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eddies-house · 1 year

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California Dreamin’

Chapter Three: Roxanne (18+ ONLY)

Modern!Eddie AU - In which Eddie travels to California searching for something more out of life. And then he meets you. Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 4

Warnings: smoking weed, drinking alcohol, eventual smut, mentions of a deceased parent, mentions of abuse, brief moment of abuse, please let me know if I missed any

6.8K words

Eddie x reader, Friends to lovers, Slow burn

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Note: I’m kinda experimenting with my writing style so forgive me if this seems a little different than the first two chapters. I’m just trying to have fun with it til I figure out what I like :) and then hopefully I can create more series later on.

Masterlist

—

Red, white, and blue smother the interior of the local grocery store, sparklers stacked neatly in their boxes on a shelf near the checkout and supplies for s’mores settled nearby. Those tiny American flags are staged in a matching flag design cup by the register, ready for patriotic citizens to purchase for the local Fourth of July Parade. Barbecues along with bags of charcoal are lined up at the front of the store awaiting homes where the dads cook up burgers and hot dogs in the backyard for their eager families. And last but not least, the bags of chips and the tub of potato salad that occupied your arms are tossed onto the conveyor belt to ring up.

Every year for the past five—was it five? Maybe it was six years, who knew anymore—a potluck was held at Marlene’s. Everyone would bring one or two things either homemade or store bought, it didn’t matter as long as you contributed something. The tradition required using the fire pit in the backyard, loud music, and of course once the fireworks started, a quick drive to the top of the hill that overlooks the city where you could see at least ten different sets of fireworks in the distance along with roasting marshmallows after that to make s’mores, the goo sticking to everyone’s lips and caking onto their clothes with one wrong move.

There was a list in the group chat where everyone designated what they were bringing this year. Marlene usually cooked up a few things, this year her menu including a vinegary pasta salad, a DIY taco station with various meats along with the fixings, cilantro, onions, her homemade salsa, some Mexican rice, and finally, some jalapeño poppers that are so delectable your mouth salivated at the thought of them. Of course she would also have Jos grilling up some hot dogs and burgers just to cover all bases and El would most likely bring her signature brownies. They were always nice and fudgy, just enough chew to them but not enough to stick to your teeth. As always you opted to bring some store bought items, you were never much of a cook, not that you weren’t capable, you just never feigned interest and would stick to the basics — spaghetti and meatballs, sandwiches, and every now and then a nice salmon dinner for yourself. Marlene would often send you home with leftovers when you had dinner at hers which was quite often so you had her to thank for the less frequent trips to the grocery store.

The store was booming with people hurrying around the aisles for their last minute barbecue essentials. Many of them were in a rush to get back before the parade took place, you on another hand had taken your time, never sticking around for the parade as you weren’t interested in all of the in-your-face USA imagery. Jos and everyone else felt the same which is why you all celebrated at her house. Paying for the items, you make your way back home and although you didn’t plan to cook, you still planned to put together a quick treat for the dessert table. It was something you accidentally threw together one time that had become a favorite among the group. It was as simple as some crushed up Oreos and a block of cream cheese molded into little round spheres which were then chilled. Also known as ‘Oreo Ballz’ among the group. Jonathan tacked on the ‘z’.

Weeks had gone by since the beach where you’d witnessed Eddie staring into the ocean like it had parted just for him. You couldn’t get the vision out of your head as you drove home.

The afternoon was now dissipating into evening, a sliver of gold left as it cascaded along the shore and took with it the sun’s rays. A light breeze danced through the air to a melody no one could hear. The night was within an hour of kissing the sky, leaving a trail of stars behind until morning.

You and Eddie had walked back from the pier and returned to your friends among the waves. The remainder of the day was spent splashing, swimming, and repeating. You didn’t dare go out too far into the water, the height of the waves intimidating you and leaving you closer to the shore where you could better predict their movements. Jonathan, Eddie, Will, and El on the other hand had no fear, they faced the waves head on, swimming into them and riding them all the way back to land. Jos and Argyle opted to do the same as you, playing it safe closer to the beach. The three of you tossed around a foam football, the kind that soaks up the water enough for you to then squeeze it out. You can’t help but giggle as you spot Eddie in the distance being tackled by a wave, his sopping wet hair thrown over his face at the impact. He’s then bantering with Will, shoving him by the shoulder as he shakes his hair out of his face like a wet dog. Will gives him another push back, sending Eddie off balance and into another oncoming wave. “You’re gonna get what's coming to you, Byers.” He jokes, pointing a stern finger at the boy, bangs draped across his eyes. “Oh, really?” Will looks at him quizzically. “Cause what I’m seeing is you on your ass most of the time.” He finishes, leaving Eddie with a dropped jaw, astounded at Will’s true nature coming out. It was heartening seeing Will warm up so quickly to Eddie, a contrast to what the boy was used to in his social life. Besides his friendship with El and the group.

Exhausted, everyone disperses from the water—Jos and El to the pier for some fries, Will, Argyle, and Jonathan laying on beach towels, more than likely falling asleep, you sitting atop the wet sand staring off into the ocean, and Eddie standing a few feet away doing the same. He looked angelic, his head of hair outlined by the remaining daylight, broad shoulders all burned and freckled, and his eyes twinkling as if he were a child on Christmas morning. You almost don’t notice him backing up to claim a spot next to you in the wet sand, his knees to his chest and arms draped over them. “Shit’s unreal.” He mutters quietly. “Never thought I’d get to see the ocean to be honest.” He admits, never once looking away. His bangs are just tickling his eyelashes in the most endearing way.

“How’d you like your first official beach day?” You ask, squishing the sand in between your fingers, repeating the motion over and over. “It was better than I imagined. I thought the beach was just sittin’ around all day on your ass, sand getting everywhere and in everything—which, that part is true but I don’t mind it now.” He explains, eyes squinting in the remaining sunlight. “Oh and sunburns. I’ve been sunburned before but this has that beat by like a thousand percent.” He pushes his palm into his bicep, the flesh turning white and then back to red again when he pulls away.

“You’re gonna need a lot of aloe. And you’re gonna peel like a lizard.” You joke, taking a leap and pressing a finger into his arm just as he did with his palm a moment before. “Ouch! Don’t do that!” He flinches away, softly rubbing his arm although his face almost says that the touch was welcome, a small grin displayed on his lips, eyes meeting yours for a brief second. You could drink up the Coca-Cola fountain in those irises. You murmur a humorous ‘sorry’ as he turns his focus back to the water. And there he is again, enamored with the horizon and the tide’s movements. The water meets at your legs every once in a while before retreating back into the ocean. There is comfort in the silence of conversation between the two of you. An understanding of some kind that just being in each other's presence is all that is needed right now. You haven’t known Eddie for long but there is something—a kind of empathy detected in the air that neither of you could quite put your finger on.

