Beltane Recipes

Beltane Barley Casserole
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups barley
2 chopped onions
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup pine nuts
Melt butter in a skillet and saute the barley, stirring frequently until golden. Turn into a greased 3 quart casserole. Stir in the mushrooms, onions and peas. Add 3 cups of the chicken broth. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 1 hour. Stir in the pine nuts and the remaining cup of broth. Cover and bake for another 1-1/2 hours.

In ancient times, Beltane was celebrated as a time of love, fertility, and
passion. The ingredients in this special dish all have magickal meanings
related to lust, love, and prosperity/fertility. Treat yourself as part of
the ancient celebration or any time you and your soulmate want to celebrate
your life together.
Cook 1 minced clove of garlic in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat for
about 1 minute at you repeat the name of your beloved. Next, add 2 cups of
fresh spinach and cook for 3 minutes while you name as many as possible of
the traits you admire in your beloved. Strain any water from the spinach,
just as you would want any ill thoughts about your relationship removed from
your celebration meal.
In a wooden bowl, combine the spinach and garlic with 1 cup of cooked rice,
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 2 tablespoons rinsed, chopped
sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary fresh from your herb
garden.
Using 2 pieces of wax paper and a metal mallet, flatten 2 boneless chicken
breasts, pounding out any negative feelings you might otherwise bring to the
table. Spread the spinach mixture on each chicken breast, then roll up each
carefully, using toothpicks to make sure the filling is secure in each roll.
Then place the chicken rolls in a large skillet and cook on medium-high. As
the chicken cooks, add 1 cup chicken broth and simmer for 15 minutes while
you set your table with your best china and light red candles. Back at your
kitchen workings, mix 1 tablespoon corn starch and 2 tablespoons water and
stir as you wish your secret wish for the evening -- whether a commitment, a
kiss, or a baby! Next add the cornstarch and water to the skillet and cook
as the sauce thickens and the seeds of your wishes are planted.
Last, when you are ready to serve this dish, take a sharp, clean knife and
douse the blade under cool running water. Then slice the chicken rolls into
1-inch thick slices and spoon sauce on top. Look closely at the chicken
slices and note the spiral patterns, a symbol of rebirth. Now hurry before
your candles burn low!
Makes 4 servings. If you and your beloved can't eat that much, just freeze
the leftovers for later.

OATMEAL LACE COOKIES
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (either instant or quick-cooking)
Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter until well blended. Beat in flour, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in oats. Cover and refrigerate cookie dough 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough by tablespoonfuls between palms into balls. Place dough balls on baking sheets, spacing 3 1/2 inches apart (cookies will spread during baking). Using bottom of drinking glass as aid, flatten cookies to 1 1/2-inch rounds. Bake until cookies are golden brown, about 11 minutes.

Easy Oatmeal Bread
1 packet yeast
2 TBS honey (or molasses)
1 cup instant oatmeal
1TBS butter plus enough to coat pan
1 tsp salt
1cup unbleached flour plus enough for kneading
1 cup whole wheat flour
In a mixing bowl, combine yeast, honey and 1 cup warm water. Let sit until yeast is bubbly (5 minutes). Stir in oats and butter and let sit for 5 minutes.
Add salt and flours, stirring in 1/2 cup at a time. Knead dough into a soft blob, return it to bowl and cover bowl with a damp cloth. let rise until double in bulk (about 30 minutes).
Punch dough down and knead until smooth, adding reserved flour as needed.
Shape into a loaf, place in a buttered loaf pan, cover again and let rise. When loaf has doubled in bulk, place in the oven and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

Introduction

My name is Dani and I LOVE to cook!
I am the SAHM of 4. We homeschool so cooking and baking all together. Many of the recipes here we kitchen tested by both my 12 year old daughter and me.
I am creativing a cooking blog so I can share some of the yummy recipes I have created over the past few years. These are recipes I created either for our monthly potluck dinners, to feed our celiac friends (gluten free), to help my husband with his thyroid issues, and to be kid friendly. I am also posting some of my favorite pagan sabbat recipes.
I will answer anyones questions and try to explain things as clearly as I can.
Thanks!
Dani