Welcome to Recipe for Romance!
I’m sharing a snippet of THE DREADSTONE KING, a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Allira has just encountered someone new near the Dreadstone Tombs and neither of them can quite believe the other is there.
Now Available: The Dreadstone King
She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but as she did, she caught something out of the corner of her eye and whipped her head around. A man stood in the shadows of the gate, observing her. He had dark brown hair that hung around his face in shoulder-length waves and a matching beard. He wore leather armor stained a deep oxblood red over chainmail and a black and gold doublet belted to his waist with a long dagger at his side.
He appeared to be waiting for her to notice him as he leaned back against the gate, his arms in leather bracers crossed over his chest.
Allira scrambled to her feet but kept her hands off her weapons. He hadn’t made any aggressive moves, but she didn’t want to be on her ass when he chose to move.
For a moment, neither of them said anything, and she wondered who he was. He wasn’t one of this year’s crop of knights, but he didn’t look worn and grizzled like anyone from previous years. He looked young, fit, capable, and seasoned without being old.
“Good morning. Can I help you?”
That seemed like as good an opener as any, though she wasn’t sure how she could help someone who looked at home near the Tombs.
He laughed, though it never reached his pale green eyes. “I believe that’s my question.”
She blinked. “Do I look like I need help?”
He shrugged. “Maybe not, but usually all the warriors who come to this place are looking for something.”
“Oh.” She scowled and nodded. “Yeah, that’s not really my thing. I’m just watching the horses.”
He raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “You’re just here to watch the horses?”
She nodded. “Yup.”
“Have you no interest in the treasure of the Tombs?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
He scoffed. “I find that hard to believe. Aren’t you a warrior yourself?”
She tilted her head. “Oh yeah, I’m definitely a warrior, but I’m not interested in entering the Tombs. That’s for idiots and fools.”
Gluten-Free Fruit Kuchen
I found this recipe in my grandmother’s church cookbook and thought I’d give it a try. If you like layers of custard with fruit upheld by a sweet cake, this recipe is for you. It turned out pretty good. Be mindful of the sugar and salt in this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups gluten free 1:1 baking flour
1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp salt (no salt if using salted butter)
2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups Fresh or Frozen Fruit (we used mixed berries) enough to cover crust in pan
2 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
DIRECTIONS
Preheat your oven to 400 F (204 C).
Mix flour, butter, salt (if using unsalted butter), and 2 Tbsp of sugar together until crumbly. With clean hands, press into your baking pan. Grease the pan if using a metal baking pan.
Cover the cake crust with fruit. Be sure the whole crust is covered.
Mix the remaining sugar with cinnamon and vanilla. Sprinkle over the fruit. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 F (204 C).
While the dish is baking, mix eggs and vanilla until the eggs are fluffy. Add 1/2 Tbsp sugar and mix until combined. Add the cream and mix well, but be careful not to make whipped cream.
Pour the cream over the hot fruit and crust mixture until completely coated. Bake for another 30 minutes.
Let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
I love Beauty and the Beast stories. And i love your recipe.