It was my grandma's 90th birthday party on Saturday and we had a buffet with all sorts of stuff. At the end, there was some leftover salmon and prawns (among other things) which I wrapped and took home.
Bought some puff pastry (because I've made my own before and it is far more time than I currently have), cream, and spinach to make it into a pie. I'm quite happy with how it turned out :)
Despite her age, my grandma always bakes (and then loves to complain about how much it makes her knees hurt afterwards!). One of my favourite things she does is salmon tarts whenever she has leftover salmon. That was the main inspiration for this recipe.
Ingredients
- Puff pastry (I used two packs of premade stuff with a little left over)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- a bag of fresh baby leaf spinach
- a fresh salad tomato
- leftover poached salmon, smoked salmon, and prawns (shrimp)
- thyme, salt, pepper
- Worcester sauce (Lee and Perrins is the best)
- 300ml of double cream
- a bit of cheese (optional)
Recipe
1. Preheat an oven to gas 4 (177°C/350°F).
2. Line a pie dish with puff pastry, leaving a little extra around the edges to account for shrinking. Put a sheet of baking paper on top and cover with baking beans (I used split peas because that's what we have). Put this into the oven and set a timer for 10 ish minutes (you want the pastry to be partially cooked).
3. Finely dice half an onion and add to a saucepan over medium heat. Grate in some garlic (or mince it if you aren't as lazy as me!). Fry until translucent.
4. Add a bunch of spinach and allow it to wilt. Dice a tomato and add it too.
5. Add salt, pepper, thyme, and a dash of Worcester sauce along with around 300ml of double cream. More can be added later to taste.
6. Once simmering, add the salmon and prawns (I also had a little tiny bit of smoked salmon) and heat through.
7. By this point, the pastry should be partially cooked. Remove it from the oven, remove the baking beans (O.E), and pour the sauce into the pie. Turn the oven up to gas 7 (220°C/425°F).
7.5. Before giving the pie a lid, I grated a bunch of red Leicester on top of the filling as I was slightly short of filling and didn't want the lid to sag. This is optional, but experiment with whatever you feel might work.
8. Lay more puff pastry on top of the pie and crimp the edges. You can also score the top to give it a fancy pattern, and egg-wash to seal and glaze if you can be bothered (I couldn't).
9. Put the pie back in the oven for a further 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden.
For sure !! I've been really enjoying all the Arlecchino requests in my inbox recently, she as a character fascinates me!
Sorry this took me so long to get to, it's like. Every time I open it up and start typing, I get distracted by something else.
Content: Gender neutral reader (referred to as 'you'), romantic affection, nicknames, some behaviour from Arlecchino that could be considered a little seedy (including some passing mentions of jealousy/possessiveness) - a quick mention of alcohol in the last dot point.
Word count: I'd say somewhere over 900, done in a list format.
I'd say in most cases, she probably would have been the one to fixate on you and take steps to initiate the relationship to start off with - though I could definitely see it being the other way around, but she would've been very much out of her element. She's very much easily flustered when your attention is on her.
During the courting period, she would have cute young children bring you flowers from her whenever you happened to be in the area - at first it seems like some kind of plot or scheme, but in reality she's just too shy to approach you directly herself.
She has people watching out for you, always, even before you're together. Even if you're perfectly capable of looking after yourself, you'll find that there's often a Fatui member or two who just so happens to have grown up in House of the Hearth following in your footsteps or looking out for you.
Despite how affectionate she is, she does shockingly terribly when the favour is returned in any way - her cheeks get all red and she refuses to look at you, practically pouting, even if all you did was give her an innocent compliment or ask how her day has been.
I feel like a lot of the kids at the House of the Hearth remain loyal to her even after they've grown up - despite her cold exterior and attitude, they're all really fond of her and see her as this protective aunt figure, so of course once the rumour gets out that she's taken an interest in you (or vice versa), you find that whenever you're in the area, you're getting a lot of curious looks and whispers sent your way, or even some of the older ones just directly asking you questions - at least once there would've been a time when a younger child just directly asked when the wedding was going to be.
Arlecchino can barely function when you're around before you're together. She's a mess, blurting out compliments and just offering you things. You compliment her coat? Before you can blink, she's taken it off and is offering it to you, but in that annoyed, stubborn kind of way, as if she wasn't given a choice in the matter. "Just take it. You said you liked it."
She only just manages to keep her composure when the other Harbingers are around - she's entirely enamoured by you and it's far too obvious in the way that she's constantly looking over towards you and fidgeting about impatiently, or shuffling over so she gets to stand closer to you.
I'd imagine you two getting together officially just starts out with her accidentally blurting something out and admitting to her feelings, then immediately rushing out and avoiding you for as long as possible until you finally manage to corner her and demand answers, and you manage to work it all out from there.
