Mystical Minis

When people think of magic, they often think a complex ritual of spells.  I am here to say that is not always true.   For example, these mystical minis are a simple dessert that can bring a touch of magic into your life.  With a little love, a dollop of creativity (or whipped cream), and a pinch of whimsy (or salt), you can have delightful delicious desserts that can do wondrous things for you and those around you.

MARVELOUS MYSTICAL MAGICAL MINIS

 Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake for 18 -20 minutes. Use mini tart pans lined with mini cuplets or 1-2” foil and paper cups (a good place to find them is Michaels). Makes about 60 -72 tiny bite sized desserts. I often divide the recipe in half but the mini cheesecakes do freeze very well.

·         1¼ cup graham wafer or Oreo  crumbs

·         ¼ cup melted butter

Mix together and press about 1 tsp. into each cuplet.

• 2- 8 oz. pkgs. of brick cream cheese
• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp. of lemon juice

Beat well and fill each liner about ¾ full. Bake until tops look set and have a touch of golden color. Cool completely.

  Magical Touch

There are a variety of things you can do to add magic to these tasty treats.  It would take forever to list them all but here are four to get you started.
Apple Cinnamon Caramel - Attracts love and passion and calms anxiety. Apple
Cinnamon
White sugar

Caramel sauce (make your own, melt soft caramels, or use sundae topping)

1. Core and pare apple and cut into little tiny pieces.
2. Mix in cinnamon and sugar to taste.
3. Put in the microwave and cook for one minute.
4. Spoon your apple mixture into the center of the mini.
5. Pour the caramel sauce on top.

Sea Salt Chocolate - Cleanses the soul.  Milk Chocolate bar
Pinch of Sea Salt

1. Cut the chocolate into small pieces.
2. Add 2-3 drops of vegetable oil.
3. Put in the microwave for 20 second intervals. Stir after each interval until melted.
4. Spoon the melted chocolate into the center of the mini.
5. Take a pinch of sea salt and sprinkle on top.

Lemon with Berries - Gives a surge of joyous energy. Lemon Pie Filling
Raspberries and Blueberries

1. Spoon lemon pie filling into the center of the mini.
2. Place one blueberry and one raspberry in the center.

Mint and Basil:  - Protects against negativity. Mint Jelly
Pinch of dried Basil

1. Spoon mint jelly into the center of the mini.
2. Sprinkle the basil on top.

Simple right?  But what makes them so magical?  The beginning of all magic comes from intention.  Arrange the desserts on a pretty plate, and play a little music.  Concentrate, wave your hand over the minis, and put your energy into them.  When you put in love and joyous energy, they instantly become magical. 
I hosted a Boxing Day Party and served the desserts. They were big hit and everyone was happy and having a great time.  Of course, I also served wine and cocktails.

Dragon Fire Tonic: Fights a Cold and Flu

Got a cold?  Or a flu?  It's can be miserable when you get sick with these two ailments.  That's why I have a recipe here from the Nether Realm that will help.  It is a very simple recipe and a surprisingly tasty one too.  According to all the best wizards, witches and witch doctors it is the best tasting medicine in all of the Nether Realm and fast acting too.  It has been developed and adjusted over centuries and with a little help from the dragon's fire, we got the best medicine we could ask for.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup of Orange juice
1 teaspoon of Lemon juice
1 squirt of Honey
1/8 teaspoon of Ginger
1/8 teaspoon of Turmeric
1 tiny pinch of Cayenne Pepper
1 stick of Cinnamon

Instructions

1. Mix the first six ingredients together.
2. If you are in the Nether Realm and have a dragon present or have access to a dragon's den, have the animal breath fire for about 2 seconds to heat the concoction.  If you are in the Earth Realm, put the mixture in a microwave safe container and heat for 2 minutes.
3. Pour into a cup, add the cinnamon stick to stir.
4. Wave your hand over the concoction while focusing on its power to heal.  This will transfer your positive energy into it and therefore making it more potent.
5. Drink it slowly and enjoy! 

