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neutral_omensTime: Late afternoon, 25 July 2000
Place: The Manor Grounds
Status: Public
Summary: The Barbecue
Severus had prepared for this extensively, had done research as soon as he was told that he needed to provide food for a ‘barbecue’. Well, that was American, wasn’t it? A newly-published book titled The Great American Barbecue and Grilling Manual was his starting point. (The words ‘great’ and ‘American’ did not belong in the same sentence, although perhaps he might be mistaken, never having been to America.) After learning that this was not merely an American cuisine but a regional (Southern) American cuisine, he began to specialise. Having found a butcher to bring a pig and something to cook it over (yes, the whole pig, you dolt) he learned that it could have been done with a goat as it had been in the Caribbean, and with less effort.
Having put forth effort already, he pushed ahead. The intensive labour required to prepare food by the slow ‘barbecue’ method had been provided by Remus Lupin, although he surely did not understand when he volunteered exactly what it was he’d be doing. The butcher himself was also interested and so Snape had ‘invited’ him to come and help. Work for the day, eat. Bring your family with you and they can help and eat also. Only if they help. Severus’ labour shortage crisis solved.
The whole concept of barbecue sauce was confusing, so he’d made three kinds. Two for public consumption—a South Carolina style with mustard, vinegar and black pepper that seemed reasonable enough. Kansas City style that was thick, red-brown, and gloppy, made with a tomato base and molasses. The third was for Crowley, a Texas-style sauce amusingly named ‘Devil’s Spit’ made from a tomato base with cumin and hot chiles. These American chiles being unavailable, he procured an Oriental variety that were infinitely hotter. Let him call that bland.
Chicken would go on, although not for as long as the blasted pig, and sausages for the unadventurous. The Brunswick Stew might end up in the restaurant under ‘American Cuisine’. It was simple enough, with a tomato base, lima beans (or any beans), corn, other vegetables, and meat. Traditionally rabbit or squirrel but he could use leftover pork, chicken, beef or even cut-up sausages. Basically, a fine way to rid himself of leftover almost anything and he revised his opinion of American ingenuity. The true test would be Crowley’s opinion. If he disapproved, it was definitely going on the menu.
Okra and sweet potatoes proved impossible to procure. Field greens—of the turnip variety—were simple enough to cook in some of the extra pig fat. Black-eyed peas, which looked an awful lot like beans, with bacon. He made carrots in sauce of butter and brown sugar that seemed terribly French, but he simply shrugged. There would be green peas—not mushy, unfortunately, which would have made Crowley complain and Snape smile, a dish of fried apples that was a side dish, apparently popular with pork, and potato salad. It was a source of annoyance that the recipe he found for this called for red potatoes that did not need to be peeled. How brilliant would it have been to set Lupin to peeling potatoes for his own requested potato salad?
Cornbread was simple enough to make, although all the different names and types confused him. The concept of beaten biscuits was repulsive so he settled on cheddar biscuits instead. American biscuits, he found, were a bread roll that seemed a bizarre combination of bap, scone, and crumpet. But they were a Southern staple and very simple to make. Devilled eggs—also simple, seemingly French—were another extra dish along with pickles of varied types. He refused to make grits—porridge was bad enough at breakfast and he would certainly not serve it in any other time.
Cold tea, sweet, with or without lemon was also a disgusting concept. Lemonade, if people wished to drink it. Lupin had to deal with squeezing the lemons, too. He had procured some Bourbon and Belial would, he imagined, not object if any leftover made its way to the bar. Mint juleps required it. Mint grew in the garden and sugar was a staple.
Having no sweet potatoes with which to make sweet potato pie, which seemed unpleasant anyway, he went with pecan pie. It was too sweet, but someone would eat it. Pound cake with whipped cream (another job for Lupin) and blackberry cobbler, which was enough like local fare for people to be willing to eat it. If he could have found watermelon, that would have been amusing. But messy, so just as well he hadn’t found it.
All in all, it was a great effort on his part, slave labour or no, and people had better appreciate it else he would be extremely put out.
"Let Wensleydale handle things in the kitchen, Lupin. The butcher will take care of serving the meat. You can clear plates and make sure the dishes are all filled." He had planned this. "The butcher's wife can help with drinks. The children have been disposed of."
Out of the way, nothing more sinister. Eating now, washing dishes later. Work for food, and a good trade on his part.
"Keep an eye on the biscuits, Wensleydale, and see that they don't burn. And make sure there is plenty of ice."
He turned.
"No, mint juleps are not sweets, get away from me, you silly child." Weren't they supposed to be on the far side of the lawn, eating their supper?
Attention Edit: As of this point the Devil's Spit sauce is no longer on the serving table but in Snape's hands, doled out by him. Please do not have your character get into it.
