2-1/2 gallons water (preferably fresh rainwater blessed by a Wiccan priestess or priest)
1 cup meadowsweet herb
1 cup woodruff sprigs
1 cup heather flowers
3 cloves
1 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup barley malt
1 oz. brewer's yeast
Pour the water into a large cauldron or kettle. Bring to a boil and add the meadowsweet herb, woodruff sprigs, heather flowers, and cloves. Boil for one hour and the add the honey, brown sugar, and barley malt. Stir thirteen times in a clockwise direction and then remove from heat.
Strain through a cheesecloth and allow the mead to cool to room temperature. Stir in the brewer's yeast. Cover with a clean towel and let it stand for one day and one night. Strain again, bottle, and then store in a cool place until ready to serve.
3 C. flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. dry active yeast
2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp. fresh thyme
1 1/4 C. hot water
2 tbsp. Crisco
Mix 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add herbs, water, and Crisco. Beat slowly, stirring in remaining cup of flour until smooth. Scrape batter from sides of bowl and let rise in a warm place for 35 minutes or until it doubles in bulk. Punch down and beat with a spoon for about 15 seconds. Place dough in a greased loaf pan, patting down and forming a loaf shape with your hands. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes or until it again doubles in bulk. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes. Brush top with butter or margarine and remove from pan to cool
For Sandwiches
3 ounces dried tomatoes (about 3/4 cup), not packed in oil
a long loaf (about 20 inches) French or Italian bread
about 1/2 cup basil olive pesto
6 to 8 ounces smoked chicken breast, sliced thin
1/2 bunch arugula, trimmed, washed well, and spun dry (about 1 cup)
BASIL OLIVE PESTO
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
1 large garlic clove
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, washed well and spun dry
1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves (preferably flat-leaf), washed well and spun dry
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and chopped fine
Make sandwiches:
In a heatproof bowl pour enough boiling water over tomatoes to cover and let stand 20 to 30 minutes, or until soft. Drain tomatoes and pat dry. Cut loaf diagonally into 4 pieces and halve each piece horizontally. Spread pesto on cut sides of bread and make 4 sandwiches with chicken, tomatoes, and arugula.
Make Basil Olive Pesto:
To a food processor with motor running add garlic and blend until minced. Add basil, parsley, and nuts and blend well. Add oil and blend until smooth. Transfer pesto to a bowl and stir in olives. Pesto may be made 5 days ahead and chilled, surface covered tightly with plastic wrap. Bring pesto to room temperature before using. Makes about 3/4 cup
1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and coarsely shredded (5 cups)
1 bunch scallions, finely chopped (2/3 cup)
Stir together vinegar, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved, then add remaining ingredients and toss well. Chill relish, covered, tossing occasionally, at least 2 hours (to allow flavors to develop) and up to 2 days.
Filling
2 cups frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Cake
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
6 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons lemon extract
Frosting
2 cups chilled whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon lemon extract
3 teaspoons grated lemon peel
3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
For filling:
Puree berries in processor. Strain into heavy medium saucepan. Add sugar and cornstarch. Stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, about 3 minutes. Cool. Cover; chill until cold, about 2 hours.
For cake:
Preheat oven to 350�F. Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with parchment paper. Butter parchment. Dust pan with flour; shake out excess. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Stir in cornmeal. Add to butter mixture and beat just until blended. Mix in lemon peel and extract.
Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until cake is golden and toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Transfer cake to rack, cool. Using knife, cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Turn cake out. Peel off parchment.
For frosting:
Beat cream, sugar and extract in large bowl until soft peaks form. Beat in 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon peel. Set aside 2/3 cup frosting for decoration.
Using serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Using bottom of 9-inch-diameter tart pan as aid, transfer 1 layer to platter. Spread half of filling over. Spread 1 cup frosting over filling. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining filling over. Spread 1 cup frosting over filling. Top with third cake layer. Spread sides and top of cake with remaining frosting. Press nuts onto sides of cake. Spoon reserved 2/3 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe around top edge of cake. Sprinkle top of cake with 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon peel. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)
2 1/2 pounds fresh, dark sweet cherries
4 cups water
1/4 cup honey
juice of 1 lemom
Wash and pit the cherries and place in a saucepan with the honey and water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove 24 cherries and set aside. Blend the remaining cherries with the lemon juice until smooth. Chill thoroughly.
To serve:
Ladle soup over the removed cherries. Add whipped cream as a topping.
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh oregano
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon fresh sage
1 teaspoon fresh marjoram
Whisk ingredients together. Let vegetables or meat soak for 30 minutes before grilling.