Dauntless

Recipe from Spend with Pennies

Bravery Burger Bombs

What you need:

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 onion (finely chopped)

3 slices of bacon (chopped)

1/3 cup cream cheese

1 TBsp ketchup

2 TBsp barbecue sauce

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 egg white

1 can Pillsbury Biscuits (10 biscuits)

5 oz cheddar cheese (chopped into 10 cubes)

How to make them:

Preheat oven to 375˚F.

In a large pan, brown the ground beef, bacon, and onion until cooked through.

Drain any grease.

Add the cream cheese, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

Stir over low heat until cream cheese is melted.

Allow to cool.

Once cool, stir in the egg white.

Roll each biscuit on very thin.

Place 1-2 Tbsp of the beef mixture on each biscuit and add 1 cube of cheese.

Wrap the biscuit around the beef/cheese and tightly seal the edges.

Place biscuits on a parchment paper lined pan seam side down.

Put them in the oven and turn down the heat to 350˚F.

Bake 13-16 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serve warm and ENJOY!

Modified recipe Desserts for Breakfast

Fearless Cakes 
What you need:
Cake - 3 cups granulated sugar 3 cups all purpose flour (sifted) 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 1/4 tsp baking powder 2 1/4 tsp baking soda 3 eggs (room temperature) 3/4 cups vegetable oil 1 1/2 cup whole milk 1 1/2 cup hot coffee (I used decaf) Frosting -  1 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 7.5 oz unsweetened chocolate (finely chopped) 12 TBsp unsalted butter (room temperature, cut into small pieces) 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
How to make them:
Cake - Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease and flour the bottom of three 8" round cake pans. In a bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, set aside. In a separate bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs a little, then add in vegetable oil and milk, stir to mix. With the mixer on low, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mix on low until well combined. Pour the hot coffee into the batter and mix on medium-low heat until smooth (the batter will be soupy). Divide the batter, between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out cleanly. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Frosting -  In a saucepan, bring the sugar and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for 6 minutes (be careful NOT to let the saucepan overflow). Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate and butter until they have completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract. Let the frosting cool completely, whisking every now and then during the cooling. Once completely cool at room temperature, frosting will be spreadable. Using a round biscuit cutter cut out mini cakes from the larger cake. Stack two mini cakes, spreading a layer of frosting in between them. Then frost the outside of the cake, garnish with a Whopper on top. Take a bite and ENJOY!

A little about Dauntless...

DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Dawn-t-less] Fearless, undaunted. Courageously resolute, especially in the face of danger or difficulty; not discouraged. Undaunted: resolute, especially in the face of danger. Note: Being fearless and being undaunted are two different things.
HISTORY: Dauntless was a faction formed by those who blamed cowardice for society's problems. The only answer is to face your fears and find bravery. 

TRAITS: Loud, expressive. Bravery, courage, fighting and physical skills. In charge of security, their primary purpose is to guard the fence that surrounds the city. They began guarding the fence five years prior. Before that they patrolled the factionless sector.

PHYSICAL TRAITS: All-black clothes, tattoos, piercings, unnatural hair colours.

DAUNTLESS INITIATION: Taken very seriously. Transfer initiates have to jump out of the moving train that is transporting them to Dauntless HQ, & onto the roof of a building. They must then jump off a seven-story building without knowing what lies at the bottom. 

The initiates are separated during the first stage of initiation. The Dauntless born are trained by Lauren, and the transfers are trained by Four and Eric. Initiates all sleep in one room (girls & boys). 3 stages of initiation: 

1. Physical- initiates learn how to fight and are pitted against each other to prove what they have learned. Scored based on their victories and losses.  

2. Emotional- initiates are put into a simulation where they face their fears. They are not aware it is only a simulation, and have to calm themselves to get out. (The Divergent seem to have a knack for this stage, as they are aware it is not real.) 

3. Mental- initiates are put into their fear landscapes, which reaches for every fear within the person subjected to it and creates a simulation in which they must face each one. This time, they are aware that it is not real. Those not in the top 5 of each initiation class typically end up as guards. Those not in the top 10 end up factionless.

RANDOM FACTS: Only faction to use the train. Muffins and toast for breakfast.

RELATIONS: On neutral terms with all factions. 
CURRENT LEADER: Max, Eric, Four, Tori, Harrison.
FACTION MANIFESTO: 

* copied from The Divergent Life

Erudite

Recipe from Modern Parents Messy Kids

Knowledge Nibbles

What you need:

2 cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

2 TBsp olive oil

Seasons of your choice

How to make them:

Preheat oven to 375˚F.

Prepare the beans for roasting by draining and rinsing them, then let them dry on a fowl until most of the excess moisture is absorbed.

Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Roast the chickpeas in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until the beans are crunchy throughout (just test one, if they are still soft on the inside and there's no crunch, keep baking).

Immediately (while beans are still hot), toss with olive oil and seasonings.

Serve hot or at room temperature.

* They are best the first day, but can be kept in an airtight container for up to 4 days *

ENJOY!

Sesame Soy Seasoning 

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp seas salt

1 TBsp sesame seeds

Honey Cinnamon Seasoning

1 tsp cinnamon

a pinch nutmeg

1/4 tsp sea salt

2 TBsp honey

(put them back in the oven for 10-15 minutes to caramelize)

Garlic Parmesan Seasoning

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh minted garlic

1/4 tsp cracked pepper

1/2 tsp sea salt

Smoky Spice Seasoning

1/2 tsp chipotle powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper

1/2 tsp sea salt

pinch of cayenne pepper

A little about Erudite...

DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Air-yoo-dyte] Characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly. The word "erudite" focuses on knowledge rather than intelligence-- intelligence being something you're born with, and can't necessarily control, and knowledge being something that you acquire.  
HISTORY: Erudite was formed by those who blamed human ignorance for the faults of society. They formed Erudite as a way of eliminating ignorance and darkness from human minds.

TRAITS: Chat about books and newspapers; in constant pursuit of knowledge. Curiosity, which drives them to seek knowledge. The faction produces most of the city's librarians, doctors, scientists, & teachers. They keep records of the city & the factions. Most technological advances are due to Erudite, including all of the simulation serums.

PHYSICAL TRAITS: Most members wear glasses no matter how perfect their vision is, to give the appearance of intelligence. Each member must wear at least one piece of blue clothing as they believe it a calming colour that helps stimulate the brain. 

ERUDITE INITIATION: Mostly unknown, but they most likely study, and take rigorous tests. It is also stated by Therese that there is an initiation intelligence test that, if not passed, results in one becoming factionless. Each of the initiates selects and is trained in a certain subject of expertise in Erudite.  

NICKNAME: 'Know it all's'. 
RELATIONS: On good terms with Amity and Dauntless; on neutral terms with Candor; harbours a fierce grudge against Abnegation who form the government, a power they seek. They believe them to not be as selfless as they claim. 
CURRENT LEADER: (Chosen by IQ) Jeanine Matthews. 
FACTION MANIFESTO: 

* copied from The Divergent Life

Candor

Recipe modified from Spoonful of Flavor

Truth Tidbits

What you need:

1 cup balsamic vinegar

12 large blackberries

1 (7oz) package feta cheese (cubed)

How to make them:

To prepare the balsamic reduction, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the balsamic vinegar to a simmer.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until vinegar has reduced to 1/4 cup, about 20 minutes.

Set aside and cool.

Arrange blackberry and feta cheese on skewers.

Drizzle with balsamic reduction, serve and ENJOY!

Macaron recipe from Cake Journal 

Chocolate Filling

Vanilla Cream Filling

Probity Macaron Pastries
What you need: 1 1/8 ground almonds 3 egg whites (aged 1 day at room temperature covered with plastic wrap) 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted) 4 TBsp granulated sugar
How you make them:
Grind the almonds in a food processor. Sift to get rid of any large pieces or lumps Mix the powdered sugar together with the ground almonds in a food processor. In an electric mixer whip the egg whites. As the egg whites start forming, add the sugar one tablespoon at a time and continue whipping until the mixture is glossy stiff. (should be able to hold the bowl upside down without the meringue sliding out). Fold the dry mixture into the meringue using a spatula. Add food coloring if desired and fold until fully mixed in. The mixture should flow like a ribbon when the spatula is held up (do not over mix). Filly the piping bag and pipe the macarons onto baking sheets (remember the shells will flatten once piped, so don't make them too big). Let them set for 60 minutes to form a dry skin. Heat the oven to 300˚F. Bake for 10-12 minutes in the middle of the oven. Watch closely, they brown quickly. Let the shells cool completely before removing them from the baking sheets. Pipe the filling of choice on the shell and sandwich together with another shell. Then ENJOY!

Chocolate Filling
What you need: 1 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 7.5 oz unsweetened chocolate (finely chopped) 12 TBsp unsalted butter (room temperature, cut into small pieces) 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract How to make it: In a saucepan, bring the sugar and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for 6 minutes (be careful NOT to let the saucepan overflow). Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and butter until they have completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract. Let the frosting cool completely, whisking every now and then during the cooling. When the filling is room temperature, spread a little on the inside of one macaron shell, then sandwich another macaron shell on top. Then ENJOY!

