Here is a small gift I gave to a special couple that was handfasted in June.
June is named for Juno/Hera, the Deity of women, marriage, home and hearth. This month is of several events, one being the month for brides of all paths to prepare for their handfastings, weddings, and even harvesting their herbs and honey. Hence, the 'honey-moon/mead' month.
A Pagan Marriage, traditionally contracted for a specific period of time, depending on one's tradition. It is renewed only if both parties agree. In Old Irish the word for handfasting is "lanamnas" & and a newlywed couple is called a "lanamain".
Also it is called by the Cherokee, as the month of the Green Corn Moon.
After the last rose petal has drifted to the ground..
The Newly Weds stand before the happy group and openly invites all of the guests to partake in their first wedded supper..
The Grand Hall is busy and alit with great white candles, to insure pureness of the feast.
Decorated in flowers & wreaths at every table each.. meaning something to the bride, a small gift of herself in each.
Draperies of gold and white are pulled back, as the audiance enters and their eyes fall on the large dining table laden with food.
The Bards' Lute begins to play sweet simple songs, as the usher guides the couple to their place at the head of the table.
A nervous maiden makes herself present and begins to rattle off in a squeaky voice, the Menu of the day:
We've got herb coated cornish hens, sweet meats for dipping into berbere, summer punch wine, to quench your thirsts, and rose geranium cheesecakes for this blessed feast.
(coating) 2 oz(60g) wholewheat flour
1tsp ground dried thyme
1tsp ground dried rosemary
1tsp marjoram
1 lemon
freshly ground blk pepper
(stuffing) 2tsp dried thyme
2tsp dried marjoram
1 egg beaten
2 oz (60g) butter
Heat the oven to 400F or 200C.
Put flour into a bowl.
Add ground herbs, and the grated rind of the lemon and season with blk pepper.
Truss up the hens, putting 1/2 tsp of each dried herb from the (stuffing section) plus a slice of lemon in each one.
Brush them with the beaten egg and coat with about 3/4 of the flour.(or just enough to cover them lightly)
put in baking tin, and baste with butter, baste often and cook for appx 30 minutes baste again then turn and cook
for appx 15 more min's.
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 nutmeg fresh
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
2 tblsp finely chopped onions
2 tblsp fine sea salt
3 tblsp dry red wine
8 oz paprika
2 tblsp chili pepper
1/2 tsp freshly ground blk pepper
12 fl oz water
2 tblsp peanut oil
Put ginger, cardamom, coriandor, fenugreek, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice into a large heavy frying pan.
Stir them over low heat for 2 min's to heat through.
Take them from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.
Put them into a blender with the onions, garlic, salt, and wine, and work to make a smooth pste.
Mix together the paprika, chili powder, pepper, and remaining salt.
Put in frying pan, & toast them, stirring for 2 min's over low heat.
Gradually stir in water and heat for 15 minutes.
Melt your butter in a pan, add the biscuits and stir unitl they're coated with the butter.
Place in the bottom of an 8-9 inch pie pan loosely (don't cram in if they don't fit)
Cream together: cottage cheese & cream cheese & yogurt with, egg. Add the geranium leaves.
Dissolve the gelatin and fold into the cheese mixture.
Pour over the base and chill until set.
After the Grand Feast, the couple disappears into their chambers for the evening, the Grand Hall is now quiet.
When they awaken, the nervous squeaky maiden will have ElderBerry Fritters, sliced fruits and hot blk steaming coffee waiting on them.
I'm sure all of you are wondering where I find all these wonderful ideas..
Believe it or not, there are literally thousands upon thousands of ways
to cook natrually with herbs. Herbs have been around alot longer than we have.
Most are easily grown, and with the "neo" movement happening, there are
literally hundreds of herb books on the shelves at your local bookstores.
The book I used for all of these recipes is called "The New Age Herbalist" By Richard Mabey.
Don't laugh at the title, for it is packed full of information everything from Healing Herbs, herbs for Nutrition, Gardening, and yes even Dyeing with herbs.As well as recipes galore!
It also includes some mythological references to some of them as well.
(which I found very informative)
Each section has pictures and an index on different herbs.
It explains what part is used, the latin name, it's common name as well as it's constituents (what makes it work), & the main uses of the herb.
If there is a caution, Richard Mabey will have the information included.
I Highly recommend this one folks!!
ISBN# 0-684-81577-X
$21.00 US {worth every penny of it too}
Hope you all enjoy and remember ..
Eat healthy, you're the only one responsible for a healthy mind, body & spirit.
