Soft Spirituality

Mabon, the autumn equinox, is a time of balance and gratitude as we celebrate the harvest season. It’s the perfect occasion to gather loved ones around a table of warm, hearty, and seasonal dishes. Here are 10 recipes—from appetizers to desserts—to make your Mabon celebration delicious and meaningful.

Appetizers

1. Harvest Pumpkin Soup

• Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small pumpkin (or 3 cups canned pumpkin puree)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add pumpkin, vegetable broth, and spices. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  3. Blend until smooth and stir in coconut milk. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.

2. Cheddar & Sage Scones

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • 3/4 cup milk
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Stir in cheese and sage, then add milk until dough forms.
  4. Shape into a circle, cut into wedges, and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Main Courses

3. Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops

• Ingredients:
  • 4 pork chops
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Season pork chops with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear in a hot skillet for 3 minutes on each side, then remove.
  3. Combine cider, sugar, mustard, and thyme in the skillet. Simmer until reduced.
  4. Return pork chops to the skillet, coating with glaze. Cook until done.

4. Mushroom & Barley Stew

• Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 3 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 cup barley
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Heat olive oil in a pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and mushrooms until soft.
  2. Add barley, broth, and thyme. Simmer for 40 minutes.
  3. Adjust seasoning and serve warm with crusty bread.

Mocktails

5. Spiced Cranberry Spritz

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • Orange slices and cranberries for garnish
• Instructions:
  1. Mix cranberry juice, orange juice, and cinnamon in a pitcher.
  2. Add sparkling water just before serving.
  3. Serve over ice with garnishes.

6. Maple Pear Cooler

• Ingredients:
  • 2 ripe pears, juiced
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup ginger ale
  • Ice cubes
• Instructions:
  1. Combine pear juice and maple syrup in a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake well and strain into glasses.
  3. Top with ginger ale and serve immediately.

Desserts

7. Caramel Apple Tart

• Ingredients:
  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 3 apples, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lay puff pastry on a baking sheet.
  2. Arrange apple slices on top, drizzle with caramel, and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
  3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

8. Pumpkin Pie Bars

• Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 can pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Instructions:
  1. Mix graham cracker crumbs with butter and press into a baking dish.
  2. Combine pumpkin, sugar, spice, and cream, and pour over crust.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

9. Pecan Pie Bites

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 sheet pie crust, cut into small circles
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pie crust circles in a mini muffin tin.
  2. Mix pecans, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Spoon into crusts.
  3. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.

10. Cinnamon Baked Pears

• Ingredients:
  • 4 pears, halved and cored
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange pears in a baking dish.
  2. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with cinnamon and walnuts.
  3. Bake for 25 minutes until tender.

Celebrate Mabon by sharing these warm and comforting dishes with loved ones. Let the balance of the season inspire gratitude and joy around your harvest feast.