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Beltane Crafts, Activities, and Recipes
Activities and Crafts
Jump the balefire. The bonfire, or need-fire, is one of the oldest Beltane traditions. When lighting the fire, use nine sacred woods from the following list:
oak, apple, hawthorn, birch, elder, ash, blackthorn, grape vine, mountain ash (rowan), holly, willow, cedar, yew, and hemlock.
Ashes from the balefire can be scattered in the fields as a fertility charm. Women wishing to conceive can tie a bag of the ashes around their necks. Traditionally, cattle and other animals were driven between two fires for protection, healing, and purification. Modern pagans can ritually purify tools or other things in the balefire. Jump the dying embers of the fire for summer blessings.
Dance around the maypole.
Gather the first wild herbs of the season.
Go a-Mayin' by going to the woods and fields to gather flowers. Take a picnic.
Wash your face in dew at sunrise on Beltane for beauty in the coming year. (Traditionally the dew from the hawthorn tree, but dew from grass and flowers will do.)
Make daisy chains and fresh flower wreaths and chaplets (head dresses) to wear and to place atop the maypole. Braid flowers in your hair. Make and wear leafy green masks to represent the Green Man who has returned.
Make a wish at the hawthorn tree, a tree associated with faeries. Place strips of cloth symbolizing your wish in the tree (the color should be appropriate to the nature of your wish, i.e. blue for health, pink or red for love, green or gold for prosperity). Take some time to attune to the tree. When you feel you have contacted its spirit, visualize your wish coming true as you hook the cloth on one of the tree's thorns, chanting your wish. When you have finished, leave a gift for the tree.
Make love in the woods. Beltane is the time of year when the Goddess and God consummate their passions. Traditionally it is a time when lovers pledge to live together for a year and a day. At the end of the period, they may part ways if things haven't worked out. If all has gone well, they may make plans for a handfasting at Midsummer.
Commune with the faeries.
Mark the boundaries of your circle with oatmeal, a traditional Beltane grain.
Decorate a tree in your garden or your local park with ribbons representing your wishes on them or those loved ones that you want to mention in your prayers
Braid bracelets out of red and white ribbons or red white and blue for the triple Goddess and give them as gifts to friends or family
Create your own Bel-fire by lighting a large red candle and dropping into it dried rosemary, lavender or rose petals. As you do so think about what your heart desires over the coming months and give thanks for all that you have in your life.
Visit a local sacred well or other water.
Have a plant swap with friends bringing some lovely variety to your home and garden.
Get creative with face painting. You can transform you and your loved ones into Greenmen and women! If you don’t want to paint your whole face green simple spirals drawn on with eye-liner can look just as effective.
Make a Green man mask. Firstly cut out a mask shape with holes for the eyes and mouth. Then start with a circle of leaves, glue them down around the outside and gradually build up layers as you move into the middle of the circle and the whole of the face is covered. You can use real leaves for this or cut some out of green paper or felt.
Make a Faery House for Beltane
Author Unknown
You will need.
Flat base, such as pieces of bark from tree.
Larger stone, sea shells, moss and other natural items to build the house with
Tiny stones, gravel etc. for walk ways
Tiny dried flowers, bag of potpourri works great
Anything natural that you find outdoors
Wood glue
Spray varnish
1. Start with the flat base. Choose items for a house and glue to base.
2. Add walkways, trees, flower beds, windows, antennas, gazing balls, swings, porches, little piles of fire wood, just let your imagination go wild.
3. Your house may be as simple or elaborate as you think your faeries would like it to be.
A Maypole Centerpiece
You will need...
A cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels
Heavy cardboard
Paint
Crepe paper in two or three colors (red and white are traditional)
Some small stones
Flowers for decorating
A ruler
Scissors
Tacky glue
Step One - Cut a circle from heavy cardboard about 1 1/4 inches larger than the diameter of the cardboard tube.
Step Two - Glue the cardboard tube to the center of the cardboard circle. Let dry.
Step Three - Paint the cardboard tube and the cardboard circle. Let the paint dry.
Step Four - Cut 2 pieces of each color of crepe paper, the length of the tube. Cut the crepe paper in half length-wise. Glue the crepe paper strips to the top inside of the tube alternating colors.
Step Four - Put some small stones inside the tube to add some weight so that it will not tip over.
Step Six - Decorate the top of your Maypole with flowers and more crepe paper if desired. Enjoy!
Possibly the most well known Beltane custom is that of the Maypole, made of great trees driven into the earth, which is said to represent the world center or the Tree of Life. It used to be that the Maypole was made from the communal pine tree from which all but the uppermost branches had been removed. Red and white ribbons were attached to the top (white for the Goddess and red for the God).
Traditionally, there were eight dancers (one person for each Sabbat), paired into four couples. The men would grasp the red ribbons and the women would grab the white ones; together they would weave the birth canal by moving in circles around the pole, weaving under each other's interlocked upheld arms in mock sexual union. The Maypole itself is the phallic symbol, impregnating the birth canal being woven around it by the dancers. Beltane circles were once constructed with the Maypole at the center and a balefire at a distance at one or all four cardinal points.
Because of the sexual connotations, Parliament made Maypoles illegal in Europe in 1644 but they came back with the Restoration and a 134 foot maypole was erected in the Strand in London.
Make Some Pressed Flowers
1. Selecting The Flowers
Garden flowers, leaves and ferns can be collected and pressed for use in making pictures or cards. A botanical collection can also be made with wild flowers but it is important for ecological reasons that you only take one or two common flowers from a spot where they are plentiful and never harvest rare or endangered flowers.
Flowers should be picked after mid-day when they are dry. They should be pressed as soon as possible after picking to avoid wilting. You will find through trial and error which flowers dry best? and which colors are lasting. Do not try to press a very thick flower... it would be best to disassemble and press just the petals. Remember... fresh flowers, press quickly and carefully, dry well, and use small flowers (or thin pieces of thicker flowers).
2. Pressing The Flowers
Flowers can be pressed between sheets of blotting paper and placed in a telephone book with weights.
A flower press can be used, consisting of layers of newsprint interleaved with corrugated cardboard. A press uses plywood board top and bottom, and pressure is applied by tightening the wing nuts on the four corner screws. Flowers are then carefully laid in the press, with plenty of newspaper between layers, and cardboard after every few layers. Leave them undisturbed for two or three weeks for best results.
Now you can place the flowers in a scrapbook or use them to decorate handmade papers, candles or other crafts.
Mother Earth Suet Holder
by Lynda Musante
One of the "duties" of Mother Earth is to provide for the wildlife of the world. Our wire holder will feed the wildlife in your own garden or backyard.
3" Wooden disk
3 Plastic coated wire hangers
16 Gauge wire
Plastic container or used margarine tub
Nail
Craft Snips
Sand paper
White glue
Bird seed
Pine cone
Peanut butter
Sand disk smooth. Spread glue on disk to seal wood. Allow to dry. To make wings, squeeze the hanger hook of one hanger closed. Pull the center of the hanger up to the hook of the hanger and loop it into the twisted section to secure. Bend hook over the loop. To assemble the body, straighten the hooks on two hangers and bend them at a right angle. They will become the arms. Insert one hanger crossways into the second hanger. Bend both arms forward.
Cut a 12" length of wire. Hold wings in position and wrap wire around all three hanger's
twisted sections to secure. Pull down the wide section of the two body hangers and flatten center area. Use nail to poke two holes 1" apart at the center point on each side of the plastic container bottom.
