-
Wild May Cup Mocktail – A Fresh & Herbal Beltane Inspired Drink
There’s something undeniably enchanting about early May – when the garden bursts into bloom, the air smells green and alive, and every meal feels like a celebration. That’s exactly the spirit behind the Wild May Cup Mocktail, a vibrant blend of fresh berries, mint, citrus, and aromatic bitters. This spring mocktail was inspired by Beltane, a cross-quarter festival rooted in ancient Celtic tradition that celebrates fertility, fire, and new growth. Traditionally, revelers would sip herbal May Cups – infused with blossoms, herbs, and wine – to honor the season. This non-alcoholic version captures that same energy with a playful mix of ingredients that feels both grounded and joyful. The Wild…
-
Raspberry Citrus Salt: Sweet, Tart, and Just a Little Bit Magical
A Kitchen Witch’s Perspective There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own salts, especially when the ingredients are as vibrant and lively as freeze-dried raspberries and citrus zest. This Raspberry Citrus Salt isn’t just a recipe – It’s a little jar of edible sunshine. Whether your stirring it into summer salads, rimming a glass for a twilight mocktail, or sprinkling it on roasted vegetables, it adds sparkle in more ways than one. You’ll Love this Raspberry Citrus Salt Bright, tart, and subtly floral, this Raspberry Citrus Salt is a sweet-and-savory multitasker. Made with freeze-dried raspberries, hibiscus powder, citrus zest (I use both lemon and lime), and coarse sea salt, it…
-
Lemon Lavender Rose Jelly – A Floral Twist on Classic Preserves
It feels like forever since I’ve done any canning. (Though in reality, I did make a garlic dipping sauce yesterday – remind me to blog that!). Honestly, it has been a while. I’ve been caught up in working outside the home, commuting an hour each way, which doesn’t leave much time in the kitchen. With our quarterly food swap coming up, I wanted something new to bring to the table. So, I pulled out my canning cookbooks and started browsing for inspiration. In Better Homes and Gardens 2014 Canning (Special Interest), I came across a Lemon Lavender Jelly that sounded amazing. Being me, I had to tweak it. First, I…
-
Spaghetti Western Steak Rub
Spaghetti Western Inspiration As those gritty, sun-baked tales of outlaws and loner gunslingers stormed the screen in the 60’s, I wanted a steak rub that brought back the same bold, smoky punch to your dinner table. And because so many of these movies were actually filmed in Italy (hence the name “Spaghetti Western”), I wanted to make sure that the steak rub acknowledged that. These vintage-style “movie posters” capture that wild frontier spirit, and the one-of-a-kind flavor behind this rub. Why This Rub Works This Spaghetti Western Steak Rub perfectly balances smoky, savory, and slightly sweet. A hearty base of chili powders – both Ancho and New Mexico – lays…
