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Food

Fall and Samhain Foods

October 16, 2019 by Andrea Maldonado No Comments
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Samhain, celebrated on October 31st is right at the end of harvest season for many farmers. With modern inventions we no longer have to worry or even think about cellars, preserving food items and storing them for several months but we can still eat conscious of the season and what the earth provides. Shop at your local farmer’s market, support the folks who grow your food and the people who also use these locally sourced products to make other things such as breads, sweets, and wellness items. 

I have added a list of items that are at peak season, perfect for any fall or Samhain meal. As the temperatures drop, stews, soups and roasts take center stage in the kitchen. The smell of herbs and spices slowly simmering in a pot is enough to give you the feels. 

You close your eyes and breath in deeply… a smile crosses your face and your mind runs wild with ideas of what could be cooking in that pot! My favorite thing is having my husband or daughter walk in and yell “WOW! That smells amazing!” as they float towards the stove to get a closer whiff, and maybe even a taste. 

Squashes and root vegetables are versatile. They can stand up to all cooking methods whether its sauteing, roasting, frying or boiling. You can easily make purees or mash for side dishes and they make excellent soup components or soup bases. They are nutritious and hearty, which make for excellent vegetarian and vegan options. 

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Grains : amaranth,  barley, bulgar, farro, millet,  quinoa,rice (brown, wild, etc) spelt, 

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Root Vegetables : beets, carrots, celeriac, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro,turnip,  yams, yuca

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Squash : acorn, butternut, carnival, delicata, dumpling, hubbard, kabocha, pumpkin, spaghetti  

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Fruits  : Apples, figs, grapes,  pears, persimmons, pomegranate 

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Nuts and Seeds : almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts 

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Herbs : bay leaf, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, 

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Spices :allspice, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg

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Alliums : garlic, leeks, onions, shallots 

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Hearty greens: Cabbage, chard, collards, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens

Happy Kitchen conjurings! 

Share your creations with us! use #FoodMagic and #witchesgottaeat on Instagram! Tag us @gourmetwitch

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Food

Quick Tips on How to Make a Mezze Board

July 7, 2019 by Andrea Maldonado No Comments
Andrea Maldonado | Gourmet Witch

What is a Mezze Board? 

You might have heard the term Mezze before, and if you haven’t then I’ll explain it. 

A Mezze is simply, a giant appetizer platter! Commonly put out before a meal in Middle Eastern or Mediterrean countries, very similar to the Antipasto of Italy. 

Truth be told, it can definitely substitute as a whole meal if you make yours hearty! A great way to get people around the table, a perfect ice breaker and definitely a low maintenance meal! You can prep this in advance so all you have to do it set it out with plates and everyone digs in. 

What’s on a Mezze Board? 

First, I’d say, always cater to your crowd. If you have folks with dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure you keep them in mind so no one feels left out. If you have a mostly vegetarian crowd, then maybe leave the meat items out or to one side of the board. If you’re not sure, I’d opt to go totally vegetarian especially if there are other courses following this! 

Andrea Maldonado | Gourmet Witch

Some Examples are : 

Spreads such as Hummus, Babaganoush and tapenade for savory. Think quince, fig and orange jams or pastes for a sweet option.

Bread Items like pita, lavash, flatbreads, crackers and crusty breads 

Vegetables can be grilled like eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, peppers, or fresh ones like cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans or other pickled veggies 

Marinated items add depth of flavor and variety like artichoke hearts, peppers, and olives 

Cheese choose cheeses that fit the regional cuisine and some crowd favorites for variety 

Meats that are cured, fritters and lamb chops are customary, but you can add your own ideas or omit altogether 

Other items you can add to your platter are nuts, dried fruits, honey and anything else you want to add! Composed salads like tabbouleh are great accompaniments to any Mezze. 

Made a platter? tag me @gourmetwitch on Instagram with #WitchesGottaEat so I can be a part of your magical food experiences!

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Blog

Offerings for Bast

July 1, 2019 by Andrea Maldonado 8 Comments
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In my previous Post Who is Bast? I mentioned that she had a duel nature like day and night. You can see a lot of that present in the types of offerings you can give her. She is a very friendly Goddess and I’ve noticed that she really just wants your time and attention, so if you want to say prayers to her, go for it. Have a poem or something you wrote to or about her? Read it aloud! Want to have a chat? Pour a glass of wine or brew some tea and sit with her energy. She has brought some memorable moments into my life, reminds me that we have to STOP and just ENJOY what’s going on around you and nothing screams BAST like a great party!

Below are some offerings you can put out in her Honor

Perfume bottles and (decorative) Jars made from materials such as glass, clay or ceramic 

Oil lamps (a great spellwork medium) 

Sun and Moon Symbols

Cat Statues 

Candles 

Daggers 

The Eye of Ra 

Incense – Kyphi ( ancient egyptian offering) or resins, burning Cannabis 

Musical Instruments : bells, windchimes, sistrums 

Stones : Malachite, copper, gold, lapis lazuli, gold stones, onyx , jet , 

 Flowers,Herbs and Scents : Roses, morning glory, honeysuckle, Ivy, catnip , mint , musk, lemon balm

Food Offerings for the Cat Goddess 

Beer, Red wine, Mead, Teas, Milk

Onions , Grains ( Barley, Oats, Wheat, etc) , lambs tongue (lettuce) 

Pastries, Chocolate ,Honey 

Beef (Raw, or a cooked dish) and Fish

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ABOUT ME

Andrea Maldonado

Andrea Maldonado is a classically trained chef,a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York. She worked in a variety of New York City restaurants and high end catering companies. Andrea is an Initiated Priestess of Ochun in the Lucumi Tradition, High Priestess of the Deam Lux Coven and the Minoan Sisterhood. . Andrea is an avid reader, a lover of 1950’s fashion, red lipstick, winged eyeliner, a strong cocktail, having a good cackle- I mean laugh! With friends and enjoying all that life has to offer. Currently working on a bigger cookbook on more food magic, seasonal recipes and Sabbat meals.

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