—

Firewood was stacked into the fire pit in preparation for later and the backyard was coming together for its annual Fourth of July potluck. Marlene assigned Eddie to hosing off the back patio where the fire pit and chairs sat while Jocelyn set up the fold out tables alongside the house near the back door so food could easily be set out. Sunflower patterned tablecloths were then laid across both tables, creating one long table. Marlene plugged the lights in, the bulbs hanging above, draped diagonally across the patio creating a perfect summer setting.

It was nearing six o’clock which was just around when everyone agreed to show up. Eddie winded up the hose as he finished, his hair in a messy-barely there-low bun and one of Jocelyn’s old snapbacks with the ‘Monster’ logo jokingly on his head. They’d been rummaging through her room earlier as Marlene asked her, even at the grown age of 23 to clean it and he took it as a souvenir or as he called it “an homage to Jocelyn’s emo phase”. He’d been wearing it all day, refusing to take it off and now here he was on the patio in only his ripped jeans and a snapback. If only you could have avoided the sight by arriving a few minutes later.

You arrived at Jocelyn’s at six on the dot, always punctual. Stepping out of your car with the items you’d bought at the store earlier in a grocery bag as well as the tray of ‘Oreo Ballz’, you made your way to the front door and let yourself in, heading straight for the kitchen. Many smells flooded your senses, Marlene had been preparing food throughout the day for tonight. The bag was placed carefully on the counter and just as you began to turn around to place the dessert into the fridge before setting them out for everyone to devour, you just had to catch a glance outside the kitchen window into the backyard only to find Eddie Munson in probably the best outfit he’s worn so far. If you could even call it an outfit seeing as he wasn’t even wearing a shirt…again. Usually a guy in a ‘Monster’ snapback would be deemed as a douche by your standards and you wouldn’t give them a second thought however Eddie made it work in a way that seemed almost ironic and he looked good—really good.

Before any drool leaks from your mouth, you avert your eyes and spin around to place the treats in the fridge as originally planned. A dampness made itself known in between your legs, a throbbing accompanying it as you stood pathetically in Marlene’s kitchen alone, thirsting over the sight in the kitchen window you’d just witnessed. It’s then you realize you possibly have to face him in order to place the bags of chips and potato salad out on the tables. Hiding out in the kitchen is an option, maybe even the bathroom but then you risk Marlene asking why you’re late since you’re always on time and you knew she’d see through any little white lie, she always did.

Hands clammy, you grab the bag of food and bravely slide open the screen door just off the kitchen that leads to the back patio. All three faces turn at the sound as they wrap up what they’re doing, Jos throwing the cushions on the chairs around the fire pit, Mar straightening out the tablecloths, and Eddie fighting with the water spicket the hose is connected to. “Hey, there’s Peach.” Eddie announces, almost as if they’d mentioned you right before you got there. “Yeah, weren’t you gonna help us set up?” Jos raises a brow playfully. “I said I’d try and be here before six but I got caught up on some stuff, I had to run back to the store for more cream cheese cause there wasn’t enough for the Oreo Ballz.” You explain as you pull the noisy bags of chips out and set them on the table followed by the potato salad. “Hang on—‘Oreo Balls?’” Eddie questions as he finally gets the water turned off. “Ballz. With a ‘z’.” Jos corrects him as she picks up a bag of charcoal near the door, setting it next to the grill. “Yeah that helps.” Eddie replies with a roll of his eyes. “Peach was experimenting one day and came up with Oreo Ballz, it’s cream cheese and Oreos rolled into…y’know balls—or ballz, I guess.” Jos enunciates the z with finger quotes as she explains.

The fact that she’s now calling you Peach unironically has you giddy. You’d never had a nickname before and now you felt somewhat special as stupid as it sounded. “Pretty straightforward name, I like it.” Eddie decides while nodding his head. “Those are Jonathan’s favorite, you better hide a few for yourselves.” Marlene teases while doing one more sweep through of the patio with the broom. You nod to her before answering. “Don’t worry I made extra. But if he does eat them all this time he’s going to have some serious digestive problems, that’d be like eating two blocks of cream cheese.” Your face scrunches in disgust as you finish the sentence. “You know that’ll be no problem for him when he gets back from his ‘walk’.” Marlene points out with a smirk. She wasn’t necessarily against it but she did find it funny how everyone tried to hide it from her. “Boy could eat like it’s the last supper if we let him.” Jos adds, you and Eddie laugh.

“Help me get the food from the house?” Marlene asks the three of you as she leans the broom back in its spot and opens the sliding door, stepping inside. Without a word you each follow and grab what Marlene instructs you to grab. Holding a tray of searing chicken, pork, and asada, you walk it out to the table outside, setting it down while pulling the foil over it to keep bugs away as well as to keep it hot. Soon enough one of the tables is full of the meat, taco fixings, pasta salad, rice, some bowls of chips that Marlene had transferred them into, the famous jalapeño poppers, and the tub of potato salad now accompanied by a large serving spoon. Eddie emerges from the kitchen carrying his contributions to the potluck, some pinwheel sandwiches in a plastic container bought from the store and a seven-layer dip, also from the store. From this, you gather he isn’t much of a cook either.

Jos adds her offering to the table, her famous deviled eggs sprinkled with paprika that she only makes because she enjoys them the most. Around six fifteen everyone else shows up in Jonathan’s car, the vehicle coming to a noisy halt in the driveway letting you know they’ve arrived.

El carries a fruit salad medley along with a Tupperware container filled with her delicious brownies while Will holds a tray of sweet and sour meatballs. Jonathan brings his cheesy potatoes and Argyle his chocolate drizzled potato chips and a liter of Sprite. Everything is laid out to soon be feasted on as everyone greets each other. Eddie and Jos rush upstairs to change since they’d been cleaning up the patio earlier, their clothes having absorbed a thin layer of sweat. Well Eddie wasn’t even wearing a shirt so you assume he’s gone to throw one on.

—

The sky was still coated with some daylight, a cool tone as the day winded down. Everyone stuffed their faces as their paper plates were piled high with food and every once in a while a firecracker would go off in the distance and the speaker played a 70’s rock radio station as you ate without a word, the group too hungry and occupied to engage in a conversation at the moment. Jos had grilled a few burgers and hot dogs for those who wanted them, she called herself ‘the neighborhood’s best dad’ as she did so. The dogs, Winnie and Diesel waited patiently for a bite to miss someone’s mouth so they could act as the cleaning crew should any food hit the floor. It was like Thanksgiving in Summer.

As plates were discarded in the trash can , bellies full, Argyle lit the firewood placed in the above ground fire pit. Each one of you found your seats around it, the smoke now filling the air smelling like a campfire. The dogs now laid at Marlene’s feet lazily while she listened to El enlighten her about something she learned in her agriculture class.