Cut four 3" lengths of wire and bend each piece into a "U" shape. Insert a wire "U" through one set of holes and position container over bent hanger. Twist wire to secure it to the hanger.
Repeat with three other sides. Fill container with birdseed. Spread a pinecone with peanut butter then squeeze arms together to hold it.
Your bird feeder can stand in the garden or hang. Glue disk to top for face.
Beltane Ideas and Activities
*** are also great to do with children
***Walk the perimeter of your property to check that everything is in good order. Bring trash bags and do a general clean up of anything that is not where it should be.
Make a miniature maypole for your altar if you can not make a full size version
Get a new mirror, or use one you have already, and decorate it with ribbons and flowers for your bedroom
Fill a cauldron or a large bowl with fresh flowers (wildflowers are best)
***Braid bracelets out of white ribbons and give them as gifts to friends or family
***Make a dish of fruits, berries, nuts and leave in the wood for the animals and fae folk to enjoy
Cut branches of fresh green from budding trees, or make garlands of flowers to decorate the home for this celebration. Hang them on the doors and windows early, so the may sunrise finds them there!
Create a special wreath for the top of the May Pole
***Make "May Day" baskets of flowers and leave on friends and family's doorsteps as a surprise gift. Maybe they'll think a faerie did it!
***Create hair pieces and garlands for decorating your head or around your neck from flowers that are in bloom
***Tie ribbons to trees to celebrate the coming of spring. Make a wish each time you tie a ribbon as its good luck to wish for things on this day!
Bathe your face in the morning dew to retain youth.
The fair maid who, the first of May
Goes to the fields at break of day
And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree
Will ever after handsome be.
Other sources suggest using the dew found under oaks or on ivy leaves. Make a special wish as you wash your face in it or as you drink from a well before sunrise.
***Dance the May Pole
During the Maypole dance, think about what you wish to weave into, or out of, your spirit. The Maypole is an ancient symbol of the male aspect of the Divine, while the ribbons are strands of life. Have small baskets of goodies around the room to symbolize the coming abundance and to enjoy after the Circle. Magic is hungry work. (from Trish Telesco's Victorian Grimoire http://www.amazon.com/exec/obido...aganplace)
Plant your frost sensitive bulbs now. Use the wonderful Bulb Planting Chant below.
Fun for the Kids
***fun for grownups too
Let your child dress up like the May Queen. Make a pointed hat with a large piece of paper rolled, and tape crepe paper streamer from the top. Decorate with crayons, stickers, and glitter.
Make easy wreaths for your head and for anyone who might celebrate Beltane with you.
Easy Wreath for Your Head
Need:
Gold, silver or other bendable garland found in stores at Yuletide/Xmas-this usually comes in stars, holly and other such designs
Curling ribbon
To do:
Measure around the head. Measure a piece of garland the same length plus 6 inches. Over lap 3 inches of each end and wrap one end around the other as tightly as possible. Cut lengths of curling ribbon about 4 feet long and tie onto the back side of the wreath. Tie so the ends of the ribbon are even and spaced about 1 inch apart. About one third of the way around. Curl the ribbons. Wear.
***Make some lovely garden furniture for the fae folk.
Fairy Furniture
May is a month that fairies love. Show them your appreciation and give the kids a great project by making them some furniture!
Items needed:
Twigs, vines, dried flowers
Needle and thread
Scrap material
Scissors
Hot glue gun-be sure little fingers are safe!
Pruners to cut the twigs-again watch those little fingers
Directions:
Decide what you're going to make. We'll make a chair, to give you an example. Cut the twigs in this manner - one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal length twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat. The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back)
Bend the long twig, and hot glue one of the smaller pieces in between the two ends where you want the seat to be. This will be the back of the seat. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; these will be the sides of the seat. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even. If you wish, wrap the vines around the chair back and legs. Cut the scrap material to form a "back" and a "seat" - these are NOT to be as wide as the chair, but will fit inside of the twigs. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch. Hot glue small dried flowers at the top of the chair. This technique can be used to make all kinds of fairy furniture, from tables to beds, to sofas - all of which are sure to delight your fairies as much as your children!
May Pole Candles
By Barbara Morris and GrannyMoon's Morning Feast Archives
You will need:
Lots of pretty ribbons
Tall white or green pillar candle
Gold or brass "Craft Bells"
Candle holder (stand)
Cut lengths of ribbon around 18 inches each, in pretty Springtime colors.(pastels) Tie a craft bell to each end of ribbon (a tooth pick helps this process) Tie ribbons starting
at 3/4 way down the pillar candle, knot three times, don't tie bows, you need lots of length on the ribbons. Tie as many as you like snaking your way up the candle, but leave at least 1/4 candle bare. Place in a candle stand that will raise the candle about 6 - 8 inches, so the ribbons can "drape" Swirl the bundle of ribbons so they face East, ready to greet the dawn on Beltane morn. Light candle and cheer the Spring time blessings to come. Keep a safe eye on candle & ribbons.
May Cone Basket
Author Unknown
You will need:
Construction paper
Glue or tape
Out of bright colored construction paper, cut a circle that is about 12 inches in diameter, and then cut a triangle or wedge out of the circle, allowing for a 1/2 inch overlap. Roll the paper into a cone and glue or tape the two sides together. Cut a strip of construction paper that is approx. 12 inches by 2 inches. Glue or tape it onto the top of your cone to make a handle. Fill your cone basket with real or homemade flowers and hang it on a neighbor's or friend's doorknob in the early morning while everyone is asleep.
Grapevine Beltane Ribbon Wreath
Create this decorative wreath in minutes! Choose your own colored ribbons and flowers for a personal touch and you'll have a custom made wreath that looks like it took hours to create, even though it didn't. Of course, you don't have to tell anyone that; it'll be our little secret!
Supplies:
12" grapevine wreath
5 to 7 ribbons, 3 yards in length each of various widths (3/8" to 5/8"
3 to 4 silk flowers with leaves
Floral wire
Glue
Directions:
Cut 1-1/4 yds. From each ribbon, set aside.
Holding bundle of ribbons together, wrap wire around middle of bundle. Secure to wreath at the top.
Starting at the middle, loosely braid ribbons. Loosely knot ends (Knots will be removed later).
Attach ribbon bundles to wreath as desired.
Bringing bundles together at bottom, secure on wreath with wire. Untie knots at end of braids.
Pulling gently, allow individual ribbons in bundles to loop as desired.
Trim ribbon to desired length.
With remaining lengths of ribbon, form a bow. Glue bow to bottom of wreath.
Glue flowers and leaves as desired.
Recipes
Elderflower Champagne
The ingredients you will need for your Beltane Elderflower Champagne are:
8 litres water
1.25 kg sugar
8 large elderflower heads
4 lemons
4 tablespoons mild white wine vinegar
To begin with you will need to go and pick your Elderflower blossoms. Be sure to thank the tree for giving you it’s flowers. If you are able to, then pick a nice sunny day to pick your elderflowers. As you do so give thanks to the sun for the warmth and light it provides. Be sure to thank the nature spirits dwelling within the Elder bushes for their delightful gift to you.
Now boil the water and dissolve the sugar into it. When the water is cool, add the elderflowers, juice of two of the lemons and slices of the other two, plus the vinegar. Be sure to rinse the elderflowers before using them.
