Trinity theking Duck Pancakes

Main, Poultry, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 9, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Snack, Street Food, TV Recap

After nine grueling weeks of All Stars gag and goopery which saw the iconic Jasmine Masters herself freestyling a comedy routine and becoming the first boot, Farrah g’oooooohhhhhhhhing in ninth, Gia absolutely finishing in eighth – yep, dis happening – Valentina’s fantasy following her out the door before Naomi boldly felled Manila before the other half of Latr ila, Latrice, followed her out the door – for the second time this season which only bears repeating for link purposes – leaving us a final four of Monique, Naomi, Monét and Trinity.

The Tuck, no longer a Taylor.

After the top four appeared on Ru and Michelle’s podcast, they were challenged with dropping a verse on Ru’s Super Queen before Todrick arrived to choreograph the live performance. The Queens then brought their All Stars Extravaganza to the mainstage and despite slaying the game, Naomi and Monique were cut ahead of the final lip sync.

Which ended with the gag of the season to end all gags of seasons – even besting the queens eliminating each other, Bebe – with Monét and Trinity both taking out the season and landing a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Full disclosure, I hated Trinity when the season 9 cast were released. Call it the cast photo or my judgemental nature, but I assumed that I would hate her and looked forward to her disappearing in the first few weeks. Then I saw her perform and week after week, she wore me down and by the time it came to lip sync for the crown, I desperately hoped that she would somehow take out victory.

While we all know how that ended, Trinity did win and fan and I was thrilled to see her come back to the competition and slay another season. And most importantly, finally snag herself a crown. So condragulations on your long overdue win, Trinity. I hope the Trinity theking Duck Pancakes honour your victory and keep you fed while locked in the Hall of Fame.

Delicate pancakes, melt in your mouth duck that packs a punch and some fresh cucumber? Sign me up, these babies are glorious.

Enjoy!

Trinity theking Duck Pancakes
Serves: 4.

Ingredients
1 tsp tamari
1 tsp Shaoxing wine
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp Chinese five spice
4 duck breasts, skin on, rinsed and thoroughly patted dry with a paper towel
1/2 cup plain flour
2 tablespoons cornflour
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 shallots, thinly sliced, plus extra for serving
sesame oil
1 cucumber, de-seeded and julienned
hoisin sauce, to serve

Method
Combine the tamari, shaoxing, salt and five spice in a bowl, and rub into the duck breasts. Leave skin side up on a plate and transfer to the fridge to marinate and leave the skin to dry out.

Flash forward to the next day and blitz the flour, cornflour, water, milk, egg and half the butter in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a jug and fold through the shallots. Cover and leave to rest for fifteen minutes.

To make the pancakes, brush some of the remaining butter in the skillet and pour a couple of tablespoons of batter in the skillet, spread to form a thin pancake and cook for a couple of minutes, flipping once. Repeat until done.

Preheat oven to 180C.

Bring a lug of oil to heat in a skillet and once scorching, place the duck breasts skin side down and cook for five-ten minutes, or until the fat renders. Flip the breasts and transfer to the oven for 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for fifteen minutes.

To serve, transfer the duck to a cutting board and cut into thin slices. Place some duck, shallots and cucumber on the centre of a pancake, slather with hoisin and devour like a winner.

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Beignet X Change

Baking, Dessert, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 10, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Snack, Sweets, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars ten queens entered the Werk Room ready to battle to join Chad, Alaska and Trixie in the Hall of Fame. While Jasmine, Farrah, Gia, Latrice, Valentina, Manila and Latrice were eliminated along the way, Naomi, Monique, Monet and Trinity remained to fight for their place.

After a gruelling song and dance number, enlightening podcasts and stunning runways, Naomi and Monique were eliminated, leaving Monet and Trinity to lip sync for the crown. And lip sync they did.

Neither Monet nor Trinity hid behind the gimmicks that have marked previous lip syncs for the crown. Both hitting every damn lyric of Christina Aguilera’s Stronger and performing the hell out of it. They both knocked it out of the park, but Monet’s brand of absurd, in my opinion, really stole the show. Until Chad, Alaska and Trixie returned to crown their newest Hall of Famer.

And then again when Ru shocked everyone – with a poorly cut together ending – and announcing that both queens snatched the crown and both would be locked up in the Hall of Fame.

While Trinity may have had the slightly stronger track record heading into the finale, there is no denying the fact that Monét owned the episode from start to finish. So anyone complaining of riggery and/or morris-y and/or tomfoolery, needs to chill the f out and soak up the majesty that double crownings are now possible. And isn’t that a good thing? Plus – a winner’s circle bursting at the seams means we’re closer to a winner’s season.

Despite stumbling in the first challenge, Monét came back with a vengeance, performing consistently well and finally bringing it on the runway. And let’s circle back to the fact she didn’t get gimmicky in her lip syncs – Asia kinda soured them, no? – and still managed to slay.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Monét! It is well deserved, despite what Bob will tell you on your podcast. At least we’ll always have Beignet X Changes, right?

While pizzas and burgs appear to be the reality TV killer, nutella is clearly the secret weapon. I mean, Trixie followed by Monét? The results speak for themselves. As do the melt in your mouth majesty of these beignets.

So without further adieu, enjoy!

Beignet X Change
Serves: 12.

Ingredients
¾ cup lukewarm water
¼ cup raw caster sugar
7g dry yeast
½ cup milk
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 ½ cups 00 flour
½ tsp salt
vegetable oil, for fryin’
1 cup Nutella
icing sugar, to serve

Method
Combine the water, sugar and yeast in a jug and leave to get foamy for five minutes or so. Meanwhile combine the milk, butter, egg and vanilla in a small bowl and the flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Using the dough hook by hand, add the yeast and milk mixtures to the flour and stir until just combined. Add to the mixer and knead on medium-low for a couple of minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a large, oiled bowl, cover and leave to prove for two-three hours.

Heat a couple of inches deep of oil in a large skillet and bring to 160C. Meanwhile roll the dough out to 3-5mm and cut into 3cm squares.

Once the oil is piping hot, add the beignets a few at a time and cook for a couple of minutes or until golden and puffed. Transfer to kitchen towel and repeat until done.

To serve, pipe nutella into each beignet, sprinkle with icing sugar and devour, winningly.

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Lemonique Tart

Baking, Dessert, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 10, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Snack, Sweets, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars, Ru, Michelle, Ross, Carson and Todrick challenged the final four to record and perform Ru’s newest single, record a podcast and slay the runway. Monet owned the episode from top to bottom, with Trinity once again slaying.

Because she is just polished AF.

With that, Monet and Trinity were sent through to the final lip sync, eliminating Naomi and sending her to the back of stage with my dear, dear Monique Heart.

Like Aja before her, Monique came straight back to All Stars ready to get redemption for her first season. And damn did she get redemption, slaying from the very first moment back on screen and, yes, gagging and gooping the hell out of us. I would argue that she slayed season 10 as well, so it was nice to see her embraced and her talent get the recognition it deserves. And I guess my Lemonique Tart is just icing?

There is nothing better than a supremely tangy lemon tart. I mean, lip smacking, toe curling tang, and this baby has it in spades. Throw in a dough that melts away and I’m in heaven. Facts are facts, world, and this is glorious.

Enjoy!

Lemonique Tart
Serves: 8.

Ingredients
1 ½ cups flour
125g butter, chilled and cut into cubes
½ cup icing sugar
8 eggs, six separated
1 tbsp iced water
1 cup cream
½ cup raw caster sugar
3 lemons, zested and juiced

Method
Place the flour, butter and icing sugar in a food processor and blitz until well combined. Add three egg yolks, one at a time, until everything is coming together before blitzing in water. As soon as the dough has come together, remove from the food processor, form into a ball, wrap in cling and place in the fridge to chill for an hour.

Preheat oven to 160ºC.

Once chill, roll the pastry out until half a centimetre thick and press into a loose-bottomed tart tin. Stab the base with a fork and transfer to the fridge for a further half hour. Fast forward, line the pastry and fill with baking weights. Transfer to the oven and blind-bake for fifteen minutes before removing the weights and cooking a further ten minutes, or until golden brown.

