The Witches’ Compendium: Yule By Tenae S. The Witch of Howling Creek
Copyright Information The Witches' Compendium: Yule is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Feel free to share the content in any way you like, just please credit when you do. Disclaimer The author of this e-book has used their best efforts in preparing this e-book. The author makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this e-book. The information contained in this e-book is strictly for educational purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in this e-book, you are taking full responsibility for your actions.
Tenae S. is a practicing kitchen witch from the West Coast of the United States where she lives on a small farm known as Howling Creek. She enjoys emphasizing her Celtic heritage in her craft and celebrating the Sabbats and Esbats throughout the year. She writes “The Witch of Howling Creek� blog and is the founder and editor of the free emagazine Pagan Living.
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Table of Contents 1
Foreword
Hearth & Home 4
Decorating with Natural Materials
6
Decorations Inspired by the Full Moon
7
Decorations for Kitchen, Garden & City Witches
11
A Guide to Thoughtful Gifts for Pagans
Magick & Witchcraft 13
Yule Correspondences
14
Yule Solitary Ritual
15
Spells
Honor & Celebrate 18
Ways to Celebrate
19
Things to Do with Snowflakes
20
Waterless Snow Globes Craft Project
Fete & Feast 22
Holiday Cookie Exchange
28
Magickal Gingerbread Recipes
34
Yule Menu & Recipes
Foreword Winter is a special time for people of most faiths: Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah and a myriad of other holidays celebrate the darkest nights of the year and the return of hope and light. We decorate our homes with sparkling lights and throw parties full of food, friends and family. Although winter does not mean the harsh reality of survival for most of us as it did for our ancestors, the ideas are the same. Winter is a time for banding together and remembering the things that are really important. The ideas on these pages are meant to inspire quality time spent with loved ones decorating the tree, baking cookies, crafting handmade gifts and finding the inner glow that seems to emerge from our hearts at such a magickal time of year. Happy Yule!
Tenae S., The Witch of Howling Creek
Hearth & Home
Decorating with Natural Materials Natural materials are abundant in every part of the year and winter puts all the symbols of Yule right at your fingertips: evergreen branches, holly leaves and berries, cinnamon, birch logs and cranberries. Each offers a unique opportunity for infusing the home with the winter season.
Evergreen Branches
Cinnamon
Evergreen branches, whether they be pine or fir, are a must-have at Yule. Drape them along stairwells, over doorways and windows, or down the center of a holiday table. Weave branches into wreathes to hang on or beside the front door, over mirrors and in front of bookcases.
Cinnamon sticks are well known for their magickal and delicious properties but they make for wonderful Yule decoration as well. Tie bunches of them together with gift tags as present toppers or dinner placecards. Add sticks to seasonal floral arrangements for a rustic fragrance.
The best part? Evergreen branches will infuse the whole house with the fresh, wintery scent of the forest!
Birch Logs
Holly Leaves & Berries
Cut lengths of birch are incredibly versatile decorations at Yule. Carve tealight-sized holes along one side for an instant Yule log. Or, stack logs in a clean, unused fireplace with battery-operated candles and a few sprigs of pine.
Holly leaves and berries are an excellent addition to evergreen branches and wreathes and add an extra special Yuletide touch.
Cranberries Fill a vase with fresh cranberries and water for use as a “flower frog:” simply tuck stems of flowers into the cranberries which will hold them upright. This is particularly great for oddly shaped vases that wouldn’t otherwise hold flowers easily. Cranberries can also be inserted into a floral foam wreath with toothpicks for a short-term but quite lovely decoration.
Decorations Inspired by the Full Moon The full moon sneaks up in December like any other month, this time in its “Cold” or “Snow” form, but the holiday season can be all-consuming of our time. Although you may not have time for your usual ritual amidst the holiday bustle, try honoring the full moon with a few inspired Yule decorations like these.
