With menus and recipes for each of the ten sabbats, this is a major resource for anyone planning a dish for the countless potlucks we hold at every season. I began reading it with some fear and trepidation. When the authors began speaking of Medieval customs, I was terribly afraid that the recipes would concentrate on things like boar's heads and roast oxen, or whatever the Witches of Old might have at their seasonal gatherings. On the contrary, the recipes that Wood and Seefeldt include in this attractive collection tend to be simple and very good, at least to judge from those that I've sampled. And no, the ingredients are not at all exotic. I tried making latkes, which were quick and easy to mix in my medieval Cuisinart. With a bit of apple in the mix, they were very good. I also had no problems with soups, which were simple and delicious.
But the recipes are only the beginning. A fascinating introduction gives a positive, brief picture of Neo-Pagan Witchcraft, as background for anyone new to the Craft. Then, for each of the sabbats and for each recipe, there is an introduction, suggesting, among other things, rituals for blessing the meal and for invoking the appropriate Deities. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed reading the whole book, from cover to cover, which is something I've never done with any of the hundred-or-so other cookbooks sitting on my sagging shelves. This is likely to become my favorite cookbook, and I suspect it could be yours, too.
Not just a cookbook, this unusual publication outlines the spiritual relevance of the eight major pagan holidays and offers appropriate rituals, menus, and recipes for each occasion. The recipes are easy to follow and make use of ingredients at their seasonal peak. From dandelion wine to medieval honey cakes, the dishes preserve a culinary tradition closely connected to natural rhythms and enduring symbolism. The authors also include an appendix on growing an herb garden and a resource list of herb seed companies and nurseries. |