#demeterious

[animezinglife]

I really do wish there were more consistency with surnames in ACOTAR.

I love Vanserra. Lucien Vanserra and Eris Vanserra in particular sound so good. While I can't stand him for the obvious reasons, I even like Beron Vanserra's name.

I ilke Berdara a lot, too.

I went on a wild goose chase one day because I saw a fan calling Tamlin, "Tamlin Demeteri" and I absolutely loved it. It sounds great and makes since with what I'm assuming was the origin, Demeter, being an earth goddess (harvest and agriculture, but it's still a nice tie-in).

Maybe some go with more of a title, like Helion Spell-Cleaver. That's cool. That works. Kallias or Viviane Storm-Bringer with the ice they rain down.

But what about Rhys?

What would his surname be?

What if Feyre's been mated/married to him this whole time with a cool name like Archeron and his last name is something stupid like Blinkenpecker?

Also, the Illyrians definitely seem more like the type of culture who'd have warrior titles more than the sensual, intellectual Day Court.

[smallcatwoman]

IDK if I submitted this wild one yet! Jasper x Alistar what would the offspring's gift be? I am just loving asking random questions regarding twilight metas...It's a new phase I'm in.

I was genuinely stumped, which is why it took me so long to answer this. The only thing I can think of is that instead of "catching the flavor of someone's mind and following it" which is how Edward describes regular tracking powers, baby Jaslistair would sense the emotions of their target, and use that to track them. So in theory these tracking powers would work on Bella, unlike Demeteri or Alistair.

[electricguardian]

it had never been easy between kate and demetri and the chances were that was never going to change. they said time would heal all wounds and maturing meant leaving behind what wasn't working for you. centuries have passed and nothing seemed to have changed between kate and demeteri. the would continue pushing and pulling to each other, like the tides and the moon. the desire to break the cycle of destruction and despair had continued to be a secret wish that never came to be. he was her drug and she wasn't capable of letting it go, instead she was prepared to be hooked up on it once more, to be destroyed by in and getting her to another depth. " perks i doubt don't come with a whole long list of things you cannot do. " it had always surprised her how demetri could be a part of a clan so filled with hate and rules. after all, he was a rule breaker and a breaker of hearts as well. " a sense of adventure and quiet peace. the latter isn't going to happen any longer now you are here. " he was going to make a lot of noise and probably leave a path of destruction in his wake. " how have you been demetri ?? " her voice a mere whisper yet filled with a sincerity that shouldn't be given to him. she truly hoped he had been well, but perhaps secretly a little miserable without her as well.

It was always one night here and one night there. Their paths always crossed no matter how hard they tried to keep away from each other, or even if they tried at all. Where their beginning started was all a blur now, there was no exact pinpoint only many cherished memories that could only be memories. Their end? It was always in sight but never with in arms reach. Whenever they said goodbye it was supposed to be that, goodbye but it never stuck. Somehow fate had a funny way of bringing them back together. Whenever she was in sight he was like a moth to the flame. Never could he ignore her or walk away for she pulled him in like a bad habit. Kate would be his saving grace and his downfall all in one swoop. Even now his eyes refused to leave her form, his lips curled into their natural smirk as his head tilted just slightly to the side. "Hmm well being a valued man such as myself does have it's perks," he mused conceitedly, "what brings a girl like you to this part of the world?"

[moonazine]

demeterious/dmitri, the god slayer and ruler of murias and gorias!

you can also see this troubled fella in my story night veil on wattpad :)!

art by samiratu

[orukadoruka]

thinking abt them

[chvmpcgnerps]

andrea flashed an almost convincing smile and nodded her head, taking the glass in hand for a sip of water. "i will look into it," her eyes briefly deterred from him catching sight of a woman attending to a child. frustration riddle along the woman's face as it seemed from afar that was trying everything possible to calm the fussy baby. part of her wondered did she even possess the motherly trait, the natural instinct as a nurturer. even with her god daughter, andrea remember vividly struggling to tend to the child and always was met with a fuss. although her god daughter did grow to love her at an older age, her experience with her as a infant for some reason was triggered to play on mental. consumed with her thoughts, she didn't catch much of what demeteris had said, having checked out early on. from the fussy baby to that memory with her god daughter, that she couldn't seem to shake. "what if i don't make a good mother?" she blurted, pulling her eyes from the direction that previous held attention onto him. "what if.." she started before a sigh fell from her lips, her body language easily personifying uneasiness in realization that the thought that was taunting her had been spoken aloud.