“Peach, we’re gonna go for a walk in like fifteen before hitting up the table for seconds, you gonna come?” Jonathan asks, leaned back in his chair with his feet kicked up on the edge of the fire pit. Peach seemed to be your nickname according to everyone now, not just Eddie and Jocelyn. You liked it, it made you feel special which wasn’t really a major occurrence in your life. “I think I’ll sit this one out, I don’t know if I could eat another bite—even after a ‘walk’.” You reply, he nods in understanding. Your eye catches Eddie from across the fire pit, the flames dancing along your view of him, his hair down and his torso now adorned with a plain white t-shirt—he was scowling towards Jonathan though Jonathan didn't notice. Why was he looking so intensely at him?

Before you could register it, the look displayed on Eddie’s face was gone just like that as he glanced down and fidgeted with a rip at the knee in his jeans. You’d have to tuck away your curiosity for now. Glancing back over at Jonathan, you spark up a new conversation, quietly. “Have you invited Eddie on a ‘walk’? I told him your stuff is unreal.” You almost whisper, leaning toward his ear, not wanting Marlene to hear. “No, but thanks for reminding me.” He whispers back, snapping his fingers. He stands up and before walking away, looks back to you. “You sure you don’t wanna come and just walk? Like actually walk?” He whispers the last part, sneaking a glance at Mar to make sure she isn’t looking. It’s as if you’re teenagers sneaking around when in reality you’re all adults now. You suppose everyone is just scared to disappoint Marlene since she’s like the group mom. “I’m okay, have fun.” You giggle, waving him off. He smiles and proceeds to move toward Eddie on the other side of the fire pit who has a distant expression on his face.

“Peach.” Will flops down next to you with a mouthful of pasta salad. “Hm?” You hum tearing your gaze from Eddie and Jonathan. “You got the booze for later?” He asks, swallowing his food. You give him a look of bewilderment before answering. “What are you, 85?!” You laugh as he scoffs. “Okay, first of all, rude. Never say that to me again.” He crosses his arms, his eyes wide. “Then don’t say things like that!” You justify, giving his shoulder a nudge with your palm. “Do you have it or not?” His face is now pleading, his lips pouting. Taking a moment to think for longer than nexessary you finally give him a response. “I don’t but Jos does.” Will grins and sighs out a ‘yes’. It was also tradition to get drunk at the end of the night every Fourth of July and have a sleepover in the garage. Was it really considered a sleepover if everyone actually just passed out before being given the chance to Uber home?

“We’re going to take a walk.” Jonathan announces as Eddie, Argyle, and Jos follow. Will hops out of his chair a little too enthusiastically to join them. El remains seated next to Marlene, she was never really one to participate and you only dabbled occasionally when you felt like it. Marlene shoots Jonathan a knowing look, not mean, just teasing. He awkwardly shoves his hands in his pockets and avoids her eyes as he gives the three of you a small wave.

“So…” Marlene begins as she directs her attention to you. “How is everyone treating Ed?” She asks like the concerned mother she is. “What do you mean?” You inquire, tilting your head to the side, looking at El who is wearing the same puzzled expression you are. Marlene sighs before answering. “Is everyone getting along?” She vaguely clarifies. Searching your brain for anything she may be referring to, all you can recall is that everyone got along, especially with Eddie. “Yes, why? Did something happen?” You ask with furrowed brows. Mar shakes her head, running a hand through her long dark hair. “He’s just been through a lot for someone so young. Just wanted to make sure things were okay.” She says, worry evident in her light brown eyes. You’re unsure of what exactly may be stirring up this uncertainty and you’re not sure if you should impose by asking either. El doesn’t give you the chance to decide when she blurts out “What happened?” concern filling her features. Marlene ponders for a moment, her eyes shifting back and forth in thought. “It’s not really my place to say, if he feels comfortable he’ll talk about it.” Mar replies, glancing down with almost a look of guilt. As if she brought up something she wasn’t supposed to. “Just keep an eye out for him?” She asks gently. You and El nod. “Of course.” You assure her with a small smile. This only made you want to gravitate toward Eddie even more.

—

Jonathan, Eddie, Jos, Argyle, and Will smoked in the field or the ‘reservoir’, near a tunnel that led to the sewers at the edge opposite of the dam. They stood on the concrete at the opening of the tunnel. It was covered in graffiti, tagged by people who had stopped by long enough to give it the time of day. The skunky smell wafted through the air between them as Jos puffed on the joint. “This is our little stoner spot.” She explains to Eddie, gesturing around as if to say welcome. Eddie nods, his curls bouncing with the motion. “Don’t have the balls to do it in front of Mar?” He mocks. Jos hands the joint off to Will as she answers. “I’ll have you know Jonathan is the one who’s fucking terrified of her. I just do it on the down low in the yard. I don’t even think she cares.” She shrugs and Jonathan’s eyes widen in disbelief. “You are SO scared of getting caught, don’t pin it on me!” He says in his defense. Will passes the joint to Eddie, he takes a long puff as the two continue to argue. “At least I don’t get all anxious and weird when she gives you the ‘look’ every time we take a ‘walk’!” Jos states factually. “I do not!” Jonathan shoots back. “Oh dude, you so do.” Argyle butts in as Eddie passes him the joint. “Argyle!” Jonathan pleads. “Sorry, dude—it's true TV.” He puffs on the joint, blowing it toward Jonathan’s face. “Jonathan, just drop it.” Will pipes up shaking his head. “Dude, not cool, I’m your brother, you’re supposed to be on my side.” Jonathan whines. Will shrugs in response, leaving his brother defeated. “I love this kid.” Eddie giggles, eyes glassy and heavy, a dopey smile on his face while he slings his arm around Will’s shoulder.

The rest of the conversation that took place was not remembered by any of the participants, too stoned to even know what was being said moments after saying it. High and happy, they retreated back to the fire pit to resume the night’s activities which would hopefully involve devouring any leftovers.

—

As the evening darkened and more fireworks appeared throughout the sky, the cracks and pops heard through every neighborhood, the fire got brighter and created a glow across everyone’s faces. Not even five minutes after coming back, Argyle and Eddie had finished off the chocolate drizzled potato chips, another serving of everything, and a couple dozen Oreo Ballz. Jonathan only put up a slight fight, giving up after Eddie set aside a plate with a few of them, Jonathan too dazed to keep up with the two boys and returning to a seat in front of the fire.

Conversations were flowing and you had been chatting to Argyle about his disgust for cats. Eddie and Jonathan were both holding acoustic guitars, strumming random melodies as discussions continued and they gave their two cents every now and then. Argyle removed on about how terrifying cat claws were and you suddenly weren’t listening when you overheard Marlene telling everyone else about her younger years. The side conversations ceased as everyone tuned in on her, even Argyle forgetting he was even talking while turning his attention to her.

