Baltimore Chef Shop, Baltimore, Sunday evening 1/14

[stykera]

Stark would have been more than content with just his party last night but apparently his official birthday deserved celebration as well.

That was how he found himself at a cooking class with Summer that evening. He had suggested doing something, just the two of them, and this was where they'd ended up. At a couples' cooking class (which made sure to note that it could be for any two people) where they could learn to make Maryland Favorites including a chicken dish that involved bacon and bananas.

This was new for him. So many things still were. But he was looking forward to it and he was excited to learn something new, especially with this particular person by his side.

"I feel like I ought to apologize to Stabby," he said very softly to Summer. "For the crab cakes."

[Ginger totally-not-a-girlfriend modded with permission. NFB due to distance, alas. But, you know, they have their phones if you wanna be like that.]

Comments

[stykera]

Maybe those other people should consider being a little gross sometimes.

"I would never beg you for that," Stark said. It was possible begging for other things might happen later. Or maybe had already happened this morning.

"I'll just get the things ready for dipping the chicken."

[somethingwithturquoise]

And Summer was tempted to echo the narrative and ask what Stark might beg for, but, with a flick of her eyes and and a sweet smile toward the instructor, she didn't say anything and was just the paragon of a good cooking student and continued to cut the chicken.

And then, almost as an aside, she murmured over to Stark, "Shredded chicken cupcakes?"

Were you regretting this yet, Stark? Because Summer sure was appreciating the level of inspiration this class was giving her right now.

[stykera]

Regret wasn't the right word.

"Please don't do that to the poor cupcakes," he said, finally managing to look at her with a grin.

"Here, we dip it in the flour first and then the egg and then the breadcrumbs." and pretend we didn't skip the marinating it in buttermilk step dododo

"Flour and eggs are fine for cupcakes though."

[somethingwithturquoise]

It was totally just marinating in buttermilk the whole time!

"Sounds like some pretty boring cupcakes, if you ask me," said Summer, dredging the chicken like a goddamn expert, thank you, and her head tilted a little thoughtfully. "I wonder how this would work with, like, pretzel crumbs, instead of breadcrumbs. Oooooh, or, like, chips and Doritos or Cheetos with a little....herbal enhancement."

[stykera]

"I would never want to bore you."

Stark considered that. "Pretzel would be good. The others... not with the banana. Please."

He might change his mind with the addition of the herbal enhancement.

"But pretzels in cupcakes could work?"

[somethingwithturquoise]

"With a peanut butter frosting," Summer said, grinning already at the idea coming together, "and a vanilla/chocolate marble cake. Or, alternately, just a vanilla cake, but you fill it with a jam."

[stykera]

"That sounds very good and not at all horrifying," Stark said, a little suspiciously.

"Pretzels in the peanut butter frosting, maybe?"

[somethingwithturquoise]

"I am capable of making good things, too, you know," said Summer, in defiance against that suspicion, as she set aside her breaded chicken that would have bananas in it.

"But I was thinking dusted on top, like sprinkles. With a chocolate-covered pretzel garnish in the center."

[stykera]

"I know you are," Stark said fondly. "Pretzels would be a very good idea. We should try that soon."

"I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I always do."

He reached for the chicken to put into the oven, glancing at the instructor for approval.

"When do we start the cookies?"