Bringing Long Pepper Back to the Table: A Spiced Cookie Recipe To honour long pepper’s forgotten legacy, here’s a recipe that showcases its warm, fragrant heat—Wild Spiced Cookies. These are inspired by medieval spice biscuits, with a touch of honey, citrus, and the slow-burning warmth of long pepper. Gathering of Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose […]
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Once upon a time, before black pepper became the undisputed king of spices, there was another—more complex, more aromatic, and far more coveted. Long pepper (Piper longum), with its warm, layered heat and hints of cardamom and nutmeg, was the true jewel of the ancient spice trade. Revered in India, sought after in Rome, and
Long Pepper: The Forgotten Spice of Kings Read More »
Aromatic, slightly crisp, and infused with the essence of wild herbs and seeds, these cookies bridge winter’s end and spring’s beginning—perfect for Imbolc. Gathering Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups stone-ground or whole wheat flour ¼ cup almond flour (adds richness and nuttiness) ½ cup cold unsalted butter (or ghee, for a richer flavour) ⅓ cup raw
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As winter loosens its grip and the world awakens with the warmth of spring, ancient cultures wove stories to make sense of this grand transformation. These myths, rich in symbolism, reflect a universal theme—rebirth, fertility, and the triumph of light over darkness. From goddesses of dawn to underworld journeys, spring’s return has always been told
Folklore & Myths of Spring: The Eternal Dance of Light and Life Read More »
A golden-hued bread infused with saffron, citrus, and honey—echoing the sacred offerings of ancient civilizations, from the sun-kissed temples of Mesopotamia to the fertile fields of the Celts. As winter’s grip loosens and the earth awakens, the first loaves of the season were once baked with reverence—offerings to deities of renewal, fertility, and abundance. Across
Springtime Bread with Honey, Barley & Saffron Read More »
As winter loosens its icy grip, the world stirs with new life. Buds push through the softened earth, rivers swell with melted snow, and the air hums with the promise of renewal. Across ancient civilizations, this great awakening of nature was not merely observed—it was celebrated with fire, feasts, and fervent devotion. From the flickering
Seasonal Festivals of Spring: Welcoming the Return of Light Read More »
 There comes a moment in the wheel of the year when the earth stands in perfect balance—day and night equal, light and dark in harmony. This is the Spring Equinox, a celestial event that has been honoured for millenia across civilisations, marking the rebirth of the land, the renewal of life, and the return of
Spring Equinox: The Time of Balance and Renewal Read More »
Honey & Herb-Infused Imbolc Cake—a rustic, lightly sweetened cake infused with the warmth of honey, the freshness of herbs, and the essence of early spring. Honey & Herb-Infused Imbolc Cake A simple, earthy cake celebrating the first stirrings of spring, inspired by the sacred herbs of Brigid. Gathering Ingredients For the cake: 2 cups all-purpose
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Uttarakhand’s rugged terrain and varied climate have long nurtured a unique array of natural ingredients. Many of these ingredients, once staples in local kitchens, continue to play an important role in traditional recipes and health practices. Below is a closer look at some of these foraged treasures: Lingda (Fiddlehead Ferns) What It Is: Lingda
Forgotten Ingredients of Uttarakhand Read More »
Below is an origin story for Biryani along with a detailed recipe for Mutton Biryani, all presented in a warm “Ladles & Lore” style. Origin Story of Biryani Biryani’s origins are as layered as its fragrant rice. It is believed that the dish evolved from ancient Persian pilaf (or “pilau”), which made its way into
Saffron & Sovereignty: Tale of Biryani Read More »