Cardamom is a spice East Indians have used to good effect, as they are the creators of the Kama Sutra. Called the “grains of paradise,” you can find it in any grocery store. Organic cardamom can be recognized by the green color of the pods. To get the highly desirable grains, crush the pods in your mortar and pestle and extract the seeds. You will need:
You can mend broken hearts and enchant any would-be love interest with lemon balm. This recipe takes the cake, either one of your own making or store-bought sponge cake. Try a lemon balm version of the above Sweetheart Shortbread and glaze it with the icing; it will be certain to turn anyone who tastes this into your devotee.
6 lemon balm leaves
2 tablespoons water
8 ounces confectioners’ sugar
4 drops vanilla extract
1 lemon
1 candied lemon (using above recipe)
Combine water, vanilla, and lemon balm and soak overnight. Strain out the herbs and add sugar into the liquid. Grate in the zest of the lemon and whisk, squeezing in lemon juice if needed for fluid consistency. Pour this icing over the cake and top with sprinkles of candied lemon and lemon balm. This distinctive dessert is a spell spun of sugar.
Nuts are some of the best food we humans can eat; they are packed with positive proteins and beneficial oils and are very tasty. This nearly effortless nut roastie is a great snack for movie night at home or party time anywhere and makes a savory appetizer for special meals. Here is what you need:
10 ounces mixed nuts
8 ounces of day-old bread
1 medium-sized white onion, chopped
1 1⁄2 cups veggie stock
Soy or tamari sauce
2 ounces unsalted butter
1 teaspoon dried sage
Preheat your oven to 350°F and sauté the onion in the butter until softened. Mix the nuts together with the bread in a food processor or stir vigorously until blended well, then transfer to a large bowl. Heat the stock to boiling and pour into the mixture in the bowl. Stir in the onions. Season as you see fit with salt, pepper, and sage. Pour in a tablespoon of the soy or tamari sauces to add zing to your roast and give one last stir. Spoon the roastie mix into a greased baking dish and bake for a half hour. Take note as your kitchen fills with a fantastic aroma. Heating the nuts brings out more of their natural oils and intensifies the flavor. Like herbs and flowers, nuts have magical properties which are mainly to increase love as well as feelings of conviviality and peace, thus the name of this dish. When you serve this roastie, you are quite literally “sharing the love.”
A friend of mine came up with this delicious and nutritious smoothie so her beloved husband could get all the things in one smoothie. He loves it, and so do we!
1 banana
1⁄2 cup strawberries, sliced
4 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chlorophyll liquid
1 tablespoon hemp oil
1⁄2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons goji berries, presoaked (optional)
1 packet Emergen-C, or vitamin C powder
If you are using goji berries, soak them for two hours before you make the smoothie.
Blend ingredients until smooth. Add a little more orange juice or water if the consistency is too thick for your taste.
This recipe is old-school comfort food at its finest and is very filling and festive. Many of us are working mothers with very busy schedules, so this family favorite is good to double up on. Make one to serve piping hot out of the oven and freeze the second for a delicious reheated repast for after school and after work. You will need the following ingredients for one pie:
1 yellow onion, chopped
1⁄2 cup carrots, sliced
2⁄3 cup celery, chopped
1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
4 to 5 potatoes, boiled
1⁄2 cup milk
2 tablespoons sunflower or olive oil
1⁄2 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 cups sautéed ground beef, or soy protein for meat-free options
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Mash the potatoes with unsalted organic butter, adding one splash of milk at a time until you have the desired consistency. Make sure you can get peaks so the pie will be impressively landscaped! Salt and pepper the potatoes to taste. Slowly heat the olive oil in sauté pan and cook the onions until they soften, then fold in and cook your meat or veggie protein. Lastly, add in the carrots, celery, mushrooms, and tomato and cook through. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add in your favorite herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, or whatever your heart desires. Transfer to an oiled pie dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Lastly, spread the mashed potatoes on top, creating peaks and valleys. Dust a sprinkling of parsley and chives on top, then pop into the oven for fifteen minutes. Once the tater topping begins to turn a lovely golden brown on top, remove from the oven. Serve this hearty homemade savory pie in bowls alongside a crisp salad of homegrown greens and allow the coziness to melt all mundane matters away. This dish is good for any day of the week and impressive enough to bake for high holidays.
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