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Write a story in the form of a recipe, menu, grocery list, or product description.

Posted in Short Story on Jun 6, 2025

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✍️ 78 stories

Screaming Lasagna

Submitted to Contest #306

Allowing my hairy paws to trample through the early morning dew on the spring grass. I'm used to it. Must be early May, feels like summer must be on the way. My golden coat of fur to warm my exterior wealth. Went by Jessie's she must of overslept. Not a chance of romance early today. I'll catch her a little later. She always needing a cat nap or two, three. I had to stop off at old Romone's though, Mr. Devineer, show star. Had a late niter out with the boys. Looks and sounds like I missed out on a real showstopper of a good time down by the ...

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A shopping list of memories.

Submitted to Contest #306

I'm still holding his hand. His hand that feels cool and dry now. The hand that used to have so much life in it and now it doesn't. The machines beeping around us relentlessly. Every breath he takes, every heartbeat is being tracked. His breathing regular because of the ventilator. After hours of sitting here, telling him everything I have to tell, running out of things to tell him because there is no response, no question, no reaction, my mind begins to wander... "Dad", I say suddenly, "if I could, I would get you everything on this shoppin...

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Collection MSS 29356 - Blood War notebook, 2031-undated

Submitted to Contest #306

National Archives CatalogCollection MSS 29356Notebook, 2031-undated Collection summary: A notebook created by an unnamed person during the beginning of the Blood War. The notebook contains things such as grocery and library book lists, as well as supplies, personal notes, and drawings. Only available in electronic format. Notebook sustained some water and fluid damage before it was digitized. A transcription of the item is provided. TRANSCRIPTION:6/7/31GroceriesBreadPeanut butterJamLaundry detergentCeleryChicken (2 bags, Pumpkin needs for do...

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How To Make Blackberry Pie

Submitted to Contest #306

You have decided to make a pie. This is quite the endeavor, but with the right approach, anyone can figure it out. Just remember, the process is what makes the pie a success. It is far more than the sum of its parts. If you fail to complete the steps, all the steps, you shouldn’t even begin.Step one - get the appropriate pie dishes. I remember my mum’s dishes, battered and dull. We would sneak them into the yard and epic battles would ensue. Shields, armor, cymbals and drums announcing the oncoming slaughter. Mum would eventually notice and ...

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My version of the classic ‘bun in the oven’ recipe

Submitted to Contest #306

This is one of my favourite recipes and one I have been fortunate enough to make successfully in recent years. It can take time (and a lot of luck!) to get it right so please don’t be disheartened if it takes you multiple attempts. If your preferred eggs or seeds are not available do consider purchasing alternatives; you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Ingredients- Dozen eggs (one is fine if it’s all you have)- 500g seeds- Dash of cautious optimism or low expectations (this is really down to personal preference)- A dollop of h...

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Grandma Beryl’s Sponge Cake

Submitted to Contest #306

IngredientsFlourEggsButterMilkSugarA dash of infidelity Many of you have been asking for more of my Grandma Beryl’s recipes from her handwritten cards and I am pleased today to share this good old-fashioned sponge cake. It’s a special one for the women of our family as it was the last cake my grandma made my grandfather before he died. InstructionsFirstly, you’ll want to wash your hands of anything and everything. I learned that little tip from my dearest husband, who turns fifty years young tomorrow.Preparation is key. It is always prudent ...

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Recipe for a Magical Journey: Wonderland Stew

Submitted to Contest #306

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Serves: 4-6 Wonderland wanderersIngredients:1 Cup of Curiosity (Best harvested in the garden of wonder, during the first signs of morning mist)3 Sprigs of Uncertainty (Pick while the wind is blowing east; they have a special taste when gathered in a rush)2 Large Thoughts of Doubt, peeled (Only the ripest doubts work best—those that have been hanging around for far too long)5 Lively Dreams, chopped (Be sure to use fresh dreams; those left on the shelf to...