Now you just need to cover with a clean cloth and leave for a day.
Once you have let your Elderflower Champagne for a day it is time to strain and bottle it. The best way to do this is to strain your Beltane champagne through a fine sieve or piece of muslin, carefully squeezing the flowers to extract as much flavour as you can. A sieve is fine if you don’t mind a few petals in your Elderflower Champagne
Now decant your drink into the bottles you are going to keep it in. Store your Beltain Elderflower Champagne in clean screw top bottles. Ensure that you screw the tops on very securely as this champagne is, by nature of it’s name, fizzy! You don’t want any exploding champagne bottles!
Leave the Beltaine champage for ten days before drinking as by this time, the natural yeasts from the flowers will have worked in conjunction with the sugar, and you will get a lovely, fizzy summer drink. This Beltane drink tastes wonderful with ice and lemon.
Your Beltane champagne is best drunk within a month. The elderflower champagne is still ‘live’ and continuing to ferment, so the longer it is stored the more alcoholic (and drier) it will become. So how long you leave it before drinking is a matter of your personal taste.
This is a fabulous drink to enjoy at any time, drink it or use it as part of your celebrations on the 1st May, Beltane. The elderflower champagne would also be a wonderful Beltane gift to give to friends and family. It would also be a wonderful drink to celebrate a May handfasting. Enjoy the fun of collecting your elderflowers and making this beautiful elderflower champagne.
ASPARAGUS WITH CHIVES AND BLOSSOMS
1 pound Asparagus, washed
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, snipped
16 Chive Blossoms
1/2 teaspoon Soy Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
Blanch the asparagus in lightly salted boiling water for about 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; do not overcook. Refresh under very cold water and drain well. Remove the chive stalks to separate the flowers. In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the sesame seed. Stir for 1 minute, add the snipped chives, and stir for 1 minute more. Add the asparagus and soy sauce to the skillet with a few pinches of salt and generous grindings of pepper; stir well, cover, and cook for a minute or so. Remove the lid, sprinkle the chive blooms over the asparagus, and cover for 1 to 2 minutes so that the chive blooms steam briefly. Stir lightly and taste for seasoning. Serve hot. Comments: Bright lavender chive blossoms begin to bloom in the garden about the time the asparagus bed is at its peak. Hence, this is a natural combination and a simply tasty dish. Since chive blossoms are so strong in flavor, add them at the last minute in this recipe. Source: FLOWERS IN THE KITCHEN by Susan Belsinger
CHICKEN BARLEY STEW WITH HERBS
2-3 LB chicken breasts on the bone
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 LB leeks (3-4 large ones, 4-5 little ones) thickly cut. May substitute onions
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
6 oz barley
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 3/4 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 Tablespoon dried sage
Comment: This is originally an Anglo-Saxon recipe. The original calls for rabbit, but chicken is just as good.
In a large Dutch Oven, melt the butter, then fry the leeks and garlic in the butter. Add the chicken and brown. Add remaining ingredients, reserving the sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from pot and let cool. Remove meat from bones and add back to the pot. Add sage. Stir well and serve. Serves 8
MEDALLIONS OF PORK WITH RIESLING SAUCE
12 ounces Pork tenderloin, cut into 1" rounds
Flour
4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
1 Onion, thinly sliced
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Dry Riesling wine
1/2 cup Raisins
3 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Green peppercorns, ground
1/2 teaspoon thyme, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano, minced
1/4 cup butter, chilled & cut into pieces
1/4 cup Pine nuts, toasted
Season pork with salt and pepper. Coat in flour; shake off excess. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl. Melt remaining 2 Tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sauté about 4 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Add onion mixture, wine, green peppercorns and herbs to same skillet and boil until sauce thickens, about 4 minutes. Add pork to skillet and heat through. Divide pork among plates. Add 1/4 cup chilled butter to sauce in skillet and whisk just until melted. Mix in pine nuts. Spoon sauce over pork and serve.
Dandelion Salad
1 Dishpan full of young dandelion leaves
4 Strips of bacon
1/2 c Sugar
2 T Flour
1 ea Egg beaten
1 t Salt
1/2 c Vinegar
1 1/2 c Water
3 ea Eggs, hard boiled, diced
Wash, drain, and cut up tender dandelion leaves. Brown bacon; remove drippings and crumble Combine sugar and flour. Add egg, salt, vinegar, and water and mix until smooth. Pour into bacon drippings and heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Pour warm dressing over dandelion. add crumbled bacon and hard boild eggs. Toss lightly and serve immediatly.
Beltane Bread
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and combine:
4 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
2 cups sugar
1 tube almond paste
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 eggs
When dough is worked to medium soft, shape into flattened balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool, ice with white Solar Cross. You could try this as a single loaf. I also like to make an almond biscuit with biscuit mix, almond extract, sugar, cinnamon, and eggs, but in smaller proportions. Source: Ann Moura Aoumiel's book Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft, Llewellyn Publications, 1996
Elder Flower Fritters- Medieval England
From Wisteria's Faery Recipes
The French use elder flowers to pack apples. They claim that this enhances the flavor.1 egg
1 cup self-rising flour
1 teaspoon Rose Water
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup honey
2 cups elder flowers, freshly picked & cleaned
2 tablespoons brandy
Mix the egg, rose water, honey, & brandy in a medium sized bowl. Stir in the flour & cinnamon; the batter should resemble slightly thick pancake batter. If the batter is too thin, add a little more flour; if too thick, add more brandy. Fold in the elder flowers. Fry like pancakes or drop by the teaspoon into a deep-fat-fryer until golden brown. Serve with a sprinkling of orange water & fresh lemon, or dip into fresh sweet cream. Yield: About 2 dozen
Note: If you are not using self-rising flour, add 1 teaspoon baking powder & 1/2 teaspoon salt. Variation: If you can't find elder flowers, substitute 1 cup finely diced apples & a hint of fresh mint for similar magical effects. Magical Attributes: Protection from Faery folk, trust, beauty, energy for attraction, & magical ambience. Can also be eaten on Lammas, St. Valentines Day, or Hallow's Eve.
Fried Honey Cakes
These cakes are not unlike those made on the night before Beltane by women around the turn of the century. These cakes were left in the garden to please Faery visitors.
1/2 cup sweet white wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 cup honey
2/3 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Oil for frying
1/8 teaspoon salt
Beat the wine & egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt & sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine the honey & nutmeg in a small bowl. Heat 1/2-inch of the oil in a frying pan until hot, but not smoking. Drop the batter into the oil 1 tablespoon at a time; fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dip into the honey.
Yield: 1 1/2 Dozen.
Wildflower Pound Cake
1 C Butter
1-1/2 C Flour
1 Tsp Vanilla or Lemon Extract
5 Eggs separated
1-1/2 C Powdered Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 C Assorted Edible Flower Petals- small pieces
Cream the Butter. Sift flour and add gradually to the butter. Beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon colored, add sugar gradually. Combine mixtures. Beat egg whites until stiff to add to mixture. Sift baking powder over mixture beat thoroughly. Fold in fresh flower pieces. Turn into a buttered deep cake pan, bake one hour at 350 degrees. Note: Garnish with fresh flowers.
Beltane Lemon Curd Mousse Cake
To make the shortbread cookie crumbs for the crust, seal the cookies in a heavy plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs.