Reduce temperature to 140ºC.

While the shell is in the oven, whisk the cream, egg and yolks, sugar and lemon zest and juice until well combined. Pour into the tart shell and bake for half an hour, or until just set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool before transferring to the fridge to set completely.

Then, obvi, devour.

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Bahnaomi Smalls

Main, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 8, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Snack, Street Food, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars, after Naomi brutally took out Manila the top five were tasked with overacting in a parody of the making of the hypothetical Sex and the Kitty Girl 3. Naomi chose to push herself by taking the lead role, however it tragically seemed to be too much to take. Trinity and Monet both vied for the role of Kim Cattrall, which Trinity snagged by way of Scissor, Paper, Rock leading her to the top of the week with a hilarious Monique, and the other queens landed in the bottom. Once again Trinity proved superior in the lip sync, snatching another victory and sending Latrice from the competition for a second time.

In the Werk Room the queens discovered Latrice’s very short farewell – because she already did one this season, she didn’t think it was necessary. Which preach. Trinity defended eliminating Latrice, saying she has had more chances than the others and that since they’ve performed better this season, couldn’t justify eliminating them. Despite Latrice’s valid point that Naomi picked her role and bombed, so it would have been fair. The top four then celebrated being the top four, before Monet asked Monique who she had planned to eliminate which led to the best piece of acting in Drag Race herstory, telling her that she had planned on getting rid of her despite also voting to send Latrice home. Talk then turned to last season – where the jury screwed over Shangela – with Trinity particularly nervous about her track record not counting anymore, and given she also lived through season 9 I get her being nervous.

The next day the queens were greeted by Ru who announced that in order to snag the crown they would need to write a verse in her new single Super Queen, perform a dance to said single on the mainstage, oh, and then record an episode of Ru and Michelle’s podcast for a shot to lip sync for the crown. The queens spread out across the Werk Room to start dropping their rhymes, while Monique and Monet spoke about how proud they were to come back straight away and dominate the competition in a way that they didn’t in season. Plus, I assume, they want to add some colour to the Hall of Fame. Trinity and Naomi spoke about their previous experience as finalists, while Trinity admitted that she is terrified of the choreography and doesn’t want it to be her undoing.

The Queens met with Todrick Hall – and Naomi, some hot Pit Crew boys – to work on the choreo, with Trinity freely admitting that she is nervous about how it will play out. Naomi was more focused on the pit crew – preach – than learning the moves, much to Todrick’s chagrin. But I mean, how cute was flirty Naomi? Todrick then triggered Monique’s PTSD by adding cartwheels to the dance, and while Naomi dazzled Todrick by being the best and Trinity nailed it, Monique still had no idea how they are done. Which is me. When it came to learning the individual portions Monique seemed to do better and vowed to sell the performance when it is time. Trinity couldn’t get out of her head, Naomi proved to be limber – and damn that is hot – and Monet did not miss a damn beat. And everyone should be nervous.

The sponge queen followed up killing the moves with a visit to the podcast sharing how excited she was to redeem herself. It was cute, but nothing compared to Monique’s recording where we learnt that she was once a 300 pound, ex-gay minister while in the seminary. Colour me gagged and gooped. Like, I assume, the congregation of the ex-gay ministry. Naomi was adorable and personal and I’m so sad we didn’t see much of her in the early episodes. Trinity was charming and polished, and TBH, is playing harder for the crown than Glenn is her long overdue Oscar this year.

(I really need to catch Glenn ASAP).

Coronation Day arrived with the queens discovering current Hall of Famers Chad, Alaska and Trixie were waiting for them to announce that they will be deciding who wins this season. Psyche, they’re just there to perform in the song, be BAE and remind them what is at stake. They started discussing track records, reminding Naomi that she tragically doesn’t have a chance and that Monique and Monet need to push hard to win. Oh and Alaska is Team Katya, which is iconic. With that the past winners left the queens anxiously get ready, with Trinity unsure how she will overcome Monet in the performance. Naomi was feeling more excited rather than nervous, Monique was feeling on edge.

With that the previous winners joined the queens on stage for the final performance, with Monet continuing to slay the episode, never missing a beat. Monique was living her best life and damn I am so proud of her. Naomi may not have had the best verse, but damn did she sell the performance while Trinity showed that her nerves were misplaced, nailing her performance. On the runway, Monet’s All Star Eleganza was beautiful and polished and showed how far she has come from season 10’s runway. Monique stunned in a layered black, Naomi, obviously, stunned in a shiny, Louis Vuitton inspired look while Trinity served, quite literally, a Wedgwood inspired number. Complete with china.

The judges loved everything that Monet did this week, thrilled that she came back with a vengeance and elevated her drag. Carson thought Monique looked the best she ever has and Todrick was thrilled to see her perform the hell out of the number. And everyone was grateful that she showed her true self throughout the competition. Everyone lived for Naomi’s look and felt she had fun with the choreography, while Trinity received universal praise for nailing the entire competition. The queens were then tasked with explaining why they deserve to win, with Monet sharing how important the show was to her growing up and she wants to be that for someone else. Monique was thrilled to prove that true grit pays off and being a fighter makes her worthy of a win. Naomi explained that she wanted to prove that hard work and believing in yourself is enough. Trinity shared that she doesn’t feel entitled to win, but that she has earned it.

With that, the judges deliberated and sent Monet and Trinity through to the top two, effectively eliminating my loves Monique and Naomi. Despite not having as strong a track record as the other finalists, Naomi well and truly slayed the competition. While a lot of people had written her off as a fashion queen that snuck by thanks to her glorious legs, this season her confidence allowed her talent to shine from the start, serving inventive looks, hilarious reveals and slaying the house down whenever she stepped near a lip sync.

Plus, she was the only person brave enough to eliminate a threat and give zero fucks. Which is more than enough to earn her a Bahnaomi Smalls.

There is nothing I love more than stuffing buns full of meat and gobbling them up, and this little baby can definitely explain why. Spicy, sweet, tart yet still melt in your mouth, this bahn mi is an explosion of flavour that keeps you coming back for more. Like Naomi’s killer performances.

Enjoy!

Bahnaomi Smalls
Serves: 4.

Ingredients
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ginger, minced
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce, plus extra to serve
1 tbsp muscovado sugar
1 tbsp Shayonnaise Swain, plus more for rolls
1 lime, zested and juiced
1 chilli, thinly sliced
500g chicken breast
4 Vietnamese rolls
⅓ cup Domenicken Liver Abpâté
½ cup pickled carrots
½ cup pickled daikon
1 lebanese cucumber, deseeded and julienned
coriander, to taste

Method
Combine the garlic, ginger, fish sauce, muscovado sugar, mayonnaise, lime and chilli in a large bowl and toss with the chicken. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for a couple of hours.

Preheat the oven to 180C.

To cook, transfer the chicken to a lined baking sheet and place in the oven to cook for twenty minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing and tossing through the cooking liquid.

To assemble, split the buns, smear one side with mayo and the other with pâté. Layer with pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber and chicken. Drizzle with soy and sprinkle with coriander before devouring, greedily.

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Latriced Voroyale

Baking, Breakfast, Dessert, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Snack, Sweets, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars the queens were tasked with making over their best Judys, in honour of Queen Judy Garland. It is hard to make jokes about the pure joy on the queens’ faces as they were reunited with their besties, so I will just focus on the fact that Manila’s husband was completely feeling his oats and Latrice’s Judy seemed unimpressed by her long-gestating drag debut. Monet rudeemed her horror season 10 makeover and once again Naomi slayed the challenge, snatching victory and handing Naomi her first win of the season. Sadly for the best Drag Race Judys, Latrila landed in the bottom and Naomi took advantage of the opportunity and cut Manila from the competition.