*Helpful tips:

·         Try to do this as organic as possible.  It works better this way.

·         Watch out!  It may be hotter than hellfire!

You may never find a dragon in the Earth Realm but that doesn't mean you can't have a spicy tonic inspired and perfected by them.  It will fix you right up and have you feeling great in no time.  To quote the witch doctor that first gave the recipe to me, “The heat of the dragon energize thee." 

 

How did this recipe work for all of you?

Black Magic Smoothies

Feel like you are in a spell? Feel like you are in a web that is weaved so well? Like the song written in 1942 and sang by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and even Marilyn Monroe in the movie “Bus Stop” says, it must be that Old Black Magic. As many of you know, I believe in kindness, compassion, joy and light. I am no fan of black magic. But with Halloween just around the corner and winter fast approaching, it makes good sense to take measures to improve your own health and strength.

So I have a solution for you. This “Black Magic Smoothie” will smooth over any spells or curses and help you avoid colds and flus. The recipe makes 4 servings but I like it so much it is really about 2 servings for me.

Ingredients

1 cup of black cherries

1 cup of blackberries

1 cup of blueberries

1 cup of greens (try spinach, kale, or Swiss chard)

2 cups of pomegranate juice

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

1/3 cup of black beans (optional)

Throw everything into a blender and blend really well. Drink and enjoy.  Put leftovers in a jar for the next day.

Hints

I highly recommend frozen fruits and vegetables. Unless they are in season where you live, frozen is a more economical and nutritional option. Less preparation and waste too. I often buy mixed fruits and pick out just what I want for a specific recipe.

The black beans are optional but they are the “secret” ingredient because they are magical. And not in the sense of “Beans, beans, the magical fruit.  The more you eat, the more….” well, you know the rest. More relative to the fairy tale about Jack and the Beanstalk. Beans provide a wealth of fiber and protein and help you feel full. And let's face it, they are delicious!

Remember that in the Earth Realm, we are more susceptible to illness and injury. We are approaching a season of superstition, cold weather, and change. Be aware, keep fit, and stay strong.

Voodoo Rice and Beans Recipe

That's right.  Voodoo rice.  I had the pleasure to visit New Orleans earlier this year.  As most of us know, New Orleans is famous for it's history, spiritualism, parties and, of course, food.  I remember that everything I had to eat there was so good that I was sad to leave. I was lucky enough to have this spicy, exotic dish on my visit there.  The locals are very open and friendly and they like to share some of their culinary secrets.   Here is what they shared with me.

Voodoo Rice and Beans 


Ingredients
1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup rice
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup of vegetable stock
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of corn
Hot pepper sauce to taste

Saute' onions & seasonings until onions are soft.  Add remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer about 20 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Eat!

Some of you will want meat with this.  That's perfectly reasonable and very easy to do.  You can replace the vegetable stock with chicken stock and add some meat pieces of your choice.  For the siren clan, the best thing to put in is shrimp.  The locals at New Orleans swear that shrimp is the best meat to have with this meal.  However, for all you shape-shifters out there (especially werewolves), get yourselves a fresh cut steak and cook it rare.  The last time I checked, that is how you prefer it. 

This dish is great for a casual night at home when you feel the need for a little adventure.  I recommend having this dish with a lovely chilled rose' wine and a fresh garden salad.  The cold wine and the crisp salad are nice counterpoints to the heat of this dish.  Every mystic knows that a great meal is all about balance.  That is the secret to a magical meal. 

For more on my New Orleans experience, See:

http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/02/new-orleans-post-1-food.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/02/new-orleans-post-2-shopping.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/03/new-orleans-post-3-museums-and-culture.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/03/new-orleans-post-4-tours.html
http://earthrealmguide.blogspot.ca/2015/03/new-orleans-post-5-mardi-gras.html