. He clutched the silver pocket watch his Queen gave him after his last job. There’s no way he’d give this one up.

“Yeah, that just about covers it, my man.” Taako said, putting the necklace on. It didn’t fit with the whole ‘flour-covered apron’ look he had going on, but Taako made it work. Taako always made it work.

Kravitz sighed in relief. “Well, if that’s it, I should probably get going.”

“Hold on a second, there’s still an issue we gotta deal with. Lup, could you uh, check out the customers out front, see how they’re doing?”

Lup looked at him, then Kravitz, then back at him. She sighed and put her wand back in her pocket. “Only because you helped me with Barry.”

Kravitz felt even more nervous with only one twin in the room. Taako eyed him up and down and Kravitz felt the need to stand up straighter under his scrutiny.

“So I take it you’re gonna be back tomorrow, yeah? You thinkin’ of going as a bird again or what?”

Kravitz cleared his throat. “No. I’d like to avoid… all of this from happening again. Thanks for taking my offer, and sorry again for… everything.”

Well damn. This guy was way too sweet. Taako was beginning to feel bad for taking advantage of the guy. What he gave them was way more than enough to cover the three cinnamon rolls he dropped. Lup would probably feed them to the birds anyway. Taako sighed dramatically, prompting Kravitz to cock his head to one side as if he’s trying to figure out if he said something wrong. Damn, he was cute. Taako strode over to the tray of cinnamon rolls and tossed Kravitz one.

“Here, since you like those so much. Look, I’ll be real with you. Since you have like no understanding of money whatsoever, I’ll be nice and let you know that this,” he gestures to the necklace, “is way more expensive than a few cinnamon rolls. Now, I’m deffo keeping it, but I figured since you’re such a hungee boy I’d make you something even better.”

Kravitz’ eyes widened and a barely subdued smile crept onto his face. “Like a chocolate cake?”

At that, Taako sported his own lopsided grin. “Yeah, fuck it. I was gonna go for dinner, too. Make a night of it y’know.”

“Taako, I-” he paused to consider his next words. “Thank you. You really don’t have to do this you know.”

“I know, there is no end to my generosity, is there?” Taako turned and searched the top shelf, pulling out a pen and clicking it a few times before walking over to Kravitz. “You got a phone, homie?”

He didn’t wait for an answer before he started scrawling his number on Kravitz’ palm. “No, but I’ll send a raven.”

Taako paused in his writing and looked up to give him another look of utter confusion and disbelief. He was met with a shit-eating grin. Taako rolled his eyes and continued writing. “You ass.”

Kravitz laughed at his own joke like a dork, and also maybe a little bit at how the pen tickled his hand. “I’ll be sure to bring you something pretty.”

Taako definitely wasn’t opposed to that. His wardrobe needed some upgrades, but he was literally doing this because Kravitz got him something too pretty. Well, that and because he’s hot.

“Just bring your cute face and you’re all set, then. Anyway, text me later, I’ll give you the details, cool?”

“Yeah,” Kravitz said, looking at the number written messily on his hand. “Cool.”

“Alright, it’s a date. Now get out of my kitchen.” Taako said, pushing him out the back door.

Even as he was being shoved out, Kravitz felt a smile, wide and genuine, on his face. That went better than he could’ve ever expected. The back alley he found himself in was a perfectly private place to portal himself back into the Astral Plane. He went to his quarters before his Queen could tease him about the dopey smile that had no plan on leaving his face any time soon. He sat at his desk and added Taako’s contact to his phone. He held the phone to his chest as he swiveled from side to side in his office chair. Then he stopped and slammed his hands on the desk.

“Wait, did he say date?”

#call-me-page #aphaceland #queercandlenights #taz #the adventure zone #taakitz #fic #submission

[hunterenough]

December 9

Notes: So sorry I’m late with this! I’ve got a chest thing going, and I ended up sleeping most of yesterday. I’ll be posting two today to keep up. Thanks to @notfunnydean for hosting the SPN Advent Calendar challenge!

December 9

Dean decided to bake again. He’d enjoyed it last week; the kneading had been soothing. Today, he’d decided on a seeded “trail bread” he figured Sammy would like and that would probably be good for sandwiches. And cinnamon rolls, just regular ones, but with frosting this time because maybe they could see if Gabe wanted to come down for breakfast, and that guy had a sweet tooth bigger than most people’s mouths. He’d gotten dressed before coming to the kitchen so he’d be ready if Cas thought it was a solid plan.

He laid out his ingredients and said the blessing spell, then got down to it, starting with the bread, as it had two pretty long rise cycles. He measured and mixed first the dry ingredients, then the wet. The act of it, the smell of the ingredients, already had his mind calming from its normally flying pace. He let all of his random thoughts float away as he dug his fingers into the bowl, blending the sticky dough into a workable ball. He added the chopped raisins and sunflower seeds, thinking about making the next loaf with cranberries and almonds.

Kneading this bread was different than kneading the last dough. The raisins were little bumps in the dough, and the sunflower seeds sometimes poked through into the skin of his palms. His thoughts settled into the rhythm of his motions.

Turn, fold, press. I love him.

Turn, fold, press. He’s an angel.

Turn, fold, press. He’s my best friend.

Turn, fold, press. But that kiss.

Turn, fold, press. I can pretend.

Turn, fold, press. Until he leaves.

The last thought didn’t make him want to punch something like it usually did. It just left him feeling...empty. He gently covered the dough to rise. The more he got to spend time with Cas like he had yesterday, the less fine he felt when they were apart. Like for a few minutes, he had all the pieces of his heart in one place, then when he as gone again, he felt the loss more deeply for knowing what right should feel like.

I’ve been doing it for years.

Yeah dude, but not like this. This is so much more.

I’ll take every second I can get.

It won’t be enough. You might not survive letting him go this time, knowing what it could be.

“Fuck!” This whole personal honesty thing was exhausting. Sometimes he wished Cas was just another girl in a bar, somebody he could just forget. Loving like this was like a deep sliver at the best of times, and like a gut wound when his angel was gone. He’d tried, he’d tried so hard, to push this down with the rest of the shit he couldn’t deal with, but every time the angel touched him, or held his gaze for a few seconds longer than what was considered normal, it was like a tug on that “profound bond.”

“Okay man, you’re talking to yourself and wallowing. Either enjoy what you’ve got while you’ve got it, or push that shit down and go back to the old you. Time to make a choice.”

Dean shook his head. No contest. He glanced up and adjusted his position so he was perfectly centered under the mistletoe. If I’m going to be miserable anyway, I’d might as well make it worth it.

“Cas? You wanna keep me company while I make breakfast?”

Cas appeared a few paces away. “Hello Dean.”

Dean smiled at him. “Good morning Sunshine.” He glanced up, leading Cas to do the same. His angel’s lips quirked up at the corner. Fuck, I’m so sunk.

Cas crossed the space between them quickly. He gently threaded the fingers of one hand into the hair at the nape of Dean’s neck, and lightly gripped his hip with the other. He drew them together slowly, chest to chest. He brushed his lips over Dean’s ever so slightly, before pressing in more firmly. The kiss was tender, almost chaste, and over much too quickly, but he didn’t immediately draw back. Dean sighed out a breath and let his head tip forward to Cas’ shoulder bringing his arms up and around to link his hand at his angels’ lower back. Cas slid his hand from Dean’s hip to rest against the base of his spine, pressing the taller man even closer. After a moment, when Dean didn’t pull away, Cas let his jaw rest on soft hair.