Servings: Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Ingredients:
Curd:
2 1/3 cups sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup fresh lemon juice
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Crust:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs- about 7 1/2 ounces
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
Mousse:
5 tablespoons water
4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
Lemon slices, cut into quarters for garnish
Preparation:
For curd:
Mix sugar and cornstarch in heavy large saucepan. Gradually add lemon juice, whisking until all cornstarch dissolves. Whisk in eggs and yolks. Add butter. Stir over medium heat until curd thickens and boils, about 12 minutes. Transfer
to medium bowl. Chill until cold, at least 6 hours - Can be made 1 week ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of curd and keep chilled.
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 8-inch-diameter springform pan with nonstick spray. Blend cookie crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press onto bottom of pan. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool.
For mousse:
Pour 5 tablespoons water into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place 1 3/4 cups lemon curd in large bowl. Stir 3/4 cup curd in another small saucepan over medium-low heat until very warm.
Stir gelatin mixture over medium-low heat until dissolved and liquid is clear-do not boil. Whisk warm gelatin mixture into 3/4 cup warm curd. Gradually whisk gelatin-curd mixture into curd in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until whites are thick and glossy. Fold whites into curd mixture in 3 additions. Using same beaters, beat cream in another medium bowl until peaks form. Fold into egg white-curd mixture in 3 additions. Pour enough mousse over cooled crust to fill pan completely. Pour remaining mousse into small bowl and reserve. Cover and chill mousse cake, reserved mousse, and remaining curd overnight.
Using long thin knife, cut around cake to loosen. Remove pan sides. Gently spread 3/4 cup of remaining curd over cake. Transfer reserved mousse to pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe rosettes of mousse around top edge of cake. Chill cake until ready to serve- Can be made up to 8 hours ahead. Arrange lemon slices between rosettes. Cut cake into wedges. From Bon Appétit
Strawberry Crisp
1 c Uncooked Oatmeal
1 c All purpose Flour
1 c Brown Sugar
1/4 c Chopped Walnuts
1/2 c Butter or margarine
1/2 c Sugar
3 c Sliced fresh or frozen Strawberry
Mix together oatmeal, flour and brown sugar. Add nuts. Cut in butter or margarine until crumbly. In another bowl, mix strawberries and white sugar together. Grease an 8" square pan. Spread half the crumb mixture on bottom. Cover with strawberries. Spread remaining crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 deg F oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or topping.
Jam Filled Lemon Tarts
from Auramooth's Wiccan Page
1-3oz package softened cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Add sugar and lemon.
1 cup flour
Mix in flour. Gather dough into two balls, chill one hour. Roll out dough, cutting 2" disks out with cutter. Spoon 1/4" of jam into center of disc. Gather edges into three equally spaced corners-like a tricorn hat-and roll pointsover slightly, pinching shut. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Tasty jam: rhubarb ginger, apricot, cherry, etc. geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCD.html
Beltane Marigold Custard
from Wicca:A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham
2 cups milk
1 cup unsprayed marigold petals
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 to 2 inch piece vanilla bean
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. rose water
Whipped cream
Using a clean mortar and pestal reserved for cooking purposes, pound marigold petals. Or, crush with a spoon. Mix the salt sugar and spices together. Scald milk with the marigolds and the vanilla bean. Remove the vanilla bean and add the egg yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with fresh marigold petals.
MEADE
1 gallon Water
4 pounds Honey
6 Cloves
2 Sticks cinnamon
Juice & peel from one lemon
1 teaspoon Activated dry yeast
In a large nonreactive pot, add the next four ingredients to the gallon of water. Boil all together for 30 minutes, then strain into a crock that will hold it with a little room to spare. When cooled, add the yeast, dissolved in some of the liquid. Allow to ferment in a cool place - 55 degrees is ideal - until it ceases bubbling and the liquor clears, then bottle, cap tightly and store in a cool, dark cellar. It should not be used for at least a month, and longer is better. This meade, unlike many other drinks, does not improve with really long aging, so it should be consumed within a year of the time it was made.
Beltane Dandelion Delight
This lovely spring tonic makes good use of pesky weeds to rejuvenate the body with the earth's reawakening. Dandelions are high in vitamins and legends claim that Hecate once entertained Theses with dandelion water. Magickal Attributes: divination, wind magick, wishes and goals, communicating with the Spirit World.
Ingredients:
3 C Dandelion Petals
1 Gallon Orange Juice
Juice of One Lemon
1/4 C Sugar
Ginger Ale (optional)
Clean off the dandelion petals with cool water. In the meantime, warm the orange juice and lemon together, then add dandelions. Make certain you only have petals (no green parts). Add the sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved: strain juices and chill. Add ginger ale for a light bubbly drink.
VARIATIONS: Prepare this recipe with lemonade instead of orange juice and juice of one orange instead of a lemon. This is refreshing, purifying quality and poured over crushed ice, is wonderful on a hot summer day.
May Wine
INGREDIENTS:
1 bottle of white wine- German is ideal
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
12 sprigs of Woodruff, fresh
PREPARATION:
Pour wine into a wide mouth jar or carafe. Add the sliced strawberries and woodruff, and let sit for an hour or more. Strain and serve chilled
Strawberry Cookies
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
red and green food coloring
Cream the sugar and shortening until fluffy, on medium speed if using an electronic mixer. Beat in egg, milk, zest, and extract. Sift flour and powder together in a bowl and gradually add to the other mix. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Half dough and put the other half back in the fridge. Form dough into flattened balls and roll to 1/8 inch on a floured surface. Using strawberry-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and cut out little indentations like strawberry seeds if desired.
Put 1 tablespoon of water into each of two dishes and add a few drops of each color of food coloring. Paint the cookies with a paintbrush using the colors, making the body of the strawberry red and the stem and leaves green. Bake them on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes, then cool on racks. Repeat the process with the other half of the dough.
Yield: 5 dozen
May Serpent Cake
The serpent or snake is a symbol of May because of its ancient association with fertility. This association dates back to the earliest Pagan religions, and though later religions cropped up casting the serpent in a deceitful role, the Earth religions still honor the snake as a blessed creature this time of year. Its way of slithering along the body of the Earth made it an obvious phallic symbol, and May Day is full of such symbols (the maypole being the most well-known one).
The holiday of Beltane comes on the first of May and encourages those who celebrate life to greet spring's bounty with festivities, and that of course always involves food. This snake-shaped cake, incorporating appropriate seasonal ingredients, is a wonderful addition to a party table.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
The zest of one orange
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons honey, boiling
1/2 cup strong espresso coffee
1 egg
1/3 cup amaretto or rum
1/3 cup wild cherry or raspberry jam
Garnish: 4 coffee beans and some candied orange peel, in slices
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400º F. Mix the sugar, spices, zest, soda, and salt into the flour in a bowl. Cut in the butter until little pebbles form. Pour in the honey, coffee, and liqueur, and mix in the egg. Mix the batter until everything is evenly distributed and you have a nice soft dough. Let it cool. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide in half. Roll one half into an 18-inch rope. Make a deep trough down the center and fill it with jam. Seal it by bringing the edges up over the jam and pressing the seam together. Then flip it seam-side-down onto a parchment-paper-covered baking sheet. Arrange the snake in a circle, but don't press the ends together. Make one end tapered like the end of a snake's tail, and make the other end triangular like a snake's head. Press in coffee beans for eyes and orange rind for scales if desired. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough and bake them for 30 minutes.