Vanilla Cream Filling
What you need: 3 egg yolks 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 TBsp cornstarch 1 cup whole milk 1 vanilla pod/bean (split lengthwise) 3 TBsp unsalted butter (diced) 1/2 cup heavy cream
How to make it: Put the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a small heat proof bowl and whisk together until combined. Heat the milk, along with the vanilla bean in a small saucepan until it only just starts to boil. Remove the vanilla bean and pour the hot milk over the egg mixture, whisking constantly until smooth. Pour mixture back into the pan and cook gently over low heat, stirring constantly until the custard comes to a boil and thickens. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and leave to cool before refrigerating.  Whip the cream in a bowl of an electric mixer until it will hold soft peaks. When the custard is cool, remove from the fridge, fold in the whipped cream. Spread vanilla cream on the bottom of a macaron, top with the bottom of another macaron. Then ENJOY!
A little about Candor....

DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Can-der]; l. the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness. 2. freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality. The faction is not just trying to develop honesty,­­ they're also trying to develop impartiality. 
HISTORY: Candor was a faction formed by those who blamed duplicity and deception, who believed that dishonesty is the key fault in human nature which began evil and war. They believe in the principle that honesty and openness would lead to a more peaceful and perfect society. 

TRAITS: Honest, trustworthy, and able to read body language to detect lies. They greet each other by shaking hands. They provide sound leaders in Law.

PHYSICAL TRAITS: Black & white clothes, because they see the truth as black & white. They dress formally, with suits & ties being standard uniform with men, & women seen in long skirts, while their everyday clothing is typically black pants & white shirts.

CANDOR INITIATION: Initiates must take lie detector tests all day, every day. During the final test initiates get "truth serum" and must sit in front of everyone as they ask questions. They believe if you reveal all of your secrets, you'll have no desire to lie about anything, ever again because the worst is already in the open.

NICKNAME: 'Candor smart mouths'. 
RELATIONS: A slight rivalry with Amity, who they believe would deceive in order to ensure peace; unknown relationship with Abnegation, though its likely they would see them similar to Amity, seeing self-denial as a form of lying (to oneself), on good terms with Dauntless, probably because honesty & bravery can tie together; to Dauntless, on neutral terms with Erudite. 
CURRENT LEADER: Jack Kang. 
FACTION MANIFESTO: 

* copied from The Divergent Life

Amity

Recipe from Shugary Sweets

Harmony Apple Dip
What you need: 6 oz vanilla Greek yogurt 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed) 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup sweetened apple butter 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground all spice 8 oz Cool Whip
How to make it:
In a large bowl whisk the yogurt, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and apple butter until well combined. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice, stir until well incorporated. Fold in Cool Whip. Refrigerate dip at least one hour to let flavors combine. Serve with some Apple Rings (Apple chips) and ENJOY! A little about Amity...

DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Am-it-ee] l. friendship; peaceful harmony. 2. mutual understanding and a peaceful relationship, especially between nations; peace; accord. 3. cordiality. It's not just about and apple-picking. It’s about cultivating strong relationships and trying to understand each other.  
HISTORY: Amity is the faction that dislikes war. They formed Amity in order to have a peaceful society free from conflict and sadness caused by wars and instigation. They are truly a democratic faction, voting on everything, almost unanimously.

TRAITS: They love music, art, games, and laughter. They give hugs when greeting. They vote on everything, almost unanimously. Their bread has peace serum added to prevent their members from fighting. Amity's essential nature comes from its crop-growing. They run the farms, which provides some of the food for all the factions. They tend to be counsellors, caretakers & artists.

PHYSICAL TRAITS: Members dress comfortably in red and yellow clothing. Their dress code is less formal than other factions, as long as it is bright and pleasant.

AMITY INITIATION: Like Erudite, very little knowledge of Amity's initiation process is given away in the books. From what we can gather, though, it involves fruit-picking and singing songs.

NICKNAME: 'banjo strummin' softies'. 
RELATIONS: On good terms with Abnegation; on very good terms with Erudite who provide them with farming inventions;opposing views on violence to Dauntless but on neutral terms; a slight rivalry with Candor, who believe "those who seek peace will always deceive to keep the waters calm" suggesting Amity can be dishonest. 
CURRENT LEADER: They don't recognize a leader but use Johanna Reyes as their representative. 
FACTION MANIFESTO: 

* copied from The Divergent Life

Abnegation

Recipe from The Comfort of Cooking

Selfless Bread

What you need:

3 cups all purpose flour

2-3 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp dry yeast (active dry or highly active dry work the best)

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

How to make it:

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, and yeast.

Add water and stir using a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a cohesive dough (do not over work the dough).

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.

