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   reading time: 4 min





I first encountered medicinal wines that use herbs and spices for healing purposes during a 4-day Green Witch Retreat I attended last year. During the retreat we also made this
healing herb infused honey wine, also known as heart wine ("Herzwein" in German) or parsley potion ("decoctum petroselini" in Latin). The recipe originally stems from the medieval German abbess Hildegard from Bingen, who is regarded as an important naturopathic scholar.

The wine is said to strengthen the heart and circulation as well as the immune system. It is also said to improve gastrointestinal and kidney function.

It is easy to make, has a pleasant sweet taste, and makes for a wonderful gift for people who enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. In case you are in need of a quick and easy Christmas present ...

Although this wine is supposed to be used for medicinal purposes, you could just as well replace your "regular" glass of red wine with a glass of this heart wine to enjoy its health benefits!
As the name suggests, this beverage contains alcohol, therefore it should be consumed in moderation.

St. Hildegard (1098 – 1179) apparently said the following about this wine:

»Wer im Herzen oder in der Milz oder in der Seite Schmerzen leidet, der koche Petersilie in Wein unter Zugabe von etwas (Wein)Essig und reichlich Honig und seihe durch ein Tuch (Filter) ab. Den so zubereiteten (Herz)Wein trinke er oft, und es heilt ihn.«
(PL 1159 A)

(Freely translated: "Whoever suffers pain in the heart or in the spleen or in the side body, boil parsley in wine with the addition of a little (wine) vinegar and plenty of honey, and strain it through a cloth (filter). Drink the prepared (heart) wine often, and it will heal them.")

Portrait of Hildegard von Bingen, German Abbess and physician. (source)


The star of this recipe is definitely the fresh parsley. By the way, if you don't normally like parsley – like me! –, you will probably still actually enjoy this wine. Parsley is one of the very few foods I dislike, and I love this wine!

Parsley is high in vitamin C, provitamin A, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron which is necessary for blood formation. It has an invigorating effect and strengthens the entire digestive system. It purifies the blood, helps with rheumatism and gout, has a diuretic effect, stimulates the appetite, promotes metabolism, and supports kidney and bladder activity. For menstruating humans, it stimulates the uterus and promotes a pain-free period.
Honey is an old household remedy and an easily digestible tonic. It increases performance, has a calming effect on the mind and promotes healthy sleep. Its valuable components also have a positive effect on digestive disorders and help with upper respiratory tract complaints and cardiovascular diseases.
Wine, particularly red wine, has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to the flavonoids in the skins of red grapes that have a favourable effect on the coronary vessels and blood flow. Red wine is said to have a strengthening and restorative effect. It stimulates the gastrointestinal system and promotes circulation, and might even prevent arteriosclerosis.
(Important: More than 125 ml / 1/2 cup of red wine per day are not beneficial and can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease and even cirrhosis!)

This heart-healing honey wine is a wonderful preventative drink and can also be helpful for aging heart, cardiovascular problems, chronic rheumatism, as well as heartache caused by stress, nervousness, insomnia and fatigue (in addition to and after consultation with medical care!). The Austrian herbalist Maria Treben recommends this wine against cardiac insufficiency, heart disease and angina pectoris.

Please note that in case of sudden chest pains, tightness, shortness of breath or cold sweats, Hildegart's heart wine will NOT be a sufficient treatment for a heart attack, so please see a doctor or call an ambulance!


  reading time: 4 min





Christmas is slowly approaching, and the dreariness and cold of winter lies ahead of us. Today's cookies are meant to provide you with a boost of energy and strength for the coming months.

The nerve cookies ("Nervenkekse") are inspired by the ancient recipe of the 12th century German Benedictine abbess and holistic medical practitioner St. Hildegard of Bingen.
She is still a well-known name in Germany today, and particularly valued for her medicinal writings that focus on holistic methods centred on spiritual healing as well as the healing powers of herbs, tinctures, and crystals.

