who you gonna call?

Wait, you started it without me?! I thought we were gonna hang out and watch it together so I could get your live reactions. This is because I called dibs on making the snacks, it's my punishment, isn't it? You better promise that we'll watch the second season together whenever that gets released. And dude, PLL is so not something to just catch random episodes of, you really gotta stay paying attention! Trust me, like I know I tried a rewatch before the holidays but then you know how distracting that time of year is, so I left off around season 4. Definitely would need to start from the beginning again if I wanted to try rewatching again.

Whoa, hold on, I am not penalizing you for the snack situation! I only put on the first episode as a tiny preview because I couldn't help myself, but I promise the rest of it is strictly a joint viewing venture. Consider my hand crossed over my heart—rest of the season and beyond is a locked-in date. And alright, fair point on PLL. I quickly realized this isn't the kind of show you can just put on in the background while prepping food truck prep lists. There are way too many secrets and teenagers staring intensely at their phones for that.

I have been reliably informed that it can ALSO be used for hot cocoa, and my mind was sufficiently blown that apparently mulled cider is a thing that exists, come Christmastime? So yeah, I think we're gonna have to keep it around at least until then. I keep hearing about this Instant Pot thing, it definitely sounds above my paygrade, but I am intrigued by having actual options, I have to admit.

An Instant Pot is so not above your pay grade. It's perfect for when you forget to defrost dinner and need to turn a frozen block of chicken into shredded tacos in twenty minutes. Maybe it's not quite as amazing as a slow cooker—because you know I swear by mine, and it definitely lacks a little bit of that low-and-slow soul—but it's still a good little piece of arsenal to have in your kitchen.

Yeah, those girls definitely were put through quite a lot. But good, I need you to be locked in for this one and I'm totally good with pausing to discuss and get real-time guesses and theories. And of course I call snacks! I'm the one that makes all the sweet treats, it's pretty much my duty. Though I wouldn't say no to some sneak peek grilled cheese food truck menu items another time. Maybe you pick the show or movie and we'll plan that for a later date.

I finally started the first episode last night after you hyped it up and yeah… I’m already hooked. Keke Palmer is killing it. No wonder you were mad there wasn't any season 2 news for a while. Also, I started the first season of PLL like you suggested… and I’m so lost, man. None of this is what I remember seeing when I caught random episodes later on. It feels so much more like a regular high school drama right now.

Hey now, what I lack in skill I make up for by having ludicrously high standards, that chicken's gotta be seasoned somehow, at the very least. It was WAY better than I'd been expecting for something that took literally 5 minutes to throw into a pot and turn on. Well. Plus a few minutes to microwave the minute rice.

Well hey, if it actually turned out good then that’s a win in my book. Sounds like that slow cooker might actually stick around then? If so, I have a cookbook I haven't used in ages. Got it when I bought my Instant Pot and now it's just collecting dust. I know that method's not the same as like regular slow cooking, but at least gives you some inspiration for what you can do?

DO NOT HARSH MY VIBE. Beef stew with red wine gravy, and you know it's fancy because step #2 is 'pour in half a bottle of red wine'. And literally no one wants me using a pan or... skillet or whatever unattended, there's a reason Matt stashed three fire extinguishers under my kitchen sink.

Alright, alright — I’ll ease up on you 😂That’s actually a solid first attempt. I’m impressed you went straight for flavor instead of just throwing in chicken and calling it a day. So how’d it turn out?

#answered #meme: spring asks

Lemons - what’s your favorite type of dessert?

This is tough... I like a lot of desserts, alright. Cookies, brownies, cakes... I'm here for it all. Can I cheat and say if it's made by Daria, it's my favorite? Because that's probably the closest to the truth as I can get.

If you're twisting my arm... brownies. The gooier the better.

#dash #meme: spring asks

Warning - what would your warning label say?

“Warning: Will feed you whether you’re hungry or not. Occasional dad jokes included.”

You guys.

YOU GUYS.

I have discovered. The most wonderful invention. Seriously life changing. It's called...

The slow cooker.

(Crock Pot, w/e, brand that bitches).

You dump food in. And turn it on. And then forget about it. For like ten hours. And it doesn't burn or set off the smoke detector.

This is REVOLUTIONARY. I'm basically Gordon Ramsay now.

Just don't let the power go to your head. "Basically Gordon Ramsay" is a bold claim for someone who just discovered the magic of a heating element and a ceramic bowl. What was the inaugural dish? Something classic like a pot roast? Please tell me you remembered to sear the meat first?

Ooh, okay, now I have to ask if you ever watched Pretty Little Liars. Sure, it's kind of a teen girl drama/mystery, but I promise you'll be hooked if you're into that kind of set up. And great, I'll be sure to have some popcorn on hand whenever you can set some time aside to come over and hang. Unless you'd rather be at your place. Either way, I'll supply the snacks!

