This is a wonderful collection of interesting -- and, as promised, simple -- recipes. Marquis offers us a perspective of cooking as naturally magickal, one in which food becomes a creative expression, an honoring of ourselves and our loved ones, an intentional practice, and an exploration of energetic manifestation.
Divided into seven sections, Marquis offers a variety of ways to think about changing one's cooking to better align with a variety of magickal energies. One can cook by element (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth), celestial bodies (moon, sun, and the seven planets), season (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter), or goal. This latter section is the richest in some ways, offering recipes to prepare to bring various energies into one's life. Here we have:
Joy
Protection
Purification
Success
Love
Peace
Prosperity
Psychic Power
Health and Rejuvenation
Calming
Courage
Strength
All in all, it's 70 recipes, making it a respectable collection.
Since receiving my copy of this cookbook, I've been able to make several recipes:
Hot Cinnamon Cocoa
Parsley Cream Pasta
Lemon & Poppy Lunar Thins (cookies)
Fried Chicken with Orange Sauce
Brown Sugared Apricots with Cardamon
Purple Cabbage Coleslaw
Peanut Garlic Protection Noodles
Abundance Soup
Cinnamon Orange Cake
Calming Pear Crumble
Asparagus Lemon Cream
Dark Chocolate and Pumpkin Loaf
Caramelized Carrot and Onion Soup
Overall, I enjoyed all of the things I made, and there are a number of items I'm looking forward to making as the seasons turn: Juicy Fruit Salad, Sunshine Cornbread (which adds mandarin oranges and has an orange glaze!), Squash Wheels of Fortune, Prosperity Potato Bites, Black Bean Empanadas, Zucchini Parmesan, Herb Infused Sandwich Loaf, Squash and Cheddar Egg Cups. . . .
I appreciated that Marquis took the time to offer a magickal perspective of cooking in general, as well as specific techniques, and her inclusion of Pluto as a planet. Most recipes using animal products can easily use substitutes instead, and many recipes are plant-based. The last section, Ingredients, is a great collection of common food items and their magickal correspondences. However, there are no specific cooking techniques (such as how to saute), so a complete novice might find themselves a bit lost. As well, while I understand the impetus to keep it simple, seeing heavily processed items, like cans of condensed mushroom soup, used in recipes was disappointing.
All in all, this is a great addition to a witch's collection.
~review by Lisa McSherry
Author: Melanie Marquis
Llewellyn Publications, 2024
pp. 352, $17.27
