Yule Recipies

Solar Cookies - This is a season of the rebirth of the sun, so I like to make solar cookies. I have a sun cookie cutter and will make this recipe, then sprinkle with yellow sugar.

Solar Cookies

Note: this dough has to chill for four hours before cooking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Lightly grease two cookie sheets

Ingredients

1 Cup vegetable shortening

1 Cup sugar

4 egg yolks

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. lemon extract

3 Cups flour

In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg yolks. Beat in lemon juice and extract. Next slowly add in the flour. When all mixed cover and chill for at least four hours.

On floured table, roll dough to about one eighth inch thickness. Use your sun cookie cutter then place on cookie sheet about an inch apart. Sprinkle with your yellow sugar and then bake for about ten minutes.

Solstice Stew - Winter is the season of cold and dark evenings. It is also the time of year we seem prone to colds. Thyme and garlic are two herbs that magically we use to bring healing and good health into our lives. Make your stew into a spell. Cook up a pot of this stew to warm up the whole family and keep everyone healthy.

Solstice Stew

Ingredients

1 lb. beef stew meat

2 Tbsp. cooking oil

3&1/2 cups V-8 juice

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 tsp. instant beef bouillon granules

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. thyme

2&1/4 cups cubed, peeled potatoes

2 cups sliced carrots

1 cup sliced celery

In large saucepan, heat cooking oil and brown stew meat and onion. Once brown add V-8 juice, onion, bouillon granules, garlic, basil & thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour. Add potatoes, carrots and celery. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes. I usually let it simmer for an hour because I like mushy potatoes!

Pumpkin Bread - This recipe calls for cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. These are all herbs associated with the sun. The golden raisins I also associate with solar energy. While cooking this delight, focus on the return of the sun. This one is great for ritual cakes!

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp ginger

1/8 tsp cloves

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

1/3 cup shortening

1/2 cup golden raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease a 9x5x3 inch bread pan

In a large mixing bowl combine half the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Add the pumpkin, milk, eggs and shortening. Use your mixer on low until mixed well and then on high for about two minutes. Add in the remaining flour and finish mixing. Fold in the raisins. Pour into pan and bake for about 60 minuets.