“She did not!” Jos yells in disbelief at her mother. “She did! Stacy Harrington worked with us at The Hideout. Before she was all rich and housewifey—“ “—and snobby!” Jos interrupts with a nasally voice laughing to herself. “And snobby…” Marlene confirms. “She was just like us regular folk.” She speaks with a sudden southern accent, causing El and Will to bark out a laugh. All attention was on Mar as she relived her younger years, a glow in her aura as she spoke.

“Yeah, me and Roxanne had to teach her pretty much every single little thing, even wiping down a table! She didn’t have a clue how to clean things!” She describes through a wide smile. “So even before she was known as ‘Stacy Harrington’, I guess she still didn’t know how to work?” Mar guesses with a shrug. “Oh my god, but me and Roxy would always have to go behind her after she cleaned and do it again. There was no point in even hiring her since it was double the work.” Jos’s expression is amused as she learns this information. “What about the time you had to ride on Roxy’s motorcycle and you peed yourself! Tell them about that one!” Jos remembers, excitement seeping out of her. “No!! I only told you that one out of confidence!” Mar jokingly scolds her daughter, taking a sip of a beer she had been nursing. Everyone roars with laughter around the fire, warmth felt inside and out. “We got into some situations back then, she was my best friend.” Mar smiles, replaying the memories in her mind. “Where is she now?” Jonathan asks, a grin on display. It gets quiet, crickets chirping in the distance, mirroring the atmosphere just created. What was just a cozy and inviting environment was now uncomfortable and tense. Marlene glances at Eddie so quickly you would miss it if you weren’t looking directly at her but you were.

Eddie’s eyes are void of life, glassy but not from smoking, you don’t think. His face is pale from what you can tell in the glow of the fire in front of him. He makes no movements and is seemingly frozen, breaths quick and staggered as his chest heaves ever so slightly. Suddenly in one quick motion, he stands and is gone before your eyes, leaving his guitar on the seat and making his way out to the front yard away from everyone. All eyes are on the chair he was previously occupying, no one knowing what to say. Marlene clears her throat quietly. “Roxy—Roxy was Eddie’s mom.” She manages to get out, a shake in her voice. “But…” she continues as she straightens her posture. “I think that’s enough for tonight. Once Ed gets back we’ll go up the hill for fireworks?” She questions. A simple nod is all she’s offered from the group. Jos speaks up and shifts to a new topic, hoping to aid her mom.

As they move on to a new subject, you’re confronting the fact that all those stories about Roxy Marlene had told you and Jos about, were about Eddie’s mom. Everything they’d been through together, all the good times, all the bad. The time they took their kids to the local water park when they were little, their first day of kindergarten when they dropped them off together, the nights Roxy would drag Mar along to a local concert on their night off and they had extra tip money before they had kids. But not once did she mention Eddie was her son in the time he’s been here. Eddie was the renowned Roxy’s son, the woman in Marlene’s stories. And Jos didn’t mention anything either. You’d concluded that since it appeared to be a sensitive topic, they didn’t mention anything to protect Eddie—that is until they got caught up tonight and forgot he was right there.

Wild mocha colored curls, wide doe eyes, and deep dimples etched into her face, the woman in the photo you recall Marlene showing you is the spitting image of Eddie. She wears a denim jacket with several pins and patches placed throughout the front pockets. Some display logos for bands such as Black Sabbath, Dio, Metallica, and several others. A few of them are for different causes such as one that reads ‘Women’s rights are human rights’. She’s beautiful and from what you can see and what you’ve heard, she was the definition of a badass woman who was also the most kindhearted soul in the small town of Hawkins.

Pulling yourself from your recollection of Roxanne from the stories and pictures, you come back into your body and find that everyone was once again conversing among each other as normal. A tinge of worry swirls in your mind, Eddie coming to the forefront of your thoughts—where was he? Was he okay? Probably not, you decide based on his reaction however it seems Marlene wasn’t worried and she probably had a better idea of what was going on in his head seeing as she didn’t run after him to console him. You could leave it at that—you probably should leave it at that and just wait for him to come back on his own but there’s a surge within you that’s forcing you to gravitate to him. “I’m gonna use the bathroom.” You mutter to no one in particular before making your way through the kitchen door and then through the front door.

There’s not a soul out front, not a trace of the curly haired man, only the bugs making their presence known as the crickets play their tune and mosquitoes buzz through the air. It’s dark out now, the stars are sprinkled across the night sky almost intentionally placed. Fireworks are booming and echoing as they explode, the prominent smell of several barbecues still happening throughout the community. Approaching Eddie’s van, you peek through the windshield looking for any signs of life but to your disappointment he’s not there. The end of the driveway calls your name and you're walking toward the street, searching to the left and to the right for any signs of where he could have gone. It occurs to you that maybe you’re thinking too hard and Eddie just ended up going upstairs and called it a night. That is until you catch a glimpse of a figure seated on top of the dam across the reservoir, too far to actually decipher who it is though no one else really hangs out there and he seemed drawn to it like a moth to a flame that day you went up there with him. Much like how you were becoming toward him.

—

Things were quiet atop the dam as usual save for the occasional pop of a firework. Eddie had found himself sitting up there quite often throughout his stay, usually when he wanted to be alone and think, sometimes he’d smoke and let off some steam. The city lights twinkled at him and the moon beamed, creating a bath of celestial light around him. Eyes blurry with unshed tears and his mouth wobbling as he tried to keep his cool, Eddie sniffled and inhaled a deep breath as he stared up at the moon. His lashes were wet, collecting as much liquid as they could without spilling toward his cheeks. A nervous hand ran through his hair, trembling while he exhaled shakily before he spoke softly into the night.

“Hey mama.” His voice wavers as a tear escapes the confines of his eyes, rolling down his cheek and onto his lip. He licks it away and brings his hand up to wipe any remnants away. Shaking his head and sniffling harder than before, the dam cracks and hot tears spill over his cheeks while his lip quivers. As much as he tries to keep them at bay, the salty tears continue streaming down his face while he smudges his hands over them again and again as if each time he does it will be the time they vanish. “I miss you.” He chokes out, finally relaxing his shoulders and releasing a sob, burying his face in his palms. “I fucking miss you.”

A memory plays out in his mind, a memory of mama, his mama…

“C’mon baby, there’s no use crying over spilled milk—or—spaghettios.” Her eyes are kind as little Eddie wails from his spot at the table, the watery tomato sauce coating the wooden surface and spilling into his lap, little ‘o’ shaped pastas scattered throughout the mess. “M—mama.” Snot drips from his red nose, his small hands rubbing it all over his face and mixing it with his tears. “D—daddy’s gonna find o-out I—I spilled—m’ sorry mama.” Roxanne grabs the mini white plastic trash can from the kitchen, not too far away from where she’d been sitting across from Eddie. The house was cramped and could barely fit the three people living in it. She takes an old rag and starts swiping the mess into the trash, kneeling next to her son still sitting in his chair. The tomatoey spill is cleaned from the table and wiped from Eddie’s lap, leaving some stains behind on his ripped denim shorts and a few on his shirt. Mama tosses the soiled rag into the sink still kneeling. She looks to the little boy in front of her and rakes her fingers through his curls that were just barely falling into his face. “You let me worry about that, okay Peach?” She assures him, a touch of her southern drawl slipping out. The six year old looks into his mom’s deep brown eyes, nothing but love filling them.