[alonely-dreamer]

Twilight Origin Series: Prologue

Hi, hello, bonjour

!!Please read!!

Yesterday I posted something I called a headcanon (not really sure it is but here it is -> Vampire Origin Theory) and last night I wrote this. It’s really special, I mean, it’s kind of weird, but I like it, and I’m going to make it the prologue of the Origin Series.

The Origin Series is what I chose to call the next fanfictions that I will be writing. It’s Twilight fanfiction but there will be some chapters without any Twilight characters. Some chapters won’t even have vampires involved. I just had this “theory” and I was inspired by it. The parts/chapters won’t necessarily be in order, meaning there won’t be an order to follow to read them.

Anyway, here is the Prologue, it settles the “rules” of the world where the Origin Series takes place.

The next part/chapter of this series will be a Demetri x OC (it should be). I don’t think I’ll break couples up or change any canon couples like I did with Thinking out Loud.

There should be a Jane x OC x Alec as well.

I hope you like the idea, I’m actually excited about it. But you need to know that it’s gonna be different from what I usually write.

In other words, it’s gonna be a little weird/crazy.

Anyway, here it is, I really want to know what you think so please leave a comment!

Thank you for reading and enjoy ;)

Tag: @thepoet1975

Long before the Roman Empire and the Colosseum, before the Trojan War and Hercules, before Egypt and the pyramids, before men started to kill other men and before Gods were Gods, there was nothing but chaos.

Humans and demons, each had Gods of their own, the wars on Earth were the same upstairs. Light against darkness, evil against good, none of it mattered. The “good guys” weren’t always winning. Light didn’t always mean good, darkness never meant evil.

Humans learnt that the hard way.

Why is it that humans won the wars? All of the wars. One after the other, humans were still standing. Why? Why weren’t they all dead? After all, they spent their time killing each other.

Humans killing humans, vampires killing humans, witches killing humans… But humans weren’t killing vampires, they weren’t killing witches either. So why were they the only species left?

Well, who said they were?

There was a time, after the first war, when humans lived in peace. It didn’t last long. As they prospered, jealousy settled. Like a snake getting under the skin when asleep. One morning, that man thought to himself “why is it the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? Why is there even a fence? Why is his wife prettier than mine? Why are his children smarter than mine? Why is his business more successful than mine?”

Why, oh why? Please, God, tell me why.

And more snakes came and infested the garden.

And wars started again. Just like that.

Bickering, whining, crying, praying, and praying, and praying.

Long before the pyramids, Gods only wanted one thing: worship. And they got it. They were worshipped, every single one of them, feared and respected.

Why did the Gods leave? Why aren’t the Gods worshipped anymore?

Well, who said they weren’t?

Humans are still bickering and whining but they stopped praying. At least, some of them did.

History became legend. And legend stayed legend. Why is the Bible truer than Hercules’s story? Why is Lucifer real but Hades isn’t?

Well, who said he wasn’t?

Long before humans were killing each other, they were killing demons. Both species claiming the Earth for them to rule. Gods watched carefully as their worshippers died rapidly one after the other.

Who was going to pray for them if they all died?

Praying was simple. Worshipping a God and praying to him or her assured you good fortune and protection. There hadn’t been any good fortune for any human in quite a while.

Acknowledging they were failing their duty as Gods and weren’t keeping their end of the bargain, they decided to react.

The idea came to Ares, after his brother had once again cursed a human for refusing him. Apollo had turned a young and beautiful girl into an irresistible and blood thirsty creature. Ares noticed how her skin was as cold and hard as stone, how the girl was graceful but also powerful. Men couldn’t help but stare at her, and she couldn’t help but kill them all. Her name was Agnes, and she was the first of ten. The first vampire of history.

To defend them, Ares and his family decided to give the humans certain abilities. Telekinesis, telepathy, pyro kinesis, transmutation, divination… But they were still humans and humans were weak. They had to be made stronger, faster, harder to kill.

Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite and Hephaestus all created the same creature. They chose nine humans and changed them. Turned them into something else. Their skin became like stone, their eyes turned red, their hearts stopped. They became faster, stronger, harder to kill. And fire settled in their throats. And it would be burning, always.