St. Hildegard (1098 – 1179) apparently said the following about these cookies:

»Diese Plätzchen vertreiben alle Bitternis deines Herzens und geben deiner Gesinnung Ruhe und öffnen dein Herz und deine fünf Sinne und machen deine Stimmung heiter und reinigen deine Sinnesorgane und mindern in dir alle Schadsäfte (noxi, mali, infirmi humores) und liefern deinem Blut eine gute Säftezusammensetzung, machen dich leistungsfähig, stark und froh.«
W. Strehlow „Die Ernährungstherapie der Hildegard von Bingen“, 2003, S. 412 ff

(Freely translated: "These biscuits drive away all bitterness of thy heart, and give tranquillity to thy mind, and open thy heart and thy five senses, and make thy mood cheerful, and purify thy sense organs, and diminish in thee all noxious fluids (noxi, mali, infirmi humores), and supply thy blood with a good composition of fluids, and make thee efficient, strong, and joyful.")

Portrait of Hildegard von Bingen, German Abbess and physician. (source)


The main characters starring in these cookies are nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and almonds.
Nutmeg
has a warming, antispasmodic, pain-relieving and nerve-strengthening effect. It also stimulates menstruation, and is used for stomach cramps, flatulence, and diarrhoea. In folk medicine, it is considered an aphrodisiac and a hypnotic. In high doses, nutmeg has a hallucinogenic effect, and can even be deadly poisonous when overdosed (but don't worry – you would have to eat about 3 whole nutmegs for them to be deadly! For cooking and baking, you usually only use a pinch, so you don't usually need to worry about it.). It is recommended to avoid nutmeg during pregnancy.
Cinnamon is not only a classic winter spice, it is also a powerful healing spice with warming and calming properties. As such, it promotes circulation and improves digestion. It is also antibacterial and antifungal. Since the more common Cassia cinnamon (cinnamomum cassia) contains a blood-thinning component called coumarin which can cause kidney, liver and lung damage when used regularly and/or in large quantities, it is recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon (cinnamomum verum) instead which contains significantly less coumarin.
Cloves are known to be powerful pain-relievers, such as for toothache pain. In the Middle Ages, cloves were considered to strengthen the liver, stomach and brain. They also have a stimulating, mood-lifting and energising effect.
Almonds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper and protein. Magnesium and protein in particular are great for your nerves.

These cookies are meant to strengthen the nerves and increase the ability to concentrate. According to Saint Hildegard, the cookies are to be consumed as medicine, not as dessert. Let food be thy medicine, right?

For that reason, it is advised to consume no more than 5 cookies a day for healing effects.

 reading time: 2 min


Hey friends! I hope you are doing well 💛 Not gonna lie, I feel a bit out of practice with blogging after my
unexpected "autumn hiatus". How do you use a camera again?!

After visiting friends last weekend and being surrounded by a very sick kid and his equally sick mum for an entire day, I looked around in our fridge and decided to try my hand at homemade ginger shots. I made them again a couple of days ago, and wrote down the measurements to share here on my blog in case you could also use some!

This immune-boosting recipe is super easy to make, sugar-free, and uses only 4 ingredients:

Ginger: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, warming, strengthens immune system, provides relief from cold and flu, reduces blood sugar and blood pressure, improves digestion, soothes nausea and morning sickness.

Apple juice: natural sweetener, improves gut health, increases hydration, good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Turmeric: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, boosts immunity, promotes digestive health, balances all Ayurvedic doshas.

Sage: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-strengthening, aids in digestion, helps control blood sugar levels, improves oral health, high in vitamin K, antidepressant.

(I'm happy to report that after an entire week has gone by, we're still healthy and fit as a fiddle! yay for homemade ginger shots! 🥳)


 
IMMUNE-BOOSTING GINGER SHOTS

Preparation time: 3 mins
Main ingredients: apple juice, ginger, turmeric
difficulty level: easy
serves: 2-4
suitable for
: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, oil-free, sugar-free, yeast-free, nut-free

Ingredients

400 ml (or about 1 and 2/3 cups) organic apple juice, naturally cloudy
a walnut-sized chunk of organic fresh ginger (or more for more fire!)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
a few fresh or dried sage leaves
(optional) a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Roughly chop the ginger, leaving the skin on. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend for about 1 minute until smooth. If your blender isn't as high-power as mine, you might want to strain everything with a fine colander.

Serve immediately.

The ginger shots can be stored in the refrigerator in air-tight containers for up to 48 hours, but should be consumed as quickly as possible for maximal nutrient retention.


TIPS:
- Use a pea-sized piece of fresh turmeric instead of powdered turmeric.
- Add a pinch of black pepper to enhance the turmeric's bioavailability.
- Add a fresh orange for a more citrusy flavour and more vitamin C.
- Add a spoonful of local raw honey for more sweetness and some additional antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits. To keep it vegan, use vegan dandelion honee instead.



