Author Archive: My Kitchen Wand

Figs are connected to divination, fertility, protection and love. One activity was to write a question a leaf and allow it to dry. If the leaf dried quickly the answer was “no”.  Slowly would mean a “yes”. The word sycophant today means a flatterer whose intention is to maintain/gain influence. The word is however apparently […]

During hot summer days, water is the best choice for remaining hydrated. Yes, it can be a little repetitive and slightly boring but your body will thank you for getting all those good cups inside you. Once in a while though it is nice to have something special, tasty and maybe a little celebratory. There […]

As I am writing this, in my mind’s eye, my grandfather is in his backyard, with a tobacco tin tied around his waist so that both hands are free for picking. He had rows of English peas and many a summer meal included freshly shelled sweet peas. Just the sound of the distinctive “pop” that […]

Before the Bing cherry season comes to an end, here is one tasty way to extend and enjoy the bounty. It is possible to double or triple this recipe and bottle it as well for cold winter delights. Transfer the hot sauce to sterile bottles and process 10 minutes. One cup of fresh cherries has […]

The two celebrations most often shared outside are Litha (summer solstice) and Lammas/Lughnasagh (August 1st ish). The days are usually still warm and it is enjoyable to have a personal connection to that big ball of flame above us. Lammas is also linked to “first fruits” and in the Church of England “the feast of […]

Recipes for stuffed eggs can be found back to when Ancient Rome was at its height. The domestication of chickens however goes much further back so that is probably not the beginning of deviled eggs. Deviling was a term applied first to meats and meant highly spiced. By the 1500’s deviled eggs was a well […]

We have fresh local fruit for such a short time that baking with it seems almost sacrilegous, better to just find a serviette. In much of Asia, cherries are associated with youthfullness and immortality. In Japan, a custom is to tie a single strand of hair around a cherry tree to attract love. In Chinese […]

Sometimes preserving the aroma and essence of an herb is better than using them fresh in an immediate recipe. That way they can be enjoyed long after the season is finished. Lavender can be preserved in vinegar, sugar and oil. Jean’s lavender is just opening and she generously gave me some to take home so […]

Handpies are freeform pastries smaller than a galette with a top cover, meant as a single serving, much like a turnover which around here is made with puff pastry. They can be packed with sweet or savoury goodness and are a great way to use up leftovers. Think of them as a portable meal with […]

Ice Cream! Yea!… well maybe not. Plans are sometimes subject to change. I had brought the ice cream maker to class as a possible surprise to finish up Playing with Herbs but the bowl had been out of the freezer for too long, even with the extra ice it was packed in and we would […]