Back in the Werk Room the queens were gagged, gooped and living for the frontrunner going home, however Naomi was quick to explain that she was threat and she wanted to eliminate her. End of story. Plus – Latrice saved her the week before. Trinity however was shocked and disappointed, given Manila has slayed the competition and this is the first sign that no one else is actually playing fair and as the new frontrunner, she should be concerned. Talk turned to the fact that Latrice didn’t seem phased by Manila going home, despite the fact Manila sobbed during her first elimination. While she didn’t say it exactly, she admitted that she is happy to be there. Which is not a bad thing to say, no? Particular when in a her or me sitch. Monet then proudly admitted that she too had Manila’s lipstick out of revenge for her picking her lipstick when Latrice was first eliminated.

And her pettiness is how I function on a daily basis, and I love seeing it reflected back at me on screen.

The top five returned the next day, proud to have made it as far as they have with Monique particularly proud – and likely gooped – that the Hall of Fame is one step closer to having some melanin. Before they could learn more about Trinity’s experience being the only white queen, Ru arrived to announce that this week’s challenge would see the queens starring in a Ru Hollywood Story on the fictional making of Sex and the City 3. After snatching victory Naomi was given the job of assigning roles and surprisingly took the other girls advice after challenging herself by taking the role of SJP. Monique requested K Jo – one episode guest star Kristen Johnson – before Trinity and Monet literally scissor, paper, rocked over the role of Kim with the former winning out, leaving Monet to take Kristen. Oh and Latrice must have requested Cynthia, or gave zero fucks. Despite getting lemons, Monet vowed to slay the challenge. And given how Latrice and Naomi went in rehearsal, that should be easy. Except Monique is literally twitching out as a recently awoken coma patient, I don’t see anyone topping that.

The queens joined Ross to film the shequel – and promote The Standard which is amazing, so I’ll let it slide – with Latrice and Naomi continuing to flounder, reminding Trinity of Club 96. Speaking of Trinity, she too struggled – much to the delight of Monet – before Monique arrived and revived the scene. Despite losing her wig, she was the perfect balance of absurd and wacky.

Elimination Day rolled around with Naomi nervous about her risk backfiring, and Monet feeling confident about her performance despite being flat. Talk turned to Trinity’s performance as Kim, with Monet arguing she would have slayed the role and Trinity kinda sucked. Before that could escalate however, Latrice spoke about being worried about who she would have to send home which is a gag. Trinity vowed to be fair while Latrice felt that the winner needs to be a good representative of Drag Race. Oh and Monique is looking to be gagged and gooped by Trinity going home.

On the Kitty Cat Couture runway Trinity served African cat gang bang realness, Monet channeled the Pink Panther – which I slay on the piani, FYI – Latrice served arts and craft Lion gown realness that Party City wouldn’t dare to stock. Naomi played with the theme channeling a cat lady drowning in yarn, while Monique owned with the sexiest Puss in Boots I’ve seen since Antonio Banderas did Original Sin and Adam Garcia was in Bootmen. Well buss, but you get what I mean. We then had to sit through the acting challenge which followed in the tradition of My Best Squirrelfriends Yada Yada Yada and Breastworld, completely sucking outside of one person. This person being my dear friend Monique, who literally dropped into the scene and immediately stole the show. Well except for the brief moment of Woke Charlotte courtesy of Monet.

Trinity’s runway look received universal praise, as did her role in the acting challenge. Monet’s look was read for being more mouse than cat, while Felicity Huffman defended her performance in the scene by pretty much saying you can’t polish and turd. So I assume is voting for me to lend a script for season 11? Latrice’s look wasn’t read enough given how ugly it was, while was praised for being the most in the scene. Everyone loved Naomi’s take on the runway theme, however her performance in the scene was universally panned. However Ru did congratulate her for challenging herself. Finally, FINALLY, the judges were gagged and gooped by everything Monique did and she was praised for owning the entire episode. And seeing her face made me happy that she finally got redemption for not winning the episode she wore the card dress. Not that I’m bitter. With that Monique and Trinity obviously snatched the win, sending Monet, Naomi and Latrice to the bottom.

Backstage Monique was thrilled to finally get the recognition she deserves, while Latrice was disappointed that she is in the bottom despite performing well. Completely ignoring how ugly her dress in. Trinity and Monet caught up, with the former praising Monet for having a strong report card. Naomi told Trinity she felt that Latrice should go because she hasn’t been performing well, conveniently focusing on report card when it matters to her. Monet joined Monique to plead her case, with Monique acting shifty making Monet nervous. Trinity told Latrice that both Monet and Naomi said that she should be eliminated, firing her up and saying that Naomi has also been performing poorly and should go home. Latrice then confronted the queens who stood by the fact she should go home, which was insanely effective in defusing the situation. Trinity and Monique then joined together to discuss who should go, praising Latrice’s legacy though differing on Naomi’s performance.

The queens de-pussed for the lip sync to Janet Jackson’s When I Think of You and given we saw next to nothing from Monique who owned the entire episode, it was quite clear that Trinity would win. She then doubled down on focusing on report cards and sent Latrice from the competition again, despite being an absolute bloody legend.

While Latrice was obviously disappointed to be out of the competition, again, it was easier to handle closer to the end and after having some of the winning moments she deserved to have. Particularly after being robbed of victory in episode one, no tea no shade. In any event, we laughed, we cried and toasted a job well done with a heart batch of Latriced Voroyale.

This copycat of the Australian classic I found online – or at least I assume it is just an Australian treat – brings back fond memories of childhood birthday parties. Where I would usually avoid them in favour of BBQ chips, despite BBQ chips being the worst. Thankfully this homemade version is far better than the OG, packed full of butter and fresh jam, the flavour packs more of a punch and fills you with joy.

So en-joy!

Latriced Voroyale
Serves: 8.

Ingredients
90g butter, chopped, at room temperature
½ cup raw caster sugar
1 egg
1 ⅓ cup plain flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
100g pink marshmallows
¼ cup icing sugar, sifted
½ cup desiccated coconut
⅓ cup raspberry jam, warmed

Method
Preheat oven to 180°C.

Cream 60 grams of butter and the raw caster sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Still mixing, beat in the egg until just combined. Add the flour and baking powder and beat until just combined. Shape into a disc, wrap in cling and transfer to the fridge for 15 minutes.

Roll the dough out until 4mm and cut into 24 4x5cm rectangles using a fluted pastry wheel. Place on a lined baking sheet and transfer to the oven for ten minutes or so, or until lightly golden. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

To ice, combine the remaining butter with the marshmallows in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until smooth. Fold through the icing sugar and remove from the heat. Spread the coconut on a plate. Working fast, spread icing along both sides, leaving a one centimetre strip down the middle. Dip the biscuits in coconut to adhere to the icing. Repeat until done before filling the barren gap with jam.

Leave to set for an hour or so to set, before devouring.

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Maianila Luzon Pizza

Main, Pizza, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 3, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 1, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Street Food, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars the queens were group together to host legendary club nights with Valentina spending too much time in her fantasy, leaving Naomi to shoulder most of the work. On the flipside, Latrice and Trinity slayed with the help of Manila and her passion for graphic design. When it came time to deliberate Naomi was scared that Trinity would focus on saving her season 9 sister rather than looking at their overall performances. Not that she had to worry though, as Latrice turned the lip sync out and sent Valentina out of the competition.

The queens returned to the Werk Room to discover Valentina hated the reality of having to pack, before Latrice shared how hard it was to eliminate her since they’ve grown close after years on the road together. Naomi was feeling extremely relieved to have survived, particularly after discovering that Trinity would have eliminated Valentina too since she is making all of her decisions based on score cards. Talk quickly turned to said score cards, with it evident that Manila is way out in front with Trinity nipping at her heels and Monet and Monique the dark horses. Which Manila quickly deflected, saying she could be in the bottom next. Couple that with Monet saying she will do whatever it takes and damn, Manila, you in danger girl.