♥

Maisy





  reading time: 2 min


He had stopped noticing the fantastic cloud shapes now and was thinking longingly of the train miles below, where you could buy ice-cold pumpkin juice from a trolley pushed by a plump witch.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J. K. Rowling


Along with chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, one of the most popular "treats" in Hogwarts and the Hogwarts express is pumpkin juice, a beverage that is usually served chilled.

Tomorrow is the 1st of September, aka the day that Harry, Ron, and Hermione catch the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and enter Hogwarts for the first time. Pumpkin season is also about to begin, so I thought it was only fitting to celebrate this day with a glass of ice-cold pumpkin juice like the one sold by the Trolley Witch on board the Hogwarts Express.


Harry spilling pumpkin juice. (source)


Most recipes I saw online used apple cider as the base for their copycat version, but since it's called pumpkin juice I thought it would be more authentic to use apple juice and orange juice instead. (Also because pumpkin juice is considered to be basically the OJ of the wizarding world.) See notes below on how to make this beverage even more juice-like!

This recipe for homemade pumpkin juice is super easy to make and great for a summer get-together. You could, however, even serve this warmed up with some more spices and a bit of whipped cream on top for a Halloween party. Kids will love it too!

It's refreshing, naturally sweet, bright orange, and tastes best on a hot day, served over some ice.

So make your own pumpkin juice and get aboard the Hogwarts Express asap!



HARRY'S VEGAN PUMPKIN JUICE

Preparation time: 3 mins
Main ingredients: apple juice, orange juice, pumpkin purée
difficulty level: easy
makes: 4 cups of juice
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free, yeast-free

Ingredients:

3/4 cup pumpkin purée (I make my own, see notes below – it is more flavourful than store-bought canned pumpkin purée)
2 cups apple juice
1 cup orange juice (or sub pineapple juice)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp honey, maple syrup or agave
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

ice, to serve

Instructions:

Add all the ingredients to a blender, and blitz until all incorporated. (Or use an immersion blender to blend, which won't be as smooth though.)

Taste test, and add some more sweetener, or more spices, or even more pumpkin if you're into that.

Pour into a pitcher and chill until required.

Serve over ice.

TIPPS & NOTES:
- I make my homemade pumpkin purée by scooping out the seeds of 1 medium hokkaido pumpkin, chopping it into chunks, steaming it for about 15-20 minutes until soft, and then blending it into a smooth purée using an immersion blender or a stand mixer. I leave the skins on for hokkaido, but make sure to remove the skins when using butternut squash.
-
The consistency of this drink is very juice-like and not thick like a smoothie. If you want your juice even more runny, strain everything through a nut milk bag or a cheesecloth like I do with my green juice in a blender.
- If you, however, prefer the juice to be creamier, more smoothie-like, feel free to skip the water and also add some more pumpkin purée, if you like.




Looking for more nerdy recipes? Check out some of my other Harry Potter inspired creations:

Hagrid's Rock Cakes (vegan)
Mrs. Weasley's Christmas Fudge (vegan)
Madam Rosmerta's Butterbeer (vegan)
Butterbeer Fudge (vegan)



♥

Maisy

  reading time: 2 min





I call this my ZuBaChoSo. Short for "zucchini banana bread with chocolate chips and sourdough" also known as "Carrie's chocolate chip zucchini bread but make it vegan and sourdough", lol. Since both of these names aren't that great, ZuBaChoSo it is!

It is basically Carrie Rad's chocolate chip zucchini bread but – like I said, the plant-based version, and with sourdough added to it.

This recipe is perfect for the infamous zucchini flood that usually hits you around July/August in the Northern hemisphere where you don't know what to do with all those zucchinis popping up in your garden beds, and your neighbours are practically hiding from you because they don't want to be showered with zucchinis (again).

That's when this recipe comes in handy.
(Along with vegetable lasagna where you can swap out most of the lasagna noodles for zucchini slices!)

It's sweet and definitely more on the cake side than on the bread side, but not too sweet. It's moist (in a good way), and filled with chocolate bits that will melt in your mouth. And the best thing: It has vegetables in it, and you won't even notice!

So what are you waiting for?


Grab your zucchinis, and let's start baking!


  reading time: 4 min





Have you ever wondered why Monday is called Monday? Or Sunday is called Sunday?