“No—no, don’t want him to hurt you again.” He whimpers as he clutches his mama’s shirt into his little fists, tucking his face into her shoulder, the scent of coconut shampoo overtaking him. “He’s not gonna find out, Eddie. Okay? We’ll wash your clothes before he gets home, don’t you worry.” She promises. Eddie nods, sniffling into mama’s shirt, she’s unbothered and welcomes it as she cradles his head with her hand. Letting out a gentle sigh she vows to him “I’m gonna get us outta here, you hear me? Gonna go some place where he can’t scare us or touch us.”

Eyes now bloodshot from crying and his face puffy, Eddie lets out a few hiccups before calming down and engulfing himself in silence once again. Little does he know that as you approached the dam, hoping to check up on him and see if he needed anything, you’d see him sobbing and froze. It felt wrong to watch but you physically couldn’t move as you rapidly tried to figure out what to do in your head. As he seemed to settle down, you figured this would be the moment to make yourself known.

“Eddie?” You speak softly, slowly stepping toward him. Shooting up, he does one more wipe of his face, hiding away as much emotion as possible. “I was just leaving.” His voice is deep and raspy, nose stuffy. “Eddie, you don’t have to—I’ll go back right now, I didn’t mean to…” you trail off trying not to startle him more than you have as if he were a horse just seconds away from being spooked. “I was going to anyway.” His expression is stoic as he clenches his fists to his sides. You don’t know what overcomes you but a second later you’re wrapping your arms around his waist in a tight hug, head to his chest, offering your support through your actions. He becomes paralyzed, arms in the air as if defending himself and a gasp falling from his lips while you hang onto him. Every emotion hits him at once, overstimulating his mind and before he knows it he chokes out a sob he didn’t know he was holding onto, hands grabbing at the back of your shirt tightly while he cries into your shoulder.

He’s lost his cool in this brief moment, memories flashing in his brain, “Men don’t cry.”, “Boy, I’ll give you something to cry about if you don’t quit!”, “Stop being such a sissy and man up.” All of it rushes through his thoughts, the vision of his dad rolling his sleeves up with fire in his eyes while mama was working the night shift at The Hideout and he was supposed to be asleep.

He got curious when he heard another woman’s voice from where he was laying in bed, the one he shared with mama. Dad usually took the couch, always passing out after coming home late and crashing onto the nearest cushion. It was rare when mama would leave Eddie alone with him and this was one night she couldn’t find anyone else, she had to work to keep the bills paid and food on the table for her only son. Before leaving she instructed him to stay in bed and that she would be back before he knew it. He could never forget the fear that coursed through him when his dad caught him peeking around the corner, a bright red hand print delivered to his cheek and a bloody lip to match. He swore the devil lived in his fathers veins. Told Eddie “Suck it up, you stop pouting that lip at me or I’ll put it back for you.” And when mama came back home that night to find Eddie asleep with a bruise under his lip crusted with blood and a handprint on his face, she knew she couldn’t wait any longer to pack up and leave. They couldn’t go far with such little money but she had to do something.

Eddie’s hands are still clenching your shirt, tears soaking the fabric at the collar. Stroking his back gently over his leather jacket, you stayed there for as long as he needed, whispering to him “It’s okay, I’m right here. It’s alright.” He was shaking uncontrollably, cries consuming his body. Until you feel him tense up and his entire demeanor shifts. Letting go, he stumbles backwards, a flash of fear in his eyes. “Are you okay?” You ask with concern, taking a step toward him. He quickly steps back again before his features display something you can only make out as anger as his brows come together and his stare becomes cold. “Just—“ he croaks out, his face still wet, eyelashes separating delicately. He appears to be having an internal battle with himself. You frown at him, unsure if words would help the situation so you opt to remain quiet. “Leave me alone.” He says sternly, brushing past you and back toward the house.

Within seconds Eddie disappears into the night and back toward the house. Confusion clouds your brain, unsure of what just occurred. He was suddenly so upset, his energy completely devoid of the sadness he previously displayed. Anger seeped through his pores with a hint of embarrassment. You didn’t know how to take it. Was he angry at you for coming out and finding him when he wanted to be alone? Was he just taking it out on you because his mother was mentioned? You couldn’t be sure and you’d have to carefully address the subject the next time you had a chance. Eddie was a closed book that you were determined to read.

~end~

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#Eddie munson #eddie munson fic #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x fem reader #eddie munson x feminine reader #eddie x reader #Eddie munson fluff #eddie munson smut #cal dreamin’

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abramsbooks · 2 years

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RECIPE: Gooey Triple-Chocolate Cookies (from What’s Gaby Cooking: Take It Easy by Gaby Dalkin)

If you’ve ever been torn between making cookies and brownies, this recipe is for you. The dense chocolate dough with semisweet chunks and extra chocolate chunks on top, plus a sprinkling of flaky salt, are the things of your cookie-brownie-mashup dreams. Dad, I made these for you. And I expect them stocked anytime we come visit!

Makes 14 cookies

2½ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled

½ cup (50 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon espresso powder

1 cup (225 g/2 sticks) plus

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

¾ cup (150 g) plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup (220 g) packed dark brown sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups (12 ounces/340 g) semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped, plus ½ cup (4 ounces/85 g)

more for topping

Flaky salt, for topping

In a bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat to combine.

In three additions, add the flour mixture, beating on low between each addition until no dry streaks remain.

Beat in the chopped chocolate. Cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Scoop and roll the dough into 2½-inch (6 cm) balls. Place on the prepared sheet pans, spacing at least 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Top each ball with a piece of the remaining chocolate chunks, pressing down slightly, then sprinkle with flaky salt.

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, then remove from the oven and lightly bang the tray on the counter to deflate them slightly. Return to the oven and continue to bake until the cookies are set and the chocolate is very melty, 2 to 3 minutes longer.

NOTE: There are a couple different techniques you can use when measuring flour for making cookies. I’m a scoop-and-level kind of girl and highly recommend that you do it that way too but we put in the weighted measurement in grams to be the most PRECISE.

Bestselling author Gaby Dalkin is back with What's Gaby Cooking: Take It Easy, sharing 100 recipes that put ease, flavor, and adaptability first

In her new book, Gaby Dalkin returns with her signature approach: Enjoy your life by eating the food you love. But this time around, she also emphasizes a no-fuss attitude. What's Gaby Cooking: Take It Easy offers 100 new delicious and stress-free recipes, suited for any and all occasions.