The next day the queens discovered that the Werk Room has been made over, with Ru’s photos all replaced by pictures of Judy Garland and everyone started to wildly speculate what it means. Ru opted not to leave the hanging, giving a history lesson on how Judy Garland indirectly kicked off the Stonewall riots and was a code for early gay men to identify each other which led to the term best judy for your gay best friend. And as such, this week’s challenge would see them do drag makeovers on their best judys. Naomi was paired with her bestie Ricardo who is BAE, Monique’s best judy was Danny – who was also kinda hot – Monet’s was also a hot guy named Patty, Latrice got her dear friend Tim, Trinity’s boyfriend arrived and, swoon, Manila’s best judy is her husband Michael.

Oh and in addition to them welcoming their best judy into their drag families, they also had to choreograph a dance inspired by Judy Garland.

The queens showed their best judys around the Werk Room before getting down to work. Not wanting history to repeat itself, Monet quickly grabbed some matching outfits and strategised how to snatch victory rather than go home. Despite looking nothing like Patty. Monique was thrilled to have new people to talk to, Trinity’s boyfriend was shocked by home good he looked in a wig and Manila and her husband couldn’t stop touching and I love it. After a stint in the bottom, Naomi was feeling the pressure to finally score a win – particularly since she won the makeover on season 8 – though given her judy can’t walk in heels, she in danger girl.

Ru returned to get to know the judys, with Monique sharing how important Danny is to him before Ru checked in to find out why Monique always looks like she is ready to cut a bitch during deliberations. They were all tender with each other and let’s be honest I can’t type properly through the tears. Trinity spoke about the awkwardness of dragging up her partner and tucking his junk. Monet and Patty – who met through Bob – spoke about their concerns about not looking alike, and TBH I want them to get married. Speaking of marrieds, we checked in with Manila and Michael with the former just glad that Michael will soon learn the pain of drag. Naomi and Ricardo were super cute, though poor Naomi was stuck inside her head and was super nervous leading to Ru giving her a pep talk about not playing it safe and to act a fool and I am ready to see it. Oh and then we learnt that Tim already has had attempts at drag, however Alexis Knight was put to bed the first time she appeared by Latrice. And this is her shot to finally sissy that walk.

Ru then broke down hearing how Tim carried Latrice through prison and damn, this is just as bad as Survivor’s love ones visit.

Elimination day rolled around with everyone overwhelmed by everything they needed to get done. Latrice was nervous to land in the bottom again, knowing it is certain doom, Manila and Michael had a dance break and Monet and Patty dazzled everyone as Patty’s beautiful red eyebrows were removed and he transformed into Powder. The judys were heartbroken to lose their facial hair while before Naomi shocked everyone by throwing out that she is planning to do boy drag on the runway. Monet was shaded for making Patty even paler, Michael was gagged by home beautiful he looks, Tim pretended he was happy with how Latrice did his make-up and Manila made her husband tuck so he would truly understand what she goes through. Oh and Trinity spoke about how big her manses dick is, which seems unnecessary.

Ru, Michelle and Carson were joined by my goddaughter Frances Bean and Meredith Grey on the judging panel as the queens and their newest sisters kicked off the dances. While Trinity’s boyfriend struggled, Manila’s husband had a little more rhythm, Monet and Patty slayed, Latrice and Tim gave energy, Naomi and Ricardo were awesome while Monique and Danny were adorable. On the runway Latrice and Alexis were all big hair and shiny but felt flat, Monique and Danny were staring down the barrel of victory, Manila and Michael were a royal flush, though didn’t look related. Naomi and Ricardo both arrived as Cher before Naomi removed her wig, twirled and turned into Sonny and I love it. Hand them the win. Trinity and her boyfriend looked alike in gaudy Miami old lady and while Monet and Patty were ebony and ivory, they looked alike. And let’s be honest, their dance was far and away the best.

Monique and her judy received glowing praise for their runway, though their dance – which I stand by calling adorable – was read for filth. The judges loved everything Monet did, with their dance being the stand out for all of the judges. To the point Frances soaked it in, geddit? Manila and Michael dance was praised, though the runway was read for filth and I am nervous. Particularly since Manila explained that Michael came into her life after Sahara died and it is all too emotional. Latrice’s dance was read for filth, though praised for her unending depths of charisma. Oh and they hated the fact they looked nothing alike. Obviously Naomi received glowing praise for everything and for doing things that nobody else would think of. Despite having basic choreography, Trinity and her boyfriend were praised for their synchronicity and slaying the family resemblance. Naomi made it two for two when it comes to makeovers, landing in the top with Monet while team Latrila would be broken up for good as they landed in the bottom together.

Back in the Werk Room Naomi was feeling her oats for finally snatching a win, while Monet was thrilled to get her rudemption after Tyler Oakley brought him down in season 10. Monet and Naomi split Latrila to hear why they each should stay, with Latrice reminding Monet how much being here means to her. And while Monet can understand that, she knows that Manila has slayed the season and as such, Latrice’s legacy isn’t enough when this season has been lackluster. Over with Naomi and Manila, Naomi thanked Manila for loaning her the mustache and congratulated her for slaying the competition. Talk turned to her being in the bottom with Latrice, with Manila saying she would rather stay over Latrice and not be taken out for being a threat. And damn, I am nervous. Particularly since she started tearing up talking about understanding whichever way it goes.

The girls swapped coaches with Monet torn, since Manila would have sent her home a few weeks ago and since she didn’t start with an apology, Monet felt like being shady. Manila though went the mindfuck route, hoping to embarrass Monet into keeping her since beating the best is the only way to be the best, apparently. On the other side of the room, Latrice played into Naomi’s hand reminding her that she saved her the week before … and look at how it turned out! Latrila got together with their judys to talk about the competition, with judys heartbroken for bringing them down leaving to poor Latrice to try and lift everyone else up and hold it together.

Monet and Naomi returned to the mainstage ready to destroy Judy Garland’s – who’ll be singing, for ye – Come Rain or Come Shine. Despite being a strong lip syncer, Monet couldn’t compete with Naomi who owned the lip sync from start to finish. She was wacky, wild, acrobatic and really took Ru’s advice, acting a fool and hilariously snatching victory and 10,000 doo-lahs. Not only did she own the lip sync however, she then stood centre stage, stone cold, and eliminated her idol, this season’s front runner, Manila for being a huge threat. Leaving everyone gagged and gooped.

Is it heartbreaking to see Manila slay the competition, only to be felled at her first stumble? Sure. Particularly since she and Raja both killed season 3 and All Stars 1 really screwed her. But, let’s be honest, these are the rules and Naomi taking out a threat is baller. I mean, Alaska would never eliminate a girl her loaned her an item for the mainstage. Thankfully Manila wasn’t too bitter about being cut, knowing that it was due to her winning ways rather than anything else. Plus – she pointed out it was totally my fault, since the pizza curse has leapfrogged from Survivor over to Drag Race with her comforting Maianila Luzon Pizza.

While I feel really bad about manifesting her elimination, I have zero qualms about eating something this delicious. Mounds of meat, chilli and cheese, make for the perfect salty accompaniment for my feelings of lingering saltiness to see Manila lose the crown. Again.

Enjoy!

Maianila Luzon Pizza
Serves: 2 friends, 1 salty-yet-gagged and the other sad.

Ingredients
2 bases as per Pizsa Zsa Gabor
⅓ cup passata
oregano and basil, roughly chopped, to taste
100g mild salami, sliced
3 pork and fennel sausages, skin removed and cooked
100g pancetta, sliced
chilli oil, to taste
mozzarella, to taste

Method
Prep the bases as per Zsa Zsa’s instructions.

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Smear passata over the prepared bases, sprinkle of the herbs, salami, cooked sausage, pancetta and a lug of chilli oil before topping – but we’re all bottoms! – generously, with mozzarella.

Transfer to the oven and bake for fifteen minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Devour immediately, hoping not to burn our mouth with some scalding cheese. Unless you want to feel something in this post-Manila world.

