Soft Spirituality

Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, is a time of connection, reflection, and celebration. To honor the season, we’ve curated a menu of delectable dishes, drinks, and desserts perfect for your Samhain feast. These recipes focus on seasonal ingredients and symbolic foods to align with the energy of this sacred time.

Appetizers

1. Pumpkin Sage Crostini

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crumbled goat cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden.
3. In a bowl, mix pumpkin purée with sage, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread the mixture onto the toasted baguette slices. Top with goat cheese if desired.

2. Butternut Squash Soup Shooters

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion until translucent.
2. Add butternut squash, broth, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the squash is tender.
3. Blend the soup until smooth and stir in coconut milk.
4. Serve warm in small cups or shot glasses as a starter.

Main Course

3. Harvest Vegetable Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, potatoes)
• 1 cup peas
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a skillet, sauté root vegetables until softened.
3. Add butter and flour, stirring to coat the vegetables. Gradually pour in broth, stirring to create a thick sauce.
4. Stir in peas, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and cover with puff pastry, trimming excess.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Spiced Apple and Pork Roast

Ingredients:

• 1 pork loin roast
• 2 apples, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the pork loin with salt and pepper. Sear on all sides in a hot skillet.
3. In a roasting pan, layer apple and onion slices. Place the pork on top.
4. Mix cider, honey, and cinnamon. Pour over the pork.
5. Roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour, basting occasionally.

Mocktails

5. Blackberry Sage Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tbsp honey
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 cups sparkling water

Instructions:

1. Muddle blackberries, sage, and honey in a glass.
2. Add lemon juice and mix.
3. Strain into glasses and top with sparkling water. Add ice and garnish with a sage leaf.

6. Mulled Cranberry Cider

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• 1 orange, sliced

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot. Simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Strain and serve warm.

Desserts

7. Dark Chocolate Tart with Pomegranate Seeds

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made tart crust
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Instructions:

1. Heat cream in a small pot until simmering. Pour over chocolate chips and stir until melted.
2. Pour the mixture into the tart crust and refrigerate until set.
3. Top with pomegranate seeds before serving.

8. Pumpkin Spice Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Instructions:

1. Melt white chocolate and mix with pumpkin purée and spice.
2. Chill the mixture until firm enough to roll into balls.
3. Roll in graham cracker crumbs. Refrigerate until set.

9. Caramel Apple Galette

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet pie dough
• 2 apples, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp caramel sauce
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Arrange apple slices on the pie dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
3. Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Fold edges of the dough over the apples. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

10. Spiced Pear Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe pears, diced
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Add butter and eggs, stirring until smooth. Fold in pears.
4. Pour into a greased cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Create a feast that connects with the energy of Samhain, embracing the season’s flavors and traditions. These recipes are perfect for celebrating with loved ones or honoring the festival in solitude. Happy Samhain!