Homemade Applesauce

picture courtesy of edupic.net

One of our favorite things to do as a family in the Fall is go apple picking. We always end up with tons of apples, sometimes more than we know what to do with. Apples can be used to make so many things from sweet to savory. My son loves apples and his favorite apple treat is homemade applesauce. It is super simple to make and very tasty, oh and did I mention cost effective? All you really need are apples, plus whatever you have on hand for extra flavor. Brown sugar, cinnamon, I've never tried it but I bet even some maple syrup would be delicious.

To make the applesauce:

1. Core, peel, and chop roughly 4* apples; you can use what ever kind you want but the sweeter varieties make for better applesauce.
2.  Boil until fork tender.
3.  Blend in a food processor with whatever flavorings you like (I just use cinnamon) until it reaches the consistency you want.

*This makes about a medium sized container full, obviously if you want to make more, use more apples.

Magickal Housekeeping for a Green Witch

I've been busily trying to move all of the useful posts from natural cooking over here and the result has been an awful lot of talking about food. While normally I wouldn't see that as a problem I did want this blog to be about more than just cooking. Another very important aspect of being a kitchen witch is keeping up with the house cleaning. Both the magickal and the mundane.

Hopefully in the next week and a half we'll be moving into our new apartment and I'm going to have to get stocked up on some cleaning supplies. So for your enjoyment and my own information I've compiled a small list of some basic cleaning tools and both their magickal and practical applications.

Besom/Broom- An implement used for sweeping, usually consisting of a bunch of twigs, straw, or bristles bound together and attached to a stick or handle.

Besoms are associated with the Fae and are comprised of both masculine (the phallic handle) and feminine (bristles) components. These can also be used to replace a wand or staff. They are often used for protection and as a traditional tool in pagan handfastings.

Besoms are also often used for clearing out negative energy, next time you sweep the floor visualize all of the negative occurrences that have happened in that space being swept away

Smudge Stick- A wand made of various dried leaves or herbs that produces fragrant smoke when burned, used originally among certain Native American peoples to cleanse places, persons, or objects of negative spiritual energy.

Usually these sticks are made of white sage. Simply light the tip, blow it out and let it smolder. For a basic smudging simply waft the smoke around doorways, corners, and windows. When your done open the windows and allow the smoke to carry the negativity away. On a mundane level it smells nice and I've heard it discourages insects.

Baking Soda- A white crystalline compound, NaHCO3 with a slightly alkaline taste, used in making effervescent salts and beverages, artificial mineral water, pharmaceuticals, and fire extinguishers. Also called bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate.

From drain cleaning to facials baking soda makes for an effective cleaning and cosmetic agent. Anything with that many uses is going to be an effective tool for a kitchen witch. Not only is it multipurpose and economical it's a natural alternative to many harsh and dangerous chemicals, helping our wallets and mother earth all at the same time.

Essential Oils- A volatile oil, usually having the characteristic odor or flavor of the plant from which it is obtained, used to make perfumes and flavorings.

As long as you're not allergic essential oils can be used for several household applications. They can be added to soap and water used for washing the floor or walls adding a pleasant scent to your whole home. They can be used to make homemade air freshener. Try this recipe from Putting a Little Magick into Your Spring Cleaning: Fill a mister bottle 3/4 full with white vinegar, add 1 teaspoon baking soda and 5-20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Once it has stopped bubbling, cap the bottle and spray away.

This is just a small sampling of the many uses of these four basic cleaning aids. Tomorrow we'll talk about magickal tools for the kitchen. If you'd like to see something added or you'd like to add something yourself drop me a line.

Waste Not Want Not

One concern of a modern day Kitchen Witch is keeping things economical. A popular way of keeping our budgets under control is to reuse items, not only is it economical but it has the added benefit of helping mother earth. Less waste equals less trash at the dump. If you've got a freezer or cabinet full of odds and ends but simply don't know where to start here are some tips to get you motivated.

1. Instead of throwing away all of those bread ends that no one wants store them in your freezer. Whenever you need bread crumbs simply pull them out, toast them in a low oven and pop them in your food processor. You can add Parmesan, herbs, or other seasonings to tailor them to your own taste without all of the extra sodium found in the pre-made store bought kind.
2. Vegetable peels and the cut off ends of heartier veggies can be bagged and stored. Once you have a full bag add fresh onions, garlic, and whatever seasonings you like. Add everything to a pot of water and bring to a boil then reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer until it reaches the concentration you're looking for. Remove from heat and strain all the yucky bits out. What you're left with is a rich and delicious vegetable broth, much cheaper than buying one pre-made. Note: The same can be done to make chicken, beef, or any kind of other broth/ stock. Simply save the carcasses of roasts and boil with fresh aromatics and veggies.
3. If you have leftover stuffing combine with beaten eggs, veggies, and cheese for an amazing breakfast casserole.
4. Leftover rice can be turned into a tasty and healthy Asian stir fry.
5. If you've got veggies that need to get used right away but their doesn't seem to be enough for a meal add them to a quiche or fritatta for a filling protein packed breakfast.

It's like magick turnings something everyone thought was useless into a delicious meal. The possibilities are endless, and cost effective! Don't ever doubt your own creativity.