Wrap a small faux tree with white lights and place it in your bedroom or on your altar. Decorate it with strictly white and silver ornaments and tasteful strands of silver tinsel. Put the lights on an indoor timer so you can fall asleep each night to the soft glow of your “moon tree”. Set up a cluster of white or silver pillar candles or float small votives in a bowl of water and use as a holiday centerpiece. The colors, flickering flames and gentle water will remind you to think of the moon. Spray paint old porcelain village pieces bright white and create a stunning snowy and moonlit scene on any flat surface covered with a white tablecloth.
Yule decorations in shades of white, cream, gold, silver and champagne are prevalent in many shops during the holidays, including miniature feather trees and icicle garlands. Expand your collection and honor the moon and the winter season!
Decorations for Kitchen, Garden & City Witches Kitchen and cottage witchery is based around the hearth and cooking delicious and magickal food for friends and family. Bring a bit of that cozy spirit into your Yule décor by focusing on vintage reds, greens and creams with a bit of rustic charm. Consider everyday kitchen tools such as bundt pans and cookie cutters in a new light and keep the center of the holiday festivities in the center of the home: the kitchen.
If you have a nook or other available space in your kitchen, clear it out for the holidays and place the tree there rather than in the living room. It’s not only an unexpected conversation piece but helps keep holiday gatherings warm and cozy rather than potentially distant and formal.
Decorate the tree with family heirloom ornaments if possible and create some new heirlooms of your own. Gingerbread cookies can be made into lasting ornaments with a layer of lacquer and a piece of ribbon and cookie cutters and sterling silver flatware (often available at antique and thrift shops) make excellent ornaments for a kitchen tree.
String popcorn and whole cranberries onto monofilament line with a simple needle for a classic, traditional garland to wrap around the tree as well.
Plastic and Styrofoam fruits, particularly apples and pears (available at most craft stores), are wonderful fun when lightly coated in glue and then rolled in silver, gold or colored glitter. These sparkly faux-treats are
excellent as ornaments and also as simple decoration to fill a bowl, bundt pan or apothecary jar. Garden witches and green witches are dealt a tough hand in the winter months, when snow, ice and rain make their beloved gardens bleak. So bring a bit of the natural evergreen landscape inside for a cozy, winter woodland look that will brighten any garden witch’s Yule.
To start, fill glass bowls and natural baskets with pinecones. For an icier look, dab clear glue on the tips of pinecones and sprinkle white glitter or faux snow over it and allow to dry.
Collect evergreen branches from a local nursery and drape them over banisters, doorways and windows to infuse the house with touches of nature and a wonderful scent.
Place short logs (preferably birch but any tree will do) carved with holes for votive candles on tabletop surfaces in a nod to the traditional Yule log.
Mix these woodland elements with decorations more directly correlated to the garden such as a garland of vintage seed packets strung onto twine or ribbon and hung over a window.
Place small trees in windows of various rooms and drape them in white twinkle lights, following suit with the main tree in the living room. Hang pinecones and seed packets on the tree with twine or ribbon and place a plain wooden pentacle or star on top.
Of course, just because the garden isn’t currently in use doesn’t mean it can’t be decorated! Extend the décor outside with simple white twinkle lights: drape them in bushes, around trees and along pathways. Or for a fun, nontraditional slant, place your wheelbarrow on the porch by the door and fill it with loosely tangled bundles of lights!
Many city witches face a unique obstacle when decorating for Yule: space. As most city apartments are very short on space, full on ceiling-height trees or major décor is essentially out of the question. In such a case, turn to more nontraditional, everyday objects and ask yourself how you can dress them up for the holidays.
Simply placing a glass cloche or cake stand cover over a jumble of colorful ornaments tucked in among everyday or magickal items, for example, adds a bit of sparkle and cheer.
Fill a vase with red and white flowers (or even offbeat colors like hot pink.)
Create vignettes of holiday, everyday and magickal objects such as vintage ornaments, old binoculars and spell bottles for a uniquely witchy Yule display.
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Small faux trees are an excellent choice for apartments but consider nonevergreen trees for even more disposable (or better yet, reusable) decoration. For instance, a tomato cage wrapped in colored twinkle lights is a lovely addition to a wide window sill. Even better, layer short evergreen branches over a tomato cage and then decorate as you would a live tree for the greenery and the scent.
