It’s Yuletide and there is a lot of holiday cooking going on, among Pagans and other religions, as there should be. When I was little I remember the holiday baking would go on for weeks. There would be coffeecakes, and cookies, and a ton of snack mix. My sister and I totally did not look forward to the cooking and decorating that went on for hours at my grandmother’s house. We laugh about it today, and snack mix is still a guilty pleasure. The following is a much healthier alternative for a holiday snack, it’s an aphrodisiac, and it’s magic.
Many of you know I am the author of the African American Ritual Cookbook, but many are not aware that I have been working on an aphrodisiac cookbook for the past few years. One of the things that struck me as funny during my research is that the spices used in Santeria and New Orleans Voodoo to honor the goddess Oshun are scientifically proven aphrodisiacs. According to the Science Channel, pumpkin pie spices, like clove, cinnamon and nutmeg are said to increase blood flow to the male member by up to 40 percent. These are ritual herbs for Oshun and are included in this recipe to help you bring love and blessings into your life. I have also included Orange blossom honey which is also sacred to Oshun. She is the Santeria, or Lucumi, goddess of Love, beauty, money, and marriage. Oshun is honored in many different Afro-Caribbean Pagan traditions, and now you can give her a little wink during your holidays this year. Feel free to double or triple this recipe to give as gifts. It’s delicious. As always check with your spiritual godparents before leaving any offerings or doing any spiritual work. Remember to share this recipe with your loved ones, and if you make some for yourself, let me know how it goes. Happy Holidays!
Ingredients
1 lb. Cashews (raw or dry roasted)
½ lb. Almonds or other nuts (raw or dry roasted)
2 tbs. Butter
1 tbs. Orange blossom honey
1 tsp Coconut Aminos or Soy Sauce
½ tsp. Onion powder
¼ tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon powder
1 tsp. Smoky Paprika
¼ tsp. Black pepper
¼ tsp. Salt ( if the nuts are salted already you can omit extra salt here)
¼ tsp. Chili powder
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Melt butter and add honey and coco aminos or soy sauce. Place nuts in a large bowl. Pour butter mixture over the nuts and toss to coat. Sprinkle the nuts with the remaining ingredients, mixing well to combine. Spread the nuts in a thin layer onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake in oven for 15 minutes. Stir, return to oven and bake 10 minutes more. Cool and enjoy!
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