Beltane Crafts, Activities, and Recipes
Activities and Crafts
Jump the balefire. The bonfire, or need-fire, is one of the oldest Beltane traditions. When lighting the fire, use nine sacred woods from the following list:
oak, apple, hawthorn, birch, elder, ash, blackthorn, grape vine, mountain ash (rowan), holly, willow, cedar, yew, and hemlock.
Ashes from the balefire can be scattered in the fields as a fertility charm. Women wishing to conceive can tie a bag of the ashes around their necks. Traditionally, cattle and other animals were driven between two fires for protection, healing, and purification. Modern pagans can ritually purify tools or other things in the balefire. Jump the dying embers of the fire for summer blessings.
Dance around the maypole.
Gather the first wild herbs of the season.
Go a-Mayin' by going to the woods and fields to gather flowers. Take a picnic.
Wash your face in dew at sunrise on Beltane for beauty in the coming year. (Traditionally the dew from the hawthorn tree, but dew from grass and flowers will do.)
Make daisy chains and fresh flower wreaths and chaplets (head dresses) to wear and to place atop the maypole. Braid flowers in your hair. Make and wear leafy green masks to represent the Green Man who has returned.
Make a wish at the hawthorn tree, a tree associated with faeries. Place strips of cloth symbolizing your wish in the tree (the color should be appropriate to the nature of your wish, i.e. blue for health, pink or red for love, green or gold for prosperity). Take some time to attune to the tree. When you feel you have contacted its spirit, visualize your wish coming true as you hook the cloth on one of the tree's thorns, chanting your wish. When you have finished, leave a gift for the tree.
Make love in the woods. Beltane is the time of year when the Goddess and God consummate their passions. Traditionally it is a time when lovers pledge to live together for a year and a day. At the end of the period, they may part ways if things haven't worked out. If all has gone well, they may make plans for a handfasting at Midsummer.
Commune with the faeries.
Mark the boundaries of your circle with oatmeal, a traditional Beltane grain.
Decorate a tree in your garden or your local park with ribbons representing your wishes on them or those loved ones that you want to mention in your prayers
Braid bracelets out of red and white ribbons or red white and blue for the triple Goddess and give them as gifts to friends or family
Create your own Bel-fire by lighting a large red candle and dropping into it dried rosemary, lavender or rose petals. As you do so think about what your heart desires over the coming months and give thanks for all that you have in your life.
Visit a local sacred well or other water.
Have a plant swap with friends bringing some lovely variety to your home and garden.
Get creative with face painting. You can transform you and your loved ones into Greenmen and women! If you don’t want to paint your whole face green simple spirals drawn on with eye-liner can look just as effective.
Make a Green man mask. Firstly cut out a mask shape with holes for the eyes and mouth. Then start with a circle of leaves, glue them down around the outside and gradually build up layers as you move into the middle of the circle and the whole of the face is covered. You can use real leaves for this or cut some out of green paper or felt.
Make a Faery House for Beltane
Author Unknown
You will need.
Flat base, such as pieces of bark from tree.
Larger stone, sea shells, moss and other natural items to build the house with
Tiny stones, gravel etc. for walk ways
Tiny dried flowers, bag of potpourri works great
Anything natural that you find outdoors
Wood glue
Spray varnish
1. Start with the flat base. Choose items for a house and glue to base.
2. Add walkways, trees, flower beds, windows, antennas, gazing balls, swings, porches, little piles of fire wood, just let your imagination go wild.
3. Your house may be as simple or elaborate as you think your faeries would like it to be.
A Maypole Centerpiece
You will need...
A cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels
Heavy cardboard
Paint
Crepe paper in two or three colors (red and white are traditional)
Some small stones
Flowers for decorating
A ruler
Scissors
Tacky glue
Step One - Cut a circle from heavy cardboard about 1 1/4 inches larger than the diameter of the cardboard tube.
Step Two - Glue the cardboard tube to the center of the cardboard circle. Let dry.
Step Three - Paint the cardboard tube and the cardboard circle. Let the paint dry.
Step Four - Cut 2 pieces of each color of crepe paper, the length of the tube. Cut the crepe paper in half length-wise. Glue the crepe paper strips to the top inside of the tube alternating colors.
Step Four - Put some small stones inside the tube to add some weight so that it will not tip over.
Step Six - Decorate the top of your Maypole with flowers and more crepe paper if desired. Enjoy!
Possibly the most well known Beltane custom is that of the Maypole, made of great trees driven into the earth, which is said to represent the world center or the Tree of Life. It used to be that the Maypole was made from the communal pine tree from which all but the uppermost branches had been removed. Red and white ribbons were attached to the top (white for the Goddess and red for the God).
Traditionally, there were eight dancers (one person for each Sabbat), paired into four couples. The men would grasp the red ribbons and the women would grab the white ones; together they would weave the birth canal by moving in circles around the pole, weaving under each other's interlocked upheld arms in mock sexual union. The Maypole itself is the phallic symbol, impregnating the birth canal being woven around it by the dancers. Beltane circles were once constructed with the Maypole at the center and a balefire at a distance at one or all four cardinal points.
Because of the sexual connotations, Parliament made Maypoles illegal in Europe in 1644 but they came back with the Restoration and a 134 foot maypole was erected in the Strand in London.
Make Some Pressed Flowers
1. Selecting The Flowers
Garden flowers, leaves and ferns can be collected and pressed for use in making pictures or cards. A botanical collection can also be made with wild flowers but it is important for ecological reasons that you only take one or two common flowers from a spot where they are plentiful and never harvest rare or endangered flowers.
Flowers should be picked after mid-day when they are dry. They should be pressed as soon as possible after picking to avoid wilting. You will find through trial and error which flowers dry best? and which colors are lasting. Do not try to press a very thick flower... it would be best to disassemble and press just the petals. Remember... fresh flowers, press quickly and carefully, dry well, and use small flowers (or thin pieces of thicker flowers).
2. Pressing The Flowers
Flowers can be pressed between sheets of blotting paper and placed in a telephone book with weights.
A flower press can be used, consisting of layers of newsprint interleaved with corrugated cardboard. A press uses plywood board top and bottom, and pressure is applied by tightening the wing nuts on the four corner screws. Flowers are then carefully laid in the press, with plenty of newspaper between layers, and cardboard after every few layers. Leave them undisturbed for two or three weeks for best results.
Now you can place the flowers in a scrapbook or use them to decorate handmade papers, candles or other crafts.
Mother Earth Suet Holder
by Lynda Musante
One of the "duties" of Mother Earth is to provide for the wildlife of the world. Our wire holder will feed the wildlife in your own garden or backyard.
3" Wooden disk
3 Plastic coated wire hangers
16 Gauge wire
Plastic container or used margarine tub
Nail
Craft Snips
Sand paper
White glue
Bird seed
Pine cone
Peanut butter
Sand disk smooth. Spread glue on disk to seal wood. Allow to dry. To make wings, squeeze the hanger hook of one hanger closed. Pull the center of the hanger up to the hook of the hanger and loop it into the twisted section to secure. Bend hook over the loop. To assemble the body, straighten the hooks on two hangers and bend them at a right angle. They will become the arms. Insert one hanger crossways into the second hanger. Bend both arms forward.
Cut a 12" length of wire. Hold wings in position and wrap wire around all three hanger's
twisted sections to secure. Pull down the wide section of the two body hangers and flatten center area. Use nail to poke two holes 1" apart at the center point on each side of the plastic container bottom.
