The Divine Bee Early civilizations honored the bees. The Sumerians, Babylonians, Indians, and Egyptian wrote about the miracle cures of honey while the Greeks named it ‘the food of the Gods’. Honey is one of the earliest known offertories. “One jar of honey to all the gods, one jar of honey to the Mistress of the Labyrinth,” was written on…

Ingredients a springform pan and parchment paper 3/4 cup olive oil (extra-virgin if desired), plus additional for greasing pan 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon finely grated zest 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 cup cake flour (not self-rising) 5 large eggs, separated, reserving 1 white for another use 3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar Directions: Heat oven to 350°F.…

Squash is associated with wholeness of the spirit and fruitfulness of the intuitive mind while lemons bring uplifting energy for clarity and happiness. Combine the two with the spicy energy of the green onions and you get an energizing dish to lift your mood, boost your health, and sharpen your senses. You will need: 1 Tablespoon butter melted 1 teaspoon…

This easy Caprese salad combines the summer energies of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil for a refreshing and delicious meal. Tomato has energy for love and prosperity Basil has energy to foster affection, set a luck charm, draw abundance, and to promote protection. Mozzarella has nurturing energy for happiness and positive energy. Olive oil has energy for healing, fertility, love,…

Ingredients 1 pound chicken breasts Marinade: 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon dried thyme 5 cloves roasted garlic 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions Wash the chicken and pat dry; cut diagonal slits across the chicken breast (about 1/4-inch thick), this allows the marinade to penetrate the meat; place into a…

Ingredients 1 (20-ounce) package peeled cubed butternut squash 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning 3 tablespoons olive oil Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix to coat the squash. Place squash on a nonstick baking sheet or a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake until…

Ingredients 2 pounds carrots, peeled and coarsely grated 1 pound sugar snap peas, ends trimmed and cut into three strips lengthwise 2 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon juice salt and pepper to taste Directions In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook carrots 1 minute, add peas and cook another minute.…

Ingredients 2 cups plain yogurt 2 tablespoons good honey 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Seeds scraped from 1/2 vanilla bean, optional 1/2 orange, juiced 1 banana, sliced 1/2 pint fresh blueberries 1/2 pint fresh raspberries 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and cut in half 1 bunch seedless green grapes, halved Directions Combine the yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean…

Ingredients 1 lb bag tri-colored pasta or pasta of choice, cooked, drained and cold 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into small cubes 1 -2 tomatoes..cut into small cube 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese 1/2 – 1 cup crumbled or cubed feta cheese 1/2 cup sliced black olives salt and pepper to taste a bottle of italian or greek dressing…

Ingredients 1 tablespoon orange marmalade 1 lemon 1/4 extra-virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 to 3 cups fresh spinach 2 to 3 cups arugula 1 orange, peeled and thinly sliced into discs 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted Directions In the bottom of a shallow salad bowl, combine the marmalade…

Ingredients 1 jar mushroom slices ½ cup Hellmans mayo 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese Small can French fried onions Cocktail sized pumpernickel bread Dash of salt Directions Mix ingredients well except for bread.  Spread mix on bread slices. Bake at 350* until Mixture is brown and bubbly….

Ingredients 1 pint small strawberries, hulled and halved A few sprigs fresh mint 1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar 6 cups water 12 lemons, juiced Directions Add the berries and mint to a glass pitcher and smoosh (LOL yes that is a term ) with a wooden spoon. In a  saucepan add the sugar, to taste, and 2/3 cup of water. Cook over medium…

Ingredients 1 pound ground beef 1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped 1 package dry taco mix 1/2 cup sliced ripe olives 3/4 cup water 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 med head lettuce, shredded 1 6oz package corn chips 1 large tomato, halved and sliced 1 small onion, sliced and rings separated Directions In skillet, brown the ground beef.…

Ingredients 4 French rolls 4 slices pressed ham Butter or margarine, softened 4 slices salami Several lettuce leafs 2 hard cooked eggs, sliced 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese French salad dressing Directions Split rolls lengthwise, cutting to but not through crust at back. Spread cut surfaces with butter or margarine. For each sandwich: Cover bottom half with a couple lettuce…

Few things symbolize the midsummer season like early vegetables — peppers, onions, and even asparagus are delicious on the grill. During Litha, when we celebrate the power and energy of the sun, grilled vegetables are the perfect representation of that solar energy. After all, what’s better than cooking with fire, like our ancestors did? Toss some veggies on the grill and dig…

These snack wraps are easy to make, and can be prepped ahead of time and chilled in the fridge. They work nicely as an appetizer for any summer menu, or you can put together a variety of them as a main course for a light dinner. Ingredients: 10 flour tortillas 1 package cream cheese, softened 1 Tbs. fresh dill 1…