Look at the objects and trinkets in your apartment with fresh eyes this Yule. You will be surprised how much you can decorate with what you already have!
A Guide to Thoughtful Gifts for Pagans For the Fairy Folk: A beautiful art print of Edward Robert Hughes’ famous “Midsummer Eve” will fill their heart with joy. For the Kitchen Witch: Glass storage containers for spices, herbs and magickal concoctions! For the Domestic Goddess: A wooden painted “Blessed Be” plaque to hang in the home. For the Proud Celt: Celtic knot jewelry is available in everything from rings to pendants to leather bracelets. For the Newbie: Llewellyn’s 2012 Witches Calendar is a great way to get started. For the Little Pagan: The pagan children’s book “Rupert’s Tales” is a sure fire win. For the Green Thumb: An indoor terrarium will help garden witches get their early plantings started. For the Animal Lover: “The Enchanted Cat” by Ellen Dugan is a great addition to any bookshelf. And, if all else fails, buy the girl some candles – always a foolproof Pagan gift!
Magick & Witchcraft
Yule Correspondences Every Sabbat has colors, spices and other items associated with it, most of which are based on the natural world and the current season. These items are particularly magickal around the time of the Sabbat and are a great place to start when designing rituals and spells. Colors:
Red Green White Gold
Stones:
Quartz Ruby Diamond Pearl Garnet
Herbs, Plants & Spices:
Mistletoe Balsam Fir Pine Holly Ivy Cinnamon Cloves
Yule Solitary Ritual Sit skyclad or loosely clothed. Light several red, green, white or gold candles. Focus on the flame of a central candle, contemplating death, rebirth and adding your personal light and that of the ritual to the world on the longest night of the year. Now is your opportunity to perform one of the spells presented on the following pages or a spell of your own creation. Yule is particularly well suited to spells relating to making peace with others, personal growth, protection and basic needs. Eat a slice of gingerbread in quiet reflection with a glass of tea or cider. Blow out the candle. Blessed Be.
Spell to Spread Peace in the World Follow the recipe for sugarplums (see the following page), imbuing the sweets with peaceful energy as you work. When they are finished, place a white candle in a large bowl or tray and surround with the sugarplums. Light the candle and sprinkle moonwater around the outside of the dish, saying the words: “Bless these treats with peace and love and intentions sweet” Serve the sugarplums at a holiday gathering.
Spell for Friendship and Love This hot cocoa will warm both your tummy and your heart as the double-dose of chocolate brings friendship and love. Open your heart to both as you sip from a festive mug and you may just find the New Year bringing new relationships and fresh starts! 3 ½ cups white sugar 2 ¼ cups cocoa powder 1 tablespoon salt Combine and store in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed mason jar. Stir one tablespoon of the mixture into 8 ounces of hot milk, soymilk or water along with about one tablespoon of chocolate syrup. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream or add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra kick!
Sugarplums Recipe Recipe adapted from CupcakeProject.com 2 cups toasted walnuts, chopped ¼ cup honey 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 ½ cups pitted prunes, finely chopped ½ cup dried apricots, finely chopped Powdered sugar for rolling the balls Purple sanding sugar Mix all ingredients except the powdered and sanding sugars together in a large bowl. Optionally, place the whole mixture in the food processor and process for a few seconds - this will help everything to stick together, especially if you aren't the best at finely chopping. Form the mixture into teaspoon-sized balls. Roll the balls in powdered sugar and then roll in sanding sugar. Note: If you let the balls sit overnight, the powdered sugar will absorb into the balls and will be less visible.
Honor & Celebrate
Ways to Celebrate Honor the aspects of Yule, including the return of the light in the darkness and the importance of family, with these simple, easy activities.
Burn a traditional Yule log.
Donate food and clothing.
Decorate an evergreen tree, inside, outside or both.
Burn lots of candles (be sure to place candles in safe, open areas with drip trays and never leave them burning unattended.)