The first war was won. No more demons. Only humans. And vampires. And witches. And fairies, and Gods know what else.

And everything after that is known history.

Or is it?

[lowpawly]

one second into peter griffin surfin bird and six seasons of character growth for lapis immediately demeterialize she has regressed to once again seeing violence and hate as the only answers

[volterran-wine]

Now that i have made Felix smile and had Demeteri call me smooth i can finally die happy ... If you know what I mean Felix 😉 - Gustav!anon

Well, dearest Gustav!Anonymous, I am glad that my amusement pleases you enough to feel like you have fulfilled your life’s purpose. Perhaps you may join us in Volterra some time. 

— 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑥

[moonazine]

👉👈 this would be nice... feel free to ask about velika or liha! (or even dmitri, if you like- though he’s very much less developed than the other two)

Get to know my character

Reblog this so your followers can spam your ask box. Have fun! ♥

01. What does your character’s name mean? Did you pick it for the symbolism, or did you just like the way it sounded? 02. What is one of your character’s biggest insecurities? Are they able to hide it easily or can others easily exploit this weakness? 03. What would be their favorite physical trait about themselves? 04. What are their favorite traits about their lover? (one psychological and one physical) 05. Are they sexually confident or more of the shy type? 06. Do they have any hobbies that their lover finds unusual, odd, or otherwise annoying? 07. Is there a catchphrase or sound that they tend to make a lot (likely without being aware of it)? 08. What is, perhaps, their biggest flaw? Are they aware of this or oblivious to it? 09. Do they have a favorite season? What about a favorite holiday? 10. Is your character more feminine or masculine? 11. What is something that would make your character fly into a rage? 12. Is there some particular talent, skill, or attribute that they simply could not give up? 13. What are your character’s sleeping habits? Heavy or light sleeper? Blanket stealer? One that always rolls onto the floor? Pushes their lover onto the floor? Sleep talker or walker? 14. Do they live alone or with family? How do they feel about their family/roommates? 15. Is there a certain person in this world that they cannot stand? The very mention of this person’s name makes them tremble with anger or fear. 16. Is your character the athletic type or more of a couch potato? What are some sports/games that they like? 17. Does your character have dreams of getting married and/or having children? 18. What kind of home would they want to live in? Where would they place this abode? 19. Would your character be the kind to get into fights? (physical or verbal) Would they be a good fighter or cave in rather easily? 20. Does your character like animals? What are some of their favorite animals? Would they want pets? What about mythological creatures? 21. What is one of your character’s biggest fears? How would they react when dealing with this fear? 22. What kind of tattoos, piercings, birthmarks, freckles, and other such unique physical features do they have? 23. What is your character like when it comes to school? What subjects are they good/bad at? Do they get in trouble a lot or are well behaved? 24. In their own words, how would your character describe what their lover is like? 25. Is there something traumatic from your character’s past that greatly affects them even to this day? 26. What is their lover like sexually? How do they feel about their lover’s quirks, needs, etc? 27. If your character was going to get arrested, what would be the most likely reason for it? 28. If your character became a celebrity, what would they be famous for? 29. What is one of the most courageous things your character has ever done for a loved one? 30. When it comes to the arts (music, film, theater, etc), what does your character like? 31. Would your character be the kind capable of killing? Would they enjoy killing or only use it when necessary or, perhaps, refuse to kill no matter what? 32. If your character’s lover offered to take them out on a dream date, what would they want to do? 33. If your character wanted to be alone, where would they go? 34. Does your character have favorite foods? (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks, etc) 35. Is your character afraid of death? If they got to choose how to die, how would they want to go? 36. Does your character have any medical conditions? Are they serious or minor? Do they affect their day to day life? 37. What are some of your character’s pet peeves? What are some things that annoy them or disgust them? 38. What kind of weather does your character like? Cloudy skies, rainy days, sunshine, etc? 39. When people look at your character, is there some assumption they might make about them just by appearance? Is that assumption correct? 40. Does your OC have any guilty pleasures they enjoy? Hobbies, past times, music, etc that they wouldn’t want known by others? 41. Does your character’s family affect your character in any way? 42. Is there anything in your character’s past that they regret, haunts them, or they wish they could change? 43. Does your character have a switch that changes aspects of their personality whether they are around friends, family, etc. Is there someone who gets to see their true self? 44. Is there a particular event that would emotionally devastate your character? 45. Is your character the kind to hide their true emotions or do they wear their heart on their sleeve?

