Soft Spirituality

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, marks the beginning of the harvest season. Traditionally celebrated on August 1st, this sabbat is a time to honor abundance, gratitude, and the fruits of the earth. Food plays a central role in Lammas celebrations, making it the perfect opportunity to prepare dishes inspired by the harvest. Here are 12 recipe ideas, from appetizers to desserts, to help you create a memorable Lammas feast.

Appetizers

1. Herb and Cheese Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of sourdough or artisan bread
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice the bread diagonally without cutting all the way through.
3. Combine melted butter, garlic, rosemary, and parsley.
4. Pour the mixture between the bread cuts, stuffing with cheese.
5. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 more minutes.

2. Corn Fritters with Honey Drizzle

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh corn kernels
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Honey, for drizzle

Instructions:

1. Mix corn, flour, cornmeal, milk, egg, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a skillet and drop spoonfuls of batter into the pan.
3. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
4. Drizzle with honey before serving.

3. Zucchini and Feta Tartlets

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares.
3. Mix zucchini, feta, egg, dill, salt, and pepper.
4. Spoon filling onto pastry squares and fold edges slightly.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.

Main Course

4. Harvest Vegetable Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced carrots
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup peas
• 1 cup diced parsnips
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pie crust

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook vegetables until tender.
3. In a pot, melt butter, whisk in flour, then add broth and milk. Simmer until thickened.
4. Combine sauce with vegetables and pour into a baking dish. Cover with pie crust.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden.

5. Grilled Herb-Crusted Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp rosemary, chopped
• 1 tbsp thyme, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate pork chops in olive oil, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat grill and cook chops for 4-5 minutes per side.
3. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Wild Rice and Lentils

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice tops off peppers and remove seeds.
3. Mix rice, lentils, tomatoes, and spices, then stuff peppers.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender.

Mocktails

7. Blackberry and Thyme Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup blackberries
• 1/2 cup thyme-infused simple syrup
• 3 cups sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Muddle blackberries in a glass.
2. Add thyme syrup and sparkling water. Stir gently.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with thyme sprigs.

8. Apple Cider and Ginger Fizz

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup ginger beer
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Ice cubes
• Cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix apple cider, ginger beer, and lemon juice in a glass.
2. Serve over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

7. Spiced Pear and Sage Cooler

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe pears, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp honey
• 4 fresh sage leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Sparkling water or club soda (for topping)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the chopped pears, water, honey, sage, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the pears soften.
2. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Strain the mixture, pressing the pears to extract as much juice as possible.
3. Stir in the lemon juice and let it chill in the refrigerator.
4. When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the pear mixture halfway. Top with sparkling water or club soda for a refreshing fizz.
5. Garnish with a fresh sage leaf and a cinnamon stick for stirring.

Desserts

10. Peach and Berry Galette

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust
• 2 peaches, sliced
• 1 cup mixed berries
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toss fruit with sugar and cornstarch.
3. Place fruit in the center of the crust, fold edges, and brush with egg wash.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.

11. Honey Cake with Almond Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp almond milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream honey, sugar, and butter. Add eggs.
3. Mix dry ingredients and add alternately with milk.
4. Bake in a greased pan for 30-35 minutes.
5. Mix powdered sugar and almond milk for glaze. Drizzle over cooled cake.

12. Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar. Mix in flour, cornmeal, and lemon zest.
3. Roll into balls and flatten slightly on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

These Lammas recipes are a wonderful way to embrace the season’s bounty and celebrate the first fruits of the harvest. Whether you’re hosting a gathering (check out the How to Host a Lammas Party post) or enjoying a quiet meal with loved ones, these dishes will help make your Lammas celebration truly special.