Lemon balm is in full bloom by Litha, so it’s a perfect opportunity to make a pitcher of cool lemon balm tea! Brew this up in your kitchen, and serve it over ice. Ingredients: 2 Cups lemon balm leaves, fresh Honey or other sweetener Water Directions Bring 2 quarts water to a boil, and add the leaves. Reduce heat and…

Ginger is a root vegetable found in a lot of Asian cuisine, but it can be grown all over the world. To make this recipe, you’ll need about a pound of ginger root, which you can either grow yourself or pick up at your local grocery store. Candy it with sugar and corn syrup, then store it for a fiery and…

Fennel has a rich, licorice-like flavor, and lends itself well to a cool summer salad. Add a bit of fruit to offset the savoriness of the fennel, top with a light mustard vinaigrette, and you’ve got the perfect salad to serve as a side or main course. Ingredients: 1 large fennel bulb 2 fresh oranges 1 Granny Smith apple 3…

Ingredients 2 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped 1 sweet pepper, seeded and chopped 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped 3/4 C. Herb blend, basil, chives, tarragon, parsley, dill, chervil, thyme 1/2 C. olive oil 3 tbsp. lemon juice 3 C. cold water 1 sweet Spanish onion, peeled and sliced 1 C. cucumber, peeled, seeded, and sliced 1/2 tsp. paprika…

Ingredients 8 med apples, cored, pared, and cubed 2 tbs. lemon juice 1/4 cup sugar 5 or 6 drops red food coloring 1/4 cup water Directions Put apples, sugar, water, lemon juice, and food coloring in blender; cover and blend until smooth. Heat in sauce pan on low to serve warm, or chill. Makes 4 1cup servings.

Ingredients 3 C. flour 1 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 pkg. dry active yeast 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1 tsp. fresh thyme 1 1/4 C. hot water 2 tbsp. Crisco Directions Mix 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add herbs, water, and Crisco. Beat slowly, stirring…

Ingredients ½ cup butter 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup honey ½ teaspoon salt 1 egg, well beaten ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups of flour, sifted ½ cup buttermilk Frosting: 1 cup powdered (10x) sugar 1 tablespoon of melted butter 1 ½ tablespoons of milk, slightly warmed ½ teaspoons of honey, warmed slightly Directions In a mixing bowl on medium…

Ingredients 1 Teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro 2 Servings Angel Hair Pasta 2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic 1/2 cup finely diced onion 1 Teaspoon Oregano 3 tomatoes, chopped 1 Teaspoon Basil 1 teaspoon salt Directions In a medium bowl, combine ingredients. Chill for one hour in the refrigerator before serving.

Ingredients 400g cherries 4 nectarines 250g strawberries 300ml lemonade 6 lemon balm leaves A few cherries and strawberries, to serve Ice cubes Directions Cut the nectarines and cherries in half and remove the pits. Cut any leaves and stalks off the strawberries, and wash all fruit thoroughly. Push through a juicer, then top with sparkling water or lemonade, and pour…

In Celtic lore, the salmon is associated with knowledge. In fact, the first person to taste this delicious fish was granted all kinds of wisdom! At the summer solstice, certainly a time of fire, why not toss a salmon into the flame so you can partake of its vast knowledge? This simple dish can be prepared out on your grill to…

Ingredients Round sour dough bread loaves, halved 1/2 pound Broccoli, fresh 1/4 cup Onion, chopped 1/4 cup Margarine 1/2 cup Flour 3 cups Water 4 teaspoons Chicken Bouillon granules 2 cups Milk 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded Directions Steam broccoli in small amount of salted water for 10 minutes or until crisp-tender; coarsely chop. In…

Ingredients 1 1/4 cups warm water 1 envelope of yeast 2 Tbsp sugar 2 Tbsp softened oleo 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp dried leaf thyme 2 3/4 cups plain flour Directions Sprinkle yeast over water in a large warm bowl (I still use the good old Pyrex yellow); stir till dissolved. Add oleo, sugar, salt, thyme, and half of…

Ingredients 1-1lb 14oz can (3 1/2 cups) halved peaches 3 slices slightly dry bread (toast on light) 1 tbs. cornstarch 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 1/4 tsp. salt 1/3 cup sugar 1 tbs. lemon juice 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg Directions Drain peaches, reserving 1 cup syrup. In a pan, combine…

Ingredients 9 inch  double pie crust ¼ tsp. salt 1 c sugar ¼ c flour 2 c fresh rhubarb or frozen 2 c blueberries 1 TB butter Directions Mix salt, sugar and flour. Add fruit and stir well. Heat over to 450. Pour filling into bottom crust and dot with butter. Add top crust and seal, cut vent holes. Bake…

Ingredients 1 (2 3/4 ounce) package vanilla custard powder (no bake) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups milk 1 (21 ounce) can pineapple pie filling 2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened Directions In sauce pan prepare custard according to the package directions using the milk. Remove from heat. Gradually stir cheese into hot mixture, mixing well. Stir in vanilla. Chill custard mixture and pie…