Dean wished they could just stay like that, holding each other. Just being close, breathing the same air. If he could have one thing, for the rest of his life, one part of Cas, this would be it. He let himself linger in the quiet peace of it for a long minute before he pulled back slightly. Not pulling away, but wanting to be able to see those infinitely blue eyes.

“You don’t have to stay, if you don’t want. I mean, there’s not really much you can do to help.”

“I have nowhere else I need to be. And I’ll always choose to be with you Dean, if I have a choice.” He kept his eyes trained directly on Dean’s.

“Alright,” Getting pretty deep in here. Time to lighten the mood. He pressed a quick playful peck on the tip of his angel’s nose. “Let’s get to it then.” He grinned at Cas before finally pulling away.

“So, I was thinking, since your big brother gave us all a pretty awesome Christmas present yesterday, maybe we could return the favor by making him breakfast. Frosted cinnamon rolls? I mean, it’s not a fucking climate change, but it’s what I got.”

“If it turns out half as well as those sticky rolls did, I think Gabriel will enjoy anything you make. It’s a very good idea Dean.”

Dean blushed. Get a grip man, he just said you had a good idea, not exactly flowery prose.

“You might as well grab some coffee then. I wasn’t kidding about there not being much else for you to do but watch.” He turned back to the counter, double checking the ingredients he had laid out against the recipe he’d printed.

~~~~~

Dean was different today. He’d noticed it immediately. His soul, so brightly lit lately, had seemed...restrained. As if all of the colors it had been showing off were being held in tight. They were still there, home, safe, longing, love, but they were muted by a blanket of...resignation.

He wasn’t happy and outgoing like he’d been the past few days either. He seemed relaxed enough, but he was quiet. He’d let Cas hold him. How many times have I longed to hold him like that? To find peace for a minute not because we survived something terrible, but just because we could. The gray had faded almost completely after that, but it was still there, dulling the otherwise contented emotions rolling through his hunter.

He’d grabbed a cup of coffee and settled into a lean against the counter where he could comfortably watch Dean without being in the way. His hunter was quiet as he worked, and Cas enjoyed a peaceful hour, sipping his coffee while Dean prepared the dough for the cinnamon rolls, then punched down and kneaded another dough he had evidently started earlier in the morning. Dean glanced over at him and smiled. “Okay. We’ve got about a half hour before the next part. Wanna sit down for a few?” Cas just nodded. He poured Dean a fresh cup of coffee while the other man cleaned up a bit and washed his hands.

They sat across from each other at the table, talking about nothing in particular and enjoying their coffee while the dough rose. Cas considered mentioning his concerns about Dean’s continued use of the blessing, he could taste its effect on the coffee again this morning, but discarded the idea. He really didn’t want to bring back the heaviness that had been plaguing the hunter earlier. Besides, I haven’t even talked to Rowena. Maybe I’m worrying over nothing.

He reclaimed his viewing spot while Dean finished the preparation of the massive cinnamon rolls. When they were safely in the oven, and he was starting on the frosting, he looked over at Cas.

“You wanna ‘call’ Gabe and let him know breakfast is almost ready? But maybe wake Sam first and let him know there might be company. Not sure if he’s ready for breakfast in his jammies with guests.”

“He eats breakfast in his pajamas with me here.”

Dean stopped what he was doing and turned to Cas fully. “You’re not a guest man. You’re family. This is your home too. If you want to show up in pajamas for breakfast you’re more than welcome to, but Gabriel is company. I’m guessing Sammy will want some real clothes on.”

Cas nodded, feeling pleasantly warmed by Dean’s designation of him as a member of their little family. Especially since he hadn’t claimed Cas as a brother. Gabe may be okay to invite for breakfast, but Cas got pajama privileges. Maybe if I actually had pajamas….

~~~~~

Sam came to breakfast showered and fully dressed. Dean nudged Cas’s shoulder with his own, gestured with head toward his brother and mouthed “See?” Made my point for me, thank you very much.

“I’m just gonna frost these, then we’ll be ready. You call Gabe yet?”

“Gabriel, Dean has made fresh cinnamon rolls if you would like to join us for breakfast.”

Gabriel appeared in the seat next to Sam. “Dean baked?”

“What the hell are you wearing man?” Dean asked, pointing at the archangel’s sweater. It was green and had Santa’s sleigh, all nine reindeer included, appliqued on the front.

“This, is my favorite Christmas sweater. Watch.” Gabe pressed a spot on his chest and suddenly the kitchen was filled with the sound of jingle bells. Rudolph’s nose was blinking brightly. Tiny, tinny voices started singing, and Gabe sang along. “You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?” Dean looked at Cas, slightly horrified, and Cas just shrugged.

Sam groped at the front of Gabriel’s sweater. “Nope. No. I haven’t had enough coffee yet for this.” The sweater kept singing, unaccompanied, for a moment while Gabriel tried to stare Sam down.

Finally, he huffed and turned the sweater back off. “Fine. Grinch. Back to the important stuff. Dean baked cinnamon rolls? Is he possessed by the ghost of Betty Crocker or something?”

Dean flushed and turned to grab plates and silverware.

“Dean is actually quite an accomplished home chef. Last week he made maple pecan cinnamon rolls, and a two days ago it was apple cinnamon muffins, yesterday, Belgian waffles, all from scratch.”

Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “Huh. Should I be disappointed that you haven’t invited me down before now?”

“You should. They were all delicious. To be honest, I wouldn’t have invited you today, but Dean wanted to thank you for snow.”

Dean was blushing from the praise rather than embarrassment now. Cas stuck up for me. And he likes my cooking! He plated the cinnamon rolls and gestured Cas to grab a seat at the table.

“Liked that did you? You’re in luck, it’s here all month. I had to make it look like a real weather pattern.” Dean placed plates in front of Sam and Gabriel while Cas refilled everyone’s coffee. Gabriel just waved him off, leaning over the plate and groaning.

“Dude, no porn sounds. It’s bad enough when those two do it.” Sam gave Dean a sidelong glance.

Gabriel looked like he wanted to say something but his mouth was full of cinnamon roll. Dean flipped Sam off, grabbed the other two plates and sat down. Cas joined him with their coffee.

The table was quiet for a bit while everyone started on the cinnamon rolls. Dean counted himself lucky that he didn’t get to watch Cas eat today. Being horny at the breakfast table with your brother present was awkward, with Gabriel it would be downright unpleasant. Even without the sight though, Cas’ occasional hums of pleasure had him squirming.

“Wait. You’re eating?” Gabriel was gesturing at Cas with a hunk of roll. A glob of frosting fell off, only to be reclaimed. “I thought you said all you could taste was molecules.”

“Recently, I’ve discovered that some foods can be quite delicious.”

“I’m guessing it doesn’t hurt that they’re prepared by the man, the myth, the legend, Dean Winchester.” Gabriel leaned toward Cas and gave him an exaggerated wink.

“Gabriel, if you can’t control yourself, I’m going to dissuade Dean the next time he’s considering inviting you to join us. Who knows what you’ll be missing out on.”

Gabriel mimed zipping his lips and hunched over his plate. Sam huffed out a laugh.

When breakfast was finished, Gabriel had somehow managed to consume three cinnamon rolls, and Dean had the loaf of trail bread in the oven, they migrated to the crates.

“Ooh. I have to admit, I’m jealous. Cassie finally deigns to have a family Christmas and I’m not invited.” Gabriel pouted. His sad face had nothing on Sam’s puppy dog face. Dean wasn’t moved.

“I might feel bad about leaving you out if you hadn’t killed me a couple hundred times.” Truthfully, if Gabe had been living with them, he would have been included, but the archangel only really showed up when he wanted to.

“I thought we’d moved past that.”

“We did, right to the point where I invite you to breakfast.”

“I accept that. Those cinnamon rolls were spectacular. I’d take those over presents any day.”

Cas looked like he wanted to say something, but Dean gestured he and Sam toward the gifts. He spoke as they unwrapped. “I know you can get music on your phone or whatever, but we change phones all the time, and that takes data and stuff. And I know your iPod bit the dust Sam. And Cas has never had an mp3 player. These can connect to bluetooth speakers or headphones or whatever, and you can listen to the radio and audio books too.  Plus, you can expand them with memory cards. I kinda like that the little cards are like tapes, you know?” Dean blushed slightly. “Anyway, Sam, I’ve got an entire hard drive full of music you can dig through if you want. Cas I gave you a head start. Not all of it is approved for play in the Impala, but there’s some really good stuff on there.”

“Dean, did you make Cassie the modern version of a super jumbo mixtape?” Gabriel looked gleeful. Come to think of it, Sam kinda did too.

“What’s he gonna do with an empty mp3 player? I know he gets bored at night, I just thought I’d get him started, and we can add to it as he figures out what he likes.” Dean was full on blushing at this point, all the way down his throat.

“Thank you Dean. I did enjoy Zepp Traxx cassette. I’m eager to see what you’ve picked to put on here.”

“Wait, Dean’s given you a mixtape before? You’ve been holding out on me little brother.”

“Why do you keep calling it a mixtape? This isn’t even on a cassette.”

“Oh Cassie, come with me. We are going to have a chat about the human significance of music with a special emphasis on the children of the eighties.”

Cas looked confused, but smiled when he met Dean’s eyes. Dean didn’t know what to think about Gabriel’s pending lecture. He at once wanted to prevent it and eavesdrop.

“Thank you very much for the gift Dean. I look forward to adding to my musical collection with you in the future.” He was still smiling at Dean when Gabriel grabbed his wrist and they popped out of the room.

Sam was shaking his head and grinning evilly at Dean. I’m sure that gave him about a month’s worth of ammunition.

“One word about mixtapes and I’ll take back my library. I’m sure you could dig up music on your own, but this has almost a full terabyte of carefully cataloged, properly tagged and titled music on it. Your choice man.” Dean waved the external hard drive in front of Sam’s face.

Sam didn’t turn down the evil of his grin, but he also didn’t mention the forbidden word. “Thanks Dean, for the new player and for the music. I’m sure it won’t mean nearly as much as a carefully curated playlist, but it will sure save me a shit ton of time.

Dean just growled as Sam sauntered out of the kitchen.

~~~~~

After ribbing him mercilessly about getting a mixtape from his boyfriend for ten solid minutes, not letting Cas get a word in edgewise, Gabriel had finally settled in to deliver a relatively (for Gabriel) serious dissertation on music and humanity.

“Music is everything Cassie. People identify with it on a soul deep level. A song means something. And it’s a little bit different for each person, but the overall feeling, that’s something humans can share without too much explanation. There’s a song for everything. Bad break up? Check. Hurting from your divorce? Check? Had too much to drink and you can’t remember what happened? Check? Feeling lonely? There’s like a million for that. But Love? Cas, there’s a song for every shape and size of love. Falling in love for the first time, realizing you’re in love and you hadn’t before, still being in love years later, loving someone long distance, wanting to spend a million lifetimes with your love, loving someone and not knowing how they feel about you...if you can feel it, there’s a song for that.” Gabriel had paused for a deep breath. Cas hadn’t wanted to interrupt.

“Some humans save music for the big things...celebrations, funerals, whatever...But for some people, and I’m guessing your hunter is one of them, music is like a running commentary on life for them. Certain songs are tied to specific memories, sure, but generally, it’s just the easiest way to share a feeling with somebody.

And theme songs? Don’t even get me started. Every couple in the world has a song they’ll happily tell you is ‘their song.’ Something that they bonded over, or that they agree perfectly describes their relationship. And not just romantic couples, sometimes a family has a song, or a song between a parent and a child, or best friends. I’d bet a hundred souls that if you asked Sam and Dean, separately, what their song was, they’d have an answer, and extra ten says they same the same thing.”

Cas finally broke in. “I don’t bet with souls Gabriel. And the significance of ‘mixtapes’?”

“It’s a whole thing. I mean really you’d actually have to have been a teenager in the 80’s or early 90’s to understand, but it’s… It’s like writing a letter. The person making the mixtape has this idea in mind and they choose songs that can tell the right story. I mean, sure, some of them are just a collection of favorite songs copied to a single cassette. But the good ones, the ones that really gave the word mixtape some weight, were full of carefully selected songs, designed to invoke a certain mood. And if you gave a mixtape to someone, it meant something. You might give a mixtape full of empowering songs to your best friend if they were going through something, or happy songs to a friend who just lost their dog. And if you loved somebody? You definitely put together a collection of your favorite love songs for them. It’s the first thing most people think of when they hear the word. It became synonymous with couple-hood. If you didn’t have a mixtape, you couldn’t be a real couple.”

“So if Deano gave you a mixtape, whatever was on it, it meant that he wanted to share something with you, something important to him. And today’s gift-bomb? Gigabytes of music that he personally chose because he wanted you to hear it. It’s like a road map to his feelings. Can we listen?” Gabriel snapped his fingers and produced a speaker.

“I’m beginning to think this might be a very personal experience.”

“Cassie, you have the social aptitude of a toddler gorilla and the emotional maturity of a prepubescent girl. You’re about ten times more likely to misinterpret than you are to get it right. Please Castiel, let me help you.”

He looked so earnest, but Cas had been fooled by Gabriel more times than he could count. “I don’t trust you.”

“I promise not to tease you or Dean about it. I promise not to even tell anyone about it. You can wipe my memory if you want, I’ll let you in. Or you can bind me to it if you don’t trust me to even do that.”

“I’ll bind you.”

“Can you do it so I’m not busting at the seems to tell everyone? You know how I am with secrets.”

“Yes Gabriel. I’ll do it so you want to keep the secret.”

Cas completed the spell quickly, then pulled the mp3 player from his pocket. He plugged in the speaker and powered on the device. There was a list of titles, but they didn’t look like song titles or artists. Gabriel was reading over his shoulder

“Oh my Dad, I was right. This thing is like a whole box of mixtapes in a pocket sized package. Each of these is a separate playlist.” Cas tilted his head in confusion. “Like a mixtape in digital form. ‘Baby Approved Music’, gonna guess that’s classic rock. ‘Guilty Pleasures’, probably music he likes but doesn’t want anyone to know he likes. ‘Down and Dirty’, ooh, that one could be fun, songs that get Deano in the mood for sexy times. ‘Drinking in the Dark’, I’d avoid that one unless one of you is really depressed. Wait, we have a winner! ‘For Cas.’ Jackpot. If you ever wondered how he feels about you, you’re about to get your answer.”

The archangel navigated into the playlist and started reading through the songs. His grin got wider and wider. “Oh Cassie, that boy has got it bad for you.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“It means he’s in love with you.”

“There’s no possible way you could ascertain that based on a list of song titles.”

“Yes, there really is. I Think I’m in Love, One Call Away, You and I, I Love You More Than You Think, Stand By Me, Part of My Plan...He’s literally spelled it out for you. You know what? You’re never going to believe me. Wait right here.” Gabriel disappeared and reappeared a minute later with Sam in tow.

“Dammit Gabe, we could have walked. Hey Cas.”

“Ok, Sam has agreed to let you rifle through his brain for a second so you can pull out some social skills. Specifically, how to listen to the meaning of music instead of just hearing it. I’m going to listen in here to make sure he gets it right.”

“He said this won’t hurt. This won’t hurt right?”

“If you’re offering information willingly, and you aren’t blocked by a spell or something, it won’t hurt. Given the subject matter, it should be painless, though, if I’m understanding correctly, it may invoke memories.”

“And I’ll know what you see, I mean, so we can be sure Gabe isn’t showing you something that isn’t up here?” He tapped the side of his head.

“Yes. It will be like a very rapid movie.”

“Sounds good. Let’s do this.” Sam seemed excited by the prospect, though Cas couldn’t imagine why.

“Great.” That was Gabriel’s only warning before he’d grabbed the wrist of each man and started the show. Cas was glad to have an angel’s capacity for multichannel processing, because he was suddenly flooded with information and feelings. Every song Sam had ever heard, Cas was reliving with full audio and emotional input. He certainly hoped Sam was getting a tuned down version, or he’d be left with an incredible headache. In an instant, he had a new perspective on the songs he’d heard over his years on earth with the Winchesters. Gabriel released his wrist. He held onto Sam’s for a second longer, before releasing him too.

“Took care of that headache for you Samsquatch. Did I give Cassie an accurate lesson?”

“Fuck! That was… let’s save that for really important things ok?” He looked like he was ready to tip over. “But yeah, from what I actually saw it was dead on. Now I need to listen to like ten hours of happy songs, but I think you got the idea.”

“Thank you Sam. To be honest, I’m feeling a bit like that myself. Might I suggest ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’?”

Sam chuckled. “I think you got it down. Happy listening I hope.” Sam stumbled out of the room.

“Given my new understanding, I’m going to have to insist that I listen to these on my own Gabriel.”

“Fine. At least I got a peek. But if you have any questions, or you just want to share the contents of that ‘Down and Dirty’ playlist, remember I’m still bound.”

“Thank you. Now go.”

“You owe me another breakfast little brother.”

“Goodbye Gabriel.”

“Ungrateful little wretch.” With that mumbled, Gabriel disappeared.

Cas had never looked forward to a long lonely night in the bunker more.

#spnadventcalendar2018

[katrandomtiger]

Burnt Sugar

Read it on AO3

Please consider this an apology for my last two sobfests ;)

Jesse and Gabe return from a horrible botched mission just in time for Gabe to have a nice chat with the Strike Commander over a very important event he forgot.

Warning: Food mention and excessive fluff

“Well… that could have definitely gone better,” McCree stated as he drug his sorry ass out of the jet.

Gabriel just grunted in response, his back spasmed he unloaded supplies from their last, and not so great, mission in Moldova.

“Look at it this way, kid; nobody died during the mission this time.”

“I mean true but- Oh shit, here comes Morrison,” Jesse grumbled. Sure enough stomping down the concourse was the oh so great Strike Commander, Jesse threw Gabriel a sympathetic glance before high tailing it to his quarters.

Gabriel groaned before dropping his gear in one of the rolling carts and turning to face the fast-approaching asshole. For once Morrison wasn’t in his usual uniform coat, which meant he was going to be even whinier that they interrupted one of his few precious days off.

“Reyes,” he grunted, coming to a full stop in front of the Blackwatch Commander, “A word in your office. Now.”

It took everything in his power not to beat the smug look of the Strike Commander’s face as the pair trudged off in towards the office, Gabriel privately bemoaned the further delay of a shower as they brushed through the doorway into his tiny mess of an office. His posture immediately tensed as he turned to Morrison, his face drawn into a scowl as he awaited the lecture over the botched mission.

What he was not ready for was being pulled into a soft kiss by a pair of arms wrapped gently around his waist. It took Gabe a moment to collect himself before he looped his arms around his husband’s shoulders and reciprocated.

“Thought you were going to be pissed about Moldova,” he muttered against Jacks lips before kissing him again.

Jack hummed as he untucked Gabriel’s shirt, his hands slid up to knead the sore muscles at his waist and lumbar, “I am, but that can wait till tomorrow.”

Hand deftly worked the tension out of Gabriel’s back until he was leaning heavily on Jack. A moan of raw pleasure escaped him as Jack worked his way further up his back, still placing kisses along his neck and jawline.

“Happy birthday to you,”

Gabriel blinked as confusion contorted his face.

“Happy birthday to you,”

Jack nipped at the side of Gabe’s neck as he slid one hand up to massage between his shoulder and the other down to knead his ass through his jeans. Gabriel moaned as Jack hit every sore spot in his body.

“Happy birthday dear Gabriel,”

Papers fell to the floor as Jack slid him back onto the desk, the hand on his ass shifted to work the muscles of his thigh as the one between his shoulders traced his shoulder blade before sliding forward to run over the softened lines of his torso. Gabriel groaned into Jack’s shoulder as both of his hands began to knead the tender muscles in his legs.

“Happy birthday to you.”

Gabriel buried his face further into Jack shirt to try and hide the look of embarrassment on his face. He’d been so caught up in this last mission he hadn’t even bothered to think about the time of year. A laugh rumbled in Jack’s chest as he stepped back.

“Did you forget your own birthday?” Jack asked, amusement coloring his words.

“No,” Gabriel lied, like a liar.

Jack smiled brightly as he went in for another kiss, this one had a bit more fire to it. Gabriel allowed himself to bask in his husband’s affection, taking note of everything he’d missed.

He slid a hand up to the back of Jack’s head; he got a haircut. Jack’s eyes looked a little bluer; did he get new contacts? The material of the shirt was a little stiff; new clothing shipment. He smelled like warm bread and sugar instead of the usual spiced cologne that permeated his office and coat; he has the day off. A hand slid down over Jack’s chest to his ribs, his heartbeat was steady and Gabe couldn’t feel his ribs; Angela changed his meds and diet again.

The one thing about the SEP that rubbed Gabriel wrong still was how different they all came out. Jack’s body held him in a constant state of fight or flight that helped him work fast and stay alert but it also gave him horrible, palpitation-inducing anxiety. It also made it horribly difficult to gain weight and keep it because his body used the energy faster than he could store it.

Gabriel, on the other hand was eerily calm most of the time, his heart rate was low and he had the patience of a saint but he worked at a slower pace and was analytical to a fault. His body burned energy at an incredibly slow rate, meaning that he wasn’t fat by any stretch of the imagination, but Jack adored how soft he was, especially in his mid-section.

Gabriel hummed as he finished his assessment and slipped his tongue into Jack’s mouth only to jerk back harshly to stare at the shit eating grin covering his face.

“Is that cream cheese frosting?” Gabriel demanded, as he gripped Jack by the collar.

“Maybe,” Jack said, stepping as close as he could between Gabe’s thighs.

“Morrison,” Gabe growled in warning.

“After you get the last of your paperwork done, you should really come up to the apartment,” Jack teased.

“What’s in the apartment?” Gabriel demanded as he jerked him closer.

“Blanket fort,” Jack whispered, pausing to raise an arm and flick Gabe’s nose, “Full of surprises.”

“And?!” Gabriel’s eyes held a wild and hungry look.

“Don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Jack suddenly rolled out of Gabriel’s grip and winked before sprinting out the door faster than Gabe could slide of the desk to follow.

“Morrison!” Gabriel hollered as he shot out the door and past a very confused ninja who happened to wander by. The following pursuit through the halls of Overwatch and Blackwatch would be something that would be told at company parties for years because it was so stupidly epic (or epically stupid).

After knocking over Reinhardt, taking off the feather boa, and throwing the bowling trophy to a random agent, Jack managed to get into their apartment just as Gabriel tackled him to the floor.

“Where is IT?!” Gabriel yelled, trying to stay in character and hold back the laugh building in his chest even as Jack wheezed under him.

“C-counter,” he managed before lapsing into another uncontrolled fit as Gabriel skidded across the kitchen and into the cabinets.

“Ah HAH!” Gabriel declared as he grabbed a plate and tore the lid off the cake pan, inside was the Morrison family carrot cake, the best and most addicting food to ever grace this Earth.

Jack eventually managed to pick himself of the floor and walk over to where Gabe was eating. He wrapped his arms around Gabe’s waist and rested his chin on his shoulder.

“Good?”

All Jack got in response was a moan and a nod. He laughed and nosed the base of Gabe’s neck before crossing the living room and sprawling on the couch.

“Now go shower, you smelly heathen.”

Gabe grumble unintelligibly before dragging himself of to the bathroom. He was pleasantly surprised to find a new oversized towel and a brigade of fancy soap waiting for him. He took his sweet time showering, enjoying the heat of the water and getting every nook and cranny clean before stepping out.

He shuffled over to the sink to brush his teeth for the first time in a week, he tried not to gag as he popped open his toothpaste and set to work chipping off whatever gunk was in there; Jack was a crazy man for kissing him. Next came the tedious and precise trimming down of his goatee with the new razor he found in the drawer. Once he was done he slipped back into the bedroom.

The air in the apartment was cool on his skin as he walked back into the living room in the new pajamas he’d found on the bed. It smelled like Jack had spent a few hours cleaning with the windows open while he baked. Warmth spread in Gabe’s chest as he rolled over the top of the couch and directly onto his human body pillow.

“You smell much better,” Jack mumbled as Gabe slid a hand across his face and pulled him into a chaste kiss.

“Mmhm, now what was this about a blanket fort of surprises?”

A soft smile warmed Jack’s face as he slid out from under his husband’s bulk. He motioned for Gabe to take his shirt of before grabbing a bottle of lotion off the table and moving to straddle his back.

The next half hour was nothing but pure unadulterated bliss for Gabriel. Broad hands worked every square inch of his back, gliding up and down the side of his spine and working out every kink in his muscles. Jack’s hands danced around even the most minor scrapes and bruises in a show of dexterity to keep Gabriel from experiencing any discomfort.

Once Jack was satisfied with his efforts to make his husband boneless he pressed both palms on either side of his spine and pushed down carefully. The resulting explosion of cracks was immediately followed by a muffled groan of relief.

“Feeling better?” Jack asked quietly as he dusted kisses across Gabriel’s shoulders, he received a slow nod in response, “Ready to build a fort?”

Gabriel turned his head so he could look up at the giant dork pinning him down to the couch, “What the hell kind of question is that? Of course I’m ready to build a goddamn blanket fort. I was born ready.”

A smile broke across the Jack’s face as he slid off and went to the guest room, “I have the supplies it in here but first I need to give you the big present.”

Gabriel watched as Jack dramatically opened the door and stepped in, the sound of him crawling on the carpet and cussing flowed out before he came back to the doorway with a large box.

“Do I get a hint?” he asked as Jack set the box in front of him.

“It’s to help clean-up your ice cream bowls you like leaving all over the place before they mold.”

Gabe huffed but held back a comment about Jack’s own habit of leaving half full glasses laying on every available surface. Carefully, he ripped through the piece of tape holding the box lid together

“Jack, no,” Gabe whispered as he peered into the box, “Jackie, no.”

Jack watched smugly as his big, mean, murder machine picked up their new tiny, furry, murder machine.

“The cat down in the kitchen had kittens,” Jack stated as he watched Gabriel cup the black kitten in his massive hands as though she were made of glass, “She doesn’t have a name yet.”

Gabriel turned to Jack with big watery eyes, he looked like a little kid who got a kitten for Christmas.

“I’ll name her Gloria,” Gabriel whispered as her turned Gloria to face him, “So when we need to get her stuff we can say it’s for Glory.”

Jack stifled a laugh as he pulled Gabe closer causing Gloria to give an indignant squeak. Both men looked at her and their hearts melted when she began to purr as loud as she could in Gabe’s arms.

And if two men of the most powerful men in the world fell asleep in a blanket fort with a tiny kitten between them and an empty pan of carrot cake on the floor, then nobody needed to know about it.

(But somehow Ana still had pictures.)

#Jack Morrison #Gabriel Reyes #Soldier76 #Reaper #reaper76 #r76 #overwatch #fanfiction #whispers from the scrapheap

[alanfromrochester]

Sourdough bread

Sourdough bread adapted from https://www.feastingathome.com/sourdough-bread

doing each step when it fits your schedule and finding a recipe that allows for that is important. The dough sits out on the counter for about 10 hours, so I often mix the dough at night to work with the next day, maybe early in the day to bake in the evening. After some handling, it rises for another hour and bakes for about a half hour, then takes about an hour to be cool enough to slice cleanly. (Other bread recipes I've seen have about 15 minutes for the latter step) It produces a round loaf of about 2 1/2 pounds.

The ingredients are yeast, flour, water and salt - it's naturally vegan, rather than using substitutes for something that usually uses animal products. Even if that's not an issue, it's nice and simple.

Equipment: 4-6 quart Dutch oven with lid (I have an aluminum one that works fine)

Parchment (I have something with both a foil layer and parchment layer - foil facing the cookware, parchment facing the food) It might say rated to 420 F or so but is okay at 450 or 500 if not left in too long.

Mixing bowls, measuring cups, kitchen towel, sharp knife. (Sourdough starter should not be in direct contact with metal; I store it in a glass bowl, stir with a wooden paddle and scoop it with plastic measuring utensils.)

Feed starter a few hours before baking (and if refrigerated, let it come to room temperature)

1. Stir 4 cups bread flour and 2 teaspoons salt together. (recipe presents option of using 3 1/2 cups with half a cup of another flour, I once did 3c with 1c wheat flour to finish a bag of the latter and that was too much) 2. Stir 1/3 cup sourdough starter and 1 7/8 cup water together. (2 tablespoons is 1/8 cup, after 1 3/4 with regular measuring cups I use a tablespoon and then stir with it. Also I might use the handle of a spoon used in step 1 to scrape starter off the cup) 3. Combine all in the same bowl. (The recipe was labeled no-knead but I often do a bit of kneading to work in the last of the loose flour after stirring.) 4. Let rest 15 minutes. Stretch dough. (with wet hand, pull one side of dough up and stop just before it breaks, fold over center. Turn bowl, do the same on other side, total about 20 seconds) Repeat in 15 minutes 5. Cover with damp kitchen towel and let rest at room temperature (65-70 F) for 9-12 hours (shorter time in warmer weather). Dough should nearly double in size (err on the side of under), expanded and flattened with a slightly domed top. Poke with floured finger to see if it mostly holds its shape. 6. Stretch, fold and shape. (Seeing the dough as a square, pull each side and fold towards center, called a package fold) At this time, preheat oven to 500 F with Dutch oven in it. (I sometimes bake something else at a lower temperature in the meantime and when that's done, the oven quickly came up to 500 and I wasn't heating it all that time without food in it.) Loosen dough from bowl with damp hands. Grab dough on each side, lift about a foot and place back down, folding on top of itself. Turn bowl, wait a minute and repeat. You can repeat that in 20 minutes. Then place in parchment lined bowl (a metal bowl worked fine), let rise in the fridge for an hour. * For handling dough with wet hands I might rinse the bowl used in 2, put water in it and dip into that

7. Score Pull heated Dutch oven out of oven. Put parchment with dough in it in Dutch oven. Cut top of dough ball with a quick slash of an oiled blade (I drizzled canola oil on a regular small knife, some bakers get more artful with the slash pattern).

8. Bake (This is much hotter than most recipes so be extra careful about how much and how long you touch even with good potholders or oven mitts)

With lid on Dutch oven for 20 minutes at 500 F (or 25 minutes at 450 F) - then without lid for 15 minutes at 450 F (10 minutes for a softer crust) - until very deeply golden brown Put on cutting board for an hour before slicing. (I generally slice a bit off each side or at least 2 opposite sides, to get a rectangle to work with. I will invariably eat some while I'm slicing, especially crooked slices. So I make sure to not be too full before it's ready. I'm also like that with block cheese.)

(Rinsing and soaking dirty dishes ASAP even if not washing them right away makes cleanup much more manageable, especially since flour and water is like glue. Using baking parchment means that surface needs little if any cleaning, but I rinse down the pot with cold water so nobody gets burned on it before it's been sitting in the kitchen long enough to air cool. This generates much steam so don't stand directly over it.)

#recipes #cooking #baking #food #bread

[allinyellow]

Food banks to food blogs

Hello! It has been years since I’ve written a blog post of any sort so don’t take this too seriously – it’s not going to be perfect. I probably won’t even proof read it. It’s not that kind of thing. Writing this comes from a place of care, a strong to desire to help people which I lead my life by, and a (small amount) of knowledge, know-how and dampened spirits which I am trying to lift by sharing this rambling article. Whether anyone reads it, whether it is of any use, I can’t really know until I try. But if it helps just one person, even if just easing their anxieties a little, then I am glad.

I won’t bore you with my experiences of poverty; all the shame and dark bits of my life. I am now lucky enough to be writing this from a place of privilege in the comfort of my bed on my very expensive (although second-hand) laptop. Unlike the millions in this country who drag their children to the library computers or use a tiny mobile phone screen to apply for benefits and jobs; a horrendous and grueling process. Regardless, times like these can bring on severe bouts of anxiety for a lot of people, and especially those who have already lived through times of hardship. For those of us who have experienced poverty, and all its misfortunes, we are no stranger to hoarding tinned foods and saving up jars of pennies we find behind the sofa for when we need to put a few quid on the leccy metre if we can scrape enough together.

What follows are just a few things, tips, recipes etc, for when times are hard. If you’ve got access to an oven, a microwave, a few jars of herbs and spices, and even got hold of a few cooking utensils like bread tins or a pan or two, just take a moment to appreciate them. Such simple, taken-for-granted things are what stands between a poor woman and feeding her kids a warm, healthy meal. We are the lucky ones.

DONATING TO FOODBANKS:

Find your nearest foodbank here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

How do foodbanks work?

FOODBANKS SUPPLY EMERGENCY, SHORT-TERM RELIEF.

Food vouchers.

In order to get help from a foodbank, potential recipients must be issued with food vouchers. Each foodbank works with different sorts of professionals (such as social workers, citizens advice bureau, doctors) who will make referrals using what is called a food voucher. Once a person is referred, they take their voucher to the nearest food bank where it is swapped for three days emergency food supplies (written in a nutshell).

If you think you need help from a foodbank:

Locate your nearest branh using the finder above. Email or telephone to explain your situation. They will tell you which professionals/referral agenices they work with closest to you and how to go about getting a food voucher. Processes will differ regionally.

When you have received your voucher, take it to the branch. There is no judgement and you will be welcomed. You will receive a food parcel in exchange for your voucher.

What is in a food parcel?

Usually non-perishable items such as pasta, rice, pulses, tinned tomatoes, and the like. Many will provide sanitary items if they are available. They also try to work with dietary requirements. You will be looked after.

How can I help?

If you would like to donate to a food bank, consider checking what your local bank is most in need of here by giving them a call. However, any donation of non-perishable items are always gratefully received. You can also donate money directly here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/make-a-one-off-donation/

Moving on…

YOUR ABOLUTE COOKING ESSENTIALS:

Garlic and white onions. No great meal ever started without these. Facts.

Tinned tomatoes. No brainer. About 29p.

Tomato ketchup can be used in place of tomato puree.

Kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils – any sort of pulse can be used to bulk out almost any meal. An extra meal for tomorrow, cooked at the same time. 30-50p. (Also, chickpeas are the god of all things tinned)

Tin of baked beans. Just buy the cheapest ones (20p?) and rinse off the grim tomato sauce if you want to be fussy. Just run it under the cold tap and chuck them in a pan of whatever it is you’re cooking. Good.

Salt – I can’t live without it and you probably can’t either.

Flour. Plain flour. You can still make a banging loaf of bread without special bread flour.

Sugar. I put a little bit of sugar into almost everything I make with a liquid base. It should be a crime not to do this. In the worst of times, sugar can (at least try to) make the worst meal into something much more palatable.

All-purpose curry powder – if you aren’t fortunate enough to have a nice stock of herbs and spices tucked away, a simple curry powder is paprika, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, and cumin all rolled into one. Life saver against a drab, tasteless background of rice and spinach.

Fast-action dried yeast. Can be bought in sachets or the little tubs – would recommend investing in a tub if you are able to. Making your own bread is cheap and cheerful, quells the anxiety of ‘what if the shops run out of bread?’ and it smells delicious. Your whole street will smell delicious. (Unless you live in Nottingham, in which case, hard luck. It will still stink).

Stock cubes. 12 for about 50p. You won’t regret it. There are so many uses for them.

BREAD – NO BREAD FLOUR RECIPE

7g yeast/1 sachet

1tsp sugar (caster if you have it)

500g plain flour

1tsp fine salt

290ml of warm water

something to grease the tin with

Sugar, yeast, water in a bowl. Stir. Leave 10 mins or until a bit foamy.

Sift flour into bowl and add salt. Stir to equally distribute. Add liquid mixture. Form a dough, then knead for 15-20 minutes. This is what’s necessary to form the gluten (elasticity!) that lacks in plain flour over proper strong bread flour. Just needs a bit of elbow grease!

Shape the dough and place in baking receptacle – can just put it on oven tray if needs be. Grease some cling film and cover dough with it; leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour/until doubled in size. If you don’t have any cling film, chuck the dough in a bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Transfer to baking receptacle when risen. Bake at 200C or gas 6 for 20 minutes/until golden.

HOMEMADE CRUMPETS (how very Blighty of me)

300g plain flour

2 tbsp yeast

1tbsp bicarbonate of soda (makes the bubbles)

300ml of milk (can use whatever milk or milk substitute you like – I use soya)

200ml warm water

salt and pepper

chuck all dry ingredients into a bowl and mix to evenly distribute. Mix together water and milk in a separate jug. Make a well in centre of dry ingredients and pour in the jug contents. Stir to form a loose batter – a bit like pancakes – cover and leave to rise in a warm place for an hour.

Gently heat frying pan. Use egg rings if you have any, or fold up some tin foil until sturdy and shape into a circle. Use these as rough shapers for the batter. Put 3 tbsp of batter into each ring and leave to cook for about 12 minutes. Don’t flip them over until the last of the batter on the top has solidified.

My grandma’s “Poor People Food”

If you’re a meat-eater (I no longer am, but my GOD do I miss this), chop up some gently fried sausages, some white onions, and slice some potatoes. Chuck them on a baking tray, drench in gravy, bang in oven for half an hour. Lovely. If you’re one of the greatest people on earth, add some marmite/yeast extract (the ASDA one tastes exactly like the real thing). In fact, add marmite to anything. Add it to a tomato-based sauce along with some cumin and paprika. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

Also, add any sorts of herbs and spices to this if you have any to spare. Rosemary especially. Pepper. Thyme. Anything. Oh, and sprinkle some stuffing mix (28p) on top of it all. You will not regret that.

HOMEMADE PASTA

In the event of the entire world running out of pasta, you can make your own out of two ingredients. Dead easy, and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 8 weeks.

424g plain flour

4 large-ish eggs (or 5 tiny ones)

On a large and clean surface, pile the flour into a mound. Create a well-type shape in the centre and crack all the eggs into it. Using your (clean!!!!!!) hands, gently break the yolks of the eggs and begin incorporating the flour, starting from the outside edges of the mound in order to keep all the runny bits contained. Bit gross, but get over it. Once a dough forms, knead with your palms into a smooth, yellow dough. Should take about 5 minutes. If it’s very dry, you can add a bit of water but I seriously mean A BIT. Wrap tightly in cling film and chuck it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Remove from fridge and cling-film and cut into 4 pieces. Flour a work surface and roll it out until it is as thin as humanly possible. Proper pasta making people will use a machine but I don’t have one of those and you probably don’t either. They also look like hell to use – see Hell’s Kitchen season 3 for further reference. Shape it however you like. Different pasta shapes work best for different things but you won’t care much for that if you just want to eat. I also don’t know how to make it into those big ass shells (Conchiglie incase any potential pasta snobs are reading) which are objectively the best pasta shapes so my input would therefore be worthless.

YOU CAN MAKE GLUTEN-FREE HOMEMADE PASTA!!

150g chickpea/gram flour. (Available in big supermarkets OR in world-food stores – support local!!)

2 eggs

1tsp oil

Pinch of salt

SIFT YOUR GRAM FLOUR into a bowl. Otherwise it WILL clump and you WILL be sad. Crack eggs into middle again. Add oil and salt. Form dough – same as above. Too dry? Bit of WARM water. Too sticky? Bit more gram flour. Everything else is as above.

Fresh pasta can be boiled for 3-5 minutes. Dried pasta 10 minutes.

VEGAN/VEGETARIAN BEAN THING

Remember what I said about onions and garlic? And about marmite? And about baked beans?

Grab a pan and lightly fry a white onion (chopped however you like) and some minced garlic. I would say how much garlic, but no one in history has ever followed garlic guidelines so just do what you want. I say lightly fry because otherwise the onion will overpower everything else – but maybe you want that, so just ignore me. After five minutes, chuck in some tinned chopped tomatoes. Add salt, bit of sugar, veggie stock cube, teaspoon of marmite, cumin, paprika. Also add half a tin of water. Leave for 10-15 minutes until it looks glossy. Then, chuck in some red kidney beans and some baked beans. In fact, add any kind of beans you like. The more, the merrier. Rinse well to wash off the tinny taste and the not-so-nice sauce if there is any. Levae simmering for 10 minutes. Can be enjoyed on its own like a stew (add some diced and cooked potatoes with the beans for this!), or pour over rice and enjoy like a curry. It’s like a hug for your tummy. Makes approx. 4 servings at about 30-40p each.

I’ve kind of got to a point where I feel a little bit silly still typing away at something like this, so I will stop now. If anyone has read this far and wants to know some more, I know so many recipes you can make out of basically nothing. I’m happy to share everything I know with anyone, I just fear ridicule a little bit, I suppose. Also, if you’re struggling to come to terms with everything going on right now and you just want to chat, then my messages are always open to everyone and anyone. I can talk poverty, I can talk grief, I can talk absolute garbage if you’re just looking to forget the world for a few minutes. I will always be here for you. There is no shame in struggle, there is no shame in poverty, there is no shame in being scared. And there is absolutely, never ever, any shame in reaching out.

In the meantime, look after each other. The world is such a scary place and it can feel so lonely, even at the best of times. Us people are built to take care of one another, to be around each other, so the prospect of isolation is understandably terrifying (even for me, who usually claims to hate e v e r y b o d y). But I don’t hate people. I don’t have enough energy for that. I think a few people out there (perhaps rightly) think that I can’t stand them. I have made myself a few enemies over the years. But in these strange times, I’d just like to take a second to say that it is all water under the bridge for me, and I hope for you too.

Look after your friends, your family, your grandparents especially. You don’t know what you’ve got until they’re gone. I’ve never quite been able to recreate my grandma’s “poor people food” or my granddad’s special stew (although I think the secret ingredient was probably Guinness. And Marmite. Definitely Marmite).

Be excellent to each other x

#food poverty #food banks #coronavirus #anxiety #stockpiling #cheap recipes

[gardencityvegans]

Emilie Raffa’s Everyday Sourdough & Spicy White Bean Arugula Dip

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I haven’t consciously marked many milestones in my life as a home cook. My learning curve has unfurled slowly and gradually: a day comes when something I used to struggle with suddenly feels like habit, or I realize that a process I used to dread is no longer a big deal. Many of these moments have had to do with baking, simply because it’s more technical and less intuitive (for me) than cooking always has been.

2017 has been the year of bread. I started making my own bread regularly for the first time in my life, inspired by Alexandra Stafford’s amazing Bread, Toast, Crumbs, and then spurred on by The New Laurel’s Kitchen (which is full of good instruction). I’d feared homemade bread-baking for years, intimidated by overly technical advice and anxieties about whether I’d have the right sense of timing and intuition.

This year, I’ve learned that, to quote Julia Turshen, “yeast is just an ingredient,” and there’s nothing so scary about kneading or shaping dough. I’ve come to love the feel of dough in my hands. I love sitting back and watching it do its thing: resting, rising, and turning a deep golden shade in the oven.

Bread baking found me at the right time. I started cooking from Ali’s book just as I was processing the loss of a long-term relationship. I was bereft, and baking kept me company. It gave me something to do, and it presented me with a constant series of new challenges, each satisfying yet incremental enough enough to be manageable.

Most of all, it gave me bread. Loaf after tender, fragrant loaf. I can’t think of too many things that I cam as consistently happy to eat than bread or toast, and all of the things you can serve with them (dip, soup, etc.).

Through all of this, I’ve told myself that yeasted breads are within my reach, but sourdough isn’t for me. Sourdough is for serious bread bakers, those who know the ins and outs of autolysing and levains and scoring and hydration. I follow countless sourdough Instagrammers, but to some extent that has only made me more intimidated, rather than less.

Still, I haven’t been able to shake the itch to give sourdough a whirl, and the work of many women—Cheri Litchfield and Sarah C. Owens among them—has given me the ongoing encouragement I need. It was Cheri who reminded me that, no matter how technical sourdough-making can be, it’s also a time-honored method that home cooks have been practicing for hundreds of years.

I’ve known this for a while, but I needed someone to walk me through it—a warm, friendly, accessible guide. Enter Emilie Raffa.

