Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen (26 page)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Salads

T
he following rather peculiar salad is, indeed, ancient—it was approved of by such Roman poets as Ovid and Martial.

Ancient Roman Aphrodisiac Salad

Salad

1 head of arugula (or a small head of cabbage)

Dressing

2 tablespoons vinegar

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic, finely chopped

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

Tear the arugula into small pieces. Combine the vinegar, olive oil, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour liquid over rocket. Serve with other amorous foods.

Yield:
4 to 6 servings, depending on the size of the arugula or cabbage.

Note:
If arugula is unavailable, cabbage can be substituted.

Magical uses:
Love.

Love Salad

This salad is a potent start of any amatory meal.

Salad

1
⁄
2
head of lettuce, torn in pieces

2 tomatoes, cut into wedges

6 radishes, sliced (about
1
⁄
4
cup)

2 stalks celery, chopped (about
1
⁄
4
cup)

French Caper Dressing:

1
⁄
3
cup red wine vinegar

3
⁄
4
teaspoon salt

1
⁄
4
teaspoon pepper, freshly ground

1 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon capers, chopped

To make the salad: place lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, and celery in large salad bowl and toss together. To make the French caper dressing: in a separate bowl, beat together the vinegar, salt, and pepper while adding the olive oil. Add capers, stir, and pour over salad. Toss and serve.

Yield:
4 servings.

Magical uses:
Love.

[contents]

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Soups

T
his soup really is green. Trust me, or try it yourself. Somehow, it seems perfect for Halloween.

Green Soup

1 cup fresh spinach

1
⁄
4
cup butter

1 cup celery, finely chopped

2 tablespoons chives, chopped

1
⁄
2
teaspoon dried tarragon

4 cups chicken broth

1
⁄
2
teaspoon sugar

1
⁄
2
teaspoon garlic salt

1 lemon, sliced

Triple wash spinach and finely chop. Set aside. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven. Add celery and sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chives, spinach, and tarragon and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, sugar, and garlic salt. Simmer for 30 minutes. Strain broth through a sieve to remove all fibrous vegetable matter. Ladle into bowls. Float 1 lemon slice on each serving.

Yield:
4 servings.

Magical uses:
Festival food—Halloween/Samhain.

Potatoes are not only nourishing, they are also an excellent protective food. Try this recipe.

Potato Soup

5 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 medium onions, finely chopped

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups water

1 tablespoon butter

1
⁄
2
cup flour

6 cups milk

5 slices bacon, chopped

Pepper

1 tablespoon dried parsley

In large saucepan place cubed potatoes and chopped onions. Add salt and cover with water. Cover, place over medium heat, and boil until potatoes are tender. Drain off water, replace cover, and set potatoes and onions aside. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir flour into melted butter. Slowly stir in the milk to make the sauce. Increase heat to high, stirring constantly until sauce is thickened. Reduce heat to low. Stir in potatoes and onions. Fry chopped bacon slices in a skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towel and stir into the soup, adding salt and pepper to taste. Serve in individual bowls and sprinkle with parsley flakes.

Yield:
6 servings.

Magical uses
: Protection, and healing.

Money Soup

This Money Soup recipe is inspired by the rites often performed on New Year's Eve to attract money during the next year. This version, however, can be used at any time and is quite delicious. The silver object is not eaten, of course, but is retrieved after it has infused the cabbage with money-attracting energies. The same object can be reused as often as desired.

1 quarter or a small silver object

2 cups water

1
1
⁄
2
tablespoons butter

1 large onion, minced

1 small head green cabbage, shredded

4 cups chicken stock

Salt

Pepper

Boil the quarter or silver object in the water to sterilize it; set aside. In a saucepan on low heat melt the butter. Add the minced onion and sauté until light brown. Add the shredded cabbage and cook until tender. Toss in the silver object. In a separate saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add boiling chicken stock to sautéed vegetables. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Yield:
6 servings.

Magical uses:
Money.

[contents]

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Vegetables &
Side Dishes

T
he following recipe is actually a simplified version of an even more complex food ritual in which several charms were baked into a special Halloween cake. This was then served to unmarried, young men and women. The type of charm that each received determined that person's future: a coin, wealth; a horseshoe, good luck; a thimble, spinsterhood; a button, bachelordom; a wishbone, the heart's desire. This custom hasn't yet completely disappeared. In this much simpler version, we use mashed potatoes.

Charmed Potatoes

1 coin or charm

5 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 teaspoon of salt

Water to cover potatoes

1
⁄
4
cup butter, melted

1
⁄
3
cup milk, warm

1 tablespoon salt

1
⁄
4
teaspoon pepper

Boil the charm. Let cool, and if you wish, wrap it in waxed paper. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain. Warm milk slowly in a saucepan. In a large bowl, mash potatoes until fluffy and free of lumps, slowly adding butter and milk. Add salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the potatoes in a serving bowl. Secretly insert the charm somewhere in the potatoes. The person who receives the charm will be quite lucky for the next month.

Yield:
4 to 6 servings.

Magical uses:
Festival food—Halloween/Samhain.

Hearts of Artichoke Pie

Did you know that artichokes are thistles? The famous Scottish flower is in the same family. The following delicious recipe, which resembles a quiche, takes advantage of both the artichoke and the onions' protective natures.

1 can (14
1
⁄
2
ounces) artichoke hearts

1 large onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs

1
⁄
3
cup light cream

1
⁄
2
pound Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese, grated

salt

pepper

1 pie shell, 9 inch

Drain and chop artichoke hearts, reserving liquid. Sauté the onion in butter and reserved liquid. Set aside. Whisk together the eggs and light cream. Add the artichokes, grated cheese, and onion mixture. Add a dash of salt and pepper. Pour into pie shell. Bake for 40 minutes at 350°F (177° C).

Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Magical uses:
Protection.

[contents]

Part Five

supplemental
material

T
hese tables summarize some of the information contained in part two. Additional foods here aren't mentioned elsewhere. For suggested foods related to magical changes, see
chapter 21
–31. For more complete information, check the index or look in
part two
.

Planetary Rulers

Sun

These foods are generally useful for healing; protection; success; magical and physical energy; strength; health; and spirituality.

Moon

These foods are generally useful for stimulating psychic awareness; healing; purification; promoting sleep; love; friendships; spirituality; fertility; peace; compassion.

Mercury

These foods are generally useful for strengthening the conscious mind; divination; studying; self-improvement; communication; wisdom.

Venus

These foods are generally useful for love; reconciliation; beauty; youth; peace and happiness; pleasure; “luck”; friendship; compassion; meditation.

Mars

These foods are useful for promoting protection; courage; aggression; physical and magical strength and sexual energy.

Jupiter

These foods are generally useful in promoting money; employment; and overall prosperity.

Saturn

These foods are generally useful for a variety of magical changes (see part two).

Beet

Cheese

Tamarind

Quince

Vinegar

Elemental Rulers

Earth

These foods are generally used to promote grounding; money and prosperity; fertility; healing; and employment.

Air

These foods are generally useful for strengthening the conscious mind.

Fire

These foods are generally used for promoting courage; protection; aggression; sex; and health.

Water

These foods are generally useful in promoting love; psychic awareness; peace and happiness; purification; healing; sleep and friendships.

Astrological Rulers

Plants have long been linked with the constellations of the Zodiac. In these tables, I've listed diets and some of the major foods which are “ruled” by the twelve signs.

Why include this information here? Many people wear colors and gemstones that are said to be related to their sign. In doing this, they hope to strengthen the positive aspects of their sun sign. These same persons may also choose to eat the foods suited to them, as governed by the stars above.

Aries

Taurus