Drinking in the Autumn Equinox: Magical Tea Wreaths

September 22, 2020.Reading time 9 minutes.

Note: I know I promised a recipe from the Gather Victoria E-Cookery book (it’s coming!) but I thought I would share this Patreon post from last year first. I think it’s perfect for celebrating the seasonal medicine and magic of the Autumn Equinox. I love creating seasonal Tea Wreaths woven with herbs and wild botanicals […]

Autumn Equinox: Celebrating Harvest Baking Magic & Goddess Cuisine

September 4, 2020.Reading time 13 minutes.

I’m sorry to have been out of touch for so long! I’ve been so busy finishing the next batch of recipes for the Gather Victoria E-Cookbooks over at Gather Victoria Patreon it seems I’ve spent nearly the whole summer working without posting anything new here. So to rectify that I’m going to give you a […]

To Long Life & Good Health: A Honey Herbal Wine to Toast the Coming of Spring

March 21, 2020.Reading time 9 minutes.

If you’re looking to lift a toast for the Spring Equinox, I’ve got the perfect libation! We’re going to infuse aromatic healing herbs into honeyed wine, and offer a toast to Anna Perenna the Roman Goddess of long life, renewal and good health. Her annual festival and feast were held in March when her powers […]

Whiskey & Spice Milk Punch w/ A Magical Touch of Heather

January 31, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Happy Imbolc! In celebration, I’m sharing this recipe for Whiskey Milk Punch from the Gather Victoria ECookery book (for Gather Patrons) which is called Scailtin in Ireland. It can be dated back to the 1700s where it was commonly served in a punchbowl and drunk warm in a mug – but I’m serving it over […]

Baba Yaga’s Wild Spiced Honey Cookies

December 21, 2019.Reading time 20 minutes.

Ever since I called upon that beloved old witch of Slavic, Baltic and Russian folklore to be my winter baking muse – I’ve had nothing but trouble. Which should have been no surprise, Baba Yaga is renowned for testing your mettle with endless impossible tasks which determine whether she will help you- or hinder you […]

“Soul Cakes” for an Old-Fashioned All Hallows Eve

October 29, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

“A soule cake, a soule cake, Have mercy on all Christen soules for a soule-cake.” John Aubrey, 17th century I’ve been researching old world recipes in search of Halloween food inspiration, and these sweet little barmbrack “soul cakes” are the result. And while we may think of all things pumpkin when it comes to Halloween, originally […]

Cake For The Priestesses Of The Dead

October 20, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Halloween takes its roots in ancient festivals and feasts honouring the dead, like Samhain. Which makes it a perfect time for cake…not just any cake, but a cake in remembrance of the Haliorunna. Never heard of them? They were the oracular priestesses of the “underworld mysteries” whose rites of divination and ancestor veneration were demonized and […]

Spring Cleaning! The Magical Powers Of The Besom

March 20, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

The Spring Equinox is almost here! This means I was up bright and early today with a mission, to craft one of the most hallowed objects of spring cleaning – the Besom. I’ve been so busy with my cookbook and creating rewards for Patrons, my home is a mess! According to the famous Swiss psychologist […]

Foraging & Cooking with Plum Blossom: Spring Floral Confections!

March 13, 2019.Reading time 11 minutes.

For me, the heady sweet almond-like fragrance of plum is the very essence of spring. Standing beneath their sensual pink and rose flower-laden branches on a sun-warmed afternoon is an absolutely swoon-worthy experience. Sadly underutilized as a culinary ingredient, plum blossom has a unique flavour which infuses beautifully in cream, syrups and processes into a […]

Golden & Sunny Fornacalia Bread: Goddess Magic for The Feast of The Ovens

February 15, 2019.Reading time 8 minutes.

When the landscape outside your window resembles an arctic tundra – as mine currently does – there is nothing better to turn to than warm bread fresh out of the oven. So appropriately, this hearty and flavour-filled loaf is dedicated to the Roman Goddess of Ovens, Fornax, and her February festival of baking. It’s a […]

Lavender & Rosemary Mascarpone Cake

January 17, 2019.Reading time 12 minutes.

There is nothing like cake to celebrate a special occasion and Imbolc (on February 1st) is no exception. And I think this “naked” sponge cake would be a wonderful addition to any Imbolc Feast! It’s kept gorgeously moist with brushings of lavender and rosemary syrup (between cake layers) but the slight tang of the Mascarpone […]

La Befana Cake: Honouring The Old Witch of Winter

December 18, 2018.Reading time 12 minutes.

Inspired by the many Italian cakes baked on Epiphany Eve as offerings to “La Befana”, this fruity golden cake (with a dash of spirit) is a Witches Cake. According to legend, Befana is an old witch who flies through the night of January 5th on her broom delivering presents to children. And as they lie […]