Member Reviews
Love me a good witchy book. Kitchen witchcraft is what I practice the most in my daily life and this book definitely helped me incorporate some new practices into my daily craft.
This is pretty encyclopedic in scope and fills a surprisingly sparse corner in the realm of witchery books. Unfortunately, I thought there wasn't quite enough structure in this book to make its quantity of information very accessible
In “Kitchen Witchery: Unlocking the Magick in Everyday Ingredients,” Laurel Woodward weaves culinary expertise with magical practices. At its core, the book is a celebration of food, respect for the cook in the family, and food’s innate power to nourish and assist us in our witchy endeavors.
Woodward starts by laying down the basics of witchcraft, diving into the essence of setting intentions, meditation techniques, and timing the magick for optimal results. For readers who are new to the craft, this book will provide an easy-to-understand introduction.
The heart of the book is its expansive exploration of kitchen ingredients. Woodward doesn’t just offer recipes; she delves deep into the history and uses of ingredients like wheats, flours, nuts, oils, vinegars, sweeteners, and more. This section draws connections between the mundane and the magical, between what’s in our pantry and its uses in witchcraft.
The recipes are where the book truly shines. From the delectable Pumpkin Pancakes and gluten-free biscuits to the mouth-watering walnut and raspberry cookies and the divine chocolate zucchini loaf, there’s something for every palate and purpose. Spells such as the “Sweet Potato Love Me Spell” and “Sprouting Intention Spell” not only offer tantalizing treats but also guide the reader in the incorporation of magic into everyday cooking. The “Soul Cakes” is a personal favorite, carrying both historical significance and modern-day charm.
However, the book is not without its flaws. A particular section on glyphosate turns into a lengthy rant, which feels slightly out of place. While Woodward’s intentions in highlighting the importance of ingredient quality are commendable, her citation of a study linking glyphosate to autism is misleading. (Researchers and public health officials are skeptical of this claim due to lack of consistency in studies, confounding factors, and lack of biological plausibility.) Such a misrepresentation can detract from the credibility of the book, especially for discerning readers.
Despite this, “Kitchen Witchery” is a testament to the magic that resides in the mundane — our kitchens. Whether you’re seeking spells for friendship, love, or landing that dream job, or simply want to understand the rich history of the ingredients you use daily, this book has something for you.
I love cookbooks, and a cookbook focusing on bringing magic and deliberate intent into your cooking seemed just the thing.
One of the things that I loved the best about this cookbook was how each chapter that focused on ingredients, took the time and effort to not only expound on the magical qualities of each ingredient, but religious, cultural, and historical contexts as well. The amount of research that has gone into this book is truly astounding. I understand this book is less about the recipes and more about the information and the practice, but I would have really appreciated some photographs for the recipes.
There is also a highly detailed bibliography at the back for any one that wants to do more in depth research beyond what this book tells you.
I think what I also appreciated about this book was that while there is a great deal of focus on using food and cooking as spellwork, there is also an emphasis placed on using cooking almost as a meditative practice. Focusing on the cooking in front of you, focusing on your intent behind the food, and focusing on the love you have for the people you're cooking for. It introduced me to a more deliberate way to cook.
I do wish that the author had taken some time to acknowledge that while yes, organic, natural, any way you want to describe less processed foods are better for you, it is also difficult, often confusing, time consuming, and more expensive than a lot of people can afford. There are ways to promote smaller actions, without seeming like you're judging people who can't take the time or resources to shop completely organically.
The recipes that I tried turned out delightfully well, and I can't wait to explore more of these recipes in depth.
Thanks to NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for this advance reader's copy.
I absolutely loved this book! This book is a gem if you are into either kitchen witchery or cooking in general because there is so much embedded in each page. I love the way the author writes and makes every single bit interesting. This is like one of those books you keep on hand because you love reading it but also because it is a great resource for work. I love this and highly recommend it!!
If you are someone who is interested in cooking and also wants to explore the magical world of herbs and spices, then the book "Kitchen Witchery" by Laurel Woodward is a must-read for you. This book not only teaches you how to cook delicious meals but also shows you how to infuse your cooking with the power of herbs and spices to create magical potions and remedies.
One of the things that I liked about this book was the amount of information it contained. The author goes into great detail about different herbs, their uses, and their magical properties. Whether you are looking to heal yourself or simply want to create a special atmosphere in your home, this book has got you covered.
Another thing that I appreciated about "Kitchen Witchery" was the fact that it inspired me to come up with my own ideas. After learning about what certain foods can do, I was able to experiment and create my own concoctions. It was a great way to flex my creativity muscles and also allowed me to come up with new and exciting meals for my family.