Place: The Manor Grounds
Status: Public
Summary: The Barbecue
Severus had prepared for this extensively, had done research as soon as he was told that he needed to provide food for a ‘barbecue’. Well, that was American, wasn’t it? A newly-published book titled The Great American Barbecue and Grilling Manual was his starting point. (The words ‘great’ and ‘American’ did not belong in the same sentence, although perhaps he might be mistaken, never having been to America.) After learning that this was not merely an American cuisine but a regional (Southern) American cuisine, he began to specialise. Having found a butcher to bring a pig and something to cook it over (yes, the whole pig, you dolt) he learned that it could have been done with a goat as it had been in the Caribbean, and with less effort.
Having put forth effort already, he pushed ahead. The intensive labour required to prepare food by the slow ‘barbecue’ method had been provided by Remus Lupin, although he surely did not understand when he volunteered exactly what it was he’d be doing. The butcher himself was also interested and so Snape had ‘invited’ him to come and help. Work for the day, eat. Bring your family with you and they can help and eat also. Only if they help. Severus’ labour shortage crisis solved.
The whole concept of barbecue sauce was confusing, so he’d made three kinds. Two for public consumption—a South Carolina style with mustard, vinegar and black pepper that seemed reasonable enough. Kansas City style that was thick, red-brown, and gloppy, made with a tomato base and molasses. The third was for Crowley, a Texas-style sauce amusingly named ‘Devil’s Spit’ made from a tomato base with cumin and hot chiles. These American chiles being unavailable, he procured an Oriental variety that were infinitely hotter. Let him call that bland.
Chicken would go on, although not for as long as the blasted pig, and sausages for the unadventurous. The Brunswick Stew might end up in the restaurant under ‘American Cuisine’. It was simple enough, with a tomato base, lima beans (or any beans), corn, other vegetables, and meat. Traditionally rabbit or squirrel but he could use leftover pork, chicken, beef or even cut-up sausages. Basically, a fine way to rid himself of leftover almost anything and he revised his opinion of American ingenuity. The true test would be Crowley’s opinion. If he disapproved, it was definitely going on the menu.
Okra and sweet potatoes proved impossible to procure. Field greens—of the turnip variety—were simple enough to cook in some of the extra pig fat. Black-eyed peas, which looked an awful lot like beans, with bacon. He made carrots in sauce of butter and brown sugar that seemed terribly French, but he simply shrugged. There would be green peas—not mushy, unfortunately, which would have made Crowley complain and Snape smile, a dish of fried apples that was a side dish, apparently popular with pork, and potato salad. It was a source of annoyance that the recipe he found for this called for red potatoes that did not need to be peeled. How brilliant would it have been to set Lupin to peeling potatoes for his own requested potato salad?
Cornbread was simple enough to make, although all the different names and types confused him. The concept of beaten biscuits was repulsive so he settled on cheddar biscuits instead. American biscuits, he found, were a bread roll that seemed a bizarre combination of bap, scone, and crumpet. But they were a Southern staple and very simple to make. Devilled eggs—also simple, seemingly French—were another extra dish along with pickles of varied types. He refused to make grits—porridge was bad enough at breakfast and he would certainly not serve it in any other time.
Cold tea, sweet, with or without lemon was also a disgusting concept. Lemonade, if people wished to drink it. Lupin had to deal with squeezing the lemons, too. He had procured some Bourbon and Belial would, he imagined, not object if any leftover made its way to the bar. Mint juleps required it. Mint grew in the garden and sugar was a staple.
Having no sweet potatoes with which to make sweet potato pie, which seemed unpleasant anyway, he went with pecan pie. It was too sweet, but someone would eat it. Pound cake with whipped cream (another job for Lupin) and blackberry cobbler, which was enough like local fare for people to be willing to eat it. If he could have found watermelon, that would have been amusing. But messy, so just as well he hadn’t found it.
All in all, it was a great effort on his part, slave labour or no, and people had better appreciate it else he would be extremely put out.
"Let Wensleydale handle things in the kitchen, Lupin. The butcher will take care of serving the meat. You can clear plates and make sure the dishes are all filled." He had planned this. "The butcher's wife can help with drinks. The children have been disposed of."
Out of the way, nothing more sinister. Eating now, washing dishes later. Work for food, and a good trade on his part.
"Keep an eye on the biscuits, Wensleydale, and see that they don't burn. And make sure there is plenty of ice."
He turned.
"No, mint juleps are not sweets, get away from me, you silly child." Weren't they supposed to be on the far side of the lawn, eating their supper?
Attention Edit: As of this point the Devil's Spit sauce is no longer on the serving table but in Snape's hands, doled out by him. Please do not have your character get into it.
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Date: 2006-08-09 07:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-09 08:05 pm (UTC)"It's hard to put into words," he said. "It's just... well, yesterday - call it yesterday, it's a few years in the future for you, might be a few weeks in the past for me - I was with Rose, the most fantastic girl in the universe, and we were travelling, and everything was going well, and now... now, not only is she gone, but I've landed here," he waved an arm at the Manor, "surrounded by angels and gods and demons when I've spent so long believing they don't exist, and it's..." He sighed. "It's too different. At any other time, I could probably cope. But now?" The Doctor shook his head. "Nah. No chance."