46. What is some random affectionate thing that your character always does to their lover? 47. Is your character outgoing? Would they be the leader of the friend group, or the quiet one that gets dragged along? 48. Is there anything in particular that would ignite your character’s jealousy? Or does your character not get envious? 49. What is something that your character has nightmares about? Are these frequent? Do they heavily affect your character’s mood? 50. If your character confessed love to their crush, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc, what would they say?

[marvelatthetwilight]

I've just checked your to-do list and I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO looking forward to part 2s to the Demeteri and Embry fics!

Part two of the Embry one will be out tomorrow hopefully! It's cute and sickly sweet!

[pawpadsalad]

Demeteri Títtŷ indulgence

[moonazine]

The Tale of Ancient Murias

Long, long ago, in a land tucked far away in the corners of the world, a war amongst gods erupted.

The bloody battle that lasted one hundred years was fought between two groups of gods who all sought one thing; full control of the worlds magic. One group wanted it to enslave the lesser races of the Earth, and the other wanted it to help them prosper.

This battle took place all over Hibernia, from the highlands of Gorias to the beaches of Findias. The fight was vicious and unholy. The cries of its fighting soldiers and sorcerers could be heard from across the globe.

It ended with the Golden God slaughtering the High King, Bres. Another god, Nuada, then took his place. They searched for the relic they needed to control the magic they had fought for, but found it gone.

In a fit of rage, the Golden God chased his allies from Droichais, the City of the Gods, and out of Murias. He built his own castle along the coast in Bacsleibh and named it Antairmhean, The Median.

He and his sorcerers closed Murias from the prying eyes of the outside world in a furious blizzard. He began constructing the land anew, building new towns and cities from the rubble. Murias prospered for over a thousand years, but the forces of his enemies grew and grew.

The Golden God soon had to face the undying wrath and fury of his once friends, led by none other than Nuada. Fueled by anger from their betrayal, they stormed Murias, and left nothing in their wake.

They bet the Golden God relentlessly. They made him watch as they tore his precious cities to the ground. They burned his villages, slaughtered his people. Naught but a few groups of his Sidhe people remained.

Just like that, they left, leaving the Golden God sobbing upon his throne as his golden blood soaked the floor. His kingdom was gone. All that remained were ghosts of who were, and illusions of the greatness that was.

He isolated himself, only showing his face when the wolfmen of the land called upon him, if there was a threat upon their measly borders, or if the dwindling numbers of the Sidhe people faced tragedy.

Only a few towns were rebuilt, but small. There was the town of Talceardai, where great craftsmen lived. There was Abhaistair, a settlement of skilled hunters. There was the Caves of Gheimhreadh, where the werewolves of Murias spent their days, and Degrian, an outpost at the borders.

Finally, there was Draoichtbail, the home of magic. Here, the strongest of sorcerers and mages thrived. It is also, coincidentally, where our story begins.

[the-lady-oneill]

Ultana had been a lot of places on Thol. Some, even, had been a little inappropriate for her sex. The Embassy and Council House, however, were in a whole other realm of their own. 

She was nervous the whole ride over. Asking Hugh had been a pain. Getting written permission from his father for her to step foot on the premises had been even more of a pain. Eldinas didn’t visit the embassy often. It just wasn’t done. 

They were stopped at the gates. Beyond them, a building of glass and stone towered up to the sky. Next to it, a squatter, but almost more elegant building reminiscent of the Greek Parthenon stood, carved from black stone. She could see flashes of color moving up and down its steps: The Council. 

The little cab was let through the gates after they were properly identified, and made its way up to the glass and stone building. In front, there was a tri-fountain divided in equal parts for each of Thol’s main three gods. 

She began to pick at the skin of her hands, the gold bangles chattering on her wrists. She was making too much noise. She stopped. 

Bravo sat next to her. She hated that he had to come. But she was glad for Murdoch and Sinead, opposite. It was likely she would have lost her head if Hugh had come with her instead. 