I’ve only caught bits and pieces of Pretty Little Liars, but yeah… those girls really can’t catch a break, huh? If you’re saying it’s that addictive though, I’m down to dive in with you. Might need someone to explain all the plot twists to me, so you’ve been officially volunteered. Your place works for me—but damn, you really beat me to the snacks? I was over here planning to make you some late-night grilled cheeses and use you as my official taste tester. Guess I’ll have to bring the drinks instead.

Please let me know what you think once you've finished it! Or if you wanna check it out with a friend so I can get your reactions in-person, let me know. And honestly, there's actually more of a twist like the latter around halfway through? And the last episode cliff hanger is more about the fate of a character. Hopefully that's not too spoiler-y. And we won't have to worry about being left hanging though, because I just checked and they literally announced yesterday that they renewed for season 2! 🙌🏽

Okay, well, you’ve definitely piqued my interest with the "everything is a lie" thing. Those are the best kinds of shows because you end up screaming at the TV when you realize you missed all the clues. I’d actually be down to watch it with you—mostly so I have someone to yell with when that halfway twist hits.

Okay so has anyone watched that new series on Peacock called The 'Burbs? I've never seen the original movie from the 80s, so I went in with no basis for judgement at all, and I really enjoyed it. Like for one, my girl Keke Palmer is in it and I'll watch anything with her, but also it was both funny and a little mysterious, totally kept me guessing on what was gonna happen next. But my beef with it currently is that it ended with a cliffhanger and there is STILL no news of it being picked up for a second season! Like, y'all cannot just leave me hanging like that.

Nah, I haven’t seen The 'Burbs yet, but you just sold me on it. But man, streaming services really love yanking the rug out from under us, don’t they? Dangle a good mystery in front of your face, get you hooked, then hit you with the cliffhanger and ghost you for months. It’s just rude. What kinda cliffhanger we talking about though? Like “oh shit, one of them is the killer” vibes, or the “everything you thought was real is a lie” kind of twist?

mackfabray

To be fair, grape jelly goes really well with a lot of spices, so the jelly and cinnamon sandwiches could definitely work. It was glorious and you definitely should. They probably would and it tasting good would definitely keep them coming back.

#dash #dash: mack #ft. mack fabray

That’s not a bad spot to be—I'd love to have people come in expecting a gimmick and then actually leave thinking about what they just ate for the next three days. Now I’m genuinely tempted to build a secret menu with rotating specials that are basically questionable kid-food era, but elevated.

zacsylvester

My dude, chaos is like my middle name, so of course I had to pull out all the stops. And hell yeah, I'm all on board for this Hot Mess Express! Would it be too close to copyright infringement if we took it a little further and went with Hot Mess Pineapple Express? You know, like that stoner movie with Seth Rogen and the creeper Franco brother.

#dash #dash: zac #ft. zac sylvester

Hot Mess Pineapple Express it is! That combo actually sounds insane enough to work—I’m honestly kind of into it. Sourdough would probably handle everything best, hold up all that melty cheese and fruit without falling apart. Honestly, I might even experiment with a little chipotle mayo in there to tie the heat together… man, now I’m getting hungry just talking about it.

mackfabray

So, the first thing is a sandwich I had as a kid and still eat for the nostalgia. Mayo and banana sandwich, simple but hits in a way other food does not, some people put peanut butter on it as well, but I don't like that one. The rest are primarily things I've had while high, including a deep friend banana fluffernutter with added Nutella and extra chocolate syrup. Which... I reckon you could sell that one, if you wanted to put the energy into deep frying ridiculous sandwiches.

#dash #dash: mack #ft. mack fabray

Alright, now we’re talking. I love a good “why does this work?” food moment. I had a similar weird sandwich phase as a kid - my mom used to make jelly and cinnamon for me. The deep-fried fluffernutter actually sounds amazing and I might have to try it out. Honestly, I feel like people would absolutely line up for something that ridiculous just for the Instagram photos.

mackfabray

I don't feel like I have any weird combinations that I haven't already tried, honestly. And of the ones I actually liked, they're not really food you could sell.

#dash #dash: mack #ft. mack fabray

Okay, but wait. Now I gotta know what the ones you liked were. You can't just leave me hanging, Mack. No judgment even if it is super weird, promise. I've eaten some pretty questionable stuff.

At last. This is my calling. Weird is my middle name. (Not really, but it'd be a lot more interesting than Rose.) And I can't make stuff at home, because I like my home, and would prefer it not burned to the ground.

*cracks knuckles*

Granny Smith apples and bacon. Cheese tbd, but I trust your judgment -- more than my own, at least.

Granny Smith and bacon is like the unsung hero of sweet-salty combos—tart, crisp apple cuts through the smoky richness perfectly. And since you’re trusting my cheese judgment… let’s go sharp. Like really sharp cheddar, maybe a little smoked gouda mixed in for extra depth. Keeps that apple from getting lost and makes the whole thing melty and addictive. You know, I could honestly take that and turn it into a bite-sized snack for the truck. Like a grilled slice of apple with cheese on top and wrapped in bacon?