R – The Kitchen Witch Companion

Posted by on January 19, 2008 at 6:26 am | Last modified: January 19, 2008 6:26 am

Title: The Kitchen Witch Companion
Author: Patricia Telesco
Publisher: Citadel Press
Copyright/Release: © Patricia Telesco; 2005
ISBN: 0-8065-2670-X
Pages: 296 pp. including front and back matter

Patricia Telesco has long been a favorite of mine, and I was delighted with the release of The Kitchen Witch Companion. Her style of writing draws the reader into the book, and yes, into the material itself in a way that really no other author can do. Often I feel as though I’m sitting in her kitchen, listening to her talk.

The Kitchen Witch Companion covers everything from kitchen folklore (dealing with fire, water, food and the like) to witchy recipes for everyday cooking – all the way up to cooking for a coven. The recipes looked mouthwatering and after trying a few, I found they ARE mouthwatering. It’s obvious that Ms. Telesco has shared with us her tried and tested secrets. And I for one am ever so grateful.

Being a carnivore at heart and soul, I was delighted that she chose to include dishes with all sorts of meat. There is no meat lacking here…I found a recipe for preparing goose of all things. Golden Goose, none the less. What I found most intriguing and most delectable was the rather all-inclusive section on barbequing. A hot grill is, as far as I’m concerned, a pagans best friend. Whether it’s protein or vegetable, a grill is just a handy thing to have.

Quote: Page 80 – “Bountiful Baby Back Ribs”
“I owe a debt of gratitude to the person who first decided to roast these delectable items over a fresh fire. They’re among our favorites for inspiring both providence and bounty, being that the swine are associated with the fertile nature of the Great Mother, and Earth itself, in Celtic, Oceanic, Tibetan Buddhist, Hinduism, and Sumero-Semetic settings. This this foundation we add a sweet-savory rub so that life itself is sweet and zesty!

Rib Rub
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon each orange and lemon powder (or rind)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ cup brown sugar

I like to double or triple this recipe and make a large amount as it can be stored easily. Put all your ingredients in a small food processor to mix them thoroughly. While they blend, add an incantation like:

‘Meat when rubbed with herbs and zest
Brings to us, providence!
When heated ‘pon my sacred grill
Life becomes bountiful!’”

The recipe goes on to describe preparation of meat and grill. I’m sure everyone has some idea how to proceed from here, but if not, this recipe alone and it’s counterpart for the ribs themselves definitely makes purchasing this book a steal. Your family will thank you!

5 Broomsticks
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Jodi Lee, aka ierne, is a 20+ year veteran of pagan paths. A single work at home mom, she is currently hard at work on her first novel.

http://www.jodilee.ca

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