Up the steps they went. It felt like the gods in the fountain were glaring at her back. She didn’t belong here. A few Eldarins stared at them as they passed, whispering isn’t that Hugh’s wife? Why’s she with Murdoch? Why is she here? 

But she had to do this for Tristan and Orla. She couldn’t think of any other way to resolve the situation.

A slave met them at the entry and brought them to the selected tea-room, and then went to inform the Demeteri consul that they’d arrived. 

[rabbitfeet200]

Mentors: Taught them karate

Mr Miyagi- Daniel,

Johnny- Miguel, Eli, Aisha,Samantha, Tory, Abe, Frank, Doug, Mikey, Bert, Dirk, Mitch, Chris, Nate, Gus, Stiven, ,Little Red, Edwin, Big Red,Dieter,

John Kreese- Miguel, Eli, Aisha, Tory, Abe, Frank, Doug, Mikey, Bert, Dirk, Mitch, Nate, Gus, Stiven, ,Little Red, Edwin, Big Red,Dieter,

Daniel-Samantha,Robby, Demeteri, Miguel, Eli, Abe, Frank, Little Red,Nate, Stiven, Anthony, Bert, Dirk, Mitch, Gus,

[countrymadefoods]

The Twisted History of Pasta

“During the 20th century, Americans developed a love affair with pasta. On the big screen, spaghetti played memorable roles in classic films such as the Marx Brothers’ Night at the Opera (1935), Disney’s Lady and the Tramp (1955), and Goodfellas (1990).”

“Pasta’s ethnic roots have been long debated. Many theories have been put forward, some notably far-fetched. An enduring myth, based on the writings of the 13th-century explorer Marco Polo, that pasta was brought to Italy from China, rose from a misinterpretation of a famous passage in Polo’s Travels...Even while Polo was away on his travels in the 1270s, there is a reference to a soldier in the northern Italian city of Genoa, who owned a basket of “macaronis.” A century before, the Muslim geographer al-Idrisi wrote of seeing pasta produced on Sicily.

Many Italian writers have argued that a tomb from the fourth century B.C. bears a relief of pasta-making equipment, suggesting the dish was being enjoyed in pre-Roman Italy...From the 13th century, references to pasta dishes—macaroni, ravioli, gnocchi, vermicelli—crop up with increasing frequency across the Italian Peninsula.”

”Pasta was considered a dish for the wealthy, taking pride of place in aristocratic banquets during the Renaissance...in the middle of the 16th century...Pasta, by the late 17th century in Naples, was becoming the main staple of the common diet. Neapolitans had been nicknamed leaf-eaters (mangiafoglia) in the 1500s. From the 1700s they started to be called macaroni-eaters (mangiamaccheroni) instead...the main reason for pasta’s dramatic spread was that, from the 17th century, industrial pasta production was developed with the use of machines such as the torchio, a mechanical press to make noodles or vermicelli.”

“Several things that have changed drastically over time are the flavorings added to pasta. Sweetness has been replaced by savory, sugar swapped out for vegetables, which helped make pasta a nutritionally complete dish. Then, at the beginning of the 19th century, tomatoes were added. For a long time Italians considered them to be too exotic. In fact, it is not until 1844 that the first recipe appears for the most common pasta dish today: spaghetti in tomato sauce.”      

(via The Twisted History of Pasta | National Geographic)

Tracing the Origins of the Noodle

“Noodles are eaten as pho in Vietnam, chow-chow in Nepal, seviyan in India and many other permutations and combinations throughout the globe. While the popularity of noodles is a widely accepted consensus, its origin is still a prominently debated subject. There are numerous contenders who have claimed to be the creators of the Noodle. Italians profess that they are the pioneers of this plant based food, whereas the Chinese argue that they invented this culinary sensation.

Pasta is an integral part of the Italian diet and culture. With shapes ranging from small pinwheels to large sheets, its diversity can be witnessed across the regions of this unified country. Each Italian province has its own rich history with pasta, shaped by its geographical limits and foreign influences, and as a result unique dishes native to these expanses have become a beacon for their identities. The emergence of Pasta in Italy was formerly attributed to Marco Polo, a venetian explorer. He voyaged to China, and upon his return in 1295, he brought back copious amounts of spices and other discoveries which included noodles.”

