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CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN CUPS❤️ Ingredients🍎: CHOCOLATE LAYERS ½ cup melted coconut oil ½ cup cacao powder 2 tablespoons maple syrup PUMPKIN LAYER 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil ½ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) 3 tablespoons almond butter (or your favorite nut butter) 2 tablespoons maple syrup ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Prep👩🏻🍳: Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Combine all ingredients for chocolate layer in a small bowl. Mix until well combined. I found that measuring out about ½ tablespoon (or a little less) into each cupcake liner was just enough to fill both chocolate layers. These layers are very thin! I made 10 chocolate cups. You may have to spread out the chocolate so it fills the whole liner. Freeze for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the pumpkin layer. Combine all ingredients for pumpkin layer in a small bowl. Mix until well combined. I measured out about 1 tablespoon for each cup. Layer over the chocolate and freeze for 20 minutes or until firm. Finish by layering the leftover chocolate over the pumpkin layer and freeze for an hour or until firm. Transfer cups to a sealed container and store in freezer. Source: the glowing fridge
Dwarven Flatbread
According to folklore, these tasty flat loaves weren’t created in the kitchen, but rather at the forge as ever-industrious, hungry dwarven craftsmen utilized the only materials they had available: flour, oil, water, salt, a hearth, and a hammer.” - Heroes’ Feast, p. 103
I've been interested in making flatbread for about a year now but always felt strangely intimidated by it. It wasn’t until I found this recipe and saw how quickly and simply it could be done that I decided to give it a shot.
Simple yet absolutely delicious, this wonderfully seasoned flatbread has just enough of a spice kick for it to stand out on its own or when eaten with the Fire Lichen Spread (p. 93) or a tzatziki dip!
Previously attempted by @afinickyguide, this review looks to take their suggestions to heart while also adding some of my own!
See below for my notes on the results and for some helpful tips and tricks when making this yourself! Get Heroes’ Feast here: https://dnd.wizards.com/heroes-feast
Prep time: ~5 mins Cook time: ~40 mins Overall: ~45 mins
For the ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ tsp. kosher salt*
2 ½ tsp. dried herb blend (such as Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence, or za’atar), crushed **
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
⅔ cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt or whole milk***
¼ cup neutral-tasting oil, such as vegetable, canola, safflower, or grapeseed
* This is way too much salt. Use half of this amount (¾ tsp.).
** I didn’t have any Italian seasoning, so I used ½ tsp. each of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram as well as ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (modified from here)
*** I used 2% plain greek yogurt.
I use the following conversions in my cooking:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour = 188 g
1 ½ tsp. baking powder = 6 g
½ tsp. baking soda = 4 g
1 ½ tsp. kosher salt = 8 g
½ tsp. dried rosemary = 1 g
½ tsp. dried basil = 0.5 g
½ tsp. dried oregano = 0.5 g
½ tsp. dried thyme = 0.5 g
½ tsp. dried marjoram leaves = 0.25 g
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes = 0.5 g
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil = 44 ml
⅔ cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt = 158 ml
¼ cup neutral-tasting oil = 60 ml
Above shows the dry ingredients whisked together with a well in the center for the greek yogurt and olive oil.
Again, when I made these the first time 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt was way too much. I made them again using half the amount (¾ tsp.) and they tasted much better.
Above is what the dough looked like after combining it with a wooden spoon and then working it by hand to create a shaggy dough.
The dough will be very dry and have lots of crumbly bits. Don’t worry! As you knead it into a smooth ball, the dough will become wetter and everything will incorporate nicely.
Above is what the dough looked like after kneading to make it smooth - about 5-6 minutes. You’ll know the dough is ready when it springs back after lightly pressing into it.
Although the dough will become tackier as you knead it, try not to add any more flour. Dough, in general, will absorb any extra flour you give it and though it might make it slightly easier to handle, the bread will become denser as a result.
Personally, I found the dough didn’t stick much to my bread board and when it did it was easy enough to handle with just a bench scraper.
The following link is a great resource to develop your technique for kneading bread. With the first technique, you use the heel of your hand to press into the dough, then fold it back into itself, turn it, and repeat. Using the second technique, you roll the dough with the heel of your hand in a “heart” motion.
Above is what the dough looked like after being divided into 8 equal portions and left to rest for 15 minutes under a clean kitchen towel. The smooth dough weighed around 400 g and divided nicely into 50 g portions.
Although you will notice the dough has expanded after resting, don’t expect as drastic a change as yeasted dough.
With the amount of dough in each portion, rolling it to 7 inches in diameter turned it into paper and gave it “cracker-like results” according to @afinickyguide‘s post. So, I opted to roll them to 5 inches in diameter and just under ¼ of an inch thick.