The latter already hints at it – the seven days of the week were originally named after the classical planets in Hellenistic astronomy which in turn derived from the contemporary deities.

For example, the weekday Friday was originally called ἡμέρα Ἀφροδίτης (hēméra Aphrodítēs) in Greek, or diēs Veneris in Latin, meaning "day of Aphrodite / Venus", and referred to the planet / goddess Venus. The English name Friday means something like "Frigg's Day" (or "Freya's Day") and is named after the Germanic goddess Frigg (or Freya) which is basically the Norse equivalent to the Roman Venus.

It's quite fascinating!

So, in today's blogpost I want to give an overview on the seven days of the week and their planet rulers as well as the corresponding themes and recommended activities for each day.


Weekly Schedule
According to the Planet Rulers



Monday: Moon

Monday, the "Moon Day", is associated with the Goddess Luna or Selene, who is often represented as the female complement of the Sun. The reason why many people feel like a train-wrack on Mondays might not be that it marks the beginning of another work week, but perhaps it actually has to do with the lunar energy of the day. The Moon invites us to look after our emotional needs and to nurture ourself (and others). Take it slow. Be gentle with your emotions and your potential mood swings. This is not the best day to initiate something permanent, such as a new healthy habit.

Themes: emotions, intuition, psychic awareness, compassion, nurturing, healing, caring, peace

Activities: rest, meditate, journal, surround yourself with water (lake, sea, bath ...)

 
Tuesday: Mars
 
If you have a chance to postpone any important work tasks or household chores from Monday to Tuesday, do it! The ruler of this day is Mars, the planet of activity, stamina and ambition. As it is associated with the god Mars or Ares (aka the god of war and courage), it provides you with the necessary power to slay your enemies (our your overwhelming workload)! It also invites us to get a good workout in – that reminds me: Mars also rules sexuality and sexual energy ;)

Themes: action, passion, drive, determination, courage, assertiveness, ambition, competition, protection

Activities: get sh*t done!, tackle (challenging) projects, get active, exercise


Wednesday: Mercury
 
Speaking of postponing work-tasks – if you can, schedule your meetings and calls for Wednesday. This day is ruled by Mercury, named after the god Mercury or Hermes, which is the god of communication, eloquence, commerce and financial gain. This is a great day for answering e-mails, catching up with an old friend, having an important conversation, brainstorming ideas for a project, making a to-do list, or giving a lecture.

Themes: communication, study, curiosity, intellect, quick thinking, wisdom, transportation, travel, movement

Activities: communicate, express your thoughts, read, brainstorm, analyse, make lists, make decisions, take short trips
 

Thursday: Jupiter

Named after the king of gods, Jupiter or Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder, this day is associated with both intellect and spirituality. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and abundance, inviting us to grow and flourish. Sports and games of any kind would be fitting. This is a great day to assess our ethical and moral values. You might find yourself feeling more confident on a Thursday, doing something a little more adventurous perhaps.

Themes: expansion, growth, learning, optimism, good fortune,
generosity, money, prosperity, success, leisure, travel

Activities:
learn something new, begin an exciting project, set intentions, read, play, do something outside your comfort zone, travel (especially long-distance)


Friday: Venus
 
As the planet Venus and its eponymous goddess Venus or Aphrodite are associated with love, beauty, pleasure and possessions, this day is great for engaging in something pleasurable, beautiful, comforting and sensual – though not necessarily sexual. How about some delicious food, silky clothes, music, scents, a beautiful home, and good company. Follow your desires! This is also the perfect day for a date night, a party, or even a wedding! This day is also ideal for making an extravagant purchase or financial investment (especially on a day where the moon is in Taurus!).

Themes: (self-)love, friendship, romance, beauty, desire, pleasure, prosperity, money, sex, harmony, emotions, reconciliation

Activities: beautify yourself and/or your home, indulge in your senses, enjoy the arts (music, dance, literature ...), revel in the beauty of the world, socialize


 
Saturday: Saturn
 
Saturn is the ruler of discipline and responsibility, named after Saturn or Cronus, the god of time, agriculture, abundance, and renewal. He reminds us to work hard, but maintaining order and moderation. We can use this disciplined, steadfast and structured energy to clean up and organize our homes (and our overall lives), set realistic goals, and use our time in a reasonable way.

Themes: responsibility, discipline, perseverance, structure, order, authority,
boundaries, wisdom, longevity, home

Activities: set goals, organize, put things in order, repair, run errands, meal prep



Sunday: Sun
 
The "Sun Day" is associated with the god Sol or Helios, the personification of the Sun. It represents light, life force, the self, the ego, and our creative power. The powerful solar energy invites us to shine our light, to take the lead, to express ourselves and to spread warmth and cheer. It also reminds us to look after our well-being and make sure we're using our energy in a vitalizing instead of a depleting way.

Themes: vitality, creativity,
identity, authority, leadership, willpower, strength, success, health, healing, spirituality

Activities: have fun,
create, soak up sunlight, shine your light


♥

Maisy

   reading time: 7 min





May I present to you: another cake recipe with hidden wild herbs!

This time around the hidden wild surprise is goutweed also known as ground elder.

Unlike your classic American apple pie, which consists of course of a buttery double crust with pastry both above and below the spiced apple filling, with the upper crust often being latticed – this Dutch apple pie or appeltaart has a flaky pie crust filled with several layers of sliced golden apples. Unlike the American-style double-crusted pie, it is open faced (as the name taart / tart implies), and often topped with a buttery crumb topping
instead of the top pie crust. You can also add currants, apricot jam, lemon juice, rum and/or cinnamon to the filling, if you like.

So far, I had only used the leaves of goutweed or ground elder for recipes like my quick & easy wild herb salad bowl, sourdough bread with wild spring herbs, wild herb pesto, wild herb & garlic butter, or stuffed hazelnut leaves. But never for dessert, and never the flowers.

The Health Benefits of Goutweed / Ground Elder

The Latin word podagra, which can be found in the botanical name of goutweed / ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) means "gout" in Latin and – just like its common name "goutweed" – illustrates what the plant was traditionally used for medicinally: gout. Due to its anti-inflammatory and uric acid dissolving properties, it is also used to treat rheumatism, arthritis, as well as bladder and digestive conditions such as cystitis. In addition, it has been used to make poultices, and to treat burns and stings.

It is rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, zinc and copper. It also contains several times more vitamin A, Vitamin C and protein than lettuce.

 



Where and How to Harvest Goutweed Flowers 

Goutweed or Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria) is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to Europe and Asia has also been introduced into North America. It prefers nitrogen-rich soil and grows in shady areas such as in damp shrubberies, woodland, grassland, on lawns, grass verges and near hedgerows. It grows to a height between 30 cm to 1 meter.

It is one of the first edible wild plants to show up in the spring, which is the best time to collect its leaves, and stays throughout the summer until late autumn.

As the plant ages, the leaves (and also the flowers) can still be eaten either cooked or raw, but they will become slightly bitter over time,
so the younger the plant, the better. In addition to that, the medicinal effects are greatly increased, and once the plant has started flowering, it should not be eaten in any great quantity due to its increased diuretic, laxative and soporific effects.

As a very robust and quickly spreading ("invasive") herb that is difficult to remove once established, gardeners often complain about it as an annoying weed. But I think, the issue is just that we've forgotten how to make use of it – just like the stinging nettle!

Although not related to the elder shrub (Sambucus), which produces the delicious elderflowers and elderberries, the name "ground elder" stems from the strong similarity of the leaves and also the superficial similarity of the
umbrella-shaped flowers. It's very important to know that young elder leaves are poisonous, whereas goutweed/ground elder leaves are edible!

Flavour-wise, the goutweed leaves are reminiscent of parsley, carrots, celery or even young peas or spinach, depending on who you ask. For me personally, it tastes like a mixture of parsley and carrot greens.


 
One of the easiest and best ways to identify goutweed/ground elder is the 3 x 3 rule: The leaves are divided into 3 groups of 3 toothed leaflets, which are sometimes regularly lobed or divided (the leaflets of the lower two leaf groups will sometimes grow together, making it harder to recognize the 3 leaflets), and the stem of each leaf is noticeably 3-edged / triangular.

Please be aware that goutweed is part of the family of umbellifers which include highly poisonous species such as
deadly poison hemlock, water hemlock, spotted cowbane, fool's parsley, rough chervil and various species of water dropwort!

Most of those poisonous
look-alikes will have finely divided and lacy leaves, like carrot greens, whereas goutweed has 3 groups of 3 toothed leaflets and a three-edged, hollow stem. So make sure that ALL criteria match when identifying a plant!

In late spring to early summer (May until July), the plant forms umbels of white flowers which consists of 12-25 flower stalks.