Bake gingerbread and gingerbread cookies in Yuletide shapes, imbuing the dough with intention and blessings.
Mix your own mulling spices.
Take a leisurely bath surrounded by candles, using ritual soap or sea salt to cleanse yourself of any physical and emotional toxins.
Enchant the gifts you give with good luck and prosperity.
Leave blessed treats outside for winter animals.
Make Witches’ Balls and other crafts to hang on the tree.
Bake treats blessed with prosperity, wrap up in tins or baskets and leave anonymously for your friends and neighbors.
Send Yule cards to friends and family with photos of your family along with a stick of cinnamon tied with an orange bow for happiness.
Things to Do with Snowflakes This winter take a moment to reacquaint yourself with the ever awe-inspiring snowflake (and maybe, just maybe, that snow shovel won’t seem like such a pain anymore!) The best way to get a good look at a snowflake is to stand outside with a small piece of black velvet cloth. Once you catch one, you can examine it under a microscope or strong magnifying glass to see all the sparkling crystals that make it up. Use a scoop of it in a bowl to represent water or even air on your wintertime altar (keep it from melting by placing the bowl inside a larger one filled with ice.) As the reverse, go ahead and melt a few scoops of that snow in a saucepan on your stove, strain it and use as you would moonwater, for blessings and the like. For even extra oomph, use melted snow to create moonwater by leaving a glass jar of it out in the light of the next full moon. Using a stick (or a magickal tool if you use one), write wishes or blessings for the new year in the snow. Personally, I then like to take a photo to preserve the words since seeing snow long after it has melted must certainly be a form of magick! If you don’t actually have snow though, don’t fret! You can still get in on the magick. Simply make paper snowflakes (this is a great project to do with kids), then write your wishes for the new year on the white paper. Hang the snowflakes up in a window or from a chandelier to be enjoyed and then come Imbolc or the start of spring, burn them as a ritual to release your wishes.
Waterless Snow Globes Craft Project Snow globes are a classic holiday decoration that is typically store-bought but with a few simple materials, you can make your own personalized waterless snow globes that will last for years to come. Materials Mason jar with matching lid (any size) Faux snow Glitter Buttons and trinkets Hot glue gun 1. Arrange your buttons and trinkets (small pentacles and stars would be especially appropriate) on the underside of the jar lid however you like. 2. Glue them down with hot glue and leave overnight to dry. 3. Sprinkle a bit of glitter and faux snow in the mason jar and carefully screw the lid on.
Fete & Feast
Holiday Cookie Exchange This time of year there are many faiths and cultures celebrating similar traditions and yet they are often so firmly divided it can feel as though there is little common ground. But there is one thing every winter holiday has in common: sweets! Gather friends of all faiths for a cookie exchange this year. You’ll have a good time, share good company and gather a nice assortment of homemade cookies for the season! Cookie exchanges are simple: just invite a few friends to bring 3-6 dozen homemade cookies (depending on how many people you expect.) Provide coffee and other refreshments as well as cute packaging such as colored cellophane, tissue paper and craft store boxes and you’re good to go!
Try out one of these recipes for your contribution:
Mexican Wedding Cakes – These cookies are so delicious it is no wonder they are traditional in countries all over the world. Chock-full of pecans, they are good for ensuring employment, a thoughtful gift in today’s world. Mini Peppermint Meringue Cups with Ganache – Although a tiny bit complicated, these beauties will be a showstopper at your cookie exchange. (Or you might want to keep them all for a romantic night in by the fire and the sparkling tree as the combination of peppermint and chocolate may well make for a powerful aphrodisiac.) Lavender Scented Sugar Cookies – A fresh take on the old icebox cookie, these are perfumed with the delicate scent and flavor of fresh lavender, an appropriate reminder of the hope for spring just as Yule is meant to be. The lavender also has a calming influence or can inspire love.