‘Well, Marco Polo might have done amazing things on his journeys, but bringing pasta to Italy was not one of them: noodles were already there in Polo’s time.’(Demeteri, 2018)

[P]asta already existed during the Roman-Etruscan era as ‘Lagane’... Apicius...was a Roman author, who discussed a recipe of ‘laganon’ in his discourse published in the first century AD. These written accounts date back thousands of years. Pasta has thus been a component of the Italian diet for centuries.”

“Arabs played a role in the development and spread of boiled noodles or ‘itriyah’. They significantly influenced Italian food and culinary practices when they invaded the country in the 8thCentury AD. Their cuisine and culture was adopted in regions such as Sicily, where the spread of sweet and savory foods such as pasta con la sarde was observed after the Arabic conquest. Macaroni too, gained widespread admiration amongst the Sicilians at this time.”

“Ramen is not only a culinary phenomenon here; it is a cultural marvel as well. Japan has museums dedicated to this fast-food, ramen stalls throughout the country, and television cooking shows fashioned around this spicy broth with noodles. The widespread consumption of Ramen by the residents of Japan is unparalleled by any other people. These facts beg the question ‘who are the ancestors of these instant noodles’ ‘was there a Japanese predecessor to this curried noodle dish’. On further research it becomes clear that ramen was introduced to Japan in the form of noodles, from China...Ramen, in present day, has become a national staple food in post-war Japan. Even though noodles weren’t devised here, they have become a vital part of the country’s national identity and the favorite grub of its people.”

“[T]he most plausible birthplace of the noodle is China...However, even though China maybe the site of the first instances of noodles and they may have introduced some countries like Japan and India to them, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they were the ones who introduced the rest of the world to it. Italians were enjoying pasta long before Marco Polo brought back the secrets of the Chinese noodle trade. As there is very little documented data and only a few preserved artifacts related to Italian pasta, it’s not right to make any broad claims about its beginning. It is also plausible that pasta developed spontaneously in China and Italy at different time periods.”

(via Tracing the Origins of the Noodle | Noodles On The Silk Road blog)

Andō Momofuku: An Inventor Who Used His Noodle to Change Global Food Culture

“ Instant ramen: just add hot water and you have a meal in a few minutes, anytime, anywhere. The product had its beginnings with Chicken Ramen by Nissin Foods, invented by Andō Momofuku in a backyard workshop.

Andō Momofuku (1910–2007) was rightly known as “Mr. Noodles.” His instant noodles, invented in 1958 [48 years old], record yearly sales of 5.5 billion units in Japan alone; worldwide, nearly 100 billion portions are consumed every year, truly making the product a “global food.” Nissin Food Products, the company Andō founded, is part of the Nissin Group, which has grown into a giant with net sales of more than ¥490 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2017.

But before success came many trials. Andō was an up-and-coming industrialist who lost all his wealth overnight. By the time he invented Chicken Ramen, the world’s first instant ramen, he was already 48 years old.”

“Andō left these words: “In life, it’s never too late. It took me forty-eight years to invent this product.”

The idea for instant ramen came to Andō at a black market near Osaka’s main train station during the years of severe food shortages following the war. Under a cold winter sky, he saw a long line of people lined up waiting their turn to eat a bowl of ramen...A few years later, when he did not know where his own next meal was coming from, he recalled that scene and decided to try developing ramen that was simple to make and easy to eat, in addition to keeping well.

[Ando] came up with the flash-frying method, frying the noodles briefly to eliminate moisture. Andō’s hometown of Tainan is known for yi-mian, a type of noodle that is deep-fried before boiling...Andō got the idea from his wife Masako’s tempura. Seeing how she prepared crispy tempura by frying it in a way that drove out excess moisture, he hit on the notion of flash-frying his noodles.”

“Thanks to Andō’s experimentation, Chicken Ramen, the world’s first instant ramen, went on sale in August 1958.  The noodles are permeated with a concentrated soup consisting of chicken stock and seasonings; simply adding hot water produces a steaming bowl of ramen. Called mahō no rāmen, “magic ramen,” when it first went on the market, Chicken Ramen became a runaway hit.

When Andō first told Masako that he was going into the ramen business, she reportedly said: “If you’re going to do that, make sure you become Japan’s best ramen maker.” Her admonition came true, as Andō watched yearly sales of his Chicken Ramen reach ¥4.3 billion just five years later.”