Once you're officially together, Arlecchino can still be a little flighty around you, as if the slightest movement might scare you off. This borders on uncharted water for her - she's been in relationships before, but never with someone she actually cared for this much.
She's so needy and clingy at times, it's like she thinks if she lets you out of her sight you'll run away forever.
Once she's been given the go ahead for physical affection, she is all over you. Standing right up in your personal space, sitting so close to you that you're pressed up against one another. It's like she hardly even notices her arm wrapping around you, or her fingers linking with yours.
Once she's over that initial phase of doubt and worry, she gets better, though she can still be possessive and jealous at times.
There's nothing she loves more than being able to come to bed and get to hold you after a long day of working. She looks forward to it all day.
She vacillates between wanting to show you off to anyone and everyone and wanting to hide you away somewhere where you'll be safe.
She loves to provide for you - if it's within her power to grant for you, she'll do it in a heartbeat.
If anyone upsets you, she's ready to throw hands, no matter who it is. She'll square up with the Tsaritsa herself for looking at you wrong.
Arlecchino just adores you. She dotes on you to no end - the kids at the House of the Hearth find it adorable - the soldiers serving under her do too, but they're a little more subtle about it, especially considering Arlecchino is trying her very best to keep your relationship under wraps so news doesn't get around to the other Harbingers.
If someone gets her a drink or two and bring you up in conversation she's suddenly fanning herself as she blinks back tears because of just how much she loves you. It's adorable. For all the terrifying stories about her and her general reputation, she's really just a huge softie when it comes to you (though she definitely still has her stern, scary moments).
Please don't repost, steal, copy or otherwise plagarise my writing! This includes posting translations to other sites (without credit + permission).
was at a bookstore today and found out that, not only does mike survive s5, but he also marries will byers, and becomes an author in the field of,,, uh,,, foreign politics and arctic sovereignty (?)
I fully believe once If These Trees Could Talk finds their way out of The Great Ohioian Corn Maze they will drop the fifth album on us and it will fuck supremely
"oh, is that hard to believe?" prompt chosen by me, with prompter's blessing
thank you!
Scott takes a step back, startled, as Cora flashes red eyes.
"Oh? Is it really that hard to believe?"
He inhales deeply, not bothering to hide it. Her scent is all over the place but he recognizes the sour scent of grief overlaying all of her emotions.
"How did it happen?" he asks softly, kindly.
"The same way it always happens, I killed an alpha."
He wants to reach out his hand and offer her comfort. But the power is too new, raw in her. It's a wonder she can stand to be in the same room as him. Alphas, by nature, tend to be at odds with each other.
It's a testament to their friendship that she's sought him out.
"Why did it happen?"
Cora glares at him. "Because hunters tortured my alpha until he was half-dead, and I was the only one close enough he trusted with the power."
Scott nods. "He was right, you know."
Cora's glare softens.
"To trust you with the power. You have the experience and capacity to be a good leader."
"What if I don't have the desire?"
Scott smiles sadly. "The best alphas often don't."
Cora stifles a growl. "How did you do it? Everything is so... heightened. I have to keep reminding myself that I don't really want to tear your throat out."
"Is that really that different from when you were a beta?"
It's enough to startle a laugh out of her. "Really, though," she says after, "how did you do it?"
Scott holds out his hand. "With a lot of help from my friends."
Hey!!! I just found your Mr. L Hero AU, looked at everything you've done for it, and now I'm OBSESSED! I also have a few questions if you don't mind. :)
Was Mr. L recognized as Luigi by the heroes before they defeated and captured him or after?
Was Mario the first one to recognize him? I'm always torn on the direction of my headcanons about Mario and Mr. L. Part of me likes Mario recognizing him for the start and trying to reason with him while they fight. On the other hand, I also love the headcanon of Mario being in denial about any similarities between Mr. L and Luigi.
Besides appearance, what's your headcanon about similarities between Mr. L and Luigi? Do they have a similar way of speaking? Do they have the same areas of interest (I've seen some evidence in other games that Luigi likes building machines)?
I honestly have so many more questions, but I don't wanna seem too pushy, so I'll leave it here. Thank you so much for making an awesome AU that'll be living in my head rent-free for the foreseeable future! xD
Oh my goodness, you’re very sweet! I absolutely love questions, so this is making me absolutely giddy! I adore any opportunity to talk about my ideas!
Firstly, Mario recognized Luigi the second he heard his voice. He didn’t really register anything was off until Mr L landed directly on Squirps. He was still ready to brush it off as an accident and went over to greet his brother, but was stopped by Mr L’s monologue.