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BLTina

Main, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 9, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Snack, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars the eliminated queens gooped everyone by returning to the Werk Room for another shot at the crown. Valentina too technically had another shot at the crown since Ru suspended All Stars rules before either Manila or Monet had the chance to take her out. It all started to make sense though – maybe – as Manila and Monet received immunity for the week while last week’s bottom four were forced to lip sync to the death with the four eliminated queens, with the winner of each staying slash returning to the competition and the loser sashaying away. Sadly try as they might, Jasmine, Farrah and a killer Gia lost their lip syncs, while Monique was gagged and gooped by Latrice who returned to the competition. Thankfully without eliminating Monique after Ru declared the lip sync a tie.

Back in the Werk Room Latrice and Monique celebrated their double win, despite the former disappointed she didn’t get revenge to go with her redemption. Everyone else was congratulating the girls on a job well down, while Monique was sad to have to put up with Latrice’s joy inspired ego speech. Thankfully Valentina cut her off to chastise Monet and Manila once again for destroying her fantasy by trying to ruin her fantasy. Seemingly unaware that there are still seven queens left in the competition and she needs to step up reality if she wants to make it to the end.

The queens returned the next day with Manila still giddy to have her girl back, while Latrice was nervous to become just another returning queen statistic by heading home this episode. Ru arrived to explain that this week the queens would be heading into the club world purse first by designing their own club night in teams, complete with entertainment and a signature cocktail. Feeling super generous, Ru tasked Latrice with pairing up the queens before joining the duo of her choice – Monet and Monique joined up, Trinity and Manila were a pair leaving Valentina and Naomi together. Obviously Latrice joined Trinity and Manila.

Naomi and Valentina got to work excited to combine their fun, fashion, fun, glam and youngness, though they seemed to struggle to figure out a theme with Valentina kinda echoing everything Naomi said … but they are weird and cute and I love it. Despite Naomi’s fears. Monique and Monet quickly settled on the Black Hole theme, where anything goes in a sci-fi fantasy complete with alien babies and slime. Rounding out the planning, Trinity noticed she and Manila both had yellow and black outfits, so suggested a bee theme. Which the three jumped on, motivated by the confidence of Manila thanks to her passion for graphic design.

The queens then moved to the warehouse where they would build said clubs, with Monique shocked that they would be required to paint themselves. Valentina was ready to paint and play in her panties, while Latrice struggled to get into her painting overalls and Monet and Monique tut-tutted as they focused on the task at hand. Though Monique isn’t painting to the word of the lord and Manila turned up with full blown schematics, so who is really going to slay? Particularly since Manila is working hard to get Latrice a win. Oh and Naomi is terrified about their showing, given Valentina has no interest in preparing anything and can only focus on the painting. And touring the other queens’ clubs.

Elimination day rolled around and the queens got down to preparing for their big openings, with Valentina anxious though trying to stay focused, Naomi shading her attention span and Monet thrilled about being in the presence of Susanne Bartsch. Valentina admitted that Naomi carried her during the competition, while Latrice was feeling super confident and locked forward to showing off her runway before talk turned to everyone being in the bottom. With everyone realising that Manila has never been up for elimination … and Trinity definitely thinks Valentina should go home.

Michelle and Carson were joined by my girl Rita Ora and Susanne Bartsch to tour the clubs, with Monique and Monet’s slaying with a killer script, sci-fi realness and the new pit crew member strutting the runway. We checked in on Club 96 – Club 96 – where Naomi was prepared though a little flat and Valentina was quirky and TBH it worked. Club 96. As did the repetition of Club 96. Club 96. Make no mistake, these two are in the bottom barring a major bee-mergency. Club 96. Not even the pit crew’s bulges could save it. Club 96. From the poster – strip spelling bee, ya’ll – it was obvious that the top would feature a combination of Trinity, Latrice and Manila. Latrice charmed the crowds, the pit crew had golden bulges, Trinity brought a tonne of puns and Manila played support to pump up her friends.

On the plastique fantastique runway Latrice stunned – literally, since it wasn’t bedazzled – in a bright gown that put the ball in ball gown. Latrice served fruit basket realness, Trinity looked like the hottest piece of gum, Naomi served disc realness, Valentina brought up barbie, Monet steamed up in a clear gladiator number and Monique monkeyed around in a Josephine Baker inspired banana gown. The judges loved everything Latrice did this week, particularly getting out of her comfort zone on the runway. Manila too received universal praise, however Michelle felt she went a bit OTT in the hosting. The judges loved Trinity’s looked and felt her performance was polished from start to finish. Everyone loved Naomi’s general look and the delivery of Club 96, verbally, though felt the hosting fell flat. Valentina’s outfit was read for filth by Michelle – maybe. She tried at least – while the club was praised for looking nice, though Valentina was read for not being prepared. Monet and Monique’s club received universal praise, with Monet congratulated for upping the runway game and Monique’s look read for falling flat on the runway but praised for the club. As such, Latrice and Trinity landed in the top two while Valentina and Naomi were up for elimination.

Back in the Werk Room Trinity and Latrice thanked Manila for elevating their performance and snatching them a win, with Trinity even giving her half of her prize. Latrice was really proud to finally get a win, while Valentina kinda felt like she was ready to go, not wanting to turn into Roxxxy, Chi Chi or Kennedy. Trinity and Naomi caught up, with Naomi nervous that Trinity and Valentina’s friendship will come in to play over the performance. Trinity felt that Naomi has just been there during the competition, while Naomi pushed the fact that she did most of the work. Meanwhile over with Latrice and Valentina, Valentina tried to stay strong though did tell Latrice to trust her gut. Which would play into my theory she wants to be euthanised. Naomi made sure that Latrice knew how much she desperately wants to stay, while Latrice was concerned that safe isn’t enough and she has a stronger bond with Valentina which made Naomi really nervous. Trinity explained that while she loves Valentina, she wants to be fair when making the decision and it sounds like Naomi put in more work in the challenge. Valentina then encouraged her to do the right thing … and Valentina is not in her fantasy anymore, right?

Latrice came ready to slay the lipsync while Trinity came ready to pull the men at the retirement centre. She then ripped off her robe and swung those old titties around like crazy, though it didn’t seem to make much sense. While Latrice hit every lyric, bounced Trinity out of the way and rolled across the runway. As such Latrice snatched victory and with a heavy heart, sent the delightfully wacky Valentina from the competition. Everyone’s favourite little coconut was obviously feeling her telenovela oats as she arrived backstage and fainted into my arms from the shock of being taken out of the competition despite creating the ultimate club, Club 96. Club 96. While I agreed she did create a wonderful space – Club 96 – it was probably her time, considering how strong everyone is … and she has a role in Rent Live to work on. With that, she perked up, we laughed and then smashed a BLTina or two.

While my relationship with the classic BLT started off soft in the early 00s – tomato and lettuce, vom! – I have well and truly warmed to this delightful little sandy-j. Sweet mayo, tangy mustard and salty bacon are the perfect accompaniment for the aforementioned, formerly unloved fruit and veg. Plus – who doesn’t love bread?

Enjoy!

BLTina
Serves: 2.

Ingredients
6 rashers streaky bacon
4 slices crusty bread
2 tbsp cup Shayonnaise Swain
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tomato, sliced
salt and pepper, to taste
½-1 cup butter lettuce leaves
fries, to serve

Method
Heat a skillet over medium heat and once nice and hot, add the bacon. Cook until nice and crispy before transferring to kitchen paper to drain.

To assemble, toast the bread and smear two slices with mayo and the other two with mustard. Top the mustard side with tomato and a whack of salt and pepper, followed by 3 rashers of bacon and a few lettuce leaves.

Close the sandy, serve with fries and devour.

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Limonshannello

Drink, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 1, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 1, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars the iconic Jushmine Masters was tragically felled by her inability to prepare a routine and became the first boot. She was followed out the door by a teary, unloved-by-Gia Farrah before the aforementioned Gia once again met her Achilles heel in Snatch Game and the large and in charge, chunky yet funky and totally lovable Latrice Royale became the fourth person sent from the competition. After Monet and Manila slayed the roast and the remaining four queens landed in the bottom, both won the fifth lip sync and everyone was left gagged as All Stars rules were suspended, no one was eliminated and the four eliminated queens returned.