Everything we cook right now—whether it’s for a potluck picnic with friends or a solo night in binge-watching reality TV—needs to be crazy simple, easily pulled together from those lasting pantry items, still shockingly delicious at room temperature, and not requiring that one random ingredient you drove 45 minutes to get and will never use again. We want food that tastes like it took hours to prepare but doesn’t actually require anything too exact. Give us the forgiving recipes: Out of shallots? Try an onion. The more fail-proof, the better. If this low-maintenance approach sounds like your kinda thing, Dalkin has got your back. With 100 easy ideas for dishes to serve wherever you go (or don't go!), make-ahead dressings and sauces for lazy last-minute dinners, and of course—give the people what they want!—big, crunchy, fresh salads and rich, chocolatey, you’re-in-sweatpants-anyway desserts, Take It Easy is Dalkin’s first book bringing her tasty, crowd-pleasing concepts to quicker, simpler meals.

For more information, click here.

#abramsbooks #abrams books #gaby dalkin #whats gaby cooking #whats gaby cookin #whats gaby cooking take it easy #take it easy cookbook #weeknight recipes #weeknight meals #quick meals #recipe #free recipe

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notbecauseofvictories · 6 years

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Re: your tags - Any tips on planning a good dinner party?

The first step is to decide what kind of dinner party you want to have. A dinner party where everybody brings something, potluck-style, and you sit on the floor eating off paper plates is still a dinner party! So too is inviting everybody over to an apartment-warming party so you can show off the fact that you have actual glassware now, like a real adult, or even putting in the table leaf and planning an elaborate menu so your mother will stop talking about your cousin’s dinners.

Deciding the kind of dinner party you’re up for requires stepping back and looking at how much time you have to plan it, how much money you’re willing to spend, and what your space can accommodate.

Time. Planning and executing a dinner party takes a truly ungodly amount of time. It takes time to pull together a guest list, time to collect RSVPs (whether that’s via text, fb group, invitation, etc.), time to plan and then shop for the menu, clean your space (not just the dining room, but also where your guests will sit, and the bathroom they’ll use), prepare your space for guests (set the table, clear away any clutter), and then actually cook the dinner you’ve decided on.

And that’s all before your guests show up.

The more elaborate the plans (and the more people you’re inviting) the more time you’ll need to prepare. For a casual sit-down dinner party I’d want at least 5 days lead-in time to prep; probably more to give people a chance to block off that night in their schedule. For something more formal, I’d want two or three weeks.

Money. Another major factor in deciding what kind of dinner party you’ll have is budget. An elaborate home-cooked meal for any size group of people is expensive—an American-style sit-down dinner is typically a salad, a main dish (usually a meat of some kind), and 2-3 side dishes. Ingredients for just that can cost around $200, easy, and without taking into account appetizers, dessert, or drinks.

If you’re working on a budget, hosting a potluck is the easiest way to share out the cost among you and your guests. I’ve also hosted appetizer parties to great success—people love bite-sized stuff, and you can use the same ingredients in several different dishes, mixing in impressive, costly recipes with easy, less expensive ones.

Finally, consider your space. If your table only sits two, or live in a cramped studio apartment, you should take into account those limitations. If people will be sitting on couches you need to consider your capacity and what kind of food that means serving; even if people will be sitting on the floor, you need to consider how you’re going to make that happen. People in any space want to crowd around each other in a vague circle shape, and I’ve definitely lived in apartments where you couldn’t make that circle comfortably.

Additionally, your space also means the stuff in it. If you only have two wine glasses for four people, serving wine is probably not a great idea. (Though, tip from someone who has been refurbishing their apartment, Salvation Army/St. Vincent de Paul/Habitat for Humanity resale stores have crazy amounts of very attractive glassware for extremely cheap.)

Once you decide what the party will look like, then you can get onto the real business:

PLANNING THE MENU

The best part of a dinner party is, of course, the dinner. Whether you opt to go for something simple, lavish, or quirky, the menu is something of a centerpiece.

The most important part is to take into account your guests’ needs. The best pasta primavera in the universe is still the wrong meal to serve to a gluten-free crowd. I have a steak marinade that’ll blow your socks off, but the vegetarians and the no-red-meat-thanks people will leave hungry and dissatisfied if that’s all that’s served.

Still, the typical American formal dinner party menu does allow you to extend in several different directions, and hopefully please as many different palates as you can. For example:

Appetizers—Appetizers are by no means required, and it’s totally normal to have guests over for dinner without offering appetizers beforehand. However, I think this is a fool’s errand, because appetizers are super easy to make (e.g., baby carrots and veggie tip, olives, cheese and crackers) and if people eat them, they’re less hungry for the dinner. Which, depending on how you feel about your main course, might be a pro or a con.

Salad—First course, nowhere near as many people will eat it as you think, but vegetarians and the healthy people will. If you just want something to throw together, most grocery stores now sell bagged salads, complete with toppings and dressing. If you want to prepare something unique, more power to you.

Can also be substituted for soup, though people have stronger feelings about soup and you’re less likely to please everybody. Whereas salads are basically the same dead leaves, with different kinds of sauce.

Main Course—A typical midwestern main course involves chicken or beef of some kind. However, the main course can also be seafood, pasta, or really any kind of food “substantial” enough to be the main fixture of the meal.

Depending on the size of the party, it may be worth it to make several options; barbecue for one half and grilled chicken for the other. People are always happier with a choice, even if they choose the one that would be have available anyway.

Side dishes—I think sides are the best part of a meal, and really the opportunity to expand the palate of the dinner. If you’re serving steak with a traditional marinade, then the sides are an opportunity to expand into vegetarian or vegan territory; if you’re serving a cayenne-rubbed whitefish, then serving it with mild roasted cauliflower will let people catch their breath.

It’s also an opportunity to make dishes that you know people will like. For example, I made waldorf salad for my mother’s birthday, and she loved that more than the steak—but it was because I knew she liked waldorf salad. Sides are a kind of deliberate gesture to the people you know will enjoy them. And also, pair well with whatever the main is.

Dessert—Much like appetizers, dessert is optional. It is especially optional given the fact that by the time you get to it, people have been eating for at least an hour, and are generally not hungry. Something light, even just ice cream, will usually work work well. And if your showstopper is a dessert, make sure you plan a lighter dinner, so people still have room for the “main event.”

……none of these needs to be homemade, mind you. I actually think that you’ll have the most success if you combine complicated recipes with simple ones; a frozen appetizer and homemade sides, or a pre-made dessert with chicken you baked yourself. That kind of combo allows you to balance your time better, and effectively carry out your dinner plan.

OTHER TIPS

Think about your guest list before sending out the invitations. A dinner party is an opportunity for your guests to talk and get to know each other, but that’s hard if you invite people who can’t, don’t, or won’t get along. When you’re planning your guest list, think about whether this group will gel, who knows who already, and whether you’ve invited talkative people to balance out the quieter ones. (A dinner party of introverts who don’t know each other is going to be awkward.)