Mario was absolutely bewildered. He insisted the other two stand back while he handled the battle, but it didn’t go well. It was 90% Mario dodging and pleading with Mr L while getting jumped on, shot at, and insulted nonstop. Mr L probably would’ve won if Bowser hadn’t gotten sick of watching it and torched Mr L (which prompted the robot battle, Mr L’s defeat, and his capture).
Now, as far as similarities between Mr L and Luigi, I imagine Mr L is that he was given some pre-programmed aspects by Nastasia. He has a strong desire to prove himself (particularly to the Count), he enjoys the thrill of battle, he’s a mechanic who builds robots, and he doesn’t care much for morality. That’s the outline of the Mr L persona, but many aspects directly came from Luigi to fill in the blanks.
Luigi has a strong fear of undead creatures (specifically ghosts), and thus Mr L is afraid of dry bones. Luigi has a fondness for animals, and Mr L does too (though he’s embarrassed about it). Luigi’s best friend is Mario, and Mr L always feels like someone is missing (which is why he built brobot).
Luigi and Mr L have other similarities as well. Luigi is very clever with power ups, angles, and he has fantastic aim. This translates to Mr L’s robotic brilliance, which was a part of his personality programming. Luigi isn’t anywhere near Mr L’s technological skill, but he isn’t bad with technology either; if Mario ever needed help with tech, he’d go to Luigi.
Luigi and Mr L also have very similar ways of speaking, though the tone they speak in is completely different. Mr L uses a lot of words and phrases that Luigi does, stumbles over his words in the same way, and says figures of speech that only someone from Mario and Luigi’s home universe would know. Luigi can be kinda snarky and he has a little bit of a temper, but he usually keeps these snarky comments in his head or muttered under his breath in Italian. Mr L has no such qualms, and doesn’t hesitate to say those rude comments aloud.
It is interesting to imagine Mario denying any similarity, though I personally imagine Mario is happy to see any possible similarities. That means Luigi’s still in there somewhere, right? He doesn’t know what Mr L is feeling, or what’s going on inside his head. He’s terrified that his own sweet, clever, brave little brother is just… gone. Replaced by this Mr L guy, never to return. So long as he can find some similarities between Luigi and Mr L, he can feel more confident with the fact that he hasn’t lost Luigi forever.
Mario does, admittedly, have a hard time with Mr L. He keeps forgetting that no, this isn’t Luigi, and Mr L doesn’t react well to being treated like Luigi. Sometimes these reminders hit him like a truck, and Mr L tends to mock him for being emotional (at least at first, over time he gets a bit more sensitive about it). It hurts especially because his own Luigi was very emotional and unafraid to show it. He’d never mock someone for crying! Mr L would (and has).
One last thing I wanna mention is that many similarities between Luigi and Mr L haven’t come up simply because Mr L has never been in a situation that they’d appear. They both like jigsaw puzzles, have the same taste in music, and enjoy repetitive tasks like folding laundry. It’s not something that would be noticed, simply because Mr L is off adventuring rather than sitting at home or any other place he’d have the chance to do these things.
Omg yes please to any writers who want to write an idea from this ask game! There’s so many new and good ones. I really want to see the tae cockwarming a strap omg
using this to officially ~close the ask box~ for this weekend's game 👏 and as a reminder - any/all of these ideas are free for y'all to grab!! if you're feeling inspired to write something, go crazy hehe 😈 and PLEASE stick it in the #trashlibrary so i can read it and scream!!!! 💜
as always, i adore and appreciate every single one of you, including the new friends who just got here. HI WELCOME 2 THE CHAOS 👋 i hope you had fun and that we can go into this week with fresh, good, happy (and horny lmao) vibes!! 🥺 thank you for playing with me!!! 😘
Rules have been updated. You’ll find the gist of what’s been tweaked in the tags. I’m gaming tonight but I’ve got tomorrow free, so I’ll be around then. ♡
I wasn't going for yardage for this TdF, instead my goal was to spin at least 15 minutes every day. The last few years I haven't been spinning (or crafting in general) at all, so I figured getting back into the habit of creating would be a good start.
I managed at least 15 minutes every day but last Thursday, but I ended up with a migraine after volunteering so I'm counting that as good enough.
My main project was this 89% NSW Shaniko/6%acrylic/5% rayon braid that I just managed to finish the singles for. I want it to rest to even out the twist a bit, but the plan is to ply it before the end of the month. Hopefully I get about 300 yards. I'm really excited to see how it comes out!
This mess is something I've has sitting on a bobbin for probably close to 4 years? I'm hoping the color difference is because of dust and not the sun bleaching it. 😬
I was still in a spinning mood and decided to work on it a bit to round out TdF. I'm also kinda out of bobbins and would have felt bad throwing the single away so...