Saturday the 21st of June, marked the shortest day of the year, the magical winter solstice.
Images of beautiful naked witches, dancing around bubbling cauldrons, in moonlit forests pop into my head. As a foodie, I can’t help but wonder, what’s in that pot? Is it eye of newt? Or is it something fabulously wild and earthy, like rabbit, or quail with truffles and saffron?
It’s definitely not a big tossed salad, or chilled melon soup. And they’re not drinking cocktails, it’s deep red wine in their goblets. Maybe it’s a gargantuan slow roasted meaty something with enchanted cinnamon and star anise?
Although the days will get the tiniest bit longer, summer is not quite on our doorstep, and the quiet chill of winter is setting in. So don’t rush out in your hot pants, you might just freeze your koek off. I suggest a woolly hat and scarf, and of course a wooden spoon.
Try these entrancing recipes for some bewitching winter fun.
You can start with these
magic muffins, or this out-of-this-world
fried omelette with caramelized soya mushrooms.
For a fun tea time treat, try the
spicy ginger bread. Great for a lunch box snack too.
This spicy lamb and lentil soup will warm the tummy of the whole family, and is wonderful for lunch or supper.
For something extraordinary, this
roast ginger and honey pork with Szechuan apple sauce will cast a spell on anyone.
And to finish off, try a slice of the otherworldly
chocolate chilli torte.
Enjoy the mid-winter magic.