ANCESTRAL FOOD. HERBAL WISDOM. MAGICAL COOKERY. SEASONAL CELEBRATION.
I’ve been busy making videos on foraging & eating wild spring greens over at Gather Victoria Patreon but in April with the entrance of Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, I’ll be paying homage to her flower. Yes, that spring seductress of the wild woodland – violet. Used in perfumes, enchantments and love-spells throughout the […]
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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 […]
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The wild spring greens are here! Jam-packed with “nutraceuticals” known to have antiviral, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, immune supportive and immune-stimulating properties, they’re absolutely free and grow abundantly outside your front door. And they’re delicious. From mild and sweet, tart and citrusy to peppery and oniony, wild greens add all kinds of flavour to your everyday meals. […]
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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 […]
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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 that determine whether she will help you- or hinder you […]
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The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) is an ornamental shrub that grows all over the PNW but its abundant, plush, juicy fruits just end up littering sidewalks. Seems no one remembers we’ve been eating these succulent fruits for thousands of years! Right now in the PNW the fruits are bright red & ripe with a mild, […]
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“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. Barmbrack is an Irish cake made with tea and spiced and speckled with berries, dried […]
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Halloween takes its roots in ancient festivals and feasts honouring the dead, like Samhain. This 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 […]
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One of my favourite herbs is the peppery hot wild mustard and I think it’s peppy flavour pairs perfectly with savoury potatoes and melted cheese – as in this Wild Mustard Tart. The fact that I dribbled the sweet sagey warmth of coastal mugwort infused honey (recipe here) over the top makes it just plain irresistible. […]
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My family background is pretty diverse (stretching across Europe from Spain, France, Greece to Eastern Europe and Russia) so I harvest and write about the many foods my ancestors have eaten for literally thousands of years. But I also resonate deeply with the food cultures of the Coast Salish Peoples whose territories I occupy. How […]
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A Bunyol is a Spanish sugared fritter, so these are Staghorn Sumac Sugar Bunyols. Imagine a warm doughnut (without the hole) rolled in a silky lemony tasting icing sugar and you’ve got the idea. A bunyol (or buñuelo) is a small yeasty bun traditionally enjoyed in Spain on All Saints Day (Nov.1st) which is dedicated to the memory of the […]
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Here’s another recipe from “Gather Cookbook” for Gather Patrons! I’m releasing a few of last year’s recipes to the Gather website – so the rest of you can see what you’re missing! First up was a Chunky Rose Petal Pesto (recipe here) and now these creamy & tangy yogurt mini-tarts. Made by processing wood sorrel leaves […]
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