So we’re back at the start, I guess?

We opened things with a showdown in the Werk Room between the six competing queens and the four eliminated queens before the producers signaled that they were allowed to be happy and talk. The girls then sat down – hopefully not where Monique gooped – with Farrah confirming that Ru has promised them a shot at getting back at the competition. Which didn’t really go down well with Trinity, since it was like starting from scratch. As the girls kiki-ed Jasmine stood by her choice not to prepare a variety show performance and damn, I still love her. Farrah was still sad to have been eliminated by her friend Valentina, but also that she didn’t get a decent return on investment for the costumes she brought.

The queens filled the fallen queens in on the roast challenge before Valentina that both Monet and Manila would have eliminated Valentina had all star rules not been suspended. True to form Valentina still felt she was hilarious in the roast and that despite the judges hating her, she was delightful and that is the reality she chooses to accept. Which I totally live for. Latrice pivoted back to turning on the queens that eliminated them, calling Monique’s choice to eliminate her shady as she was keeping her friend. Which both Monique and Monet felt was wrong, since Monet knows that if her report card was busted, she would have been cut. And while Latrice is grumpy, she did shade the travesty of All Stars 1 and that is something I will always support.

The full cast returned to the Werk Room the next day with Trinity admitting that while she hates being back at the beginning her heart is full. Wait, no, she has the shits and doesn’t want to deal with Gia stirring the pot. Farrah too had zero time for poor Gia. While the queens anxiously waited to find out what the hell Alexis Michelle the producer has in store for them, Ru arrived for a guided meditation before explaining that this season’s comeback challenge would be a lip sync battle. The four eliminated queens each got to select a current queen to lip sync against, with the winner staying in the competition and the loser exiting the competition for good. Though Manila and Monet are safe as a reward for winning the last episode.

With that the shell shocked queens spread out to discuss the twist with Monet realising that she and Manila could easily find themselves in the new top six with four different queens. Not that Trinity or Naomi think that will happen. Meanwhile Valentina and Farrah decided to clear the air about the latter’s elimination, as Farrah didn’t think she was the worse. Tragically Valentina disagreed and brutally admitted that she doesn’t regret the decision and Farrah is totally going to pick her to try and take her spot. Monique was concerned that Latrice would be picking her out of revenge too, while Latrice was not scared about facing off against any of the queens. Trinity said she was confident about the lip syncs, which Gia wasn’t buying.

Talk turned to who Latrice would be picking – since she gets to pick first – with her saying she was undecided about selecting Monique when she is clearly picking Monique. Gia went to see how terrified Naomi is, with the leg queen admitting she is nervous but is also ready to fight. They then had a nice chat about Gia lacking confidence as a female drag performer and struggling to find the line between performance and life without doubting either. Latrice checked in with Jasmine who was getting ready to lip sync with the scrap performer, Trinity gave Farrah a pep talk and Manila and Monet were living it up, watching the drama unfold.

Naomi then made prison jokes about Latrice and it was glorious.

With that Ru and Michelle were joined on the panel with both Carson and Ross as they witnessed a runway clearly set up for the upcoming lip syncs, rather than fashion. Though that being said, Farrah, Gia and Naomi looked gorgeous, though Gia’s reveal was almost as obvious as Trinity’s. Oh and Manila and Monet looked like drunk waspy women at the races and I am here for it. As I am with Ru’s hyper commentary.

We then finally got down to business and discovered that Jasmine was left to lip sync against Trinity before we were gagged by the Pit Crew’s boxes and damn any one of them would choke me with their thighs. In any event, Trinity took a peek inside box three and learnt they’d be lip syncing to Peanut Butter. Like Chi Chi last season, Jasmine appeared to be going through the motions and not wanting to take someone else’s place in the competition. Trinity learnt from the tragedy of season 9’s finale, not leaving anything to chance, shaking her arse, out twerking Jasmine and ultimately securing her safety and sending Jasmine out go the competition for good.

We then learnt that Farrah chose to face off against Valentina, before the pit crew returned to sit on my face. Wait no, that was my fantasy – they returned so Valentina could pick a song, with the Latina opting for Sean’s box meaning she and Farrah would face off over Kitty Girl. Thankfully this lip sync seemed more evenly matched, with both queens having a fire to earn slash keep their place in the competition. Valentina hit every lyric and crawled around the stage, while Farrah was channeling her inner 90s/00s pop diva. If it wasn’t for Valentina’s turn into comedy at the end it would have been difficult to split, however once again Valentina came out on top and poor Farrah was eliminated for good.

As expected – since Latrice was always picking Monique – Gia faced off against Naomi, who opted to go deep into Bryce’s box and got Adrenaline. Which Gia was ready to bring in the name of Edwards, though Naomi was confident she would not be going down without a fight. And damn, did they both bring it. Naomi was sexy, sultry and performing full on backbends while hitting every damn lyric and then mopping the floor with her cooch. Gia was giving high energy, Beyond Belief worthy dance moves and slayed the hell out of the song, which made it so much harder to bear when Ru handed a well earned victory to Naomi, rather than a double win.

With that we arrived at the final pairing where Latrice and Monique got to face off to box number three’s – something something I want his box in my face, obvi – Sissy That Walk. Like Naomi vs. Gia, both Latrice and Monique were out for blood and desperate to win. Latrice was pounding her pussy into the runway, Monique’s wig managed to stay on despite a flurry of head flicks. Wait no, they BOTH opted to do a patented Roxxxy Andrews wig reveal, hit every damn lyric and worked every inch of the runway. Which off course left Ru with no other option than to hand a double victory, returning Latrice to the competition and keeping Monique to fight another day.

Thankfully Raven had flagged that I may want to dig further into All Stars 1 this week, so I called Shannel up and she was happy to come watch the episode with me. And to receive me apology. Given the shade I have thrown about Chad carrying her to the top four of All Stars 1, I understand why she was reticent, per se, however I never meant my shadiness to take away from the fact that she is a killer queen and I would live for her to come back for a third go and not have to be in Chad’s shadow.

Plus – in the words of Latrice, we don’t talk about All Stars 1.

Given that explanation she was glad to reconnect as friends and we had a delightful time watching the episode. Though maybe our renewed friendship has something to do with the copious amounts of Limonshannello we downed.

Enjoy!

You know I have a passion for alcohol – addiction, whatever – and as such, should be a wealth of knowledge for all things booze. But I am not, and I didn’t realise that limoncello is something one could simply throw together until browsing lemon recipes online. After said discovery I threw it together and TBH my life was changed for the better.

So be the change you want to see in the world, you know? Enjoy!

Limonshannello
Serves: 6.

Ingredients
6 lemons
3 cups vodka
1 cup caster sugar
1 ¾ cups water

Method
Place the lemons in a saucepan, cover with boiling water and leave to soak for a couple of hours. Drain, pat dry and finely grate the zest. Combine the zest and vodka in a jug and leave to rest while you work on the syrup.

Speaking of which, place the sugar and water in a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring for five minutes, or until well combined. Crank heat to high, bring to the boil and leave to rollick – if that is not a thing, it is now – for three minutes, or until thick. Set aside and allow to cool completely.

Once cool, combine the syrup and vodka and pour into sterilized, airtight bottles. Seal and keep in a cool, dark place to develop for a month, shaking occasionally.

When you’re ready to down, drain the limoncello through a fine sieve to get rid of any remaining rind and down, giddily.

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Ravenison and Mushroom Pie

Baking, Main, Pie, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 2, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 1, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars the queens appeared in Ru’s Judge Judy fantasy hosted by the no. 1 Jersey girl around, Michelle Visage. Fun Fact: I told Ben that he should make a movie about her with Jen. I apologise profusely. Manila and Monique once again stole the show, with Naomi’s fake tan and Valentina’s trash a close third and fourth. Tragically poor Latrice and Monét once again struggled, leaving Manila and Monique to battle out to save their friends. Despite a strong lip sync, Monique snatched victory and tragically said farewell to Latrice, despite everyone believing she was too beloved to be eliminated.