Cut four 3" lengths of wire and bend each piece into a "U" shape. Insert a wire "U" through one set of holes and position container over bent hanger. Twist wire to secure it to the hanger.
Repeat with three other sides. Fill container with birdseed. Spread a pinecone with peanut butter then squeeze arms together to hold it.
Your bird feeder can stand in the garden or hang. Glue disk to top for face.
Beltane Ideas and Activities
*** are also great to do with children
***Walk the perimeter of your property to check that everything is in good order. Bring trash bags and do a general clean up of anything that is not where it should be.
Make a miniature maypole for your altar if you can not make a full size version
Get a new mirror, or use one you have already, and decorate it with ribbons and flowers for your bedroom
Fill a cauldron or a large bowl with fresh flowers (wildflowers are best)
***Braid bracelets out of white ribbons and give them as gifts to friends or family
***Make a dish of fruits, berries, nuts and leave in the wood for the animals and fae folk to enjoy
Cut branches of fresh green from budding trees, or make garlands of flowers to decorate the home for this celebration. Hang them on the doors and windows early, so the may sunrise finds them there!
Create a special wreath for the top of the May Pole
***Make "May Day" baskets of flowers and leave on friends and family's doorsteps as a surprise gift. Maybe they'll think a faerie did it!
***Create hair pieces and garlands for decorating your head or around your neck from flowers that are in bloom
***Tie ribbons to trees to celebrate the coming of spring. Make a wish each time you tie a ribbon as its good luck to wish for things on this day!
Bathe your face in the morning dew to retain youth.
The fair maid who, the first of May
Goes to the fields at break of day
And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree
Will ever after handsome be.
Other sources suggest using the dew found under oaks or on ivy leaves. Make a special wish as you wash your face in it or as you drink from a well before sunrise.
***Dance the May Pole
During the Maypole dance, think about what you wish to weave into, or out of, your spirit. The Maypole is an ancient symbol of the male aspect of the Divine, while the ribbons are strands of life. Have small baskets of goodies around the room to symbolize the coming abundance and to enjoy after the Circle. Magic is hungry work. (from Trish Telesco's Victorian Grimoire http://www.amazon.com/exec/obido...aganplace)
Plant your frost sensitive bulbs now. Use the wonderful Bulb Planting Chant below.
Fun for the Kids
***fun for grownups too
Let your child dress up like the May Queen. Make a pointed hat with a large piece of paper rolled, and tape crepe paper streamer from the top. Decorate with crayons, stickers, and glitter.
Make easy wreaths for your head and for anyone who might celebrate Beltane with you.
Easy Wreath for Your Head
Need:
Gold, silver or other bendable garland found in stores at Yuletide/Xmas-this usually comes in stars, holly and other such designs
Curling ribbon
To do:
Measure around the head. Measure a piece of garland the same length plus 6 inches. Over lap 3 inches of each end and wrap one end around the other as tightly as possible. Cut lengths of curling ribbon about 4 feet long and tie onto the back side of the wreath. Tie so the ends of the ribbon are even and spaced about 1 inch apart. About one third of the way around. Curl the ribbons. Wear.
***Make some lovely garden furniture for the fae folk.
Fairy Furniture
May is a month that fairies love. Show them your appreciation and give the kids a great project by making them some furniture!
Items needed:
Twigs, vines, dried flowers
Needle and thread
Scrap material
Scissors
Hot glue gun-be sure little fingers are safe!
Pruners to cut the twigs-again watch those little fingers
Directions:
Decide what you're going to make. We'll make a chair, to give you an example. Cut the twigs in this manner - one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal length twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat. The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back)
Bend the long twig, and hot glue one of the smaller pieces in between the two ends where you want the seat to be. This will be the back of the seat. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; these will be the sides of the seat. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even. If you wish, wrap the vines around the chair back and legs. Cut the scrap material to form a "back" and a "seat" - these are NOT to be as wide as the chair, but will fit inside of the twigs. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch. Hot glue small dried flowers at the top of the chair. This technique can be used to make all kinds of fairy furniture, from tables to beds, to sofas - all of which are sure to delight your fairies as much as your children!
May Pole Candles
By Barbara Morris and GrannyMoon's Morning Feast Archives
You will need:
Lots of pretty ribbons
Tall white or green pillar candle
Gold or brass "Craft Bells"
Candle holder (stand)
Cut lengths of ribbon around 18 inches each, in pretty Springtime colors.(pastels) Tie a craft bell to each end of ribbon (a tooth pick helps this process) Tie ribbons starting
at 3/4 way down the pillar candle, knot three times, don't tie bows, you need lots of length on the ribbons. Tie as many as you like snaking your way up the candle, but leave at least 1/4 candle bare. Place in a candle stand that will raise the candle about 6 - 8 inches, so the ribbons can "drape" Swirl the bundle of ribbons so they face East, ready to greet the dawn on Beltane morn. Light candle and cheer the Spring time blessings to come. Keep a safe eye on candle & ribbons.
May Cone Basket
Author Unknown
You will need:
Construction paper
Glue or tape
Out of bright colored construction paper, cut a circle that is about 12 inches in diameter, and then cut a triangle or wedge out of the circle, allowing for a 1/2 inch overlap. Roll the paper into a cone and glue or tape the two sides together. Cut a strip of construction paper that is approx. 12 inches by 2 inches. Glue or tape it onto the top of your cone to make a handle. Fill your cone basket with real or homemade flowers and hang it on a neighbor's or friend's doorknob in the early morning while everyone is asleep.
Grapevine Beltane Ribbon Wreath
Create this decorative wreath in minutes! Choose your own colored ribbons and flowers for a personal touch and you'll have a custom made wreath that looks like it took hours to create, even though it didn't. Of course, you don't have to tell anyone that; it'll be our little secret!
Supplies:
12" grapevine wreath
5 to 7 ribbons, 3 yards in length each of various widths (3/8" to 5/8"
3 to 4 silk flowers with leaves
Floral wire
Glue
Directions:
Cut 1-1/4 yds. From each ribbon, set aside.
Holding bundle of ribbons together, wrap wire around middle of bundle. Secure to wreath at the top.
Starting at the middle, loosely braid ribbons. Loosely knot ends (Knots will be removed later).
Attach ribbon bundles to wreath as desired.
Bringing bundles together at bottom, secure on wreath with wire. Untie knots at end of braids.
Pulling gently, allow individual ribbons in bundles to loop as desired.
Trim ribbon to desired length.
With remaining lengths of ribbon, form a bow. Glue bow to bottom of wreath.
Glue flowers and leaves as desired.
Recipes
Elderflower Champagne
The ingredients you will need for your Beltane Elderflower Champagne are:
8 litres water
1.25 kg sugar
8 large elderflower heads
4 lemons
4 tablespoons mild white wine vinegar
To begin with you will need to go and pick your Elderflower blossoms. Be sure to thank the tree for giving you it’s flowers. If you are able to, then pick a nice sunny day to pick your elderflowers. As you do so give thanks to the sun for the warmth and light it provides. Be sure to thank the nature spirits dwelling within the Elder bushes for their delightful gift to you.
Now boil the water and dissolve the sugar into it. When the water is cool, add the elderflowers, juice of two of the lemons and slices of the other two, plus the vinegar. Be sure to rinse the elderflowers before using them.