Ingredients 1 pie crust (unbaked) 4 cups slice peaches fresh 2 tsp. unbleached flour 1/4 cup peach preserves, with no added sugar in them. 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon freshly grated nutmeg dash of sea salt Directions Preheat oven to 400. In the unbaked crust of your choice arrange the peach slices in overlapping circles.…

Ingredients Pie shell, but don’t bake it yet 2 cups granulated sugar 1 tablespoon flour 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornmeal 4 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup softened butter 1/2 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup grated lemon peel Optional: Second pie shell for covering Orange slices for garnish at serving time Directions Preheat the oven to 375º F. Put…

Ingredients 2 cups milk per serving 1 tsp. honey 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract cinnamon Directions Warm milk, be careful not to boil it. In each mug add your honey and vanilla. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Butermilk Scones Ingredients 3 cups Flour 1/3 cup Sugar 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda 3/4 teaspoon Salt 2 Tablespoons Butter 1 cup Buttermilk 3/4 cup Currants 1 teaspoon Grated Orange Rind 1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon 2 Tablespoons Sugar Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Use an ungreased baking sheet. Combine the flour, sugar,…

Ingredients Leaves from 4 sprigs of mint 1/4 cup sugar 4 cups seltzer water 6 cups passion fruit juice 1 lime ice cubes 6 passionflowers Directions Bruise the mint leaves with the sugar in a mortar and pestle. Transfer the mix to your punch bowl. Pour seltzer water and fruit juice over the leaves. Squeeze in the juice of the…

Ingredients 2 -3oz packages orange flavored gelatin 2 7oz bottles ginger ale 1 1lb can whole cranberry sauce 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned 1 83/4 oz crushed pineapple, un-drained 1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned Directions In saucepan, combine gelatin and cranberry sauce. Heat and stir until almost boiling. Stir in undrained crushed pineapple and ginger ale. Remove from heat and…

Ingredients 1-lb 14oz can (3 1/2 cups) halved peaches 3 slices slightly dry bread (toast on light) 1 tbs. cornstarch 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 1/4 tsp. salt 1/3 cup sugar 1 tbs. lemon juice 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg Directions Drain peaches, reserving 1 cup syrup. In a pan, combine…

Ingredients 1/2 cup green onion, thinly sliced 1 T. garlic, minced 1 T. olive oil 8 oz. spinach, triple washed, patted dry, and de-stemmed 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced 1 cup loose parsley, washed well 1/4 cup chives, sliced 1 T. freshly chopped dill 1 T. lime juice 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. hot sauce, of choice 1 –…

Instructions 1/2 cup sweet white wine 1 egg 2/3 cups flour 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup of honey 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg Oil for frying Directions Beat the wine and egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30…

Ingredients 3/4c softened butter 2c brown sugar 2 eggs 1T lemon juice 2T grated lemon rind 2c sifted flour 1c finely chopped pecans. Directions Cream butter in a large non-metallic  mixing bowl. Gradually add the brown sugar, mixing well. Add eggs, lemon  juice, and rind, then mix well until mixture is well blended. Cover the bowl with a white or…

Ingredients: 1 cup Mango 1/2 cup Pine Nuts (optional) 1 cup Pineapple, to be cut into bite-size chunks 1 cup Apple, to be cut into bite-size chunks 1 cup Peaches, to be cut into bite-size chunks 2 or 3 Bananas, to be sliced (depending on personal preference) 1 small jar Red Cherries 1/2 cup Coconut (if desired) Directions Take a…

Ingredients 1 lb. Mixed Red Soft Fruits 4 oz. Sugar Enough White Bread to line a Pudding Basin Whipped Cream for serving Directions Trim the crusts off the bread and line the pudding basin with it, cutting a circle for the base. Ensure that the basin is lined without any gaps. Cook the fruits and sugar, without adding extra water,…

Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup sugar 3 large eggs 3 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons orange zest 1 tablespoon dried lavender blossoms Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Adjust oven rack to the middle position. Lightly grease three baking sheets (lining…

Ingredients 1 cup Butter or margarine 2 cups Sugar, divided 2 large Eggs 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups Flour 2 teaspoons Baking powder 1/4 teaspoon Salt 1/3 cup Lemon Grass, Lemon Balm or Lemon Basil  chopped Directions Cream the butter and 1-3/4 cups sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and…

Ingredients: 6 small boneless chicken breast halves 6 stalks asparagus 3 ounces Colby or Colby Jack cheese 1 cup plain bread crumbs 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup pignoli nuts — finely chopped 3 eggs salt and pepper — to taste 6 ounces pesto sauce 1 Cup heavy cream Directions: Pound chicken breasts to a  1/4 inch thickness and set…