Imbolc is commonly celebrated on February 1st (or August 1st in the Southern Hemisphere), and is a turning point in the Wheel of the Year, marking both a powerful shift in nature and an opportunity to honor the creative self. While the Winter Solstice has more communal and family-centered qualities, Imbolc takes on an energy of inspiration which celebrates the quiet inward journey to finding comfort and ease while at awaiting signs of spring. Imbolc lands when we are in one of the coldest cycles of weather – traditionally when the pantry has thinned out and we start to anticipate gardening weather around the corner.
Imbolc’s dishes offer comfort, warmth, and hope, even as the holiday arrives in the coldest and harshest time of the year. Dairy is celebrated in honor of Imbolc’s namesake, which means “In the Belly” in Celtic, a nod to pregnant farm animals beginning to lactate at this time of the year. In addition to dairy foods, staple “pantry items” like dried fruit, nuts, and canned goods, root vegetables, and warming spices are excellent to cook and bake with on Imbolc. If you work with Brigid consider including blackberries in your meals at Imbolc. And, if you are eager about approaching spring weather and maintaining good health, consider working with bright citrus flavors and the earliest spring greens like broccoli and kale. If you are a kitchen witch, use Imbolc as an opportunity to be creative with what you already have on hand in your pantry and freezer.
When I think of Imbolc, I think of the late January 2016 snowstorm in Nashville, where our lovely town received 8 inches of snow, shutting down the city. In the midst of the beautiful snowfall, I found myself with a wonderful break from the daily grind. I turned my attention to resting, reading, writing, and cooking. I enjoyed cooking and baking a number of comfort dishes, some of which are listed below. Is there something you like to cook or bake at Imbolc? Let me know and I will add it to this list!
From Unsplash by Alisa Anton
Main Courses
Imbolc’s main courses are comforting and filling – they bring you a feeling of warmth and satisfaction that is so welcoming in the cold of midwinter. If you eat meat consider working with fish, pork and lamb; for vegetarians and vegans baked tofu and rich pasta dishes work well for mains.
· Butternut Squash Sandwich with Cheddar Cheese and Pickled Red Onion
· Creamy Baked Pasta with Gruyere and Prosciutto
· Creamy Chickpea Pasta with Spinach and Rosemary
· Creamy Skillet Tortellini with Sweet Potato and Spinach
· Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Bake
· Maple Mustard Baked Salmon (Low FODMAP)
· Pantry Pasta with Vegan Cream Sauce
· Roast Fish with Cannellini Beans and Green Olives
· Spicy Baked Pasta with Cheddar and Broccoli Rabe
· Vegan Flaky Fish and Chips (Shallow-Fried)
· Vegetarian Enchiladas with Butternut Squash and Black Beans
· Veggie Mac and Cheese (Vegan)
Soups, Stews, and Chilis
Creamy soups, hearty stews, and spicy chilis that inspire healing and warmth for the body and soul are a wonderful thing to serve on Imbolc.
· Creamy Roasted Garlic Potato Soup with Crispy Brussels and Chili Oil
· Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup
· Garlic Sage Cure-All Soup from Provence
· Green Goddess Immune Boosting Soup
· Healing Carrot Soup with Turmeric and Ginger
· Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach
· Roasted Red Pepper, Tomato and Lentil Soup
· Roasted Sunchoke Soup with Caramelized Shallots
· Winter Vegetable Dungeness Crab Chowder
Salads
Salads that invigorate health and highlight root vegetables, citrus fruits, and nuts are enjoyed at Imbolc.
· Citrus Fennel and Avocado Salad
· Curried Chicken and Peach Salad
· Kale and Persimmon Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette
· Miso Ginger Dressing on an Avocado Salad
· Radicchio, Cara Cara and Quinoa Salad
· Roasted Beet, Ruby Red Grapefruit, and Warm Honey Salad
· Vegan Caesar Salad with Chicories and Walnuts
· Warm Pear and Spinach Salad with Maple Bacon Vinaigrette
· Winter Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
· Winter Spa Salad with Lemon Chicken
Breads
Breads can be sweet, simple, and made with oats, barley, and traditional flavors for the Imbolc feast.