Now you just need to cover with a clean cloth and leave for a day.
Once you have let your Elderflower Champagne for a day it is time to strain and bottle it. The best way to do this is to strain your Beltane champagne through a fine sieve or piece of muslin, carefully squeezing the flowers to extract as much flavour as you can. A sieve is fine if you don’t mind a few petals in your Elderflower Champagne
Now decant your drink into the bottles you are going to keep it in. Store your Beltain Elderflower Champagne in clean screw top bottles. Ensure that you screw the tops on very securely as this champagne is, by nature of it’s name, fizzy! You don’t want any exploding champagne bottles!
Leave the Beltaine champage for ten days before drinking as by this time, the natural yeasts from the flowers will have worked in conjunction with the sugar, and you will get a lovely, fizzy summer drink. This Beltane drink tastes wonderful with ice and lemon.
Your Beltane champagne is best drunk within a month. The elderflower champagne is still ‘live’ and continuing to ferment, so the longer it is stored the more alcoholic (and drier) it will become. So how long you leave it before drinking is a matter of your personal taste.
This is a fabulous drink to enjoy at any time, drink it or use it as part of your celebrations on the 1st May, Beltane. The elderflower champagne would also be a wonderful Beltane gift to give to friends and family. It would also be a wonderful drink to celebrate a May handfasting. Enjoy the fun of collecting your elderflowers and making this beautiful elderflower champagne.
ASPARAGUS WITH CHIVES AND BLOSSOMS
1 pound Asparagus, washed
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, snipped
16 Chive Blossoms
1/2 teaspoon Soy Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
Blanch the asparagus in lightly salted boiling water for about 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; do not overcook. Refresh under very cold water and drain well. Remove the chive stalks to separate the flowers. In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the sesame seed. Stir for 1 minute, add the snipped chives, and stir for 1 minute more. Add the asparagus and soy sauce to the skillet with a few pinches of salt and generous grindings of pepper; stir well, cover, and cook for a minute or so. Remove the lid, sprinkle the chive blooms over the asparagus, and cover for 1 to 2 minutes so that the chive blooms steam briefly. Stir lightly and taste for seasoning. Serve hot. Comments: Bright lavender chive blossoms begin to bloom in the garden about the time the asparagus bed is at its peak. Hence, this is a natural combination and a simply tasty dish. Since chive blossoms are so strong in flavor, add them at the last minute in this recipe. Source: FLOWERS IN THE KITCHEN by Susan Belsinger
CHICKEN BARLEY STEW WITH HERBS
2-3 LB chicken breasts on the bone
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 LB leeks (3-4 large ones, 4-5 little ones) thickly cut. May substitute onions
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
6 oz barley
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 3/4 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 Tablespoon dried sage
Comment: This is originally an Anglo-Saxon recipe. The original calls for rabbit, but chicken is just as good.
In a large Dutch Oven, melt the butter, then fry the leeks and garlic in the butter. Add the chicken and brown. Add remaining ingredients, reserving the sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from pot and let cool. Remove meat from bones and add back to the pot. Add sage. Stir well and serve. Serves 8
MEDALLIONS OF PORK WITH RIESLING SAUCE
12 ounces Pork tenderloin, cut into 1" rounds
Flour
4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter
1 Onion, thinly sliced
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Dry Riesling wine
1/2 cup Raisins
3 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Green peppercorns, ground
1/2 teaspoon thyme, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano, minced
1/4 cup butter, chilled & cut into pieces
1/4 cup Pine nuts, toasted
Season pork with salt and pepper. Coat in flour; shake off excess. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl. Melt remaining 2 Tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sauté about 4 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Add onion mixture, wine, green peppercorns and herbs to same skillet and boil until sauce thickens, about 4 minutes. Add pork to skillet and heat through. Divide pork among plates. Add 1/4 cup chilled butter to sauce in skillet and whisk just until melted. Mix in pine nuts. Spoon sauce over pork and serve.
Dandelion Salad
1 Dishpan full of young dandelion leaves
4 Strips of bacon
1/2 c Sugar
2 T Flour
1 ea Egg beaten
1 t Salt
1/2 c Vinegar
1 1/2 c Water
3 ea Eggs, hard boiled, diced
Wash, drain, and cut up tender dandelion leaves. Brown bacon; remove drippings and crumble Combine sugar and flour. Add egg, salt, vinegar, and water and mix until smooth. Pour into bacon drippings and heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Pour warm dressing over dandelion. add crumbled bacon and hard boild eggs. Toss lightly and serve immediatly.
Beltane Bread
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and combine:
4 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
2 cups sugar
1 tube almond paste
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 eggs
When dough is worked to medium soft, shape into flattened balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool, ice with white Solar Cross. You could try this as a single loaf. I also like to make an almond biscuit with biscuit mix, almond extract, sugar, cinnamon, and eggs, but in smaller proportions. Source: Ann Moura Aoumiel's book Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft, Llewellyn Publications, 1996
Elder Flower Fritters- Medieval England
From Wisteria's Faery Recipes
The French use elder flowers to pack apples. They claim that this enhances the flavor.1 egg
1 cup self-rising flour
1 teaspoon Rose Water
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup honey
2 cups elder flowers, freshly picked & cleaned
2 tablespoons brandy
Mix the egg, rose water, honey, & brandy in a medium sized bowl. Stir in the flour & cinnamon; the batter should resemble slightly thick pancake batter. If the batter is too thin, add a little more flour; if too thick, add more brandy. Fold in the elder flowers. Fry like pancakes or drop by the teaspoon into a deep-fat-fryer until golden brown. Serve with a sprinkling of orange water & fresh lemon, or dip into fresh sweet cream. Yield: About 2 dozen
Note: If you are not using self-rising flour, add 1 teaspoon baking powder & 1/2 teaspoon salt. Variation: If you can't find elder flowers, substitute 1 cup finely diced apples & a hint of fresh mint for similar magical effects. Magical Attributes: Protection from Faery folk, trust, beauty, energy for attraction, & magical ambience. Can also be eaten on Lammas, St. Valentines Day, or Hallow's Eve.
Fried Honey Cakes
These cakes are not unlike those made on the night before Beltane by women around the turn of the century. These cakes were left in the garden to please Faery visitors.
1/2 cup sweet white wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 cup honey
2/3 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Oil for frying
1/8 teaspoon salt
Beat the wine & egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt & sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine the honey & nutmeg in a small bowl. Heat 1/2-inch of the oil in a frying pan until hot, but not smoking. Drop the batter into the oil 1 tablespoon at a time; fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dip into the honey.
Yield: 1 1/2 Dozen.
Wildflower Pound Cake
1 C Butter
1-1/2 C Flour
1 Tsp Vanilla or Lemon Extract
5 Eggs separated
1-1/2 C Powdered Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 C Assorted Edible Flower Petals- small pieces
Cream the Butter. Sift flour and add gradually to the butter. Beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon colored, add sugar gradually. Combine mixtures. Beat egg whites until stiff to add to mixture. Sift baking powder over mixture beat thoroughly. Fold in fresh flower pieces. Turn into a buttered deep cake pan, bake one hour at 350 degrees. Note: Garnish with fresh flowers.
Beltane Lemon Curd Mousse Cake
To make the shortbread cookie crumbs for the crust, seal the cookies in a heavy plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs.