One of the best things about this book, in my opinion, was how it encouraged me to expand my garden. The author talks about the benefits of growing your own herbs and spices and I found myself wanting to grow my own as well. This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to start their own herb garden or expand on an existing one.
Overall, I highly recommend "Kitchen Witchery" by Laurel Woodward. This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to infuse their cooking with the power of herbs and spices. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, this book has something to offer everyone. So, if you want to add a little bit of magic to your cooking, be sure to pick up a copy of "Kitchen Witchery" today!
I love kitchen witchery. Even though I'm a water witch, I also love being in the kitchen. So of course I was drawn to request this book. I thought it would be interesting and I might get some new information or recipes. I didn't need the preaching about organic is better...we all know it, but we can't all afford it...
A fun and informative book on kitchen witchery. It shows the reader how to be mindful and intentional while creating magic through cooking. There is a lot of information on the types of foods, their benefits as well as their magical uses and correspondences. I only wish it had more recipes to try.
This was super interesting! Growing up, my grandma did a lot of Kitchen Witch things so it was cool seeing a few of the things I saw her do. I personally don't feel connected to Kitchen Witchery but it was still really interesting to learn the basics.
I received an advanced copy through NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are truthful and my own.
I liked this book, and I recommend it, but there were some sections where the author felt a little judgemental about non organic or cheaper alternatives.
I really like that this book combined nutrition with mindfulness. It goes over the nutritional value and differences in ingredients as well as some of the history of the properties that they are meant to have. By adding ritual to cooking it focuses on mindfulness in cooking and eating.
Practicing witchcraft doesn't have gone some movie scene. you can Add so much magick to even daily meals. This shows you how to make even something simple a little more powerful and meaningful in your practice
I AM OBSESED WITH THIS BOOK!!!!
I think a lot of people read "witch" on books like this and think it going to be filled with hexs and spells. However, it think kitchen witch books and green witch books are more about putting love into what you are doing.
I was not able to finish this entire book before it was archived so I eneded up getting a copy for myself. This is a type of book that you can keep handy and is not just a one time read. I highly recommend this book to everyone, even if you're not a witch!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am very drawn to books about kitchen witchery. I love cooking and using organic and home-grown foods. So I was excited to get approved for this one. It did not disappoint. It was choked full of interesting information about a range of foods, from herbs to flour. I also loved the easy to follow recipes and spells. And kudos to the author for including gluten-free options. 🙌🏻 The only niggle I had with it was I wish it was a bit more visually pleasing.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I'm a bit old to admit this, but I'm just getting into cooking for my family. In the past I've always relied on others but since I am taking some time off of work and homeschool, I figured it was a good time to learn. Books like this have been such a blessing since the author doesn't assume I know anything. As a result, I really enjoyed this book.
The thing that really sets this apart from being another cook book is the stories the author mixes in, then the history if the ingredients for magical uses, then recipes. I enjoyed the author's stories and it made it feel like a friend was sharing recipes with me. I appreciated the fact that the author kept to all natural products for her recipes and I can't wait to try some in my own kitchen.
Really cool layout, I didn't find any new information inside. I think it's a mix of everything, just like wicca is.
I was granted complimentary access to Kitchen Witchery via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I genuinely wasn't sure what to expect from this book when I requested it. Is it a spellbook of some sort? Is it actually just a clever cookbook? As it turns out, it's both. Although I don't practise any religion or spirituality that would call for the witchery side of things in this text it was nonetheless very interesting to read, and I'm glad my witch brothers and sisters out there are able to get their hands on material like this in mainstream book markets these days. The recipes are mouth-watering and inspiring, and they're be tested and celebrated in my home for sure! As a writer of fantasy, I'm also glad to have this insight into "kitchen witchery" for accurate representation, should I ever need to write a character who might use these practices.
Kitchen Witchery by Laurel Woodward
Unlocking the Magick in Everyday Ingredients
Everything on earth has energy that can be tapped into for personal use. Food provides calories but also, with intent, can provide a bit more. The kitchen witch resides within all of us and whether or not we tap into the witch is our choice. I know that as mother with children in the house I would look for healthy nutritious foods to cook and present to them and would hope that they were eaten, digested and provided health, wellness, and energy to accomplish great things. Some say blessings at the table over cooked food but one can also add words to the alchemy of cooking and provide that little bit more magick to each and every meal. This book has much to offer that will enable to reader to maximize mealtime in a magickal way.
What I liked:
* The way each food was discussed with nutritional information and magickal properties
* The recipes within the chapters pertinent to the ingredients
* Thinking about intention, energy, and focus while preparing meals
* The reference to moon phase, week and day in regard to magick and food
* The recipe section with ideas for the Seasons celebrations during those times
* That most ingredients are readily available where I live
* The chapter layout
- Introduction
- Why food matters
- