#Spaghetti with garlic and iron...

[wormchamp72]

sneak iron supplements in ur mom’s food so she doesn’t have to seek it from other sources

She is stronger than I thought...I snuck iron supplements and copious amounts of garlic in2 the dinner I made for my parents 2night, and nothing happened. Well, nothing bad, that is. My mother complimented my cooking (she said she was glad I was trying new things and that it was very grown up of me 2 take charge and cook a meal, and also that it was a very good meal)...I can't say I didn't expect that, given I am a talented cook...but it was terrifying nonetheless.

My mother even got seconds of the garlic bread and told me she was "eating for two" with a wink (obviously referring 2 the vampiric disease that has gotten ahold of her). She knows I know...is she toying with me? Playing with her food? I nearly shuddered in fear...

[op1umeyes]

to the heart

cred: @/cafekitsune

Being John’s wifewho is a badass cook and finally meets the team!!

     Your mother always said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Being married to the one and only John Price could only further confirm her statement.

     John was a military captain- forming, training, and leading men and women into missions that could very well take their lives. As well as gain muscle and a family, military folk also gained an iron stomach. At least in John’s case.

     The way he casually scooped up half the lasgma in the big pan made you wonder how he had survived off of packaged meals. John just shoveled down mouthful by mouthful as you eargerly awaited his reaction. Making something John wouldn’t like is borderline impossible, but you wanted to make only the best for the man that protected you and your loved ones in ways you couldn’t even imagine.

     When John finally asked you if you’d be open to meeting the men he unofficially adopted, you were immediately filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Your husband had refrained from the gory details of the missions he preformed but entertained you with stories of his team goofing off or doing something impressive (John was more proud of those men then he let on and you could tell). He had told you that the way he had described your cooking had the men salivating.

     You had decided to make a classic meal on the evening they were to dine with you. A simple but tasty spaghetti and meatballs dish. For the side- recipe you’d seen from Instagram- you cooked up a dozen fluffy pull-apart garlic/cheese/butter muffins (all dishes were John approved, of course, he’s eaten everything you’ve made). You debated a salad, but figured you’d just offer instead of set out a bowl in case they didn’t want any lettuce or anything.

     John pulled you out of the kitchen when he heard the sound of an engine come closer to your secluded country-side home. “They already love you with the way I talk about you, love. Don’t worry your pretty little head,” he murmured, pressing a sweet kiss to your forhead as he les you out to the porch.

     Eventually you found out John was exactly right. You greeted everyone with a hug- which was surprising to you that Simon seemed to melt into you like he hadn’t felt a good hug in years because, according to the stories John told you, Simon was anti-touch. Kyle was a sweet young man and you could tell how mich he admired John. Johnny was a handful, you observed. He immediately started taking cracks at Simon after he pulled away from the bone-breaking hug he gave you and recieved a sharp punch to the shoulder.

     “Plates and bowls are right there. Silverware’s on the table,” you said, gesturing to the respective items. “Come on, J,” you said, urging your husband up from his spot at the table.

     John carried your plate and his in one hand and weapped his hand around your waist with the other. “Are you doing alright so far, love?”

     You nodded with a bright smile. You easily got along with John’s teammates and they seemed to get along with you. And you could only hope that they liked the food you made.

     Luckily for you, though, you didn’t have to wait long for your answer.

     You were sitting down in your seat beside John when you heard a noise that sounded like a gasp and a whimper.

     Two spots to your left, the fork in Johnny’s hands shook as he chewed.

     “Is- Are you okay?” You asked skeptically. You’d avoided using any foods you’d known they were allergic to, so what was the problem? Did he not like it? Did the spaghetti go bad? Were the meatballs moldy? Did you add the wrong spices to the pull-apart muffins?

     “Lass… I need you to send me ma this recipe. I don’t- this is- serve this at my funeral, cap, bury me in this,” he babbled as he shoved forkfuls of noodles into his mouth.

     You breathed a sigh of relief, incredibly grateful for Johnny’s compliment and reaction. You looked at Simon and Kyle. To your surprise they too practically licked their playe xlean before bouncing back up to get an even bigger heap of spaghetti.

     John watched you through moist eyes and soft smile. The way you fawned over his team like a mother duckling made his heart race in ways he didn’t know was possible for a man his age. He didn’t have to tell you how much he cared for Simon, Kyle, and Johnny. You knew because you always knew- even when John couldn’t form the words to say anything. Seeing you all interact made his heart swell. John felt complete; pure, even. At times he wasn’t sure if he deserved this small but solid family, but he knew he would fight tooth and nail to protect each and every one of you.

[ninsletamain]

Fluffbruary Day 6: tie | embarrassment | dessert

My contribution to RebelCaptain Fluffbruary PLUS @quarantineddreamer's super ultra amazing fic addition below the cut!!!

The lines of code on the screen were no longer making sense. Somewhere between coffees 4 and 5 of the day they had slipped from Jyn’s grasp, gone from familiar symbols to something more akin to ancient hieroglyphics–as sure a sign as any that it was long-past time for her to take a break from her assignment. 

Reaching her arms skyward–tight knots in the muscles of her shoulders and along her spine protesting–Jyn glanced blearily at the alarm clock that perched neatly on the corner of the desk. 

Shit. Was that really the time? She scrambled to her feet, socks slipping on the linoleum floor, and threw her hair quickly into a bun. (Or what she hoped would pass for one anyways.)

Pants. I need pants. Jyn cast about the room, throwing the covers of the bed back, checking over the back of the roller-chair she’d spent the day–no, longer than that apparently–glued to, but found nothing. 

She could have sworn she had at least dropped a pair of sweatpants at the end of the bed at some point…

Cassian must have tidied up before he left (the neat freak); she hadn’t even noticed. That happened sometimes: the computer consuming her when she was locked onto a particular idea. But it shouldn’t have happened today. Today she had planned to wrap up her coursework early, surprise him… 

Okay screw the pants, Jyn decided, marching from the room towards the kitchen with all the determination of a soldier approaching the battlefield.

(If a soldier’s uniform was your boyfriend’s oversized, university sweatshirt and the fight ahead was the arduous task of preparing a meal.)

It took her more than a few tries to find everything–despite how organized Cassian kept his kitchen cabinets–but before too long Jyn was staring down at the black, glinting surface of a flawlessly seasoned cast iron pan and the looming depths of a large pot, a box of spaghetti, its matching jar of sauce, and an assortment of meat and vegetables thrown on the counter beside them. 

“I’ve got this,” Jyn muttered to herself, eyeing the recipe she’d taped to the fridge like it might grow fangs and snap at her. (Or catch fire and nearly burn the place down as had happened on her most recent foray into chefdom). “You’ve hacked into government systems before,” she continued. “This will be easy compared to that. A piece of cake, or a pot of pasta.” Hopefully anyways. 

She checked the oven clock. If she stood any chance of getting this done before Cassian (Impossibly-Punctual) Andor came home she had to start now. 

The empty apartment should have been quiet, peaceful. Instead, it suddenly seemed impossibly loud, noises swelling in her ears the longer she stood staring at the array of ingredients and tools––footsteps from the neighbor above, the distant rumble of a washing machine next door, the clicking of the fridge beside her, all clamoring in some insane harmony. 

The longer she stood there waiting (for what, she had no idea) the more power the sounds seemed to hold, quick to dredge up each and every anxious thought she had been so diligently shoving to the furthest corners of her mind since Cassian had told her of his plans to travel to Yavin…

When he cooked, Cassian always had music playing. Maybe that would help. Drown out the worry and the fear.

Jyn pulled her phone from the pocket of the red hoodie and tapped a playlist at random. Something upbeat began playing, muffled through the fabric as she tucked the phone back into the pocket, rolled up the too-long sleeves of the sweatshirt, and drew a deep breath. “Alright, here goes nothing…”

Turning down the hallway that led to his apartment, Cassian smelled something…interesting. 

He tried to pin down what it was. Starch, yes. Tomatoes, yes. Onions and garlic, most likely. But then there were other unexpected notes, the heat of what might have been chili powder tickling at his nostrils, growing stronger with each step closer he got to his door, and maybe the cheese he was smelling was parmesan or pecorino? The combination wasn’t exactly bad, just off–out of balance. 

He thought for sure it was one of the neighbors; maybe Mrs. McCleod experimenting again–after all, she had stopped him just last week to ask him about his favorite market for finding fresh produce.

But as he passed by Mrs. McCleod’s apartment, he noticed the crack under the door was dark, a small pile of mail collecting beneath her welcome mat. She was probably away visiting her niece again. Which meant that the smell was most likely emanating from the door at the end of the hall.

His door. 

Cassian tugged his tie looser, a warmth kindling in his stomach, a smile slowly spreading across his face; Jyn. 

He’d insisted she should stay at his apartment while he was gone–enjoy some solitude away from distracting roommates and loud neighbors–but he hadn’t been entirely certain she would take him up on it. She’d given him a strange look at the suggestion (despite the fact that after nearly a year of dating, she seemed to spend more time in his apartment than her own) and returned to her keyboard, completely absorbed in the endless numbers and symbols flashing wildly across the computer screen at her command.

The reaction hadn’t been a total shock to him. Jyn had been unusually quiet ever since he’d first mentioned his job interview in Yavin. He’d tried to tell himself she was just preoccupied with the workload associated with the final semester before she earned her degree, but deep down he knew that she was likely asking herself the same questions as he was: If I get this job, what happens to us? 

Cassian reached into his suit pocket for his key, twisted it in the lock, and slowly opened the door, his eyes tearing up at the overwhelming burn of capsaicin in the air. Dropping his backpack by the door, he followed the sound of hissing steam, music, and occasional cursing into the kitchen. 

It had been just over a day since he’d seen her, but even so, Cassian had spent the plane ride home longing for the moment when he could wrap his arms tight around her again, kiss her until they were both oxygen deprived and gasping for air. 

He’d envisioned a quick, eager reunion. Unable to hold himself back from rushing towards her; clumsy, grabbing hands and awkward clashing of teeth. 

But then he saw her: standing in his kitchen with her hair wild atop her head, dancing from the stovetop to a nearby drawer; humming along to the song playing faintly in the background as she poked uncertainly at a pan of sauteed vegetables and shot a quick glance at a boiling pot of water–and all he could think to do was lean his shoulder into the doorframe and stare, his breath catching in his chest with a fierce and sudden ache. 

Cassian knew he was helplessly, hopelessly lost–had known it for a while–but it had never been more apparent to him than in that moment, hovering at the threshold. He was certain that if he did nothing else for the rest of life but watch her, he’d still die the happiest man on earth. 

She’d decided to borrow his favorite sweatshirt while he was away–red, well-worn, with Ferrix University emblazoned across the front. As she rose on her tiptoes to reach into the spice cabinet, the bottom of the sweatshirt rose too, revealing the faintest glimpse of black panties, serving in sharp contrast to the perfect, pale curve of her ass. 

The sight inspired a different kind of ache. Cassian made his way across the kitchen, and placed his hands on Jyn’s shoulders. Somehow, the only words he could seem to find were, “You’re cooking.”

A string of swear words fell out of her mouth in quick succession. “I could’ve stabbed you,” she grumbled, even as she set down the knife she was holding to lean backwards into him. “You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that.”

“I’m surprised I managed to.”

He felt her shoulders rise and fall against him. “I was distracted.” 

“I can see that,” he mused. “You’re cooking. You hate cooking.”

He could just make out the faint flush that rose in Jyn’s cheeks as she glanced back at him, her hair tickling his chin. “I do hate it,” she agreed, “but I figured you’d be hungry and…well, I don’t hate you.” 

A soft laugh escaped him, “What a relief.”

“Shut up.”

“No really,” he said, pulling her closer. “I was beginning to wonder.”

“Do you want food or not?” Her scowl was made significantly less believable by the smile catching quickly at the corners of her mouth. 

Cassian gave a considerate hum. His stomach had been rumbling as he stepped off the plane, but now a different kind of hunger was taking hold. His skin was hot beneath his suit where Jyn’s body pressed against his own; all he could seem to think of was her in his sweatshirt–in only his sweatshirt. 

But Jyn seized his brief lapse of silence as an opportunity to change subjects. “So…How’d the interview go?” she asked lightly, though her muscles went tight as she dipped a wooden spoon in the red liquid that bubbled on the stove in front of her.

He watched as she blew steam away from the spoon before bringing it to her mouth to taste and wincing. “The interview was fine,” he murmured, pressing (what he hoped she would as) a reassuring kiss to the top of her head.

The smile had already vanished from Jyn’s face. “You think you got the job then?”

Cassian moved his hand slowly up and down her arm, earlier ideas already forgotten. “They made me an offer,” he admitted quietly. 

“They did…” The energy seemed to have drained straight out of her–the dancing, humming, swearing woman from moments ago turned to shadow. 

Like she didn’t know. Like she couldn’t feel the frantic stuttering of his heart where his chest pressed between her shoulders blades. Like she couldn’t sense him, standing right here beside her on the knife’s edge. 

“I told them I couldn’t give them an answer yet,” he told her. Of course I did. As though there had been anything else he could do…

“You did what?” Jyn twisted in his arms. “That is your dream job. You know you want to go, so just go. Why would you–”

“Jyn,” he cut in, and she went still–let him hold her in place for at least a moment longer while he continued. “I said yet. I told them I couldn’t give them an answer yet.”

Her knuckles were white, wrapped tight around the wooden spoon. He reached past her and switched off the burners before anything could start smoking or boil over.

Cassian’s own nerves were starting to take hold. He gave a hard swallow, trying to clear the tightness from his throat. “I don’t want to go to Yavin. Not without you… I don’t want to go anywhere without you.”

“What are you saying?”

“Come with me. After you graduate in the spring, come with me.”

“Cass…”

He was about to tell her she didn’t have to answer right now–to delay whatever pain he sensed was coming from inevitable rejection–when she closed her hand around his tie and tugged him closer, tilting her head back to press her lips to his. 

Beneath his mouth, he could feel her smile forming, but it still took his breath away to see it when they broke apart. “Is that a yes, then?”

Jyn wound his tie tighter around her hand. “I like this suit,” she commented, eyes sweeping across the blue fabric and back to the black silk of the tie. 

“I’m taking that as a yes…” Cassian told her, his attention splitting as she began to playfully undo the top buttons of his shirt. 

“I cooked for you…” Her lips passed over his throat, her voice muffled. 

Heat was racing up Cassian’s spine, his thoughts going increasingly hazy. “You did…” he replied, inhaling sharply as the hand not wrapped in his tie found the back of his head, fingers tugging lightly at his hair. 

“I’m a terrible cook, but I cooked. For you.”

She still hadn’t answered him. Not really. He wanted an answer, a definitive answer. “What does this have to do with–”

“Are you still hungry?” 

“Jyn–” he pleaded.

“Because I was thinking we should forget about the food,” she continued, her mouth brushing over his ear–words like sparks to his skin. “I changed my mind. There’s something else I want to do for you instead. Something I’m much, much better at…”

He relented slightly, instinct shoving reason aside as he tugged at the hem of the sweatshirt, her skin soft against his fingertips. “What did you have in mind?” 

“You mean, aside from moving to Yavin?” she murmured with a teasing grin, pressing even closer, tips of their noses brushing, her breath warm against his cheeks.

“So that was a yes earlier…”

Jyn rolled her eyes at him. “What do you think?”

He lifted her off her feet, and she laughed, wrapping her legs tight around his torso. “I think you’re coming to Yavin with me,” he said, slightly breathless, not quite daring to believe it. 

“I’m coming to Yavin with you,” she echoed, delivering a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Welcome home, Cassian.”

[yuna542]

🔙 [7.]

~Smokes and Fumes~

Pairing: JJ Maybank x Reader/Oc

Genre: Fluff, Enemies to Lovers, Smut, Angst, Drama, Action

Warnings: Swearing, Fighting, domestic violence, mentions of blood

Taglist: Open

Word count: 3k

Summary: The Kook princess is back after a year and reignites the war between Pogues and Kooks on Kildare. But she quickly realizes that after this year, nothing is the same as before. Deception, secrets from the past, and dangerous conspiracies sweep across Kildare, leaving her no choice but to work with the Pogues and her personal nemesis to find the truth and maybe even $8 million. A dangerous treasure hunt begins that turns her world upside down.

Soundtrack:

⏯️Play: Hard Times by Paramore

„All that I want

Is a hole in the ground

You can tell me when it's alright

For me to come out“

JJ was already standing by the fire, waving a corrugated iron in front of the glowing wood. Just then John B came out of the house and gave me a quick look before he jumped down the stairs.

"Well, come on! I'll take you home Kook."

With that, he lifted up the keys to the Twinkie and was about to make his way down the stairs when I braced myself to get up off the couch. The Pogues obviously wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible and I too would have preferred to leave immediately, but that wasn't possible.

"Wait! I can't go home yet."

He paused and turned to me on the last stair. Now Pope was standing in the doorway, too, and by now he was wearing a dark blue apron. I could only guess what he was doing in the kitchen.

"Why?" asked John B, looking at me inquiringly.

"There's no one home yet. I wouldn't come in. Rick won't be back until late tonight," I lied, propping myself up against one of the beams. It didn’t sound that stupid in my head.

John B seemed to believe me, which is why he came back up the stairs, tossed the keys on the table, and gave me a friendly smile.

"All right. Then you stay here until then?"

Perplexed, I couldn't answer. I didn't expect such niceness from the Pogues. John B was really insanely naive....

I froze, unable to answer, so Kiara pressed some logs into my hand and gestured to the campfire.

"If you're going to stay, make yourself useful! The fish will be ready soon."

Before I could ask further, she had disappeared into the house, leaving me with a wobbly pile of wood that dug painfully into my arms. So I ran over to the campfire and dropped the whole pile awkwardly next to it.

JJ still had the joint between his lips and set the dirty corrugated metal aside.

"You're staying?" he asked coolly, obviously not very amused.

"Yeah, for now. Don't get too excited," I replied sarcastically and flopped down on one of the chairs.

He just snorted snidely and started adding wood to the fire.

It was strange to sit in a rickety old chair on the overgrown property and watch a primitive campfire gradually devour the wood. I felt like a doll that was thrown into the swamp, trying to keep my cool. John B's house was more like an old barn and even the footbridge to the water looked like it would collapse at any moment.

I felt out of place in addition to feeling unwanted.

JJ held the fire at bay and threw in the joint stub. He didn't hide the fact that my presence was annoying him and gave me disparaging looks every now and then.

It took John B forever to come back out of the house, leaning three sticks with fish on them against the fire. I didn't know what kind of fish they were, nor if you could even eat them like that, but JJ rubbed his hands together in delight and helped him align the sticks on the fire.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that the fish were covered in a marinade that smelled of garlic. It smelled delicious actually.

The smoke from the fire burned my lungs and eyes and I wished I was in my bed with a bowl of spaghetti aglio e olio from the new restaurant around the corner from the Lionelly mansion. Instead, I was now sitting outside a dump with freaking JJ Maybank, stinking of smoke and forced to watch them having fun.

Pope brought two more sticks of fish and speared them into the ground next to the others. He gave me a suspicious look, as if I were a wild dog that hadn't been leashed tight enough.

John B dropped into the chair to my right and clasped his hands behind his head.

"We made a good catch today. We should go out again in the morning. We might even catch some bass," John B said with his eyes closed, enjoying the last rays of sunlight reflecting reddish off the surface of the water.

"I have to help my dad at the dock tomorrow," JJ muttered, flipping the fish in the flames. It was like I wasn't even here.

Kiara joined them now with Pope and sat down on the floor with a can of beer. Pope tossed a can to JJ and put one in John B's lap, for which he did open his eyes.

He visibly hesitated before offering one to me as well.

Directly I shook my head, whereupon he took it himself and sat down beside John B.

"You know you shouldn't do that," came from Kiara, but JJ just smirked and took the cap off his head, only to put it back on backwards.

"I shouldn't do a lot of things..."

"I'm serious, JJ!" added Kiara emphatically, turning to face him. But he just shrugged his shoulders.

"What else am I going to do?"

Kiara pressed her lips together dejectedly and Pope crossed his arms uncomfortably.

I didn't know what it was about, but suspected that JJ's father was still conducting business that wasn't particularly clean.

By now, the horizon had turned a lush orange and the whitecaps on the water glistened like amber.

"Since when do you surf?", JJ suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts and I needed a moment to process the question. Now the eyes of the others were also curiously on me.

"Actually, always... My mom taught me," I explained curtly. After all, there was no point in lying anymore. And the soft breeze, the cracking of the fire and the warm atmosphere let me put my guard down a little bit.

Just talking about my mom stung, but at the same time it felt good. Like a nice memory of her that I could hold on to.

JJ raised his eyebrows and laughed softly, as if I had told a joke. That he didn't take me seriously made me angry.

"What?", I asked him irritably, and for the first time he really looked me in the eye. The intensity of the blue sapphires took my breath away for a second.

"It's just that I've never seen a kook surf really well," he replied, and you could clearly hear the provocation in his tone.

"What are you trying to say?", I echoed.

"It's that you arrogant Kook assholes would rather be playing golf or taking a walk on your big ass mansions, right?"

His derogatory tone and look brought the anger inside me to a boil, so I stared stubbornly back.

"So Kooks can't surf, cause they’re Kooks? Sound logical.“

Pope was obviously uncomfortable with the whole thing, but John B and Kiara followed the conversation intently.

"Yeah, I don't think you'll be able to stay on the board for more than a few seconds. But hey, I'm sure you have enough other qualities and talents," he said, gesturing to my body.

He grinned spitefully, which made anger boil over in me. How dare he speak to me like that?

"You don't know anything about me!", I hissed, suppressing the need to claw his eyes out. This whole bunch of pogue-losers was getting on my nerves so much that I angrily clenched my hands into fists.

"I know enough about you, Princess," he replied, fixing me with his gaze. If he didn't stop looking at me with that crooked grin soon, I was definitely going to punch him in the face.

"Now I'm curious."

Challengingly, I leaned back and suppressed a gasp at the burning sensation on my back.

"I know you've never had to worry about anything in your life and you've gotten everything you wanted. You're an arrogant rich doll and you're always dutifully playing lapdog to your friend Rafe Cameron, who's an even bigger asshole than all the other Figure Eigth snoots put together. But you’re obeying him like the little lapdog you are.“

His words hit me hard, even though I would never have admitted it. After all, he had no idea.

Chillingly, I just stared at him for a few seconds and then stood up.

"And you're just a miserable and pathetic son of a bitch who can't get his life together. Seems to run in the family huh?," I finally replied, obviously hitting the nail on the head.

He got up from his seat and gradually I recognized anger flaring in his eyes. So I was driving him up the wall as much as he was driving me up the wall. That was a satisfaction that somewhat assuaged my anger.

"Say that again!" he murmured menacingly, and I had to push back the urge to flee.

"What do you mean? Pathetic or son of a bitch?", I asked provocatively, putting on a cocky grin. Gradually, his eyes brimmed with sparks of anger and I had to force myself not to take a step back.

"How about you disappear back to your fairy tale castle and your perfect life?" he shot back and before he could say anything else, I turned to John B.

"Do you have a phone in this shithole?"

He looked back and forth between JJ and me uncertainly, but then nodded.

"Inside. In the living room."

Without a word I turned around and ran into the house. There I also found the phone directly and dialed Rafe's number, which I still knew by heart from a year ago. Fortunately, he had never changed it and answered after the second ring.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Hi, Rafe. It's Sky. Can you pick me up, please?", I asked directly, hearing the crackle on the other end of the line as if he was running a few steps.

"Sky? Uh yeah sure. Where are you? What‘s this number?"

He sounded surprised but equally pleased that I was asking for his help.

"I'm at the Cut."

"What, why? What are you doing at the Cut?" he asked directly.

"I was walking on the beach and misjudged the time," I lied, looking around the house for the first time. It was chaos and there were pillows and clothes everywhere.

It seemed like a messy dorm and I took a curious look down the hall.

"Okay...," Rafe mumbled in wonder.

"Just pick me up at the main road, okay?"

I heard the rattle of a set of keys and guessed he was just heading out the door.

"All right. I'll be right there."

Relieved, I hung up and put the phone back. Then I ran back out onto the porch, hoping it was dark enough that Rafe might not notice the bandages.

I gave the Pogues one last look and got a strange feeling when I saw them eating and laughing together. It seemed as if I had never been here.

Without saying goodbye I walked around the house and saw JJ giving me a strange look before I disappeared behind the house.

I stood by the road for a while until I heard Rafe's motorcycle and breathed a sigh of relief when he stopped next to me and handed me his helmet.

By now it was so dark you could see the stars.

"Do you want me to take you home?"

His hair was a mess, which was out of character. He seemed to have jumped head over heels on the bike to get me.

"Yes, please."

Before he could get a closer look at me, I put on my helmet and got on behind him.

When we finally arrived at Lionelly Ville, I've never been more grateful to be back at the property.

Hastily, I dismounted and was about to run to the front door when he held me back by the arm.

I looked at him questioningly, then he put his hands on my hips and looked me in the eye.

"We're having a big party Saturday night. The whole Island Club will be there. Also Heyward will be there working with his son, as will Maybank and John B, and the Carreras are invited anyway."

Surprised, I tilted my head.

"So all the Pogues will be there?"

He nodded.

"That's why you have to come. Dad wants us to behave and not provoke a fight. He won't let me out of his sight unless you're there. You're the one he trusts."

His gaze almost pierced me.

"You want to get back at them?", I spoke the obvious. There was this gleam in his eyes that I didn't know from before. That anger that lurked incessantly within him.

"That's right. But not until the adults are gone. We'll throw an after-party where everyone's invited. That's where we'll catch these assholes."

A wicked smile flitted across his face, and since I was incredibly angry myself right now, I quite liked the idea. I especially wanted to see JJ's stupid face when Rafe and the other Kooks gave them hell.

"Sounds good," I agreed, returning his satisfied smile.

"But the after party is at my place. Rick's going out of town Saturday night. I'll have the house to myself then."

"How are you going to get the Pogues there?" he asked in wonder, seemingly unintentionally stroking his fingers across my back.

"I'll figure something out. They're yours while we're still at Tanney Hill. With me, I'll take care of them."

He didn't seem quite comfortable with that, but he didn't dare contradict me. He was too afraid that I would again reject his advances.

However, I was beginning to like the attention and maybe something really could develop between us?

"Then I'll see you on Saturday," he said goodbye and I nodded. It was still three days until then, when hopefully my wounds would be barely visible.

"Thank you for coming to get me," I murmured, placing my hands gently on his chest. It was strange to be so close to him again after all this time. We knew each other for forever, but at the same time we were not the same persons anymore.

"For you, always."

His eyes fastened on my lips and I got a strange premonition. I quickly gave him a fleeting kiss on the cheek so he wouldn't get any other ideas and ran up the stairs.

Rafe disappeared into the darkness shortly after, while I searched for my key under the flowerpot. When I found it, I prayed that Rick really was already asleep and opened the door as quietly as possible, deactivated the alarm system, and locked it again.

Tiptoeing down the hall, I was about to disappear into my room without him noticing, when I was pulled back hard by the shoulder and the light came on. Startled, I staggered and it took time for my eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness.

"Where have you been?" boomed Rick's menacing voice through the hallway, and he looked down at me angrily. My heart instantly hammered so loudly that I barely understood what he was saying.

"At Sarah and Rafe," I quickly replied, feeling fear digging deep into my bones.

Already a blow caught me with his backhand and my head was thrown to the side. Immediately I saw stars and my eyes went black. When I slowly opened my eyes again, I looked into a hateful face.

In my mouth it tasted like copper and I froze.

"Don't lie to me, you little bitch! I called there and Ward said they cleaned up the Pogues’ mess. I went to the Cut today to pick up a delivery from Heyward. That's when I saw you on that pogue's moped. I told you to stay away from scum like that!" he yelled at me and my hands were shaking so badly I pressed them against my thighs.

"They helped me!"

My voice sounded firmer than I thought it would.

"With what?.... Where were you?"

His questions cracked like whip lashes and I feared another blow, so I didn't get a word out. That's when he violently hit the wall next to my head. I could clearly smell the alcohol on his breath and winced violently as he screamed in my face:

"Answer me, dammit!"

"I was out with the board," I admitted meekly now, trying to avoid his menacing gaze. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest and I felt tears running down my cheeks without actually crying.

"I can’t believe it. You're not one of them! I should have thrown that damn board away."

He finally let go of me and ruffled his hair.

"That's Mom's board!", I yelled back now, trying to meet his gaze. He had thrown away everything that reminded me of her. Only the board had remained and right now I was glad as hell that it was with JJ where he wouldn't find it. The anger in my belly almost overshadowed my fear, when he reared back in front of me.

"I don't want you to see that scum again, do you understand?"

Still, I refused to give in. But the fear gnawed at me until I finally did avert my eyes.

"Do you understand me?" he repeated emphatically, shaking me by the shoulder until it hurt. His paws gripped so tightly that I tried to squirm out of his grasp.

"You're hurting me!", I hissed, managing to fight off his hand.

It would surely leave a bruise next to the marks of his nails.

"I'm waiting for an answer!" he yelled at me again.

"Yes! I get it!", I screeched back to finally make it all stop.

"Good, now get out of here!"

I didn't need to be told twice. Hastily, I ran up the stairs and slammed the door behind me. Panting, I threw myself on my bed and buried my tear-streaked face in my pillow.

The darkness stretched out its claws and tugged at me until I only sobbed quietly into the pillow and finally fell asleep, exhausted.

⬇️

© Yuna542 — 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝.

[redflagshipwriter]

Reassembly 5

Masterpost

(What the frick is the bat guy about???)

They did serious damage to Lexy’s credit card in the form of a cast iron pan, a pot, basic cooking utensils and a four-person set of dishware before they even made it to the grocery store.

Peter tried not to go nuts there. He really did. But Kon had that empty kitchen! And to be honest, shopping was major wish fulfillment. Even though he knew he wouldn’t be eating all of the food he got way into it. They stocked up on easy freezer food like pizza rolls and fries. They got pasta mixes and jarred sauces and they got snacks and sweets. He even got Kon baking basics. It might take Kon a while to get into his fresh bread era, but it was going to happen. Peter was calling it now. Kon was just that kind of guy.

The last thing he got was meat. Meat and cheese and fresh vegetables. Peter ended up putting back half of what he initially put in the cart because, honestly, Kon didn’t have a massive super appetite and he didn’t know how to cook yet. Vegetables were just going to go bad, so he only got what he planned to use that night. He also stocked Kon up on breakfast supplies- bread and jam, eggs, sausage, coffee and tea and juice.

‘I wish I was staying with Kon to eat this. I’m going to be hungry again tomorrow.’

Peter pushed down that greedy little thought where it belonged. He was going to be eating lunch and dinner with Kon tonight, since they were cooking together. That was already really generous on Kon’s part. He couldn’t ask for more.

The boys ended up making spaghetti. Peter wasn’t the best cook in the world, but he could cut onion and garlic to cook meat in, shred in carrots and zucchini, and add a jar of red sauce to make something nutritionally dense that tasted really good. Kon hovered over his shoulder watching this process and making faux sports commentary. 

“Go away!” Peter shoved Kon with his shoulder, laughing. “Go start the garlic bread.��

“...Garlic bread?” Kon asked hopefully. He seemed way younger than he was sometimes. “You can make that at home?”

“You can, if you get to cutting garlic really small.” Peter tossed him a bulb without looking.

They ate dinner while watching some drama that Kon picked out on a streaming service. “Holy shit,” Kon said quietly after his first bite. He put down the plate and took a photo.

Peter snorted. Kon must have sent it to someone because his phone went off constantly after that.

He wasn’t even done eating their late lunch when he first wondered where he was going to sleep tonight. Peter stared down into his pasta like it might have some answers. When should he leave? What would he say if Kon asked for his phone number? He didn’t have one. He couldn’t give Kon the number to the phone he had on him– he was pretty sure that he really should get rid of it in case someone was tracking him. 

He should ask first. If he directed the conversation it would be easier to be normal than if he was just answering questions. So Peter swallowed hard, made himself smile, and said, “This was fun. Wanna hang out again?”

Kon noisily slurped down some sauce and wiggled in place while he chewed and swallowed. “Yeah, we should!” he agreed. “You uh, free later this week?”

He was jobless and homeless with no other acquaintances. 

“I have some time,” Peter said casually. “I’m kinda busy tomorrow, but the day after? Should I come over in the afternoon?”

“Yeah!” Kon bounced up off his seat for a moment. “We can finish the projects. Or work on them, at least.” He screwed his face up with a thought. “Can I get your handle or number, in case my work pops up?”

Peter’s smile turned fixed. “Actually, not now,” he said as casually as he could manage. “I dropped my phone in water. I just have my Dad’s old phone right now for emergencies.” He didn’t need to add that lie, but what if he needed to pull out the flip phone later? He didn’t want Kon to think that he just hadn’t wanted to give his number.

Kon laughed. “That sucks, man,” he empathized. 

Oh thank Thor, he bought it. 

The fabric was dry by then, so Peter helped Kon cut it out and sew it into place. Kon modeled his new look in the living room and then took approximately two hundred selfies while Peter worked on his project. Kon eventually flopped down on the sofa upside down and started sketching out design ideas. Peter glanced over and saw what looked like a boob window cut into some kind of top.

…Kon would look great in it. Peter didn’t comment. He smiled a little more when he went back to cutting out pieces for his own jacket.

“Smile!”

Peter looked over on reflex and cheesed. A shutter went off. “Can I send that to my friends?” Kon asked, so casually that Peter knew it mattered a lot. “Cassie says no way did I meet someone without her.”

“Go ahead.” Peter gave a thumbs up for reasons even he did not understand. Good thing he wasn’t a weird little guy! 

Kon looked relieved. There was less tension when he went back to looking at his phone. “Thanks, man. You want to think about dinner soon? You’ve been working for a couple of hours.”

Peter had to blink a few times to process that. Oh yeah, he was pretty stiff. He stretched experimentally. “You’re right,” he said, mildly surprised. “Huh. What did you have in mind?”

Kon shrugged. “Pizza?”

Peter hummed. “We can pull that off,” he decided. “We have… two more jars of marinara, one will do. Cheese, the bell peppers- yeah, that’ll work.” He stood in a smooth movement. “Could you get the flour down from where we put it- yeah, thanks.” Kon hovered back down and handed him the bag.

“I meant that we should order it,” Kon said, but he didn’t protest. “You can make pizza? At home?” He was delighted by this new information.

“You can make basically anything at home,” Peter said, because it apparently needed to be said. “Can you look up a pizza dough recipe?” He got out the salt and tried to remember where he’d put yeast.

Pizza did not go quite as smoothly as the pasta had. Kon brutalized the dough by over mixing it and the gluten developed bonds strong enough to rival the Hulk. But it was still edible! Kon was openly delighted with what he had made. Peter stole sideways glances at him, wondering if he should reassure that it was a great first try.

‘..I’m not sure he knows that it’s really tough,’ Peter decided. He said nothing. They watched one episode of Kon’s selected drama before Peter decided it was time to go.

Kon seemed surprised when Peter said that. He blinked at him a few times. “It felt like I was at the tow- a sleepover,” he said self consciously. He forced a laugh. “Yeah. You wanna leave your stuff here?”

Peter looked around Kon’s surgically clean living room and wondered if Lexy’s cleaning staff would throw away his stuff. “Yeah, sure,” he said, because it wasn’t like he had a place to store a project. “I appreciate that.”

He left not much later, making his excuses and backing out into the night with dread that he didn’t want to face curling in his gut. The feeling intensified as he got down to the lobby of Kon’s apartment building.

It was dark out, even with the streetlights on. The air was cold against his face. Peter huddled into his jacket, hand wound tightly around the strap of the bag with everything he owned in it.

At least he knew the time. It was a little past 10 pm.

He needed a shower and to sleep. The gym should be empty now. He could break back in, shower, and then go sleep on the library couch again. Even if the librarian came in early again, he could get a few hours of sleep.

He woke up again to the sound of keys in the door downstairs. This time he woke up feeling much better rested. Peter wandered blearily until he found a clocktower and realized it was nearly 9 am. Nice. He was working on his sleep debt, then. He surely hadn’t spent more than an hour between traveling to the gym, showering, and getting to the couch last night. That was maybe 9.5, 10 hours of sleep?

He left to a new hotel for a breakfast buffet. This one was particularly sad. He had two pieces of peanut butter toast and a glass of milk before he heard the front door staff quietly phone someone else asking if they had any teenagers staying at the moment. He left pretty quickly after that and walked for a while, heart pounding. The police didn’t descend on him with sirens and lights, so he was probably okay.

‘I can’t go back there.’

Later that day, Peter grimaced and took a moment to indulge in burying his face in his hands. He was overwhelmed and he still felt shitty and dirty and gross despite his shower. Maybe it was getting spotted as a homeless teen eating from the buffet? Yeah. Probably that.

He was in the library again, sitting in front of one of the older computers and hoping he'd get a reply from a potential client who had asked for some information. 

Maybe it was a little weird to spend all day in the library. He was on notice for librarians acting like they wanted him to clear out, just in case.

But, assuming no one had any problems with it, why not spend most of his daylight hours there? He could study computer science, use the computers to do his work, and be somewhere temperature controlled for free. They also had pitchers of coffee and tea for free that he took advantage of. 

He was hungry, though. He was always hungry. Maybe it had been a mistake to go to Kon’s house. It almost felt worse to be hungry again after eating everything he wanted two meals in a row. Peter suppressed despair. He was doing his best! He was taking care of himself.

"Is everything alright?" 

Peter shot up and gave a sheepish grin to the librarian. He hadn't noticed her approaching, but he'd been lost in his head. "It's fine," he said. 

The older woman gave him a sympathetic smile. "Well, let me know if there's anything I can help with. It's what I'm here for." 

Oh. Before she could turn away he blurted out, "College!" 

Her face lit up. "Are you applying?" 

"I need to." Peter wrung his hands together. "But I don't know where to start. I want to go somewhere with a strong sciences program but I think I need to go there on scholarship." 

She sat down beside him, an easy smile on her face like this was a topic that she enjoyed. “Do you care about where it is?”

Peter shook his head. “It would be best if I could stay in NYC since I know here, but I’m willing to go anywhere that meets those conditions.”

She nodded slowly. “There’s a few places I can think of.” She hesitated. “Do you expect to be eligible for testing related scholarships?”

“Yeah,” said Peter, who was so good at tests but would probably falsify the results that he needed if he didn’t manage to take tests in time. “I test well. Very well.”

“That’s great! And you said sciences? Technological sciences?” she didn’t glance at his current computer science book, but she didn’t have to. 

“Yes,” he said, not entirely sure what he should be focusing on. Engineering, to build some kind of portal? Astrophysics like Dr. Foster, to find an Einstein-Rosen bridge? He’d have to get his foot in the door to figure out what was going on in the fields here. Shit, he should have looked into that already. 

“And you would be looking to live by yourself, on campus? Or off? With family?”

“By myself,” Peter said, and wow that was depressing. “And whichever way is cheapest.” He cringed as he said it. That felt pathetic too. He wanted to say he wanted to live on campus since he’d be more likely to meet people that way. But honestly, he had no resources, at all. He couldn’t afford to be picky. 

The librarian’s smile was a bit fixed now. “I… I almost hate to suggest it, but have you considered Gotham?” She continued before Peter had to decide whether or not he should admit he didn’t know that university. “It’s a dangerous city to live in, but it’s very affordable, and there’s extensive funding for the sciences and student support services.”

“...Because it’s a dangerous city and doesn’t get many people?” Peter confirmed.

She was doing her best to keep a poker face. “That’s right. They have a brain drain situation at the moment, so the sciences are really well funded. I think you could probably go there with full support, though that might be contingent on taking an internship or job in Gotham after graduation.”

Huh. He considered it. He’d never heard of Gotham, so it had to be a city that didn’t exist back home. But so what? How bad could it be? It was like, Chicago or something? He could handle that. He was Spiderman. He was an Avenger, sort of. So he directed a real smile at the librarian. “If I could get a full scholarship there, I would go in a heartbeat,” Peter said. “Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into the university there.”

The librarian patted the side of his chair as she stood up. “Wonderful! Let me know if you change your mind or have any questions!”

He ended up having a lot of questions, actually, once he started looking into Gotham, but he didn’t think, “What the frick is the vampire bat guy about?” was what she’d had in mind.

[that-creepnextdoor]

Plastic, metal, glass, wood, and a sour dough starter

You might have seen somewhere all these rules when it comes to sourdough. To me, the most ridiculous one is not using a metal spoon to mix your starter.

To me this is on par with saying you can’t wash your cast iron with dish soap.

As someone who both uses metal spoons and washes my cast iron with soap I can safely say it does not fucking matter.

It just doesn’t. The cast iron is from when the soap had lye and was a lot harsher on the metal degrading it. Similarly metal utensils used to be a lot more likely to degrade, the high bacterial environment of the starter causing them to degrade into it.

But nowadays it doesn’t matter. Some people may also say not to use plastic or silicone since it’s porous and while I wouldn’t use a spaghetti stained spatula or Tupperware that you can’t get the garlic smell out of I’ve used almost all material in my process and have not noticed a difference beside convenience.

Now, glass and wood are traditional. Tried and true. Lots of people keep their starters in glass jars and store them with wooden dowels and it’s fine. I’ve done this just to see if there was a difference. There was not.

At this point my plastic quart containers with their wide mouths are the perfect size and in a pinch I’ll just grab a metal spoon to mix it. I will say I prefer to use a chopstick to stir but it’s plastic. It’s just easier to scrape the sides of the jar and then wipe off the residue on the stick back into the jar.

As complicated as the microbial process of sourdough is it’s not terribly difficult at the end of the day.

The same person who say you can only use a glass jar and wooden rod for your starter will whisk their dough with a metal danish whisk and cover it with a plastic wrap.

Most people only repeat these things because it’s tradition. It’s just what’s always been done so they’ve forgotten why they do these things and leave behind the historical context.

[monaisme]

Sicktember: Day 5

#5- Rogue Organ

“—and then suddenly, there’s Brad Davis, with spaghetti dripping down the front of his shirt, and MJ swearing it was an accident. I’m telling you, Pepper, I’m ninety-six percent positive that I saw her stick her foot out after he yelled at Ms. Thelma because, like, who does that?!” Peter was gesturing wildly as he relayed his day to one of his favourite people, “She’s practically an icon—and she’s like- seventy years old! Big whoop! So she didn’t give him the biggest piece of garlic bread! That’s so not cool—”

Pepper loved that bit of time she had with Peter before Tony got home. And she loved Peter’s daily retelling of the shenanigans he and his friends got into at school, but made a point to try and cut him off when he seemed to get especially worked up, “You’re right, honey, and kudos to MJ if she did manage to mete out some justice.” She turned around and started her way to the refrigerator to get a glass of milk for him. “I hope someone on staff has a chance to more officially correct-his—” Pepper stopped short of her goal, black dots encroaching on her vision, heart suddenly racing, and her knees feeling weaker by the moment. “um...”

Peter was by her side in a blink. “Pepper?” He’d already wrapped an arm securely around her waist as her knees gave out all together. “Whoa, now—I gotcha!” With superhero reflexes, Peter caught her, adjusting his grip and lifting her up into a bridal carry. “FRIDAY!” Peter called out as he rushed the now unconscious Pepper to the couch, “Call Dr. Cho and Tony, now! Tell Cho to get medical up here, stat, and let Tony know what’s going on.” He laid her out as gently as he could, then started softly patted her cheeks, “Hey, Pepper. C’mon, wake up, wake up, wake up,” Peter pleaded.  

Pepper’s eyes suddenly flew open as she gasped for air, “I’m okay—I’m okay!” She insisted even as she tried to sit up.

But Peter put an immediate stop to that. “No, Pepper!” He pressed her back down onto the couch. “Stay still, ‘kay? Just ’til someone who knows what they’re doing checks you out? Please?”

Her confusion was apparent and her eyes darted back and forth while she tried to figure out what happened. “Wha—? Peter?” Pepper finally focussed on him, “Are you okay? Did something happen?” She reached up and pressed a tender hand to his cheek.

The relief was overwhelming, and Peter had to wipe away the tears that appeared out of nowhere before he pulled her hand from his face and clutched it to his own chest. “I’m fine, Pep. I’m good. Just relax, okay?”

She nodded, then drew in a deep, calming breath as she closed her eyes. “I’m just tired, I think,” she said, mostly to herself, she thought.

But Peter replied. “Try to stay awake for a minute, please? Help is gonna be here in—” Peter stopped abruptly and looked up to the ceiling.

“Medical staff are in the elevator now. They will arrive momentarily.” FRIDAY filled in the blanks.

“See! Less than a minute!” Peter exclaimed.

Pepper smiled and nodded in agreement, “Okay, sweetie, I will... love you...” and then drifted off into sleep.

/-/-/

“Tony.”

“Hang on. Let me get these pillows fixed for you,” Tony shuffled over to the head of the med bay bed and tried to plump the pillows already set comfortably under Pepper’s head.

“Tony. I’m fine.”

Tony smiled awkwardly, “Of course you are...” he trailed off while he blatantly ignored the dark liquid in the small I.V. bag hanging on the stand at Pepper’s bedside and around the room commonly reserved for Peter on most days, and Tony less often now that he’d retired, “In fact, it’s completely normal for you to pass out for absolutely no reason at all. But no worries, you’re fine!”

Pepper sighed. “Tony, you’re being dramatic. I’m a little anaemic, that’s all.”

“No.” Tony pointed an accusing finger at his beloved. “You are a lot anaemic and currently hooked up to an iron infusion in order start trying to get your iron up to a point where we can trust that you won’t do another nosedive like earlier!”

Pepper rolled her eyes at Tony’s dramatics. “It wasn’t that bad and you know it.”

“Only because Peter was there to keep you from braining yourself on the kitchen floor!”

Pepper chose not to respond to the accusation, simply asked the question on her mind, “Where is Peter, by the way? I’m surprised he’s not here.”

Tony huffed as he sat himself back down in the recliner by Pepper’s bed. “He figured he’d be more of a help upstairs with Morgan and Happy—and he didn’t think you’d want him close by with all of the “doctor talk.”” Tony air quoted. “Yes, I’ve updated him and he knows that you passed out because of your iron levels, but the specifics, once you get them, are going to be yours to share.”

“I guess he has thoughts on having to deal with everyone and their dog knowing his diagnosis.” Pepper smiled softly. “Poor kid. We’ll have to be better about that...”

But Tony crossed his arms in frustration, “Yeah, yeah, oh, the burden he must bear. How’s about we worry about the kid later, okay?” Tony uncrossed his arms and fussed her blanket. “Where the hell is Dr. Cho?” He looked past Pepper and out into the hallway. “She said she wanted to talk to us about something when you were a little more coherent.”

It was Pepper’s turn to cross her arms in frustration. “I was coherent,” she insisted.

Tony scoffed. “I’m sorry. I’ll rephrase that... she wanted to talk to us about something when you were able to keep your eyes open for more than thirty seconds at a time.”

Pepper scowled, hating that he was probably right, and especially hating the fact that she was already starting to feel the pull of sleep again, not that she’d ever tell him now.

Pepper blinked, and the shadows in the room had shifted.

“Knock, knock.” Dr. Cho appeared at the door to Pepper’s room, rapping her knuckles against the door frame as she announced herself. “Are you feeling up for a chat now?”

Pepper rubbed the heels of her hands against her tired eyes, “Of course.” She shifted to sit up.

“Hang on, let me help, Pep,” Tony spoke softly as he pressed a button and brought up the head of her bed. “Better?”

She smiled and nodded, “Much. Thank you, love.”

Dr. Cho waited patiently as they pulled themselves together, then stepped completely into the room, and closed the door behind her. She quickly wheeled over a stool from the corner and set herself down opposite Tony at Pepper’s bedside. “Well,” Dr. Cho pulled a small tablet from her lab coat pocket and placed it beside her on the bedside table. “I’m guessing it’s safe to say this is not the evening any of us thought we’d be having, right?”  

Pepper snorted at the understatement, “Right.”

“And how are you feeling? The infusion is agreeing with you?”

“It’s fine—I might be feeling a little queasy but that could just be that I haven’t been feeling that hungry today.”

“I’m not surprised to hear that,” The doctor acknowledged. “Now, before I proceed any further, I do need to confirm that you’re okay with my having this conversation in front of Tony.” Dr. Cho looked serious. “It’s simply formality, but I have to ask.”

Pepper reached out blindly for Tony’s hand, sensing something big coming, and grasped it for dear life. “Please.” Pepper whispered. “I’d like Tony here.”

“I’m glad,” Dr. Cho smiled sadly, “because this is something I’m sure both of you will want to discuss together.”

Tony blanched. “Dear god, no. She has cancer?” His hand tightened around hers.

But Dr. Cho was quick to respond, “No! Absolutely not!” She grabbed the tablet from beside her and pulled up Pepper’s medical chart. “Let me assure you that I have seen nothing in your blood work that would have me thinking that, I promise. Now, if it would put your mind at ease, we can absolutely run some extra tests, but your white blood cell count is good. In fact, most of your numbers are good. I mean—” Dr. Cho swiped to a different screen. “Your B12 could be higher, but aside from that, your iron levels are the only real issue here, and Pepper,” she focussed her attention solely on the woman in the bed. “We’ve had enough appointments together over the years that I suspect we both know the issue.”

“Oh.” A look of realization passed across Pepper’s face.

Tony, however, sat clueless. “What- oh? Pepper?” Tony asked, “What’s going on?”

Pepper opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t seem to find any words. She looked to Dr. Cho instead.

Smiling sadly, Dr. Cho spoke directly to Tony, “Obviously, I am aware that you and Pepper have been trying to have another biological child before Pepper enters menopause without any sort of medical intervention. With Morgan being a spontaneous pregnancy at age forty-five, we had all hoped you could pull off another miracle.”

Tony nodded, confused. They all knew that.

“Over the course of the last year, Pepper has had some concerns that her cycles were changing, with her menstrual flow becoming heavy enough that she was experiencing some fatigue.”

Tony knew that Pepper had been tired. They had a kid after all... but knowing that it had been something more? “Pep? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Pepper voice shook as she whispered, “I didn’t want you to be disappointed...” her voice trailed off. “And if I didn’t talk about it...”

Tony smiled sadly at his pale wife. “Mi amore? What’s this? Taking a page out of my playbook?” He teased lightly as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple. “We both knew it was a long shot—and even if we’d only ever had Morgan, she’d have been more than enough! But now that we have Peter... and Ned and MJ are practically ours too for all the time they spend with us. Please, love. I never wanted you to sacrifice your health for a maybe or a someday. Our family is already so incredible.”

Her chin wobbled as single tear fell down her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

Tony pressed another kiss, firmer this time, to the crown of her head. “Ugh. No more of this ‘I’m sorry’ crap.” He brought his focus over to Dr. Cho. “So now it’s time to fix this. What would you recommend as the next course of action?”

“Honestly?” Dr. Cho looked to Tony before setting her sights back on her patient. “With your hormone levels still settled at pre-menopausal levels, we have no idea how much longer this will continue to be an issue; and with your cycles being heavy enough that you’re now passing out... For the sake of your health, Pepper, I’d advise at least a partial hysterectomy, but at your age, I would wholly prefer that we remove everything simply so we don’t need to risk the ‘Big C’ conversation at any point in the future. The difficulty with that, however, is that we’ll be throwing you directly into menopause, which comes with its own set of challenges.”

It was all too much for Pepper to take it.

“I’m sure that you both have questions.”Dr. Cho offered.

Neither Pepper nor Tony could think of anything to ask.

But Dr. Cho seemed understanding. “I’m going to give you two some privacy to discuss things, but before I leave, please know that this is not something we need to deal with in this exact moment. We’ll need to get your iron back up before we can plan for anything, Pepper, be it through another infusion if I’m not happy with your numbers next week, or supplements, or even a blood transfusion. Just—” Dr. Cho looked at the two of them, “take the time to talk to each other, okay?”

Pepper wiped away another tear as she nodded while Tony stood at her side, already prepared to care for the love of his life—whether Pepper liked it or not.

“I’ll instruct the nurse on duty that you are free to be released to the penthouse once you’ve finished the infusion and saline. I’m ordering modified bed rest until you’re feeling steadier on your feet.” Dr. Cho pointed directly at Pepper, “I know what you Starks are like, but I am trusting you to be honest about your physical limitations in the coming days. If you feel weak, you sit. If you need help, you ask. Slow and steady is your mantra until you’re good, but if we hit your appointment for follow up blood work and you’re still feeling shaky, like I said, we’ll need to have another chat, deal?”

“Deal,” Pepper managed a weak smile.

Tony squeezed her shoulder in support. “Thanks, Doc.”

“You are welcome,” she turned to leave, but had almost forgotten to add, “Oh, and one more thing, please be sure to tell Peter I said he did a great job when you get upstairs. You scared the ever-lovin’ shit out of that boy today, if you’ll pardon my candor, and he’s worried about you, but he also came through like a real hero. And, not that it happens often, but Tony was right. You both are a part of what I think is a pretty incredible family unit.”

Pepper and Tony both beamed at the compliment. “We really are lucky, aren’t we?” Pepper replied. “Thank you.”

With those words, Dr. Cho smiled and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Without a word, Tony climbed up onto the bed and pulled Pepper into his arms, the silence bringing peace to both of them. Pepper was unintentionally falling into another dose when Tony finally spoke, “You know what this means, don’t you, my love?”

Pepper hummed in question.

“I need to buy Peter a car.”

Pepper laughed and swatted his arm playfully. “Stop.”

“Okay, okay... seriously.” He hugged her a little closer, “This means that I get to take care of you for once. I’ll run baths for you, and I’ll make your meals...”

She smiled at the thought, “Mmm. You’ll make your mother’s lasagne?”

“I’ll make you whatever your heart desires... as long as I can hide liver and brussel sprouts in it.”

Pepper giggled and nuzzled into his chest. “Sounds like a plan.”

Tony pressed his face into her hair. “Perfect, because I’m planning on forever.”  

[tarot-junkie]

SPAGHETTI yummzzzz

Hubby wanted spaghetti with homemade meatballs. I wanted Alfredo. We just each made our own thing 😂😂I’m eating this Alfredo it’s SOOOOOO yummy. Cut this recipe in half, left overs for work! Go easy on the salt (the parm adds a bunch). Would prob make this the same but either use half n half or milk. As with all of my recipes, it’s pretty rich. Ironically I’m not the type to LIKE a heavy hand with sauce. It’s still delish.

The way I made it? If you’re making this with fettuccine, get the noodles going until they’re half way done boiling. Then start the sauce, bc it doesn’t take long. Keep the sauce heat on like a medium low, unless you can watch it …then you can increase heat, but be careful to not overheat it or the sauce will break.

Heat butter (you can prob cut this back a little too), add garlic. Let simmer for 30s to a min/until fragrant. Add in heavy cream. I let this do a light simmer while stirring. Then add in cream cheese. Use whisk to stir in. Add in garlic powder, Italian seasoning and black pepper.

Let this do a simmer while whisking. Don’t leave it for very long. A few mins. Noodles should be ready to drain. I’ve found it’s easier to put th in a mixing bowl once strained (hear me out!).

Add parm cheese to sauce and turn down. I add it and whisk together. It’s all about the low and slow. Taste the sauce as you’ll maybe add a small amount of salt, but be careful ���� (as if it’s not rich enough my god). Normal Alfredos would have you add the noodles to the pan. I like to pour it over the noodles in the mixing bowl and tong it up.

YUM.

Ps. I’ll post the veggie chili recipe maybe this week to balance things out 😂😂

[cwcontentcreator]

100 Quirky Fun Life Hacks

1. Use a paper clip to fix a broken zipper pull.

2. Freeze grapes to chill white wine without diluting it.

3. Store bed sheets inside their matching pillowcase.

4. Use a trousers hanger as a cookbook holder.

5. Put a wooden spoon over boiling water to prevent overflows.

6. Use muffin tins for condiment assortments at BBQs.

7. Place a rubber band around an open paint can to wipe your brush.

8. Use nail polish to differentiate keys.

9. Cut soft cheese or cake with unscented dental floss.

10. Use a squeegee to remove pet hair from furniture.

11. Put pancake mix in a ketchup bottle for a no-mess experience.

12. Use old newspaper to deodorize food containers.

13. Clean your keyboard with sticky notes.

14. Use a can opener to safely open blister packs.

15. Amplify your phone’s speaker with a cup.

16. Use ice cubes to remove furniture indentations in carpet.

17. Use a banana peel to shine shoes.

18. Put a dry towel in the dryer to speed up the drying process.

19. Use a hanging shoe rack to organize cleaning supplies.

20. Use toothpaste to clear up hazy car headlights.

21. Drop Alka-Seltzer tabs to clean a toilet.

22. Freeze aloe vera gel in ice cube trays for sunburn relief.

23. Store ice cream in a zip-top bag to keep it soft.

24. Use a bread tab to hold your spot on a roll of tape.

25. Thread a necklace through a straw to prevent tangling.

26. Blow-dry your mirror to prevent fogging.

27. Use a pool noodle to fill your mop bucket.

28. Use a tennis ball to hold pens or as a towel holder.

29. Clean sneakers with toothpaste.

30. Use a lint roller to clean out your purse or backpack.

31. Use a pasta ladle to measure one serving of spaghetti.

32. Use a pillowcase to clean ceiling fans.

33. Place a rubber band around an open paint can to wipe your brush.

34. Use a post-it note when drilling to catch dust.

35. Wrap gifts with fabric for reusable wrapping.

36. Flip a toaster on its side for grilled cheese.

37. Prevent pot boiling over with a wooden spoon.

38. Infuse olive oil with garlic for instant bread dip.

39. Freeze lemon slices and water for instant refreshing drinks.

40. Use a hair straightener to iron collar edges.

41. Cook two pizzas at once by cutting them in half and laying them flat.

42. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses with vinegar.

43. Use a carabiner to carry multiple grocery bags.

44. Freeze a sponge in a zip bag for an ice pack that won’t drip.

45. Write with a whiteboard marker on appliances to track perishables.

46. Use an egg slicer for equally sliced mushrooms.

47. Put a damp sponge in the microwave to disinfect it.

48. Layer scented dryer sheets between sheets for a fresh bed.

49. Soak a sponge in water and soap, freeze it for a DIY ice pack that cleans.

50. Use binder clips to fix a broken keyboard foot.

51. Make a tablet stand from a cutting board and a scrunchie.

52. Stash emergency cash in a ChapStick tube.

53. Plant herbs in a wine rack with glass jars.

54. Organize cables with binder clips on a desk edge.

55. Clean blender by blending water and soap.

56. Stuff newspaper in wet shoes for quick drying.

57. Use a muffin tin to serve condiments at a picnic.

58. Turn a magazine holder into a shelf by mounting it sideways.

59. Keep apple slices from browning with a rubber band.

60. Use a plastic bottle as a makeshift watering can.

61. Drop a few marshmallows into brown sugar to prevent hardening.

62. Clean your iron by ironing salt on wax paper.

63. Use a vegetable peeler to slice cheese thinly.

64. Sharpen scissors by cutting fine-grit sandpaper.

65. Use crayons as emergency candles.

66. Place a wooden spoon in a pot to prevent boiling over.

67. Make your own ice pack by freezing dish soap.

68. Organize your closet by hanging bags with shower curtain rings.

69. Keep cords organized with bread tags.

70. Use a colander to evenly distribute powdered sugar.

71. Make a DIY sprinkler with a punctured plastic bottle.

72. Use a wine cork to safely store needles.

73. Store sheet sets inside their corresponding pillowcase.

74. Freeze coffee in ice cube trays for undiluted iced coffee.

75. Use beeswax to waterproof shoes.

76. Use a magnetic strip to organize bobby pins and tweezers.

77. Remove pet hair with a squeegee.

78. Use old CD racks for bagel sandwich holders.

79. Use a potato to unscrew a broken lightbulb.

80. Use a salad spinner to fluff down jackets.

81. Use glasses as a makeshift smartphone tripod.

82. Keep your earbuds in a mint container when not in use.

83. Seal plastic bags with the top of a water bottle; cut the top off and slide the bag through the neck.

84. Convert a cardboard box into a makeshift sled.

85. Turn a plastic bottle into a makeshift piggy bank.

86. Keep a bar of soap in the same drawer as your dirty laundry to keep it smelling fresh.

87. Use old socks as sleeves to protect drinks from warming or hands from cold.

88. Use a wine bottle as a rolling pin.

89. Make a no-sew pet bed from an old sweater.

90. Cut an old milk jug into a dustpan.

91. Use a yoga mat under rugs for extra no-slip safety.

92. Use a waffle iron to make cinnamon rolls.

93. Turn a bread clip into a holder for tapes on a tape roll.

94. Put Vaseline on the end of a nail polish bottle for easy opening.

95. Use a vegetable peeler to make chocolate curls.

96. Use a pill container to organize jewelry when traveling.

97. Use a shower cap to cover the bottom of shoes in your luggage.

98. Use a lemon to freshen up your garbage disposal.

99. Use a rubber band around an open paint can for excess paint wiping.

100. Use clear nail polish to stop a run in your stockings.

[petermorwood]

Medieval Europe didn't have tomatoes, due - as stated above - to being an ocean away, and even when introduced were believed poisonous (so were potatoes). As a result, despite being enthusiastically eaten in Mesoamerica, for years toms and spuds were just ornamental plants.

*****

Forks existed in the Middle Ages, but were definitely not used by peasants, and until the Renaissance (1500s onward) were usually only for eating fruit. Even then they were considered decadent and sinful, since God had provided perfectly adequate fingers.

(Some people still think that; Americans are hands-on with burgers, pizza, French fries, Kentucky chicken and some Mexican foods, Indian and Middle Eastern people are hand- (right only) -on when eating traditionally, and re-enactors are hand, knife and spoon- (but no fork) -on when observing period etiquette.)

Side-note: the later Romans also had forks. How common they were I don't know, but here's one as part of a multi-tool from 200-300 AD which looks like the ancestor of modern camping cutlery.

The knife blade is severely rusted, but everything else is silver alloy and in much better shape.

The usual medieval cutlery was a small eating-knife (NOT a dagger, those things are (a) weapons and (b) mostly too big for table use), a pick or spike to pin down the things needing cut smaller, a spoon for runny stuff like soup, and of course fingers.

Here's a man (from "The Peasant Dance" by Breugel, 1567) so proud of owning a silver (?) spoon that he's got it in his hat.

He's also got his other eating-irons fitted into the sheath of his short sword / fighting-knife (you can just see the ends of their handles)...

...and the man in red hose has a similar small knife hung from his belt.

*****

There's a pasta dish called "loseyns" (lozenges) dating back to the late 1300s, which involved small pieces of pasta cooked in meat broth then layered between cheese and spices, and certainly spoon-able.

This modern Polish pasta called "lazanka" is probably very close in size and shape to the medieval one:

*****

Not quite medieval, but here's how spaghetti or fettuccine was eaten Back In The Day:

This was probably dressed with garlic, cheese, herbs and oil; more elaborate versions might also have bits of meat, fish or vegetables mixed in with it, but none of the painted pasta shows any sign of tomato sauce.

It was still a messy-looking process, though I bet there was a knack to it, just like being able to use a Spanish Porrón for a drink rather than a face-wash...

Well I would give a medieval peasant some spaghetti.

[masaotheheckindog]

I tried making western food, which I don't do a lot of. Today it was spaghetti with meat sauce. I used turkey because beef was so so expensive T_T. Turkey was literally half the price. In order to make it tastier and more tender, I soaked it in sake for a while before seasoning and cooking it. I don't have a lot of seasonings that are used in Italian food, so I seasoned the turkey in salt, msg, garlic powder, chili powder, and black pepper.

I cooked some chopped up onions and garlic, cooked those before adding the turkey, then added canned sauce after cooking the turkey. I just cooked pasta and added it and let it sit for a while. It was pretty good but I think I have pretty low standards for pasta.

Turkey has less iron but more protein than beef. I might have liked to use ground pork but it's very difficult to find here!?! I don't understand why it's so hard to find ground pork in the states--at least this part.

Anyway, I highly recommend soaking your meat in some kind of alcohol before using it, particularly if you're not doing some other preparation like brining or marinading. It makes it much tastier imo and a little juicier. The same goes for fish tbh. If it's a solid piece of meat or fish, I recommend patting it dry after soaking it.

With ground meat, you don't need to dry it. Actually, it absorbs the alcohol and becomes so juicy and tender. I think home-cooked meat often doesn't taste as good as meat from a restaurant, and doing this closes the gap for me. I use sake but honestly you could probably use any neutral tasting alcohol.

[youdoyoucooking]

Any Day of the Week “Sunday Sauce”

A tomato sauce for pasta is a perfect example of not having to “stick to the recipe”. You’re in charge. Almost every ingredient has other possibilities that all work well together. A slow-simmered tomato sauce can be cooked with various types of meat like beef, pork, or lamb, and spices which infuse the sauce with deep flavors over several hours. Do you have a lack of patience? Pasta sauce can also be ready in as little as 1 hour. Understanding the basics of this sauce will help you master it and get you well on your way to calming down in the kitchen.

My lack of Italian heritage does not prevent me from making an awesome red sauce. Making one with what I have, what I like, and what’s on sale is my magical power. This is my recipe for making a no-pressure pasta sauce without crushing your soul. My mother made large vats of “Spaghetti Sauce”. She had a large cast iron Dutch oven that would bubble on the stove all day. If making this sauce happened on the day she’d bake our bread, it was a boon for all of us. We kids would sneak a piece of fresh bread, and dip it in the sauce. Who could say no to that? The 6 of us would have pasta one night, and the remainder of the sauce would be frozen to re-emerge as lasagna later in the week (spaghetti one night always meant lasagna was on its way). How are you going to adapt this recipe to reflect who you are?

The one thing I would stick to is the tomatoes. Use canned Italian imported tomatoes. They are more expensive but in the big picture, they are worth spending your money on, they are the hero and star of the show, and there is value there. I learned this from my son, Max. When your adult children can teach you something about the essentials of cooking then your job as a parent is done. Keep your eye out, buy them when on sale, and tuck them into the back of your cabinet. They will never let you down.

Serves 8 generously, and also freezes well.

1 ½ to 2 pounds of Sausage, hot or sweet, or a combo, not in its casing OR

Ground beef

Ground chicken or turkey 

Ground Venison

Ground Lamb

Meat alternative

Mix and Match

¼ cup of butter OR

Olive Oil

Vegetable Shortening

2 small sweet onions, finely chopped to ¼" dice OR

Yellow Onions

Red Onions

Leeks

6 cloves garlic, minced OR

Skip the  Garlic

1 entire head of Garlic

How much Garlic do you like?

Shallots

6 ounces (1 small can ) of tomato paste

6 ounces of water

2 28-oz cans of whole canned tomatoes, (crushed with your hand into smaller pieces) OR

Tomato sauce

Diced tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes

1 cup red wine OR

White Wine

Beef Broth

Chicken Broth

2 teaspoons kosher salt OR

Skip all together?

Salt to taste, how much do you want?

1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper OR

Skip all together?

 How much do you want?

1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano, and parsley OR

1 tablespoon of fresh each herb?

1 tablespoon of “Italian blend” seasoning

Skip all together?

 How much do you want?

½  teaspoon red pepper flakes, OR

Skip all together?

 How much do you want?

If the instructions for this sauce were just  “Make the sauce”, I bet you could do it. You’d channel an Italian Grandma and dive in. In case you need more guidance, let’s get into it.

Brown the meat you have chosen in a large Dutch oven or a large heavy-bottom saucepan. Whatever you make big pots of soup in will work. Cook the meat until there is no more pink and it starts to brown on the bottom. Brown equals flavor. Try to break it up so there are no large clumps. Pour off excess fat. You want to leave enough so a light coating is on the bottom of your pot. Add your butter or what you have chosen. Toss in the onions and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. You don’t want the onion to brown but you want them to soften. If there is not enough fat from the browning of the meat to cook your onions in, toss in some extra butter or olive oil.

Add the garlic, tomato paste, and herbs you will use. Continue stirring to work the tomato paste all throughout what you have in the saucepan. Everything should be lightly coated with the paste. Then cook for another 5 minutes. Imagine you are toasting the tomato paste. You won’t “see” any toasting but this step will make a big difference. 

Add all of the remaining ingredients (all at once? Yup) and give a thorough stir, take a moment and appreciate all you have accomplished. Simmer this sauce for at least 1 hour but 4-6 hours is best. You want your stove to be on the lowest setting possible with a bubble popping on the surface now and then. If you feel this gets too thick add a splash of beef broth or water. Give a good stir now and then to prevent scorching on the bottom. Tada! You’re done!

If you are going to break this up into smaller portions, make sure it is completely cool before headed into the refrigerator or freezer.

What happens if you love Mushrooms but the recipe doesn’t call for mushrooms? Do it. Be wild. Add 8 ounces of sliced mushroom when you are cooking the onions (mushrooms usually come in 8-ounce packages). So how empowered you feel?

Just like the mushrooms you can add Red or Green Peppers.

Black olives give a surprising briny taste to a tomato sauce. Traditional Black Olive or Greek Black Olives are great in here. How many do you want in your sauce? Why not try a green olive?

Zucchini added in with the Onions is an easy way to bump up the vegetable measurement. They will soften and melt into the sauce.

Try adding a couple of Anchovies. They will fall apart during the simmering and add unami to the overall flavor. It’s your secret, no one has to know.

½ cup of cream or sour cream will give everything an air of elegance. Also will give you something to do with that ½ cup of cream you have in the back of your fridge. Stir it in at the last minute and don’t let the sauce come to a full boil after you’ve added it.

A Sunday Sauce will always be there for you. Containers of it in your freezer will defrost quickly. It is your buddy for when you can’t deal with dinner. It’s rewarding to make and intensely adaptable. There is a simple foundation and open to make it “your style”.

[brookston]

Holidays 8.24

Holidays

Bartholomew Fair (UK)

Day of Action for Tolerance & Respect Among Peoples (Argentina)

Flag Day (Liberia)

Flitting Appreciation Day

Gaura Parba (Nepal)

Go Topless Day [also Sunday nearest 8.26]

International Day Against Intolerance, Discrimination and Violence Based on Musical Preferences, Lifestyle and Dress Code (UN)

International Strange Music Day

Knife Day

Kobe Bryant Day (Los Angeles)

Love a Geek Day

Minerva Asteroid Day

National #IAM911 Day

National Danny Day

National Emory Day

National Hydropower Day

National Knife Day

National Maryland Day

National Parks Day (Costa Rica)

National SKAM Artist Day

National Waffle Iron Day

Nostalgia Night (Uruguay)

Osiris Nativity (Ancient Egypt)

Pluto Demotion Day

Sam Spade Day

Schaferlauf (Germany)

Shooting Star Day

Single-Parent Family Day

Television Day Indonesia)

Vesuvius Day

Waffle Iron Day

Waratambar (Thanksgiving; Papua New Guinea)

Wayzgoose (End-of-Summer Party)

Weather Complaint Day

We Love Memoirs Day

William Wilberforce Day

Winter Barley Day (French Republic)

World Catholic, Artificial Intelligence, & Robot Day

World Gujarati Language Day

World Nuclear Disaster Day

World Trainer’s Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Can-Opener Day

Indian Single Malt Day

National Peach Pie Day

National Waffle Day

Independence & Related Days

Russia (from USSR, 1991)

Ukraine (from USSR, 1991)

4th Saturday in August

Bartletide (a.k.a. Burning Bartle; UK) [Saturday closest to 24th]

Sandwich Saturday [Every Saturday]

Six For Saturday [Every Saturday]

Spaghetti Saturday [Every Saturday]

Speak Kind Words Saturday [Saturday of Be Kind to Humankind Week]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 24 (3rd Full Week of August)

Giants of Ath Festival (De Ducasse; Belgium) [4th Saturday thru SUnday]

International Bat Nights (thru 8.25) [Last Full Weekend]

Festivals Beginning August 24, 2024

Around The World Cultural Food Festival (Alexandria, Virginia)

Balingup Medieval Carnivale (Balingup, Australia) [thru 8.25]

Banana Split Celebration (Latrobe, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.25]

Beertopia(Palmetto, Florida)

Bloemencorso Vollenhove (Vollenhove, Netherlands)

Boones Mill Apple Festival (Boones Mill, Virginia)

Boston’s Trinidad Style Carnival (Boston, Massachusetts)

Brew at the Zoo (Providence, Rhode Island)

Cleveland Garlic Festival (Cleveland, Ohio) [thru 8.25]

Coastal Craft Beer Festival (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Delaware Beer, Wine and Spirits Festival (Dover, Delaware)

Farm Fresh Uncorked (Hillsboro, Oregon)

Heirloom Tomato Festival (Sherman, Connecticut)

Independence BrewBQ (Independence, Iowa)

Lake Tahoe Brewfest (Lake Tahoe, California)

Long Night of Museums (Berlin, Germany)

Music City Brewer's Fest (Nashville, Tennessee)

National Championship Chuckwagon Race (Clinton, Arkansas) [thru 9.1]

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival (Olathe, Colorado)

Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival (West Newton, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.28]

Potwin Watermelon Festival (Potwin, Kansas)

Prickly Pear Festival (Superior, Arizona)

Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival (Prosser, Washington)

Sawtooth Salmon Festival (Stanley, Idaho)

Schubertiade Vorarlberg (Schwarzenberg, Austria) [thru 9.1]

ShakesBeer Fest (Stratford, Connecticut)

Smuttynose Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival (Hampton, New Hampshire)

Swine in the Pines (Macclenny, Florida)

Threshing Bee (Donnelly, Minnesota) [thru 8.25]

Washington County Fair (Pembroke, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Wells Chili-Fest (Wells, Maine)

West Virginia State Honey Festival (Parkersburg, West Virginia) [thru 8.25]

Windsor Fair (Windsor, Maine) [thru 9.2]

Wine Down Summer (West Deptford, New Jersey)

Feast Days

Abbán of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Alexander Milne Calder (Artology)

Alex Colville (Artology)

Arkwright (Positivist; Saint)

A.S. Byatt (Writerism)

Aubrey Beardsley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Aurea of Ostia (Christian; Saint)

Bartholomew the Apostle (Roman Catholic, Anglican) [mead drinkers, cheese merchants] *

Day of Our Lady of Sanity (Pagan)

Festival of Mania (Ancient Rome)

Gartan (Celtic Book of Days)

The Great In-Betweeny (Muppetism)

Gunnlöð Festival (Norse)

Hannah Frank (Artology)

Irchard (a.k.a. Erthad) of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Jeanne-Antide Thouret (Christian; Saint)

Jorge Luis Borges (Writerism)

Lavinia Fontana (Artology)

Luna Festival (Ancient Rome)

Maria Micaela Desmaisieres (Christian; Saint)

The Martyrs of Utica (Christian; Martyrs)

Massa Candida (Martyrs of Utica, a.k.a. The White Mass; Christian; Martyrs)

Magal de Touba (Pilgrimmage; Senegal)

Mundus Patet (Roman Harvest Feast)

Mundus Ritual of Ceres (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Nancy Spero (Artology)

Ouen (Audoin or Audoenus) of Rouen (Christian; Saint) [Innkeepers]

Paul Coelho (Writerism)

Pluto Demotion Grieving Day (Pastafarian)

Stephen Fry (Humanism; Writerism)

Willka Raymi (Ancient Incan; Peru)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Alice’s Restaurant (Film; 1969)

All Quiet on the Western Front (Film; 1930)

Buddy the Gee Man (WB LT Cartoon; 1935)

Chop Suey (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

Chronic Town, by R.E.M. (EP; 1982)

The Facts of Life (TV Series; 1979)

Fantastic Voyage (Film; 1966)

The Fox and the Duck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Frank, by Squeeze (Album; 1989)

Get Together, recorded by The Youngbloods (Song; 1966)

Grace, by Jeff Buckley (Album; 1994)

Gravity and Grace, by Simone Weil (Philosophical Thoughts; 1947)

They Happytime Murders (Film; 2018)

The Harp in the South, by Ruth Park (Novel; 1948)

Hi-Rise Wise Guys (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1970)

Jay and Silent Bob Stroke Back (Film; 2001)

Look What You Made Me Do, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2017)

Love Me Tender, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1956)

Mess Production (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1945)

Mice in Council (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins (Novel; 2010) [#3]

Oh! The Grandeur, by Andrew Bird with Bowl of Fire (Album; 1999)

Pump Up the Volume (Film; 1990)

Rock ’N’ Roll High School (Film; 1979)

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, by Tom Stoppard (Play; 1966)

Saludos Amigos (Disney Animated Film; 1942)

Taran Wanderer, by Lloyd Alexander [Chronicles of Prydain #4]

Tattoo You, by The Rolling Stones (Album; 1981)

Teenage Dream, by Katy Perry (Album; 2010)

3 Ring Wing-Ding (WB LT Cartoon; 1968)

Tortilla Soup (Film; 2001)

Violin and Piano Sonata (K526), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Sonata; 1787)

The Witches (Film; 1990)

Today’s Name Days

Bartholomäus, Isolde, Michaela (Austria)

Aurea, Bariša, Bartol, Bartolomej, Bartul, Zlata (Croatia)

Bartoloměj (Czech Republic)

Bartholomæus (Denmark)

Albert, Berta, Pärt, Pärtel (Estonia)

Bertta, Perttu (Finland)

Barthélémy (France)

Bartholomäus, Isolde, Michaela (Germany)

Aitolia, Eftihis (Greece)

Bertalan (Hungary)

Bartolomeo, Genesio, Giuliano (Italy)

Bertolds, Bertrams, Berts, Bertulis, Boleslavs (Latvia)

Alicija, Baltramiejus, Baltrus, Rasuolė, Viešvilas (Lithuania)

Belinda, Bertil (Norway)

Bartłomiej, Cieszymir, Jerzy, Joanna, Malina, Michalina (Poland)

Bartolomej (Slovakia)

Bartolomé, Emilia (Spain)

Bartolomeus (Sweden)

Baird, Bard, Bart, Barth, Bartholomew, Bowen, Evan, Ewan, Keon, Owen (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 237 of 2024; 129 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of Week 34 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 21 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 20 Av 5784

Islamic: 18 Safar 1446

J Cal: 27 Purple; Sixday [27 of 30]

Julian: 11 August 2024

Moon: 68%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 12 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Arkwright]

Runic Half Month: Rad (Motion) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 66 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 3 of 32)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.24

Holidays

Bartholomew Fair (UK)

Day of Action for Tolerance & Respect Among Peoples (Argentina)

Flag Day (Liberia)

Flitting Appreciation Day

Gaura Parba (Nepal)

Go Topless Day [also Sunday nearest 8.26]

International Day Against Intolerance, Discrimination and Violence Based on Musical Preferences, Lifestyle and Dress Code (UN)

International Strange Music Day

Knife Day

Kobe Bryant Day (Los Angeles)

Love a Geek Day

Minerva Asteroid Day

National #IAM911 Day

National Danny Day

National Emory Day

National Hydropower Day

National Knife Day

National Maryland Day

National Parks Day (Costa Rica)

National SKAM Artist Day

National Waffle Iron Day

Nostalgia Night (Uruguay)

Osiris Nativity (Ancient Egypt)

Pluto Demotion Day

Sam Spade Day

Schaferlauf (Germany)

Shooting Star Day

Single-Parent Family Day

Television Day Indonesia)

Vesuvius Day

Waffle Iron Day

Waratambar (Thanksgiving; Papua New Guinea)

Wayzgoose (End-of-Summer Party)

Weather Complaint Day

We Love Memoirs Day

William Wilberforce Day

Winter Barley Day (French Republic)

World Catholic, Artificial Intelligence, & Robot Day

World Gujarati Language Day

World Nuclear Disaster Day

World Trainer’s Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Can-Opener Day

Indian Single Malt Day

National Peach Pie Day

National Waffle Day

Independence & Related Days

Russia (from USSR, 1991)

Ukraine (from USSR, 1991)

4th Saturday in August

Bartletide (a.k.a. Burning Bartle; UK) [Saturday closest to 24th]

Sandwich Saturday [Every Saturday]

Six For Saturday [Every Saturday]

Spaghetti Saturday [Every Saturday]

Speak Kind Words Saturday [Saturday of Be Kind to Humankind Week]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 24 (3rd Full Week of August)

Giants of Ath Festival (De Ducasse; Belgium) [4th Saturday thru SUnday]

International Bat Nights (thru 8.25) [Last Full Weekend]

Festivals Beginning August 24, 2024

Around The World Cultural Food Festival (Alexandria, Virginia)

Balingup Medieval Carnivale (Balingup, Australia) [thru 8.25]

Banana Split Celebration (Latrobe, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.25]

Beertopia(Palmetto, Florida)

Bloemencorso Vollenhove (Vollenhove, Netherlands)

Boones Mill Apple Festival (Boones Mill, Virginia)

Boston’s Trinidad Style Carnival (Boston, Massachusetts)

Brew at the Zoo (Providence, Rhode Island)

Cleveland Garlic Festival (Cleveland, Ohio) [thru 8.25]

Coastal Craft Beer Festival (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Delaware Beer, Wine and Spirits Festival (Dover, Delaware)

Farm Fresh Uncorked (Hillsboro, Oregon)

Heirloom Tomato Festival (Sherman, Connecticut)

Independence BrewBQ (Independence, Iowa)

Lake Tahoe Brewfest (Lake Tahoe, California)

Long Night of Museums (Berlin, Germany)

Music City Brewer's Fest (Nashville, Tennessee)

National Championship Chuckwagon Race (Clinton, Arkansas) [thru 9.1]

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival (Olathe, Colorado)

Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival (West Newton, Pennsylvania) [thru 9.28]

Potwin Watermelon Festival (Potwin, Kansas)

Prickly Pear Festival (Superior, Arizona)

Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival (Prosser, Washington)

Sawtooth Salmon Festival (Stanley, Idaho)

Schubertiade Vorarlberg (Schwarzenberg, Austria) [thru 9.1]

ShakesBeer Fest (Stratford, Connecticut)

Smuttynose Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival (Hampton, New Hampshire)

Swine in the Pines (Macclenny, Florida)

Threshing Bee (Donnelly, Minnesota) [thru 8.25]

Washington County Fair (Pembroke, Maine) [thru 8.25]

Wells Chili-Fest (Wells, Maine)

West Virginia State Honey Festival (Parkersburg, West Virginia) [thru 8.25]

Windsor Fair (Windsor, Maine) [thru 9.2]

Wine Down Summer (West Deptford, New Jersey)

Feast Days

Abbán of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Alexander Milne Calder (Artology)

Alex Colville (Artology)

Arkwright (Positivist; Saint)

A.S. Byatt (Writerism)

Aubrey Beardsley Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Aurea of Ostia (Christian; Saint)

Bartholomew the Apostle (Roman Catholic, Anglican) [mead drinkers, cheese merchants] *

Day of Our Lady of Sanity (Pagan)

Festival of Mania (Ancient Rome)

Gartan (Celtic Book of Days)

The Great In-Betweeny (Muppetism)

Gunnlöð Festival (Norse)

Hannah Frank (Artology)

Irchard (a.k.a. Erthad) of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Jeanne-Antide Thouret (Christian; Saint)

Jorge Luis Borges (Writerism)

Lavinia Fontana (Artology)

Luna Festival (Ancient Rome)

Maria Micaela Desmaisieres (Christian; Saint)

The Martyrs of Utica (Christian; Martyrs)

Massa Candida (Martyrs of Utica, a.k.a. The White Mass; Christian; Martyrs)

Magal de Touba (Pilgrimmage; Senegal)

Mundus Patet (Roman Harvest Feast)

Mundus Ritual of Ceres (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Nancy Spero (Artology)

Ouen (Audoin or Audoenus) of Rouen (Christian; Saint) [Innkeepers]

Paul Coelho (Writerism)

Pluto Demotion Grieving Day (Pastafarian)

Stephen Fry (Humanism; Writerism)

Willka Raymi (Ancient Incan; Peru)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Alice’s Restaurant (Film; 1969)

All Quiet on the Western Front (Film; 1930)

Buddy the Gee Man (WB LT Cartoon; 1935)

Chop Suey (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1930)

Chronic Town, by R.E.M. (EP; 1982)

The Facts of Life (TV Series; 1979)

Fantastic Voyage (Film; 1966)

The Fox and the Duck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Frank, by Squeeze (Album; 1989)

Get Together, recorded by The Youngbloods (Song; 1966)

Grace, by Jeff Buckley (Album; 1994)

Gravity and Grace, by Simone Weil (Philosophical Thoughts; 1947)

They Happytime Murders (Film; 2018)

The Harp in the South, by Ruth Park (Novel; 1948)

Hi-Rise Wise Guys (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1970)

Jay and Silent Bob Stroke Back (Film; 2001)

Look What You Made Me Do, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2017)

Love Me Tender, recorded by Elvis Presley (Song; 1956)

Mess Production (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1945)

Mice in Council (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins (Novel; 2010) [#3]

Oh! The Grandeur, by Andrew Bird with Bowl of Fire (Album; 1999)

Pump Up the Volume (Film; 1990)

Rock ’N’ Roll High School (Film; 1979)

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, by Tom Stoppard (Play; 1966)

Saludos Amigos (Disney Animated Film; 1942)

Taran Wanderer, by Lloyd Alexander [Chronicles of Prydain #4]

Tattoo You, by The Rolling Stones (Album; 1981)

Teenage Dream, by Katy Perry (Album; 2010)

3 Ring Wing-Ding (WB LT Cartoon; 1968)

Tortilla Soup (Film; 2001)

Violin and Piano Sonata (K526), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Sonata; 1787)

The Witches (Film; 1990)

Today’s Name Days

Bartholomäus, Isolde, Michaela (Austria)

Aurea, Bariša, Bartol, Bartolomej, Bartul, Zlata (Croatia)

Bartoloměj (Czech Republic)

Bartholomæus (Denmark)

Albert, Berta, Pärt, Pärtel (Estonia)

Bertta, Perttu (Finland)

Barthélémy (France)

Bartholomäus, Isolde, Michaela (Germany)

Aitolia, Eftihis (Greece)

Bertalan (Hungary)

Bartolomeo, Genesio, Giuliano (Italy)

Bertolds, Bertrams, Berts, Bertulis, Boleslavs (Latvia)

Alicija, Baltramiejus, Baltrus, Rasuolė, Viešvilas (Lithuania)

Belinda, Bertil (Norway)

Bartłomiej, Cieszymir, Jerzy, Joanna, Malina, Michalina (Poland)

Bartolomej (Slovakia)

Bartolomé, Emilia (Spain)

Bartolomeus (Sweden)

Baird, Bard, Bart, Barth, Bartholomew, Bowen, Evan, Ewan, Keon, Owen (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 237 of 2024; 129 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of Week 34 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 22 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 21 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 20 Av 5784

Islamic: 18 Safar 1446

J Cal: 27 Purple; Sixday [27 of 30]

Julian: 11 August 2024

Moon: 68%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 12 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Arkwright]

Runic Half Month: Rad (Motion) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 66 of 94)

Week: 3rd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 3 of 32)

[halftheguilt]

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds and support your diet plan simultaneously? Look no further than our exquisite Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe. This delightful dish strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and health, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a scrumptious yet nutritious meal. With a zesty blend of lemon and garlic complementing succulent shrimp, this pasta creation promises a burst of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Whether you're a seafood lover or simply in the mood for some Italian-inspired goodness, this dish is a must-try! Look no further than our Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe. This culinary masterpiece embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine, where fresh, wholesome ingredients meet delightful aromas and exquisite flavors. The marriage of zesty lemon and aromatic garlic with succulent shrimp on a bed of perfectly cooked pasta creates a symphony of taste that will transport your senses straight to the Italian coastline. Join us in the kitchen as we unlock the secrets to preparing this savory, diet-friendly delight.

Cultural Background and Significance

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, inspired by Italian cuisine, celebrates the Mediterranean love for seafood and citrus. It combines the zestiness of lemon with the rich flavors of garlic, a combination that has been cherished in Mediterranean cooking for generations. This dish is not only a culinary delight but also a representation of the Mediterranean diet, known for its health benefits.

Health Benefits of Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

- Rich in lean protein from shrimp. - High in vitamin C from lemon juice. - Contains healthy fats from olive oil. - Low in saturated fat and cholesterol. - Provides essential minerals like iron. - Incorporates fresh herbs for added antioxidants.

Tips for a Perfect Cook

- Fresh Ingredients Use fresh shrimp, lemons, and parsley for the best flavors. - Proper Seasoning Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavors. - Don't Overcook Shrimp Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery; cook just until opaque. - Garnish Creatively Customize with grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs. - Lemon Zest Don't skip the lemon zest; it adds a burst of citrusy aroma.

Variations and Modifications

- Gluten-Free Use gluten-free pasta. - Vegan Option Replace shrimp with tofu or mushrooms. - Spicy Twist Add red pepper flakes for heat. - Creamy Version Mix in a touch of cream or coconut milk. - Vegetable Additions Include sautéed spinach or cherry tomatoes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Overcooking Shrimp Shrimp cook quickly; don't let them become tough. - Insufficient Seasoning Ensure you season adequately with salt and pepper. - Ignoring Lemon Zest Zest adds vibrant lemon flavor, so don't skip it. - Overcooking Pasta Cook pasta to al dente; it will cook further in the skillet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?Yes, just thaw them before cooking.What type of pasta is best for this dish?Linguine or spaghetti works well.Is it spicy?Not by default, but you can add red pepper flakes for heat.Can I make it dairy-free?Absolutely, omit Parmesan cheese.How can I reduce the calorie count?Use less olive oil and serve without cheese.Can I use bottled lemon juice?Fresh is preferred for the best flavor.How do I store leftovers?Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.Can I use shrimp with shells?You can, but peeled shrimp are more convenient.What's the best wine pairing?A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.Can I make it in advance for a party?It's best served fresh, but you can prepare some components in advance.

Conclusion

Indulge in the irresistible Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, a masterpiece of Mediterranean cuisine that marries the vibrant flavors of lemon and garlic with succulent shrimp. Not only is this dish a treat for your taste buds, but it also aligns with your dietary goals. In conclusion, our Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta isn't just a recipe; it's an experience. It's a celebration of culinary traditions, a testament to the vibrant Mediterranean diet, and a flavorful journey that proves that eating healthily can be incredibly delicious. As you savor each bite of this dish, you'll discover that achieving your dietary goals doesn't mean sacrificing taste. So, don't wait any longer—whip up this exquisite Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta and embark on a culinary adventure that'll leave your taste buds tingling with delight. Join us today, and let's continue this delectable journey together. Don't forget to follow @HalfTheGuilt101 for more inspiring recipes that make healthy eating a joy! Read the full article

[eazy-group]

Easy Cajun Chicken One Pot Camping Pasta

New Post has been published on https://eazycamping.net/easy-cajun-chicken-one-pot-camping-pasta/

Easy Cajun Chicken One Pot Camping Pasta

Having a few super-fast Dutch oven camping recipes in your rotation makes it easy to put a fantastic dinner on the table even when you are away from your campsite for the entire day. This Cajun Chicken One Pot Camping Pasta has a mild spiciness that is balanced with a rich and velvety sauce.

Cajun Chicken One Pot Camping Pasta by CampingForFoodies

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

Prep To Make Quick Pasta Camp Meals

This is one of our camping dinner recipes that is fast to prep and cook … partially because it starts with pre-cooked chicken that you just need to slice and throw in the pan with the noodles. You’ll also need to cube a block of cream cheese and dice a jalapeno pepper. Clean-up is quick too when you make one pot camping meals.

Camp Cooking Tip: Pre-cooked meats make it fast to prepare easy camping meals so I keep a couple of simply-seasoned (salt, pepper and maybe a little garlic powder) grilled chicken breasts in my freezer so I can slice them for speedy meals that contain noodles or rice.

Methods Of Cooking Camp Meals In Individual Pots

This recipe is one of my really simple camping pasta recipes because you boil the farfalle in chicken broth and you don’t have to drain any liquid (unlike when you boil spaghetti in water and need to drain it.) For that reason, you need to use a vessel that is deep enough to handle the boiling liquid but not too wide that the farfalle is not submerged in the broth … and … has enough depth to handle the chicken and remaining ingredients in the recipe. A standard-depth 12-inch cast iron Dutch oven is the perfect vessel size for cooking this meal.

If you are making this as one of our campfire recipes, you’ll need to get your fire going in order to cook over coals and you can either use a tripod for hanging the oven over the heat or use a campfire grate so you can set the oven directly on the grate. Alternatively, you can use charcoal briquettes that will be placed under the oven.

If you don’t want to bother with getting a camp fire going, it is even faster to make this as one of our camp stove recipes. Just make sure you are cooking on a level surface when boiling the bow ties.

Steps To Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Step 1. Prepare your ingredients as directed.

Step 2. Prepare your heat source and cooking equipment.

Step 3. Cook pasta in chicken broth. You’ll need to get the chicken broth boiling, then, you’ll add the farfalle and cook it until it is firm, not mushy. This should only take about 5-10 minutes. You won’t need to drain the liquid from the Dutch oven.

Step 4. Add remaining ingredients and heat through. You’ll turn the heat down a bit and then add the chicken, tomatoes, cream cheese, Cajun seasoning, jalapeno, salt and pepper. Everything is already cooked so you are just heating everything and waiting for the cream cheese to melt.

Step 5. Serve hot. It is not necessary but if you want to add a little fresh parsley to top this meal, it is a nice touch. Serve hot and enjoy.

Pairings For Single Dish Meals

To keep this dinner uncomplicated, I don’t serve anything else with it. If I want to get a little “fancy” I’ll also serve a basic side salad with a prepared dressing.

Recipes Similar To Creamy Cajun Chicken And Farfalle

We love warm and hearty winter camping recipes that taste great without a lot of effort.

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Try Dutch Oven Campfire Goulash for a hearty meal that includes Italian sausage, elbow macaroni, and Great Northern beans … it’ll warm you to your toes!

This Fork-Tender Beef Dutch Oven Campfire Stew has carrots and potatoes in a rich tomato and beef broth sauce.

If you have a little extra time and wine, you need to make drunken meatballs! They are so tender and flavorful! Try my recipe for Dutch Oven Spaghetti And Meatballs when you want to have a next-to-gourmet dinner on your camping trip in the great outdoors!

This One Pot Spaghetti features a red sauce with spicy sausage and thin spaghetti, and, it is on the table in about 30 minutes.

A few more options to consider … you can make a quick primavera by combining pasta and fresh vegetables … make your favorite old fashioned comfort food of tuna noodle casserole by boiling some shells and adding canned tuna … or just mix a pre-made jarred pesto with some linguini.

Print This Recipe

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Camping Pasta Recipe

Kim Hanna

Camping For Foodies Dinner Camping Recipes: This easy camping pasta dish is cooked in one pot with a creamy Cajun sauce.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner Camping Recipes

Cuisine Cajun

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 137 kcal

2 (32 oz) containers chicken broth

1 (16 oz) package farfalle pasta

2 pre-cooked chicken breasts halves, sliced thin

1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened and cubed

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 small jalapeno pepper diced

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley optional

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

In a 12 inch cast iron Dutch oven, bring chicken broth to boil over high heat using a campfire, camp stove or RV stove for cooking.

Add the pasta and cook covered till al dente and still firm to the bite, about 5-10 minutes. Do not drain any liquid from the pot.

Reduce the heat to medium-high and stir in the chicken, tomatoes, cream cheese, Cajun seasoning, jalapeno, salt and pepper.

Cook covered till the chicken is heated through and cream cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and continue cooking until the sauce reaches your desired thickness, about 5-10 minutes total.

Top with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Serving: 1gCalories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 24gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 135mgPotassium: 468mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 938IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

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