Servings: Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Ingredients:
Curd:
2 1/3 cups sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup fresh lemon juice
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Crust:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs- about 7 1/2 ounces
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
Mousse:
5 tablespoons water
4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
6 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
Lemon slices, cut into quarters for garnish
Preparation:
For curd:
Mix sugar and cornstarch in heavy large saucepan. Gradually add lemon juice, whisking until all cornstarch dissolves. Whisk in eggs and yolks. Add butter. Stir over medium heat until curd thickens and boils, about 12 minutes. Transfer
to medium bowl. Chill until cold, at least 6 hours - Can be made 1 week ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of curd and keep chilled.
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 8-inch-diameter springform pan with nonstick spray. Blend cookie crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press onto bottom of pan. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool.
For mousse:
Pour 5 tablespoons water into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin evenly over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place 1 3/4 cups lemon curd in large bowl. Stir 3/4 cup curd in another small saucepan over medium-low heat until very warm.
Stir gelatin mixture over medium-low heat until dissolved and liquid is clear-do not boil. Whisk warm gelatin mixture into 3/4 cup warm curd. Gradually whisk gelatin-curd mixture into curd in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until whites are thick and glossy. Fold whites into curd mixture in 3 additions. Using same beaters, beat cream in another medium bowl until peaks form. Fold into egg white-curd mixture in 3 additions. Pour enough mousse over cooled crust to fill pan completely. Pour remaining mousse into small bowl and reserve. Cover and chill mousse cake, reserved mousse, and remaining curd overnight.
Using long thin knife, cut around cake to loosen. Remove pan sides. Gently spread 3/4 cup of remaining curd over cake. Transfer reserved mousse to pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe rosettes of mousse around top edge of cake. Chill cake until ready to serve- Can be made up to 8 hours ahead. Arrange lemon slices between rosettes. Cut cake into wedges. From Bon Appétit
Strawberry Crisp
1 c Uncooked Oatmeal
1 c All purpose Flour
1 c Brown Sugar
1/4 c Chopped Walnuts
1/2 c Butter or margarine
1/2 c Sugar
3 c Sliced fresh or frozen Strawberry
Mix together oatmeal, flour and brown sugar. Add nuts. Cut in butter or margarine until crumbly. In another bowl, mix strawberries and white sugar together. Grease an 8" square pan. Spread half the crumb mixture on bottom. Cover with strawberries. Spread remaining crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 deg F oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or topping.
Jam Filled Lemon Tarts
from Auramooth's Wiccan Page
1-3oz package softened cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Add sugar and lemon.
1 cup flour
Mix in flour. Gather dough into two balls, chill one hour. Roll out dough, cutting 2" disks out with cutter. Spoon 1/4" of jam into center of disc. Gather edges into three equally spaced corners-like a tricorn hat-and roll pointsover slightly, pinching shut. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Tasty jam: rhubarb ginger, apricot, cherry, etc. geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCD.html
Beltane Marigold Custard
from Wicca:A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham
2 cups milk
1 cup unsprayed marigold petals
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 to 2 inch piece vanilla bean
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. rose water
Whipped cream
Using a clean mortar and pestal reserved for cooking purposes, pound marigold petals. Or, crush with a spoon. Mix the salt sugar and spices together. Scald milk with the marigolds and the vanilla bean. Remove the vanilla bean and add the egg yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with fresh marigold petals.
MEADE
1 gallon Water
4 pounds Honey
6 Cloves
2 Sticks cinnamon
Juice & peel from one lemon
1 teaspoon Activated dry yeast
In a large nonreactive pot, add the next four ingredients to the gallon of water. Boil all together for 30 minutes, then strain into a crock that will hold it with a little room to spare. When cooled, add the yeast, dissolved in some of the liquid. Allow to ferment in a cool place - 55 degrees is ideal - until it ceases bubbling and the liquor clears, then bottle, cap tightly and store in a cool, dark cellar. It should not be used for at least a month, and longer is better. This meade, unlike many other drinks, does not improve with really long aging, so it should be consumed within a year of the time it was made.
Beltane Dandelion Delight
This lovely spring tonic makes good use of pesky weeds to rejuvenate the body with the earth's reawakening. Dandelions are high in vitamins and legends claim that Hecate once entertained Theses with dandelion water. Magickal Attributes: divination, wind magick, wishes and goals, communicating with the Spirit World.
Ingredients:
3 C Dandelion Petals
1 Gallon Orange Juice
Juice of One Lemon
1/4 C Sugar
Ginger Ale (optional)
Clean off the dandelion petals with cool water. In the meantime, warm the orange juice and lemon together, then add dandelions. Make certain you only have petals (no green parts). Add the sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved: strain juices and chill. Add ginger ale for a light bubbly drink.
VARIATIONS: Prepare this recipe with lemonade instead of orange juice and juice of one orange instead of a lemon. This is refreshing, purifying quality and poured over crushed ice, is wonderful on a hot summer day.
May Wine
INGREDIENTS:
1 bottle of white wine- German is ideal
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
12 sprigs of Woodruff, fresh
PREPARATION:
Pour wine into a wide mouth jar or carafe. Add the sliced strawberries and woodruff, and let sit for an hour or more. Strain and serve chilled
Strawberry Cookies
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
red and green food coloring
Cream the sugar and shortening until fluffy, on medium speed if using an electronic mixer. Beat in egg, milk, zest, and extract. Sift flour and powder together in a bowl and gradually add to the other mix. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Half dough and put the other half back in the fridge. Form dough into flattened balls and roll to 1/8 inch on a floured surface. Using strawberry-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and cut out little indentations like strawberry seeds if desired.
Put 1 tablespoon of water into each of two dishes and add a few drops of each color of food coloring. Paint the cookies with a paintbrush using the colors, making the body of the strawberry red and the stem and leaves green. Bake them on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes, then cool on racks. Repeat the process with the other half of the dough.
Yield: 5 dozen
May Serpent Cake
The serpent or snake is a symbol of May because of its ancient association with fertility. This association dates back to the earliest Pagan religions, and though later religions cropped up casting the serpent in a deceitful role, the Earth religions still honor the snake as a blessed creature this time of year. Its way of slithering along the body of the Earth made it an obvious phallic symbol, and May Day is full of such symbols (the maypole being the most well-known one).
The holiday of Beltane comes on the first of May and encourages those who celebrate life to greet spring's bounty with festivities, and that of course always involves food. This snake-shaped cake, incorporating appropriate seasonal ingredients, is a wonderful addition to a party table.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
The zest of one orange
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons honey, boiling
1/2 cup strong espresso coffee
1 egg
1/3 cup amaretto or rum
1/3 cup wild cherry or raspberry jam
Garnish: 4 coffee beans and some candied orange peel, in slices
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400º F. Mix the sugar, spices, zest, soda, and salt into the flour in a bowl. Cut in the butter until little pebbles form. Pour in the honey, coffee, and liqueur, and mix in the egg. Mix the batter until everything is evenly distributed and you have a nice soft dough. Let it cool. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide in half. Roll one half into an 18-inch rope. Make a deep trough down the center and fill it with jam. Seal it by bringing the edges up over the jam and pressing the seam together. Then flip it seam-side-down onto a parchment-paper-covered baking sheet. Arrange the snake in a circle, but don't press the ends together. Make one end tapered like the end of a snake's tail, and make the other end triangular like a snake's head. Press in coffee beans for eyes and orange rind for scales if desired. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough and bake them for 30 minutes.