· Basic Buttermilk Quick Bread
· Rosemary Oat Bannock for Imbolc
· Traditional Irish Soda Bread
· Winter Vegetable Quick Breads: Dark Chocolate Beet Loaf & Potato Quick Bread
Side Dishes
Celebrate creamy, savory, warm, and soothing side dishes during the Imbolc season. In season vegetables in February include beets, bok choy, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, butternut squash, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, chicory, fennel, kale, leeks, mushrooms, onions, parsnip, potatoes, turnips, and sweet potatoes.
· Baked Brie with Rosemary, Honey, and Candied Walnuts
· Baked Purple Sweet Potato Fries
· Coconut Chickpeas with Winter Squash
· Dressed-Up Bacon Mac and Cheese
· Irish Pub Spinach and Artichoke Melt
· Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nut, Raisin, and Caper Vinaigrette
· Roasted Salt and Vinegar Turnips
· Rosemary Goat Cheese Tartelettes
· Sweet Potato Appetizer Bites
· Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
From Unsplash, by Annie Spratt
Desserts
Creamy, decadent desserts that are heavy on the cream and butter make for a delightful Imbolc experience. It’s also a wonderful time to try your hands at making a traditional King Cake or working with lavender and blackberries in honor of Brigid.
· Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones
· Blackberry White Chocolate S’Mores
· Chewy Meringues with Tangerine-Lemon Curd
· Crepes de la Chandeleur (Candlemas Pancakes)
· Dulce De Leche Buttermilk Cheesecake
· Imbolc Lavender and Rosemary Seed Cake (Gather Victoria)
· Kitchen Sink Cookies with Dried Cherries and Apricots
· Olive Oil Sugar Cookies with Pistachios and Lemon Glaze
· Rosemary and Lavender Lemon Curd Tassies
· Sweetened Condensed Milk Cake
· Tangerine Layer Cake with Tangerine Curd and Cream Cheese Frosting
· Tangerine Shortbread Tart with Fresh Rosemary
· Twenty-Layer Vanilla Cream Crepe Cake
Beverages
At Imbolc consider drinking cozy drinks that comfort the soul and beverages that conjure warmth and hope. If you are hoping to support wellness, go for immune boosting juices and spicy concoctions that help the body to heal.
· Apple and Blackberry Mulled Cider
· Cinnamon White Hot Chocolate
· Ginger Turmeric Mocktail with Grapefruit Juice
· Hot Toddy (Alton Brown’s Recipe)
· London Fog Tea Latte (Starbuck Copycat Recipe)
· The Midwinter Warmer Cocktail
· Spiced Warm Milk and Honey Drink
· Vegan Champurrado (Mexican Hot Chocolate Atole)
Kiki’s Homemade Vegan Creamer
This creamer is rich and smooth, offering a vegan replacement for dairy creamer in coffees and teas.
Ingredients:
4 cups unsweetened Almond Milk
1 cup raw cashews
¼ cup unsweeted Coconut Flakes
3 tsp. sweetener – optional (I use date syrup, but coconut sugar or honey would work well too)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. lecithin powder
1 14 oz. can coconut milk
Directions:
1. Bring almond milk boil in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. When it begins to boil reduce the heat to the lowest setting.
2. Stir in cashews, coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and optional sweeteners. You can also stir in flavoring here as well, such as cinnamon or vanilla bean.
3. Remove saucepan from heat and let it sit for thirty minutes.
4. After thirty minutes pour the saucepan’s contents into a high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix. Pour in coconut milk and lecithin. Blend until smooth, about one minute on highest setting.
5. Pour into large container and store in the refrigerator. Shake before using.
My hope is that however you spend your Imbolc, it is a safe, comfortable and peaceful one where you can focus your attention on your personal wellness and creative projects!