(via Andō Momofuku: An Inventor Who Used His Noodle to Change Global Food Culture | Nippon.com)

Great Tomato Substitutes for Everyday Cooking

Whether you have an allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance to them as I do, or you simply don't have tomatoes on hand, here are some great substitutes for tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and more that you can use in your everyday cooking.

In my effort to both eat foods that taste tomato-like and also save my health, I accidentally found the tastiest substitute in a product that is pre-made, called Marco Polo Ajvar,”

”This is actually a red bell pepper and eggplant spread that has an uncanny similarity to the texture and taste of tomato sauce. The ingredients in this Ajvar are: peppers, eggplant, sunflower oil, salt, sugar, distilled vinegar, and garlic. The product is imported from Bulgaria, which is one of the reasons the ingredients are very wholesome...This product is highly suited for people with allergies and intolerances to tomato. I'm a little addicted to this stuff myself. People you serve this sauce to might not even know it isn't tomato sauce. That is how close the flavor is.”

“If you are on the market for a barbecue sauce without tomatoes, try one that is mustard-based...This sauce is from a South Carolina recipe that's been perfected over four generations. Common ingredients in mustard-based sauces include molasses and vinegar and a great blend of herbs and spices. You will not miss the tomatoes at all, and your guests and family will enjoy this as well.”

(via Great Tomato Substitutes for Everyday Cooking | Delishably)

Filipino spaghetti

“Filipino spaghetti, also known as sweet spaghetti, is a Filipino adaptation of the Italian spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. It has a distinctively sweet sauce, usually made from tomato sauce sweetened with brown sugar or banana ketchup. It is typically topped with sliced hotdogs or smokedlongganisa sausages, giniling (ground meat), and grated cheese. It is regarded as a comfort food in Philippine cuisine.

The dish is believed to date back to the period between the 1940s and the 1960s. During the American Commonwealth Period, a shortage of tomato supplies in the Second World War forced the local development of the banana ketchup. Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce was introduced by the Americans and was tweaked to suit the local Filipino predilection for sweet dishes.”

Banana ketchup

Banana ketchup or banana sauce is a popular Philippine fruit ketchup condiment made from mashed banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices. Its natural color is brownish-yellow, but it is often dyed red to resemble tomato ketchup. Banana ketchup was made when there was a shortage of tomato ketchup during World War II, due to lack of tomatoes and a comparatively high production of bananas.”

Jajangmyeon

“Jajangmyeon or jjajangmyeon is a Chinese Korean noodle dish topped with a thick sauce made of chunjang, diced pork, and vegetables.

Jajangmyeon dates back to 1905, when it was introduced in Gonghwachun, a Chinese restaurant in Incheon Chinatown run by an immigrant from the Shandong Province of China. The restaurant is now the Jjajangmyeon Museum.

In the mid-50s in South Korea, soon after the Korean War, jajangmyeon was sold at low prices so that anyone could eat it without burden. The new Korean-style Jajangmyeon began to gain explosive popularity among the many merchants visiting the port of Incheon, which was the center of trade, and the many dock workers working in the fish market, and quickly spread throughout the country.“ 

Can My Dog Eat Pasta?

“The answer is maybe. In its plain form, pasta is unlikely to harm your dog, especially in moderation. However, it is worth being careful, as some pets have wheat allergies or are sensitive to grains. Pasta has very minimal nutritional value as well, so while it isn’t poisonous, it shouldn’t be a regular part of your dog’s diet.

Oh, and avoid the sauce. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs, so pasta sauce can make your dog sick.”

Can my dog eat spaghetti?

Only plain! If the spaghetti is in sauce, most sauces contain onions and garlic, which are toxic to dogs so avoid them completely to be safe. That’s not to mention that most spaghetti sauces include sugar and salt at problematic levels for dogs.

Can my dog eat ramen?

Nothing quite like a salty, meaty, bowl of hot ramen. Unfortunately, both traditional ramen and instant ramen are too salty for your dog to enjoy. If you’re feeding your dog plain ramen noodles, those are usually fine, but again, offer no nutritional value...It’s also good to note that onion and garlic are both popular ingredients in instant ramen flavor packets, so sharing noodles from your bowl isn’t a great idea for your dog.”

(via Can My Dog Eat Pasta? | Rover.com)