The mood was understandably somber when the queens returned in the Werk Room, with Manila feeling guilty to have let down her sister once again. Monique was heartbroken to have to send Latrice home, though felt that Monét had the strongest report card and as such she made the right decision. And well, Naomi was just proud her wig stayed on. On the flip side Manila was wracked with guilt, not only for not being able to save her dear friend but also because if she had won, she would have eliminated the girl that had been performing better and had to go with the heart. Monét was obviously unhappy about it and felt Manila was shady, but come on … its Latrila. She had no real choice. Though damn Manila, if you fall in the bottom – you in danger gurl!

The next day the queens returned to learn that this week they aren’t only mourning the loss of Latrice, but also dear, iconic Lady Bunny who they will be roasting at her funeral. Yes, yes, yes – may she roast in peace. Given Monique is the current champ, she got to select the roast’s running order, handing Monét first position, Trinity second, Monique third, Naomi fourth, Valentina fifth and Manila closing the show. In an attempt to bury her as she has the most pressure.

Oh and Monét is a funeral crasher.

Valentina was feeling nervous ahead of Ru’s walkthrough, though given her joke’s punchline was the scent of a wet cum rag, I feel she is in danger. Monét was feeling nervous about opening the show but was desperate to redeem herself after last week, and destroy Bunny in the process. Ru reminded Valentina that while she was safe in the season 9 roast, is wasn’t necessarily good and she really needed to work extra hard. And having worked opposite Lady Bunny doesn’t seem to be helping. Ru congratulated Trinity for being funny, however she couldn’t move past the fact she landed in the bottom three for the season 9 roast. Manila proved she had nothing to be worried about, cracking Ru up in her walkthrough with inside jokes since she knows Bun Bun.

And apparently Naomi still doesn’t exist. Nor does Monique.

Monét arrived for coaching from guest judge SNL’s Cecily Strong and while she started soft, Ms Strong’s advice pushed her in the right direction. Valentina arrived with her three jokes, all of which were way harsh and as such Cecily felt she needed to tone them done. Monique was near perfection channelling a preacher, however she didn’t really leave Cecily any space to give advice. Trinity was confusing as hell, Naomi seemed confident but didn’t have much content and Manila seemed to be stuck in her head, though Cecily gave her a pep talk to own closing the show.

Elimination day rolled around and Valentina was no more confident than yesterday, leading to a discussion about how people will be voting should they win the challenge. Monét was obviously vowing to stick to whoever did the worst, while Naomi threw shade at Manila until she finally cracked and explained that her choice to get rid of Monét if she had won was never a vote to get her out, but one to save her dearest friend. And those decisions will get harder each week, as she is getting closer to every one of the girls. Which Monét finally listened to.

Manila then went one step further that when she gets the chance next, she will make her own decision. Which obviously made everyone nervous.

The roast arrived and by that, Lady Bunny was wheeled out in her coffin and Monét kicked off the show slaying the house down and making the dearly departed Bunny giggle in her coffin. Trinity bombed from the very joke and struggled to get the rest out, Monique’s preacher character brought life back to the show with boob and load jokes, not that Valentina was impressed. Poor Naomi couldn’t land any jokes, but she was adorable and laughed at them even though nobody else was. Valentina started off strongly blaming the grieving telenovela friend, though it went downhill extremely quickly. And was so bad it almost became good. Manila arrived in full mourning mode and completely snatched the show, roasting the room and having everyone in stitches.

Then Lady Bunny came back to life, jumped out of her coffin Shangela style, threw shade at Bianca Del Rio and the remaining contestants before re-dying Vanjie style.

On the runway Monét looked stunning serving sacred heart clergywoman realness, Trinity came as a beautiful angel, Monique brought another heart, though not as good as Monét. Naomi paid glorious homage to Prince, Valentina served angel trapped in a fishing net realness and Manila served Greek Goddess realness and was beat for one too. The judges loved everything Monét served up this week, Trinity’s look was praised however the judges felt she overthought the roast – and therefore bombed – the judges went her roast character though distracted from some of the jokes and they weren’t sure about her runway look. Naomi’s Prince look was universally beloved, though the judges didn’t feel it could overcome her shitty roast. Valentina’s look was praised, though her roast was roasted and Manila received praise for roast to runway. With that Monét and Manila obviously landed in the top two, however in a gag of the season the remaining girls all landed in the bottom.

The queens returned to the Werk Room to deliberate with Monét thrilled that she is the only one safe from Manila’s potential wrath. Trinity was quick to point out her killer track record, Monique pointed out that she has won two challenge, though this is now her second time in the bottom. Naomi felt sick given she has been coasting by as safe all season and Valentina argued that while she has been in the bottom, she didn’t deserve to be there and she feels she was very funny this week. Not understanding the difference between laughing at and with people. She then flagged Monique and Naomi as the worst and it is clear, she is aligned with Trinity.

Naomi pulled Monét aside to highlight her consistency, in the hopes of saving herself. Despite Valentina having her back, Trinity suggested that Manila send Valentina home, however Manila thought that sending home her bigger threat in Trinity may make the most sense. Valentina continued to wear Delusion by Jinkx, telling Monét she was not the worst and Naomi reminded Manila about her consistency. Naomi and Monique got together to talk about their fear if Manila snatches the lip sync, confident that Monét will send Valentina home who they believe did the worst. Speaking of which, she went and reminded Manila how well she has performed. Despite no one agreeing with her. By the end of it, neither Manila or Monét really wanted to win as it’s all too stressful and hard.

Both queens owned the Aretha lip-sync from the very first bar, serving semi-synchronised choreography and hitting every damn syllable. They kiki-ed, wagged tongues and TBH gave me life, which made their double win completely justified. Despite both winning, Ru announced that no one will be going home tonight and All Stars rules have been suspended until further notice. They were then sent to the Werk Room to await further instruction, where they found a message from Ru announcing they will be lip syncing for their life, life, life, life … AND THEN Lady Bunny appeared behind the mirror to point out that Jasmine, Farrah, Gia and Latrice are back, back, back again and those four life-s feel very ominous.

As soon as I saw the shocking though totally not shocking ending, I turned around to Emmy Nominee Raven and understood why she pushed so hard to drop by for this week episode!

“I thought you’d need to have a back-up ready to go, and who better than the queen of the runner-ups?” she said with a sly grin.

That is why I love Raven. She is a total icon, understands that she is the true winner of season 2 since Tyra Sanchez is a total monster and most importantly, she doesn’t mind joking at her own expense. Did I also mention she is an Emmy Nominee … that was also robbed of a victory? In any event, it was such a delight to see my dear Raven – non-elimination episode or not – and share a warm, hearty Ravenison and Mushroom Pie to deal with the miserable(wish) weather Brisbane is living through ATM.

I know what you’re thinking – venison? Is this sicko expecting me to cook and eat Bambi’s mother? Well yes, but if you’re really not game – get it? Classic – you could sub out the beef. But then you’re missing out on most of the rich, glorious flavour that works so beautifully with the earthy mushrooms and the tang of ale. Obviously this is my first time working with venison given it isn’t the most Brisbane friendly meat, so I stuck pretty closely to Jamie Oliver’s recipe and I’m glad I did.

Just give it a chance, ok? I promise you will enjoy it!

Ravenison and Mushroom Pie
Serves: 4.

Ingredients
olive oil
2 onions, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 sticks celery, sliced
500g button mushrooms, sliced
1 kg stewing venison, diced
a few sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves picked and chopped
a few sprigs fresh thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp gin
500ml ale, preferably Scottish
1 sheet all-butter puff pastry
1 egg, whisked

Method
Heat a lug of olive oil in a dutch oven over low heat. Add the onion and sweat for 10 minutes, or until soft and sweet. Up to medium heat and add the butter, garlic, carrot, celery and mushrooms, and cook stirring for a minute or two. Add the venison, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves with a good whack of salt and pepper and flour. Cook for a couple of minutes, or until coated and the flour is claggy.