Mexican Wedding Cakes Recipe courtesy of MarthaStewart.com 1 cup pecan halves 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled ¼ cup granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup confectioners' sugar In a food processor, pulse pecans, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt until mixture resembles coarse meal; add butter and pulse until a dough forms. Shape dough into a disk, and wrap tightly in plastic; refrigerate until firm, 30 to 60 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Pinch off and roll dough into balls, each equal to 1 level tablespoon. Space 1 1/2 inches apart on two large baking sheets. Bake, switching sheets from top to bottom halfway through, until cookies are just golden around edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to a rack to cool completely. Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Roll cookies in sugar twice to coat thoroughly, tapping off excess.
Mini Peppermint Meringue Cups with Ganache Recipe courtesy of MarthaStewart.com Vegetable oil cooking spray 3 large egg whites, room temperature ž cup sugar Ÿ teaspoon pure peppermint extract Red gel-paste food coloring 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup heavy cream Garnish: 1 large candy cane, finely chopped Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Trace 16 circles onto each of 2 pieces of parchment using a 1 3/4-inch round cookie cutter, spacing about 2 inches apart. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray, and top each with a sheet of parchment, traced side down. Make the meringue cups: Heat egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl of a mixer set over a pan of simmering water, stirring, until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm to the touch, about 3 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer. Whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Beat in peppermint extract. sing a small food-safe paintbrush, paint 3 stripes of red food coloring up the inside of a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch plain round tip. Transfer egg-white mixture to pastry bag; pipe coils to fill each traced circle. Pipe up sides of each to create 3/4-inch- to 1-inch-high cups.
Bake until meringue cups are crisp but not browned and lift off parchment easily, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Transfer meringue cups to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Meanwhile, make the ganache: Transfer chocolate to a heatproof bowl. Bring cream to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour over chocolate, and let stand for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and cut a small slit in the top. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Stir ganache, and transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch open-star tip. Pipe ganache into the center of each meringue cup. Garnish with candy cane.
Lavender Scented Sugar Cookies 1 cup butter, softened ¼ cup granulated sugar 5 tbsp powdered sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp fresh lavender 1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp cold water ¼ cup granulated sugar Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat butter until pale yellow and fluffy. Gradually add the sugars and beat well. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, lavender and salt. Add to the butter mixture and beat until thoroughly combined. Roll dough into 2 logs about 1 ½ inches in diameter and about 12 inches in length. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. Unwrap chilled dough and brush with eggwash mixture. Roll logs in sugar. Slice dough into ¼ inch thick cookies and place one inch apart on baking sheets. Bake until lightly golden around the edges, about 10-12 minutes. Cool completely. Makes 3 dozen.
Magickal Gingerbread Recipes Gingerbread is a delight to the senses and a true reminder of Yule. The scent, the taste and perhaps most importantly, the family camaraderie of following a treasured recipe. Start a new tradition with one of these delicious recipes chock full of the success and strength ginger brings to the table! Gingerbread Cookies Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Gingerbread Waffles Gingerbread Caramels
Gingerbread Cookies 2 cups butter, cubed 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 cup dark molasses 2 tablespoons cidar vinegar 5 cups flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons ground ginger 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves Preheat oven to 375 F. Cream butter with sugar. Add egg, molasses and vinegar; beat well. Sift dry ingredients; stir in. Chill dough 3 hours or overnight. Roll thin on floured surface. Cut out in Christmas shapes. Bake 5-6 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from sheet to wire rack to cool.
Old-Fashioned Gingerbread 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ginger ½ teaspoon allspice 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup molasses 1 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 cup boiling water Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan. Set aside. In large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger and all-spice. Set aside. In another large bowl, combine oil, molasses, sugar and eggs. With electric mixer on medium, beat 3 minutes, until blended. Add dry ingredients, beating until smooth and well-blended. Quickly stir in boiling water. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan.
Gingerbread Waffles Recipe courtesy of BHG.com ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup shortening 1 egg ½ cup molasses 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ½ cup hot water Sweetened whipped cream (optional) Ground cinnamon (optional) In a medium mixing bowl beat sugar and shortening together until fluffy. Add egg and molasses; beat until
combined. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, salt, and cloves. Add to sugar mixture; beat until smooth. Stir in the hot water. Pour 1 to 1-1/4 cups batter onto grids of a preheated, lightly greased waffle baker. Close lid quickly; do not open until done. Bake according to manufacturers directions. (Do not overbake.) When done, use a fork to lift waffle off grid. Repeat with remaining batter. If desired, serve warm with sweetened whipped cream and additional cinnamon. Makes eight 4-inch waffles.