Let the dough sit at room temperature for 8-24 hours (dough will bubble up and rise).

After dough is ready, preheat the oven to 450˚F.

Place the Dutch oven, uncovered, into the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

White the Dutch oven preheats, turn the dough onto a well-floured surfaced surface and with floured hands, form a dough into a ball.

Cover dough loosely with plastic wrap and let rest.

After the 30 minutes are up, carefully remove the Dutch oven.

With floured hands, place the bread dough into preheated Dutch oven.

Replace the cover and bake for 30 minutes covered.

Carefully remove the cover and bake for 7-15 minutes more, uncovered.

Carefully remove bread to a cutting board and slice with a bread knife.

Serve up with some special butters and ENJOY!

Recipes from The Elliott Homestead

Benevolent Butters

Berry Good Butter

What you need:

1/2 cup fresh unsalted butter (softened)

2 TBsp raw honey

2 TBsp strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, or any other berry preserve of choice

Seeds of one vanilla bean

Lemony Rosemary Butter

What you need:

1/2 cup fresh unsalted butter (softened)

1/2 cup tsp lemon zest

1 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary (minced)

1/2 tsp sea salt

Mediterranean Butter

What you need:

1/2 cup fresh unsalted butter (softened)

2 TBsp feta cheese (crumbled)

1 TBsp sundried tomatoes (drained and minced)

1 clove garlic (roasted and minced)

1/2 tsp fresh chives (minced)

small pinch of sea salt

How to make them:

Simply combine all the ingredients together in a bowl and used a spoon to squish and combine.

Put in a bowl or wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate until needed.

Spread on some fresh baked bread and ENJOY!

   

A little about Abnegation....

DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Ab-neg-ay-shun] l. to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce. 2. to relinquish; give up. --active forms of ­stripping things from your life. As opposed to relinquish, give up-- more passive.

HISTORY: Abnegation was formed by those who blamed selfishness for human nature's errors. They believe in selfless actions and attaining peace through the elimination of selfishness. By doing so, they choose to completely forget themselves and only serve others.
TRAITS: Sit quietly and wait. Bow heads, a sign of respect, when greeting each other. Not manipulative, but not forthright.Their morally incorruptible quality makes them the only reasonable faction to be able to govern the city as political leaders.
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Clothing is gray and simple. The only adornment allowed is a watch. Female Abnegation typically wear their hair in a bun/knot. 
ABNEGATION INITIATION: The initiates, who will spend thirty days performing community service before they can become full members, sit side by side on a bench while one of the older members reads the Abnegation manifesto. Then all of the older members wash the initiates feet. They all share a meal, each person serving food to the person on his left.  
NICKNAME: 'Stiffs'. 
RELATIONS: On good terms with Amity; unknown relationship with Candor; on neutral terms with Daunless but opposing views on violence; rivals to power-seeking Erudite. 
CURRENT LEADER: Marcus Eaton. 
FACTION MANIFESTO: 

* copied from The Divergent Life

Cupcake Couture

     I love baking, especially cupcakes!  Finding new recipes and trying them out is such a delicious challenge I take head on!  What makes it more fun is when I can bake up a tasty treat for my son or daughter's birthday or a friend's baby shower or special holiday get together.

I baked up these Chocolate Chip Cupcakes for my friend's Enchanting Butterfly Baby Shower

I made these for Kinley's Rainbow 1st Birthday Party

These were fun for Liam's Skylander 6th Birthday Party

These minty cupcakes were for my sister's Baby Shower

These Strawberry Lovecakes were for Liam's Valentine's Day party at school 

Liam's Angry Bird 5th Birthday Party cupcakes

We celebrated 4th of July Crafternoon with these Snow Cone Cupcakes

Made these colorful cupcakes for my sister's Baby Shower too

Margarita Cupcakes for our March Crafternoon

Horton Hears a Who Cupcakes to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day

July Crafternoon with Cheeseburger Cupcakes

Also made these Cotton Candy my sister's Baby Shower

Celebrating Halloween with some festive Jack Skellington Cupcakes

Some throwback cupcakes for a Vintage Baby Shower 

Love the neon colors on these 80's Cupcakes

One of my favorite parties to host included these Twilight Cupcakes

It's Tea Time with these Black Tea Cupcakes for January Crafternoon

Liam loved these Alien Cupcakes from his Toy Story 3rd Birthday Party

March Crafternoon with these Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes

These Brain Cupcakes were ghoulishy good 

Made some Batman Cupcakes for a friend's son's birthday

Mad Hatter cupcakes for my friend's Mad Hatter Tea Baby Shower

Lots and lots of fun festive cupcakes! Pretty to look at and yummy to eat!