General Foraging Guidelines:

  • You should be 100 % certain you are identifying the correct plant. If you do not know what it is, DO NOT eat it! Do not pick if you're in doubt!

  • Don't harvest from contaminated areas such as busy roadsides, near industrial facilities, where dogs pee, along the edges of agricultural fields, old landfill sites etc.

  • Be mindful & harvest sustainably. Only pick from areas that have a plentiful supply, and never more than 1/4 of a plant, ideally only about 5 %.

  • Leave the harvesting area litter-free.


 

 reading time: 7 min



»I've gotta get out of this place. Someday I’m getting on that train.«

– Lin to Chihiro/Sen, Spirited Away

You probably don't know this about me, but Spirited Away is actually my Nr. 1 favourite anime movie of all time, closely followed by Princess Mononoke and Grave of the Fireflies.

My grandma gave me the mangas for my 12th birthday, and growing up, it has always been one of my favourites to read and later watch, especially as a young teenager (but let's be honest here, I still get way too excited whenever I'm re-watching this, lol). It wasn't until I watched Galatea's video on femininity in media though (you know, Galatea from The Authentic Observer, another favourite of mine) that I realized just WHY I love this movie so much!

Chihiro's journey into the spirit world can be seen as a modern Japanese retelling of Alice in Wonderland, but in my opinion Spirited Away is a much more than that because a
s Galatea says, it is a great example for an empowering Heroine's Journey. It is one of the few (popular) stories with a female main character, a girl to be exact, who undergoes an exciting and dangerous adventure in order to save her parents and faces monsters that she has to overcome – and all that whilst not compromising or sacrificing her femininity! For example, Chihiro is the only one in the bathhouse full of magical creatures who is able to stop No-Face's destruction, not by fighting him, but by befriending him and believing in the good in him. Which requires both her bravery and her compassion. This also shows in the way she treats the alleged "stink spirit" who later turns out to be a river spirit and who thanks her with a magic herbal dumpling.

Chihiro is also discriminated by the other workers in the bathhouse (because she is a human), but will not be deterred and continues to treat everyone with kindness and respect nonetheless.

Another aspect I love about this movie is that Chihiro isn't especially pretty, or cute, or even sexy. She's just a regular, rather unremarkable girl, beautiful in a very "mundane" way. She's also quite clumsy, but still hard-working and determined. Oh, and her journey isn't about romantic love either, but about the love for her parents and later for her friends and even her "enemies". Although one could argue that her unconditional love for Haku is something in-between platonic and romantic. Perhaps the best way to describe them as is "soul mates".

It also needs to be said that all of the main characters
– except for the river spirit Haku and perhaps Kamaji – are female: Chihiro, Lin, Yubaba, Zeniba ...

But enough about my love for this movie!

Let's talk about these steamed buns now. Lovely soft, slightly sweet, warm buns ... *drool*


In the movie Lin brings along a plate full of huge squishy buns ("dumplings") filled with a dark red paste during the celebrations of having released the river spirit. It is one of the first big successes on Chihiro's journey.

These are most likely
Dou Sha Bao (豆沙包), one of the most popular Chinese desserts. I've also read the term Da Bao (大包) or Mantou (馒头) though, and I think the Korean equivalent to these sweet red bean filled steamed buns is called Hoppang (호빵). There's also a Japanese version of this called Anpan (あんパン), but it doesn't seem to have the characteristic white dough, but is more golden on the outside. (We even have very similar steamed yeast buns here in Germany called Germknödel which are traditionally filled with spiced plum jam and served with vanilla cream sauce, and then there's also the German Dampfnudel which translates to "steam noodle" and refers to a sweet bread roll almost identical to the Chinese Mantou. Interesting to see the intercultural similarities!)

Chihiro munching away on a steamed bun. (source)


I based my recipe on the classic Chinese steamed buns. They are soft and fluffy like a white little dough pillow, and filled with the not-too-sweet gooey red bean paste that is very unique in taste.

A delicious snack or dessert! Ideal if you're planning to do a Miyazaki movie marathon any time soon 😉

(I know this is probably considered a sacrilege, but I would actually recommend serving these buns with vanilla sauce, like the Germknödel I mentioned above! Or feel free to replace the sweet bean filling with a savoury filling, if that's more up your alley ...)