He looked at Adam, whose expression was so interested and helpful. The Doctor laughed softly. "Why am I telling you, anyway? We only just met."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-09 08:58 pm (UTC)Adam stretched out, too. "And angels, demons, gods, and things aren't so strange. They're all just people like anyone. They all make their own decisions. You don't hafta believe in them. They just are. Just like you are. I bet there are people that don't believe in you."
He smiled sadly again. "And you're tellin' me, 'cause people do. It's all right, though. I don't go talkin' about it. You gonna stay at the Manor for a while? Did you get your room and everythin'? I'm kinda in charge of the place so if you need a job or have a question or somethin', you can come find me. I'm around."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-10 02:05 pm (UTC)He sighed. "And then they died. Killed in the Time War between them and the Daleks. The Daleks should have been killed, too, but they keep popping up again. It's annoying, really."
He wrinkled his nose. "I can deal with people. Probably. Eventually, even if the miracles are a bit... well, impossible. But... it's the whole 'higher power' thing. The 'pre-destined destiny'. The 'someone else deciding your life'. Because if you start down that path, you start asking why things happen to you. And then," he paused. "Then it gets confusing, because, when you get right down to it, there is no real reason."
The Doctor laughed softly. "Less than you'd believe," he said. "Did you know, I have my own conspiracy theorists? Serious. There are websites about me, people tracking me." He shook his head. "I wish they wouldn't. It's too dangerous."
He shrugged. "Uriel booked me a room," he said. "It's paid for." He didn't add he'd paid for it with the psychic credit card. The hotel would get the money anyway; didn't matter the Doctor hadn't really earned it. "I'm not really sure about a job," he said slowly. He had been adamant about staying. Now, though...? "Maybe. If I stay." He smiled at Adam, a small, grateful smile. "Thanks."
The Doctor attempted a light, jovial manner. "Must be hard, running this madhouse. I congratulate you on coping this long."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-10 04:49 pm (UTC)He had to smile when the Doctor said his room was paid for. If that were true, it was one of the few. It was a good thing that food could be miracled or they'd have all starved to death waiting for people to pay for their rooms.
"Me?" Adam asked, surprised. "I make my decisions same as anybody. This place is one of 'em. Can't start stuff and then disappear, right? I made it, so now I'm responsible. Whether it's hard or not doesn't matter. I never thought it'd be easy."
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Date: 2006-08-10 05:05 pm (UTC)"Bit of a strange decision," he mused. "A haven for the impossible." He scratched his ear. "Bit strange I didn't hear about it before, really. Ah well." He shrugged and smiled. "Won't dwell on it. I'm here now." Although for how much longer he wasn't sure. Maybe he'd leave for a bit to get his head sorted out but come back later. He hadn't decided yet.
He absent-mindedly patted Adam's shoulder. "Well done with sticking with your idea. Most would have given up by now, when they saw just how hard it was. Is. Whatever."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-10 06:37 pm (UTC)Adam shugged. "Seemed like a good idea at the time?" He grinned, turning it into a joke. "But I'm not givin' up. There's stuff that needs to be done and these people need to do it. I just guide them along a bit."
He smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're here. If you can accept the impossible, you'll be fine."
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Date: 2006-08-10 07:31 pm (UTC)He laughed and took another jelly baby to its demise. "That's the spirit," he said. "And all ideas seem good at the time. It's when they still seem good after you've thought them through you know you've struck gold."
The Time Lord looked at Adam out of the corner of his eye. The young blonde either meant it or was a really, really good actor. "Do I have a choice?" he asked wryly. "Nah, don't answer that." He smiled. "Thanks, Adam. People aren't usually pleased to see me."
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Date: 2006-08-10 08:17 pm (UTC)He smiled. "Well, I am." Then he heard Brian yelling. "Oh, excuse me. I've gotta take care of that. See you around!" He jumped off the grass, tossing a wave behind him and ran off.
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Date: 2006-08-10 08:24 pm (UTC)The Time Lord picked up a jelly baby. "You know," he said to the sweet, "I have no idea why, but I feel better now." He shrugged and bit the jelly baby's head off. "Which is more than I can say for you, sweetie."
He sighed and leaned back. "Maybe it's not so bad here," he said softly. "We'll see."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 04:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:58 pm (UTC)"The pink ones are my favourites," the Doctor said, "I'm not sure what they're flavour's supposed to be. Would you like one?"
He held the bowl out to her. "I'm the Doctor, by the way."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 08:39 pm (UTC)"They don't taste of actual baby, do you think?" she screwed up her face imagining while she chewed, "That would be nasty."
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 08:43 pm (UTC)"Nice to meet you, Del. Del. D'you know, Del is Welsh for pretty?"
He chuckled again. "I hope they don't. But I've never tasted baby, so I wouldn't know."