If you’d really like some larger flatbread, I would recommend taking @afinickyguide‘s suggestion and doubling the recipe to create 8 larger portions that could be rolled into 7-inch circles.
I found the cooking times in Heroes’ Feast to be way too long. When I originally tried frying it for 2.5 minutes, it turned out super burned when I flipped it - and that was before the pan had accumulated heat!
I would suggest the following cooking times for this recipe (using flatbread rolled to 5 inches in diameter):
While the pan is heating up, cook the first flatbread for ~90 secs on the first side and 60 secs on the other
For the second, cook for 30 seconds on the first side and 20 on the other
For each one after, cook for 15 seconds on the first side and 10 on the other
Also, don’t replenish the pan with 1 ½ tsp. oil for each flatbread if following my instructions! There was so much oil left after each one that it’s much better to swirl around and reuse the leftover oil in the pan. Only add ~½ tsp. more if you notice the oil level running low.
NOTE: I used a cast-iron skillet to cook my flatbread. Timings will vary based on the type of pan you use.
Overall, I give this flatbread a 5/5. After the adjustment of the salt content, these were delicious to eat both on their own, with a tzatziki dip, or with the Fire Lichen Spread (p. 93).
Although I can’t comment on how they would taste with store-bought Italian seasoning, the one I used (listed in the ingredients section) worked amazingly!
For best freshness results, wrap in plastic wrap or store in a reusable sandwich back and keep in the fridge. They will last up to a week in the fridge. To reheat, either leave them on the counter for half an hour before using or microwave them for 10 seconds at a time until soft.
Underdark Lotus with Fire Lichen Spread
Sometimes called “fungus two ways,” this zesty duergar essential is sure to rouse the taste buds of even the most spiced-crazed tiefling. - Heroes’ Feast, p. 93
I’ve always found hummus to be a very interesting snack food. With countless possible flavour combinations, you would be hard-pressed to grow tired of this nutritious spread!
Eccentric in both name and origin, the Underdark Lotus with Fire Lichen Spread is sure to satisfy your hunger and delight your taste buds. Between the sweet taste of the carrots and the savoury taste of the cumin, it really is the perfect snack food for spring, summer, and fall!
Fun fact: this hummus has become so popular in our house during hang-out sessions that it’s one of the few recipes I’ve got memorized!
See below for my notes on the results and for some helpful tips and tricks when making this yourself! Get Heroes’ Feast here: https://dnd.wizards.com/heroes-feast
Note: The terrible lighting in this post is brought to you by me moving back into my student house from my parents’ home.
Prep Time: ~15 mins Cook Time: ~35 mins (25 roasting + 10 misc.) Overall: ~45 mins
For the ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 lb. carrots (about 4 large), peeled and chopped
¾ tsp. cumin seeds or sweet paprika
1 tsp. cayenne
3 tbsp. olive oil, plus more for drizzling
⅔ cup cold water, plus more as needed
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup tahini*
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Radishes, sliced cucumbers, romaine lettuce leaves for dipping*
* I substituted the tahini for the same amount of 2% greek yoghurt.
** Use any of your favourite veggies/dippables! I used radishes, sliced cucumbers, any kind of sweet pepper, and flatbread (naan).
I use the following conversions in my cooking:
1 lb. carrots = 500 g
1 tsp. cumin seeds = 2 g
1 tsp. sweet paprika = 2 g
1 tsp. cayenne pepper = 1.8 g
3 tbsp. olive oil = 44 ml
⅔ cup water = 160 ml
¼ cup fresh lemon juice = 1 large lemon, juiced
¼ tahini/greek yoghurt = 60 ml
NOTE: I would caution against using bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice in this recipe. I found using bottled lemon juice gave the hummus an unpleasant bitterness compared to a freshly juiced lemon.
NOTE: I would caution the amount of cayenne pepper called for in this recipe. Even for the spice junkies in my house, 1 tsp. was A LOT of cayenne pepper. I would recommend starting with a little bit less than ¼ tsp. (~0.4 g) and increase it from there each time you make them.
Above is what the veggies looked like before and after roasting. Make sure to toss the carrots, chickpeas, 2 tbsp. olive oil, and spices together first. Then, sprinkle the salt and a generous amount of pepper overtop. I chopped the carrots into slices about a ½ inch (~1 cm) thick.
Although they aren’t a staple in many kitchens, I would highly recommend using cumin seeds for the hummus instead of the paprika - even if you need to buy them. They add an incredible taste to the hummus that makes them worth the extra price.
NOTE: Although Heroes’ Feast states to process the veggies right after coming out of the oven, I’ve had no problem with the flavour when storing them in the fridge and processing them cold.
Above is what the roasted veggies, lemon juice, water, greek yoghurt, and olive oil looked like in the food processor.