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Plain Cakes

Submitted to Contest #306

Plain CakesTrigger warning: Off-page sexual assault May 8, 1875My dear Joan– I received your last from St. Johns and am glad to hear that your journey met with no more difficulty after the carriage wreck and that your headache is gone. I would wish for your master’s leg to heal slowly and with great pain and am ready with suggestions as to how this might be accomplished without anyone’s being the wiser, but Beth refuses to include them. She is writing this out for me, being the village schoolmistress now—absurd; I am sure Beth ...

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Pie Perfection!!

Submitted to Contest #306

Hello lovely bakers. Today in celebration of the summer solstice (and also my birthday!) we’re making a gorgeous sunshine yellow lemon meringue pie! Lemon meringue pie can seem a bit retro but this dish is pure gold! I first made this pie on my honeymoon in Italy. I know it’s not an Italian dish but the mix of crisp pastry, tart lemon filling and fluffy meringue is a recipe for perfection in any language! Sometimes I’ll have a slice of pie and a glass of crisp well-chilled Prosecco and just imagine myself back in that jasmine scented garden...

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Rough House

Submitted to Contest #306

The realty sign in front of my favorite house in the neighborhood floods me with sadness. I’ve slowed in front of this abode on my walks for twenty-five years. It’s the house itself that is my fond neighbor. I’ve never seen a flicker of a human occupant. How could I not love its mystery, its haunted vibe, its suggestion of a fairy tale never told, a tale that never should be told. For Sale. My melancholy recognizes and accepts the inevitably of change that comes with the march of time. But it’s the realty listing, its audacious marketing spi...

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A Bitter Lethe

Submitted to Contest #306

Dear Buford, I hope you are well. Attached are my specific grocery preferences for this week. Do be sure to let me know if you were unable to find anything.- One cluster of green grapes. ‘Green’ is a bit of a falsehood, though; in reality I am seeking a deeper greenish-yellow hue, almost a chartreuse. Otherwise, their sugar content will be inadequate. Avoid brown spots. Err on the side of a medium- to large-sized bunch.- One Errol-brand baguette, the most richly-toasted one available.- A half pound of Ibérico ham, but kindly take the effort ...

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A Taste of Guatemala

Submitted to Contest #306

A Taste of GuatemalaWelcome to Guatemala! My name is Carmen and I’ll be your host today. My job is to introduce you to a variety of excursions you can take while in this beautiful country. We have several specials today. I guarantee any of them will be like nothing you’ve cooked up at home! •For a prepared quick local dish we have — La Antigua: You can stay in Antigua for a few days and from there take a shuttle or public transportation to any of the other points of interest. Or you can do a round trip 1.5 hours each way with a seven hou...

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Mom's Recipe

Submitted to Contest #306

Grimacing, Joan registered that she was rummaging through the kitchen drawer in the exact way her husband hated. She sighed, then hunted with renewed vigor - damage already done. Gotcha! In her hand, Joan held a miniature digital scale. She allowed herself a triumphant smile. Lightning flashed in the corner of her eye. Squinting down, she evaluated the damage done to the drawer’s once orderly contents.She shifted on her feet and shuffled utensils until they all faced the same general direction. The task did little to distract from the prickl...

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Mama's Potato Cakes 1918

Submitted to Contest #306

Mama’s Potato Cakes 1918 I remember from an early age, how I loved being in the kitchen with two of my grandmothers, and one great grandmother. Overnight visits with each one separately was such a treat for me. What an honor getting to listen to stories while learning to cook at the same time, and learning their special recipes too! Each grandmother had such great qualities and yet all so different. They all had such different backgrounds and different upbringing, and all so unique, but also so similar. This brings me back to a t...

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A Recipe for Friendship of the Best Kind

Submitted to Contest #306

Ingredients: 2 curious-as-heck and willing-to-learn kids1 abandoned old bakery that was mysterious3 cups of true adventure that would never end1 pinch of fresh bravery with one ounce of fear5 sprinkles of giggles, waiting to do a chuckleA small dash of lasting magic to outright shineA final touch of endless friendship as the prize Step 1: Start with Two Curious-as-Heck KidsOnce upon a time, in a small town known as Oak Wood, there lived two very best friends, Maya and Liam. Maya loved baking more than anything. She spent hours in the kitch...

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