August Eve

This weekend August 1st, many will celebrate August Eve also known the festivals of the breads. The alter will be decorated with husks of corn and other grains, vegetables, and fruits. It is a time where rites of protection and hope are done for the upcoming harvest. Foods such as barley cakes, wild berries, and fresh vegetables will be served. In keeping with this theme, this week's recipe is one of my favorites. A simple yet delicious corn bread.

2 cups flour - unbleached
2 cups cornmeal
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 heaping Tablespoons sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup of real butter (melted & cooled)

Preheat the oven to 350 (175 C). In small bowl, mix together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar and set aside. In large bowl beat eggs. Whisk, buttermilk and melted butter into the eggs. Add the flour mixture slowly to the egg mixture, blending until combined. Pour mixture into lightly greased pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack until ready to serve.

Since we are on the brink of the harvest season, buttermilk and fresh butter are used to please the faery folk who are said to be very active during the harvest seasons and believed by some to help tend our earlier plantings. Remember to break a piece off as an offering. Enjoy

Blessings