CHIHIRO'S VEGAN STEAMED BUNS

adapted from Fiction Food Café

Preparation time: 2 hours (+ 1 hour proofing time)
Main ingredients: flour, yeast, red beans, dates
difficulty level: easy
makes: 8 large steamed buns
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, wheat-free, nut-free, low sugar, low fat

Ingredients:


dough:
500 g spelt flour (type 630 or all-purpose flour)

3 tbsp powdered sugar
a pinch of salt
250 ml lukewarm
plant-based milk or water (or a mix of both)
4 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp granulated sugar (I use raw cane sugar)
2 tbsp vegan margarine or vegetable oil
(optional) 1 tsp vanilla extract


filling:
1/2 cup (100 g) dry adzuki beans or red beans, soaked for at least 2-3 hours or overnight
water for soaking and boiling the beans
1/4 cup soft deseeded dates (or sugar)
3 tbsp coconut milk
3 tbsp agave syrup
1 tbsp date syrup (or more agave)
(optional) 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

or 200 g store-bought red bean paste (available in most Asian stores)


also:
a pot
a bamboo steamer or steamer basket (alternatively you can use a metal strainer or colander!)
parchment paper


Instructions:

To make the filling:

Rinse and drain soaked adzuki beans. Place in a large pot, fill with enough water to cover the beans by about an inch. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for about 1 hour. Check on the beans in-between to make sure there's still enough water to keep them submerged. After about an hour, test a bean by mashing it with a spoon or your fingers. If it just splits in halves, it's not ready yet. Keep cooking until it mashes easily.

Turn off heat and drain the beans. Allow to cool.

Add cooked beans to a food processor, along with deseeded dates and the remaining ingredients for the filling. Blend until a sticky paste forms. Set aside in the fridge to firm up while making the bun dough.


To make
the dough:

In a small bowl, combine lukewarm plant-based milk or water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Set aside for a few minutes until foamy.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture, and stir until roughly combined. Add margarine or vegetable oil, and optionally vanilla extract.

Use an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough for 8 minutes, or until the dough is super soft and smooth. You could also use your hand, or do a mix of both: a couple of minutes with the mixer, then kneading the rest with your hands.

Once the dough is velvety soft and smooth and does not stick to your hands or the bowl, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or a plate, and leave to proof for 1 hour in a warm spot.

In the meantime, roll your cooled red bean filling into balls about the size of a walnut.

To assemble:

Once the dough is done proofing and has doubled in size, transfer it to a dusted surface. Knead once again, then form a log, and divide it into 8 equal sized pieces. Shape each piece into a round, and roll it out into a disk using a rolling pin or your hands.

Each piece should be big enough to enclose the bean paste ball with a little extra to overlap and seal. It should also be thinner at the edges and thicker in the centre.

Place one ball of red bean filling in the centre of the dough disk. Gather the edges of the dough around the filling, and pinch them together to enclose the ball. Seal, and set aside on a piece of parchment paper, seam side down.

Fill a pot with about 5 cm / 2 inches of warm water, then place the steamer inside or on top of the pot, depending on what you are using.

Transfer the buns to the steamer, making sure they are each sitting on a small piece of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to the steamer. Cover with a lid, and rest for another 20 minutes at room temperature.

Turn the heat on to medium-high. Steam the buns for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, but let the buns sit in the steamer over the remaining heat for another 5 minutes. Do not uncover the lid yet!

After a total of 20 minutes, your steamed buns should be ready. Enjoy while still warm!


Any leftover buns can be frozen once cooled and re-steamed for about 5 minutes to eat.


The last picture shows how I served the buns: doused with pink Himalayan balsam syrup. Sweet, sticky, yummy!

BTW: Back in 2014 I drew
a sketch of Chihiro with the chubby mouse baby and the fly-that-looks-like-a-tiny-bird, using this image as reference, so I thought I'd share it with you. I remember being quite obsessed with the manga as a young teen (way before 2014), and copying scenes from Spirited Away was
literally what drove me to start drawing!



Looking for more nerdy recipes? Check out some of my fiction-inspired creations:

The Witcher's Honey Spice Cake (vegan)
Sansa's Lemon Cakes (vegan)
Beorn's Honey Cakes (vegan)
Legolas' Lembas (vegan)
Madam Rosmerta's Butterbeer (vegan)


♥

Maisy

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THIS IS ME

Well, hello! My name is Maisy (pronounce: macy) and I’m the creative spirit behind this blog. You are welcome to join me on my journey to a more natural, slow-paced & healthier life!

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