Pour in the gin and ale and stir until the flour has dissolved. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for an hour or so, or until thick and reduced.

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Once thick and gelatinous, transfer the stew to a pie dish, cover with the puff pastry and score a couple of steam holes before brushing with the egg and placing in the oven to bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Serve immediately with a heap of Gabriel Mash and devour.

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Latrikir Royale

Drink, RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's Drag Race 4, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 1, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, TV Recap

Previously on All Stars Snatch Game rolled around with a spin, seeing the queens split into two to vie for the love of Gus Kenworthy and Keiynan Lonsdale – and TBH, who doesn’t want to be split in two by those two. While Manila and Trinity clearly shined, Valentina struggled and Latrice got distracted by the too much unprofessionalism of Gia, who once again choked on the challenge and landed in the bottom next to Valentina. Trinity was thrilled to finally get rid of Gia and her mind games, however Manila admitted that getting rid of a threat in Valentina may be the smartest move going forward. Not so smart was the fact she told both Trinity and Valentina before sending Gia home, painting a big ol’ target on her back.

Back in the Werk Room with Monique thrilled to be free of Gia and hot damn, how did I just realise there was a cow on her hat? Manila praised Gia for who she is and how well she performs, though admitted that her pot-stirring was too much to handle. As the girls continued to kiki Manila congratulated Trinity on truly dominating Snatch Game, though was thrilled that on Wikipedia she is listed as the winner and she has the $10k to back it up. Trinity shared that she too would have sent home Gia, as she planned to play a fair game and Valentina was stronger than Gia. With no one around to stir the pot, Valentina and Gia told the other queens that Manila had floated the idea of getting rid of Val … though obviously sold it as being thankful that Manila decided to play fair.

The next day the queens arrived to learn that this week’s challenge would send them all the way to Jersey for Michelle to dish out a little bit of justice in a Judge Judy and RHONJ hybrid. The queens split into teams, with Latrice, Monét and Monique joining to argue the case ‘how ‘bout them cakes,’ Naomi and Manila snagged ‘you made me look like a bitch, bitch,’ while Valentina and Trinity paired up for what will no doubt be the case of the century, ‘I was snookered by Snooki.’

Monét was feeling hella confident, given her passion for Judge Judy while Monique was concerned about how to balance three performances in the challenge. Monique was arguing that her wedding was ruined by Latrice the baker and her daughter played by Monét. And Latrice was struggling to jump in during rehearsal, so it looks like it will be a disaster. Meanwhile Naomi was so excited to be working with Manila as she is a massive, and they really seemed to be vibing. Trinity on the other hand was super concerned about Valentina and her attempted accents, which ranged from the deep south to god knows where. Though she can do voices, so relax guys!

First up were Manila and Naomi, with Manila sueing Naomi for making her look like a bitch at her high school reunion. Literally, since Naomi ran a dog grooming business and Manila got confused. Given Naomi is covered in the same shade of tan that Donald Trump wears and pulled out a Teresa Giudice joke and Manila literally barked her way through getting kicked out of the room, I obviously approve of this pairing. Monique, Latrice and Monét were up next, with Monique owning from the start, while Latrice served only looks and then bombed when she started talking. Poor Monét didn’t arrive until half-way through and while she pulled out some good jokes, she then started to get lost and it fell flat. They did finish with an epic Jerry Springer style bitch-fight though followed by a make-out, and I love that. Trinity opened her improv by forgetting her name, though slowly improved throughout. Particularly once Valentina rolled in late looking a hot mess and gave Trinity a killer character to play off.

Elimination day rolled around and Naomi threw some glorious shade at Asia while Monét was feeling her oats and looked forward to lip syncing for some cash. Manila too was feeling confident, though her confidence wasn’t misplaced. Unlike poor Latrice’s. Adding to the feelings of confidence, Trinity and Valentina congratulated each other on their killer performances. Maybe starting to question her performance, Latrice approached Trinity to call her out for forgetting her name at the start. Not taking it, Trinity called her out for having zero jokes with Valentina jumping in to agree that she didn’t perform very well. They both assured her that no one would send her home though – Valentina admitting she would rather send Trinity home – so to relax and focus on her runway.

Speaking of runway, the queens were padded for the gods with a swerves and curves runway with Manila slaying and serving pink old-lady quilt, Naomi was gorgeous as a failed housewife, Trinity served wave pool in the water-park realness, Valentina did a half-baked, half-baked drag look, Monique was over the top cow, Latrice shimmered down the runway and Monét owned channelling Kim K’s Paper shoot.

The judges loved everything Manila did from the challenge to the runway. Naomi was praised for her burnt-bake housewife look and serving full Jersey girl realness, though they wish she gave them more. They loved Trinity’s outfit, though they felt she held back during the challenge which she admitted she did to avoid overshadowing Valentina. The judges weren’t sold on Valentina’s runway, though they enjoyed her performance in the challenge and the fact she let go. Monique’s cow look received universal praise, as did her over the top performance in court. The judges thought Latrice looked beautiful on the runway, while felt Latrice didn’t give enough in the challenge. Everyone loved Monét’s look on the runway, though felt she didn’t have enough character in the challenge. With that Monique and Manila took out victory while Latrice and Monét found themselves in the bottom two.

Backstage Monique was thrilled to win, though upset that she has to send one of her teammates home. Poor Latrila both started to cry, with Latrice heartbroken that it could all be coming to an end. Trinity was disappointed that while Latrice has a good career, she felt that that shouldn’t save her when she hasn’t been performing well. Monét was scared gien how universally beloved Latrice is and doesn’t want to face off against her. Scared of losing focus, Valentina channelled Milk and complained about getting read despite being safe, before Monique told her to get over it and shut the hell up.

Monique and Monét got together, with Monique admitting that Latrice being in the bottom with her makes the decision difficult. Latrila on the other hand held each other and continued to cry, with Manila vowing to destroy the lip sync to save her friend. Trinity continued to get frustrated by Manila, annoyed by the fact she will keep Latrice no matter how well Monét performed. Monét pulled Manila aside to try and convince her that she needs to stay, though Manila essentially admitted that there is no way she isn’t saving her friend. Meanwhile over with Monique and Latrice, Monique spoke about the OG’s importance to the community and Latrice assured her that she won’t be stumbling again if she keeps her. And then reminded her that she wouldn’t be anywhere else, and that includes wedding planning. Which is nek level guilt.

Monique and Manila looked ready to destroy my frenemy Elton’s The Bitch is Back as performed by Tina Turner – who I really need to see soon – with Elt reminding them not to fuck it up via video. Both queens slayed the lip sync, however Monique gave it a messiness that totally worked for Tina and as such, snatched victory. And kept her wig on to boot! Poor Manila immediately started to cry, concerned about Latrice’s welfare. Which turned out being prophetic, as Monique sent the iconic Latrice out of the game.

While Latrice wasn’t thrilled to find herself out of the competition, she was thrilled to see her dear friend backstage to provide her with some comfort. I did admit that I agreed that being a legend shouldn’t guarantee you continue in the competition, however I followed it up by reminder her that there is likely to be a comeback challenge and that is where she can show them why a legend deserves to be there. We were extremely drunk on Latrikir Royale though, so hopefully she heeds my advice in the morning.

A kir royale is one of the easiest cocktails you can throw together, but it proves that sometimes the easiest things are also the best. Which is what I had on my dating profiles in my youth. I mean, sparkling topped up with sweet, sweet liqueur? Swoon.

Enjoy!

Latrikir Royale
Serves: 2.

Ingredients
¼ cup creme de cassis
⅔-1 cup sparkling white wine, chilled

Method
Split the liqueur even amongst the two sparkling glasses.

Top with sparkling.

Down. Lather, rinse and repeat.

As you can probably tell, we are very social but the fun isn’t only limited to celebrities! You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr.

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	Jenna Lewiscuits… on Latriced Voroyale

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Ravenison and Mushroom Pie

Latrikir Royale