Gingerbread Caramels Recipe courtesy of MarthaStewart.com 4 cups (2 pints) heavy cream 2 cups light corn syrup 4 cups granulated sugar 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Vegetable-oil cooking spray Lightly coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on short sides; spray paper. In a large pot over high heat, bring cream, corn syrup, sugar, butter, and molasses to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture reaches 248 degrees (firmball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla, salt, and spices. Immediately pour onto prepared sheet, without scraping pot. Let stand, uncovered, 24 hours at room temperature (do not move pan). Generously coat a large cutting board with cooking spray. Lifting it by the parchment overhang, invert caramel onto the cutting board; use a sharp knife to loosen parchment, and remove. Cut into 1-by-1 1/4-inch pieces. Wrap each in cellophane or waxed paper. Caramels can be stored up to 1 month in airtight containers.
Yule Menu & Recipes Serve this unique and delicious menu filled with the flavors of winter at a Yule feast (or any other winter special occasion!) Coq au Vin Baked Winter Ratatouille with Mozzarella French Bread Eggnog Pie
Coq au Vin Recipe courtesy of BHG.com Nonstick cooking spray 3 pounds chicken thighs, skinned 1 envelope (1/2 of a 2.2-ounce package) beefy onion soup mix 2 cups quartered fresh mushrooms 1 ½ cups frozen small whole onions 3 medium carrots, cut into 31/2-inch sticks ½ cup dry red wine Lightly coat an unheated large skillet with cooking spray. Preheat skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken thighs, several at a time, in the hot skillet until brown. Drain off fat. Place chicken thighs in a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with dry soup mix. Add mushrooms, onions, and carrots. Pour wine over all. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Baked Winter Ratatouille with Mozzarella Recipe adapted from SmittenKitchen.com 1/2 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup tomato puree 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 small eggplant 2 small winter squash 1 parsnip Few sprigs fresh thyme Salt and pepper 1 cup mozzarella, shredded Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Pour tomato puree into bottom of an oval baking dish, approximately 10 inches across. Drop the garlic cloves and chopped onion into the sauce, stir in one tablespoon of the olive oil and season the sauce generously with salt and pepper. Trim the ends off the eggplant, squash and parsnip. On a mandoline, adjustableblade slicer or with a very sharp knife, cut the eggplant, squash and parsnip into very thin slices, approximately 1/16-inch thick. Atop the tomato sauce, arrange slices of prepared vegetables concentrically from the outer edge to the inside of the baking dish, overlapping so just a smidgen of
each flat surface is visible, alternating vegetables. You may have a handful leftover that do not fit. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon olive oil over the vegetables and season them generously with salt and pepper. Remove the leaves from the thyme sprigs with your fingertips, running them down the stem. Sprinkle the fresh thyme over the dish. Cover dish with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit inside. Bake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes, until vegetables have released their liquid and are clearly cooked, but with some structure left so they are not totally limp. They should not be brown at the edges, and you should see that the tomato sauce is bubbling up around them. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
French Bread Recipe courtesy of Food.com 2 cups warm water 1 tablespoon yeast 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons salt 5 -5 1/2 cups bread flour Dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees) and sugar in large bowl; allow yeast to proof or foam (about 10 minutes). Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down and divide in half. Shape dough into two long slender loaves. Grease and sprinkle with cornmeal either a french bread pan or large cookie sheet. Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal gashes on top of each loaf. Cover and let rise until doubled. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Note: You can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.
Eggnog Pie 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 1/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups eggnog 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon rum extract 1 cup whipping cream, whipped 1 pastry shells, baked (9-inch) In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in eggnog until smooth, bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in extracts. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into pastry shell. Refrigerate until firm (about 3 or more hours).