Prep your space as much as you can ahead of time. If you do a really thorough cleaning of your space on Thursday for a dinner on Saturday, then Saturday afternoon you’ll just have to do some spot-cleaning and set the table. Buy groceries before the day-of, unless you’re cooking with something like fresh-that-day fish or just-baked bread. Do not just be planning a menu the day of the party, that way lies ruin and madness.

Prep as much of the food as you can ahead of time! Chop all vegetables the night before, make your marinades and casseroles, shred your cheeses, etc. and then store them covered in the fridge. Some things will have to wait—salads shouldn’t be tossed until it’s almost time to serve them; freshly-cut fruit bruises and browns pretty quickly; anything with a lot of milk in it will separate and have to be re-mixed in the morning; unless you’re dealing with a very tough piece of steak, you shouldn’t marinate overnight. However, do as much as you can ahead of time. This also helps cut down on mess the night of, because my next piece of advice is to…

Clean as you cook. I know cooking generates a lot of dirty dishes and pans, especially as you get into more complicated recipes. However, at the ideal dinner party, your guests should arrive to a clean and empty sink, where the only dirty dishes are the ones in the oven. The only way to make this happen is to clean as you cook. I always add in a couple hours’ lead-time so that I can have everything in pans and ready to pop into the oven even as I clean up the chaos.

Something will go wrong, just roll with the punches. You will realize an hour before the party that you forgot to get napkins, or burn a side dish, or awkwardly offer a drink to a friend who doesn’t drink. People may butt heads at the party, and require intervention. (I once went to a dinner party where the table broke. The host was mortified, but I have very fond memories of trying to rescue food and dishes from the wreckage. We sat on the floor afterwards, laughing and eating off paper plates.)Something will go wrong, so roll with the punches and don’t let yourself spiral over some little thing. You can use paper towels as napkins and apologize for any faux pas. Pizza delivery was invented for a reason. At the end of the day, the important part is to give your guests a nice night, some food, and conversation---and those will exist even if you’re sitting on the floor, eating off paper plates because the table broke.

#long post for ts #sarah gives advice #most of this is predicated on a formal sort of dinner party with an entirely home-cooked meal and a guest list of 4-6 people #obviously there is a HUGE array of more informal arrangements that can also be lovely dinner parties #but this is the kind of party that my parents throw for their adult friends and I've inherited that

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consulting-celiac-in-the-tardis · 5 years

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57 Easy Gluten Free Recipes for Summer Picnics and Potlucks

New blog post! Now that the weather is finally (sloooowly) warming up and holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July are right around the corner, I know that summer picnics and potlucks are just as close. But when you have celiac disease or dietary restrictions, summer entertaining can feel a little more complicated.

That's why this year, I thought I'd scope out some of the best gluten free recipes for summer picnics and potlucks. Whether you're looking for healthy appetizers, gluten free lunches fit for a picnic or easy paleo desserts, this round up should give you some delicious ideas. Not to mention, it should make bringing a yummy and gluten free dish to every summer get-together a whole lot easier!

Gluten Free Sides

1. Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread (Nut Free, Refined Sugar Free) - Raia's Recipes

Trust me. If you show up with gluten free bread at a summer potluck, you're gonna be the life (or at least the taste buds) of the party.

2. Easy Potato Salad with Egg - Bubba Pie

Give your potato salad an extra boost of protein with hardboiled eggs.

3. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Vegan, Soy Free) - Spabettie

Pineapple, vegan mayo, sweet pickles and pickled carrots give this macaroni salad a unique, Hawaiian twist.

4. Broccoli Apple Slaw - Noshtastic

Change up the traditional cabbage slaw recipe by using broccoli and apple instead!

5. Creamy Pea Salad - Recipes From a Pantry

If you're looking for a seriously easy low carb side dish that is still sure to peas (ahem...please) a crowd...this is it! All you need to make it are fresh (or frozen!) peas, bacon, cheese and a few other ingredients for the sour cream dressing.

6. Black Bean and Corn Salad with Balsamic Vinegar (Dairy Free) - The Welcoming Table

Add grilled chicken or pork to make this gluten free salad a meal, or serve it as a side dish or dip!

7. German Cucumber Salad - Casserole Crissy

For any gardeners out there, this is the perfect recipe to use up any leftover cucumbers.

8. Asian-Inspired Sesame Cilantro Carrot Salad (Paleo and Vegetarian) - Natasha, The Artisan Life

Even carrot haters will be won over by the Asian flavors in this gluten free salad dressing.

9. Bone Broth Pesto (Nut Free) - Casey the College Celiac

Enjoy the creamy, tanginess of pesto with the added protein and nutritional benefits of bone broth. Serve with veggies, gluten free crackers or roasted sweet potato rounds (which are also included in the linked recipe above)!

10. Watermelon Mint Salad with/out Feta (Dairy Free Option) - Finding Zest

Who knew that watermelon and balsamic vinegar made such a tasty pair?

11. White Bean Salad (Vegan, Soy-Free, Nut-Free) - Happy Healthy Mama

Fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, avocado and lemon juice turn plain white beans into a side salad everyone will be digging into.

12. Zucchini Roll-Ups (Vegan, Paleo) - Claudia Canu

These roll-ups are super simple to make but that doesn't make this combo of veggies and gluten free hummus any less delicious!

13. Goat Cheese Cucumber Bites (Keto, Low Carb) - The Keto Option

Gluten free Everything But the Bagel Seasoning dresses up these mini goat cheese and cucumber sandwiches.

14. Creamy Sweet Potato Salad (Paleo) - Cathy's Gluten Free

Is there any occasions sweet potatoes aren't perfect for?!? I don't think so...

15. Focaccia with Olives, Sundried Tomato & Rosemary (Grain Free, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free) - Emma Eats and Explores

Like I said before...you seriously can't go wrong with bringing homemade gluten free bread.

16. 5-Minute Guacamole (Vegan, Keto, Paleo, Oil-free, Whole 30) - Veg Annie

Homemade salsa gives this homemade guac an extra kick of freshness and flavor.

17. Mexican Street Corn - Confessions of a Fit Foodie

Like corn on the cob, only a lot tastier and less messy to eat!

18. Spicy Mango Dip (Vegan) - Fun Food Frolic

Serve this gluten free and vegan dip with some gf bread or pita, and it'll disappear in no time. You can whip it up in 15, minutes, too!

19. Easy Tuna Spread - Goodnesst

This gluten free spread only requires three ingredients, five minutes to make and is delicious when served with crackers, veggies or tossed in a salad.

20. Red Potato Salad with Avocado and Egg - Attainable Sustainable

Typical potato salad gets an upgrade with some healthy fats from avocado in this gluten free side dish.

21. Curried Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac

If you want to add some hidden veggies to a family classic, you'll love my curried cauliflower mac and cheese, which only takes five ingredients to make.