You might know Emilie as the author of the Clever Carrot blog, where she shares wholesome and hearty comfort food recipes. She’s also an accomplished bread maker, and her new book, Artisan Sourdough Made Simple, is a loving tribute to the ins and outs of bread making. It is the most accessible, down-to-earth resource I’ve ever seen about sourdough (having purchased and left dormant a number of much more technical books).

I have Emilie to thank for the fact that, as of last week, I’ve been baking fresh sourdough every other morning, tearing it into hunks and dipping it in soup, using it for toast, slicing it up for sandwiches, and sharing gleefully it with my neighbors and friends.

It’s hard for me to say how gratifying it has been—not just the amazement I felt when I realized that I could do it, but also the sensation of empowerment that baking one’s own bread can bestow. It’s so gratifying to create a staple food from nothing but flour, water, and salt. I see more than ever why the process becomes so intoxicating over time. And I see that sourdough isn’t a project for master bakers. It really can be simple, intuitive, and fun.

I’ll be sharing Emilie’s foundational recipe for everyday sourdough in this post, along with a tasty dip to dunk your slices into. But I want to emphasize that the whole book is invaluable, especially if you’re new to sourdough. Emilie walks you through every step of the process, including creation of a starter, with simple instructions and useful cues. If you want to start baking regularly, you’ll want to read everything she has to say.

And reading it won’t overwhelm you. This book is neither dense nor dry. Emilie is happy to leave out certain techniques or terms, assuring readers that they don’t need to know everything about sourdough in order to get started. She gives you exactly as much information as is necessary for beginners. I don’t doubt that I’ll keep wanting to learn about this process, but as a novice I felt so grateful that Emilie was able to help me separate the essentials from the graduate level stuff.

Along with the book, Emilie shared with me a package of her dried starter, which is named Dylan, after her son. Dylan is the offspring of Priscilla, a robust starter that Emilie’s friend Celia shipped to her all the way from Australia years ago. Starter, she says, is meant to be shared. Using Emilie’s dried starter means that I didn’t need to grow my own from scratch; within 3 days, I had a jar that was well-fed, bubbly and ready to go.

At the end of today’s post, after the recipe, I’ll be offering a chance for a US or Canadian reader to win a copy of the book and a package of Emilie’s dried starter. Together, they’re everything you need to get started with your own loaves. For now, though, I want to share Emilie’s incredible, practically no-knead everyday sourdough recipe, along with her zippy, garlicky, oh-so-simple recipe for white bean arugula dip!

Emilie Raffa's Everyday Sourdough

Print

Recipe type: side

Cuisine: vegan, no oil, soy free, tree nut free

Author: Emilie Raffa

Serves: 1 loaf

Every baker needs an all-purpose, go-to loaf in their repertoire. And if you’re new to sourdough, this is the perfect place to start. Simply make the dough, let it rise overnight, and bake in the morning. It requires very little effort with big reward. The crust is golden and crunchy, and the velvety crumb is perfect for sandwiches and toast. Try a few thick-cut slices with creamy avocado and tomato or the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich you will ever sink your teeth into. This is my family’s favorite loaf.

Ingredients

Baker’s Schedule:

Thursday–Saturday: Feed your starter until bubbly and active.

Saturday Evening: Make the dough, and let rise overnight.

Sunday Morning: Shape the dough, let rise again, score, and bake.

Ingredients

50 g (1⁄4 cup) bubbly, active starter

350 g (11⁄3 cups plus 2 tbsp) warm water

500 g (4 cups plus 2 tbsp) bread flour 9 g (11⁄2 tsp) fine sea salt

Instructions

Make the Dough: In the evening, whisk the starter and water together in a large bowl with a fork. Add the flour and salt. Combine until a stiff dough forms, then finish mixing by hand to fully incorporate the flour. The dough will feel dense and shaggy, and it will stick to your fingers as you go. Scrape off as much as you can. Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes. Replenish your starter with fresh flour and water, and store according to preference.

After the dough has rested, work the mass into a fairly smooth ball. To do this, grab a portion of the dough and fold it over, pressing your fingertips into the center. Repeat, working your way around the dough until it begins to tighten, about 15 seconds.

Bulk rise: Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let rise overnight at room temperature. This will take about 8 to 10 hours at 70°F (21°C). The dough is ready when it no longer looks dense and has doubled in size.

Shape: In the morning, coax the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. To shape it into a round, start at the top and fold the dough over toward the center. Turn the dough slightly and fold over the next section of dough. Repeat until you have come full circle. Flip the dough over and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, line an 8-inch (20-cm) bowl with a towel and dust with flour. With floured hands, gently cup the dough and pull it toward you in a circular motion to tighten its shape. Using a bench scraper, place the dough into the bowl, seam side up.

Second rise: Cover the bowl and let rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The dough is ready when it looks puffy and has risen slightly but has not yet doubled in size.

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit the size of your baking pot, leaving enough excess around the sides to remove the bread.

Score: Place the parchment over the dough and invert the bowl to release. Sprinkle the dough with flour and gently rub the surface with your hands. Using the tip of a small, serrated knife or a razor blade, score the dough with the cross-cut pattern on page 195, or any way you’d like. Use the parchment to transfer the dough to the baking pot.

Bake: Bake the dough on the center rack for 20 minutes, covered. Remove the lid, and continue to bake for 30 minutes. Then, carefully remove the loaf from the pot and bake directly on the oven rack for the last 10 minutes to crisp the crust. When finished, transfer to a wire rack. Cool for 1 hour before slicing.

Sourdough is best consumed on the same day it is baked. To maximize freshness, cool completely and store at room temperature in a plastic bag for up to 1 day.

Notes

About the Dough: Because this dough rises while you’re asleep, you won’t be tempted to rush the process or check on it every five seconds to see if it’s ready. Have a look at the baker’s schedule, then make adjustments to suit your own schedule. The overnight method can be applied to most of the recipes in this book.

3.5.3226

Emilie Raffa's Spicy White Bean Arugula Dip

Print

Recipe type: dip, spread, starter

Cuisine: vegan, gluten free, soy free, tree nut free

Author: Emilie Raffa

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 2 cups

This creamy white bean dip with baby arugula is the perfect destination for a slice of artisan sourdough. It’s not only healthy, but it’s incredibly simple to make—just pulse a few times in the blender and you’re done.

Ingredients

11⁄2 cups (375 g) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 small handful of baby arugula

1⁄4 cup (60 ml) olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1⁄2 garlic clove, chopped

Pinch of red pepper flakes

Zest of 1 lemon, juice reserved

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Add the beans, arugula, olive oil, garlic, red pepper, zest, and juice of half the lemon to a blender. Season generously with salt and pepper. Pulse a few times to combine. The texture should be creamy and rustic. Taste the dip and adjust with more lemon juice or salt and pepper if needed.

Transfer the dip to a small bowl and drizzle with extra olive oil and red pepper flakes. Arrange your sourdough slices on the side, to serve for dipping.

Notes

You can also use fresh parsley or cilantro leaves in place of the arugula.

3.5.3226

Clearly, I’m over the moon about Emilie’s bread—not just the signature Everyday Sourdough, but the many other incredible loaves in this book, including Seeded Pumpkin Cranberry, Roasted Garlic and Rosemary, and Danish Rye Bread.

But it’s worth saying how awesome this dip is, too. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up in mere minutes if you’ve got a can of beans and a handful of bitter greens or herbs, certain that your friends or whoever’s coming over will polish it off. The creaminess of the beans and olive oil are offset by the bite of garlic and pepper, and the dip is so much more complex than its simple preparation would suggest.

If you’ve thought about sourdough but haven’t known where to begin, this is the book for you. And even if you’ve never made bread before, it’ll give you all the tools you need to understand the process. What Emilie teaches you will serve you with any type of bread-making, and her assortment of recipes (which span not only breads, but also crackers, rolls, desserts, and savory meals) will give you plenty of ideas about what to do with all of the marvelous loaves you’re making.

Enter below to win a copy for yourself. I’ll pick a winner two weeks from today!

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As I said, bread making has found me at the right time, and I’m so excited to continue learning and sharing about the process. Perhaps Emilie’s work will inspire you to consider making sourdough at home, as it has inspired me—and if not, I hope it’ll encourage you to pick up a loaf of bread from your local baker and slathering it with some creamy white bean dip.

Enjoy the recipes, and see you this weekend for the roundup!

xo

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