TIP: I highly recommend investing in a food processor with built-in side scrapers like the one above. Not having to stop the food processor to scrape down the sides of the bowl is a great time-saver!
TIP: Roll the lemon like a rolling pin before cutting it to maximize the amount of juice it contains.
Above is what the hummus looked like after being processed. Although Heroes’ Feast says to process it until smooth, I found the coarser consistency created a more rustic feel that was a better fit for a D&D setting.
To get it to this texture, I processed it on the lowest setting, continuously scraping down the sides, for 20 seconds. I then added ~1 tsp. more water and repeated the same process for another 20 secs.
Overall, I would give this recipe a 5/5. Everyone in my house thoroughly enjoyed it and it has become a staple during Monday movie nights!
For best freshness results, store any extra hummus in a sealed tupperware container in the fridge. It will keep for about a week or until the greek yoghurt is set to expire.
Do you know how I feel? I feel like I’m drowning, and I’m aware of it but I can’t do anything.
I know I have to study a lot, but I can’t. I can’t get myself to do stuff, to concentrate.
I know I have to keep my house in order and do the dishes every day, do the laundry. But I can’t.
I am gaining weight and I know I should and want to eat healthy and not stress-eatings. But I do.
I know that I should be active more and workout so that I have a nice body. But I can’t do it more than one day.
I know I should take care of myself. But I fucking can’t.
And I hate myself for losing control like that, not being able to control my willpower. I hate myself for knowing this shit and still procrastinate and watch a movie instead or surf the instagram. I know I’m wasting my time, but there’s this voice in my head that’s just so strong, when I hear it I say ‘screw it you’ll do it tomorrow’. And the worst part is I am allowing that voice to control me. I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know what’s happening to me, it’s like I’m losing control over my mind and my will to do things. I am telling myself every fucking day that tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow will be a new start, but I feel deep down that it won’t. I feel like I’m drowning in my own sadness.
I realized a few days ago that I’m in depression. And that hit me hard. I am alone, sad and depressed. And I am trying to fight this fucking thing everyday but I fail. You know what though? I don’t want to lose control to that little piece of shit, I don’t want to be unhealthy, fat and depressed. I will fight it and I will kill it.
And when I do, it will be the greatest win of my life.
: ̗̀➛ Ways to take care of yourself
Make a workout plan that works well with your menstrual cycle.
Deep clean your room.
Take an everything shower.
Plan your week.
Eat a nutritious snack.
Try a new recipe.
Buy a new fragnance or scented lotion.
Stretch or do yoga.
Talk to yourself.
Look in the mirror and point out every nice thing about yourself.
Read or reread the book you love.
Study for the next test.
Cut blue light an hour before sleeping.
Drink tea after waking up.
Limit your screen time.
Don't surround yourself with negative media (art, posts, etc.).
Dress up nicely.
Research a topic you like
Replay your favourite game.
Spend some time with the person you love and care about.
Try to understand the cause of your bad habits.
Look at motivating (not toxic) posts.
Affirm after waking up and before going to sleep.
Buy a beautiful and comfortable pijama.
Rearrange your room.
Find a new, intresting hobby.
Look for a fragnance that suits you and your personality the best.
Write out the things you want to change about yourself.
Don't skip important hygiene; brushing teeth, washing hair, skipping skincare, showering.
Take a hot relaxing bath.
Completely relax and just think without any distractions; music, subliminals, etc.
Set a new yet small goal you want to work towards to.
Remind yourself of your journey and how far you've come.
Work on your posture.
Cuddle with your animal.
Take a nap.
Buy a new candle.
Romanticise your life and every small thing about it.
Drink some lemon/cucumber water.
Find a new intresting show.
Create a new playlist with your favourite songs.
Find a new comfort YouTuber.
Think about your fun childhood memories.
Try a new form of exercise.
Make a vision board.
Get a therapist, and if you can't: talk with strangers online.
Listen to yout favourite subliminals.
Create a moodboard.
Create a new peace of jewerly.
Give away the clothes you dont wear anymore.
Create a visionboard and look at it everyday while affirming.
Try a new makeup style.
Go out without doing your makeup.
Get used to your 'effortless' look; no makeup, lay clothes, tied hair.
Get used to failing and learn from your mistakes.
Be grateful for the simple things you're blessed with.
Listen to a podcast.
Go on a walk.
Choose your kind of 'perfection'.
Think about deep topics and write about it.
Redesigns? Healthy relationships? Everyone’s alive? Yep, indeed it is 👍
Why don't companies that try to get you to eat healthy use pictures of warm colored food? Every time I see healthy foods, it's all greens and cool or neutral tones. Warm colors (red, orange, and yellow) promote feelings of hunger, that's why so many restaurants use red in their logos. Gimme apples, tomatoes, pineapples, cantaloupe, healthy dishes that don't look dry and unappealing af.