Gluten Free Mains

22. Avocado, Asparagus and Chicken Salad (Paleo, Mayo Free) - Tasting Page

If mayo ain't your thang, you'll love this paleo chicken salad, which gets its creaminess from avocado and a homemade dressing.

23. Corn and Zucchini Pie - A Simple Pantry

If a quiche and a frittata had a baby, this would be it. Plus, this cheesy pie only takes an hour - including 45 minutes of it doing its thang in the oven - to make.

24. Melon Mozzarella Prosciutto Salad with Arugula - Taste and See

Combine classic Italian ingredients with a traditional Caprese salad, and you end up with an ideal summer entertaining dish.

25. Grilled Balsamic Lamb Kabobs - Foodal

I'll admit, I've never tried lamb before, but these kabobs would definitely have me digging in.

26. Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad - Spice Cravings

Traditionally, tabbouleh salad is a Middle Eastern vegetarian salad featuring ingredients like parsley, mint, Bulgar wheat, tomatoes, onion, cucumber and a lemon dressing. This gluten free version replaces the bulgar wheat with quinoa, which not only makes it allergy friendly but also packed with extra protein!

27. Zesty Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich (Vegan) - Moon and Spoon and Yum

The best kind of sandwiches have a mix of different textures and flavors...and this smashed chickpea salad has ALL the flavor punches you're looking for.

28. Southwest Quinoa Salad (Dairy-Free Option) - Mama Knows Gluten Free

You can't go wrong with a bowl of quinoa dressed up with avocados, black bean, corn, grape tomatoes, mozzarella and a cilantro honey lime dressing.

29. Shrimp Pasta Salad - Hot Pan Kitchen

Olives and sun-dried tomatoes give this cold gluten free salad an extra boost of flavor.

30. Spanish Waldorf Salad - Zestful Kitchen

This Spanish twist on a classic Waldorf salad complements a variety of different meals, and you can prepare all of the different ingredients ahead of the time.

31. Easy Cheesy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole (Low Carb) - Wholesome Yum

This gluten free casserole has all the flavors of a baked potato, minus the carbs. And you can't go wrong with bacon!

32. Tuscan Pasta Salad (Nut Free, Egg Free) - Meaningful Eats

Just 'cause you're gluten free doesn't mean you can't enjoy a very delicious pasta salad on a pretty summer day.

33. Cauliflower Salad (Vegan, Low Carb, Keto) - Cooking Journey

Cauliflower just got a very tasty upgrade with this easy, raw salad recipe.

34. Easy Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad (Vegetarian) - Mom Foodie

You can't go wrong with a classic...

35. Kale Quinoa Salad + Cider Vinegarette - Pass Me Some Tasty

Make sure you use gluten free cranberries and walnuts, and the sweet and savory mix of flavors will be a major winner in this salad.

36. Chickpea Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing - V Nutrition and Wellness

Add a creamy peanut sauce to a salad with quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, cabbage and cilantro and you have a Thai feast tastier than any take-out.

37. Prawn & Avocado Salad (Whole 30, Paleo) - Recipe This

If you know Whole 30 or paleo diners will be at your summer picnic, this salad is sure to be a hit.

38. Broccoli Salad with Bacon (Keto, Low Carb) - Whole Lotta Yum

Broccoli has never looked so good...

39. Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger (Vegan) - Evolving Table

This black bean quinoa burger only takes an hour to make and is easy to personalize for whatever beans, sweet potatoes or spices you have on hand.

40. The Best Homemade Chicken Salad (Paleo, Keto, Whole 30) - The Organic Chicken

Serve this salad on greens, gluten free bread or even half an avocado.

41. Loaded Potato Wedge Nachos (Paleo, Vegan Options) - Casey the College Celiac

'Cause who wouldn't want to dive into a plate of nachos on a beautiful summer day...especially when the base is fluffy roasted potato wedges?!?

Gluten Free Desserts

42. Paleo Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (Low Carb) - The Banana Diaries

I don't know about you, but I will always say yes to a slice of gluten free pie!

43. No Bake Peach Cheesecake Bites (Vegan) - Delightful Adventures

Make sure you use gluten free oats and almonds, and you'll have one heck of a tasty gluten free dessert.

44. Chewy Pumpkin Popcorn Balls (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac

There's something crazy addictive about that sweet and salty combo.

45. Pink Lemonade Cupcakes - Fearless Dining

Because is there anything more summer-y than pink lemonade anything?!?

46. Red, White & Blueberry Shortcake Parfaits (Paleo) - Living Loving Paleo

No one will believe that you whipped up these paleo shortcakes from almond flour and a handful of other ingredients you threw in your food processor!

47. Avocado Brownies (Vegan) - Vibrant Guide

Even avocado haters won't be able to get over how thick and fudgy these brownies are...

48. Cream Cheese Pound Cake (Low Carb, Keto) - Fit to Serve Group

Who says you can't eat a keto or low carb diet and eat cake too?!?

49. Scotcharoos - My Gluten-Free Kitchen

Gluten free puffed rice cereal, peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch combine into one heck of a tasty no-bake bar.

50. Oatmeal Creme Pies - Hunny I'm Home

Chewy gluten free oatmeal cookies + delicious buttercream icing = dessert heaven.

51. Orange Cake with Almond Meal (Dairy Free) - The Foodie Journey

This cake is only made with a few ingredients and can be prepped to bake in just 10 minutes!

52. Blueberry Muffins (Vegan) - Rhian's Recipes

You can't go wrong with a fluffy blueberry muffin, especially when it's gluten free, vegan and only takes 35 minutes to bake! Plus, there are tons of ingredient options and swaps, so you can probably whip up these muffins with whatever is already in your pantry.

53. S'mores Ice Cream Cake (Vegan) - Pink Fortitude

Ummm...a gluten free and vegan ice cream cake?!? I don't think I need to say anymore...

54. Chocolate, Beetroot & Raspberry Cupcakes - Attachment Mummy

In case you want to sneak a few veggies into your gluten free dessert.

55. No Bake Cheesecake (Keto, Low Carb) - Low Carb Yum

You can't beat a no-bake cheesecake base topped with fresh summer berries.

56. Chocolate Chip Coffee Cookies - Think About Such Things

Chocolate chip cookies just got a caffeinated twist!

57. Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake (Dairy Free) - Allergy Free Alaska

I was sold at blueberries...

What I Hope You Remember During This Summer's Potlucks, Picnics and Parties

I know that when you have celiac disease or food allergies, the words "picnic" or "potluck" can cause more fear than excitement. But rest assured - as long as you use one of these gluten free recipes for guidance, you know you'll have at least one delicious meal you can happily enjoy. What are your favorite summer meals or recipes? Tell me in the comments! via Blogger http://bit.ly/2E6xmYR

#Blogger #college #celiac #gluten free #coeliac #celiacs #paleo #primal #foodporn #foodart

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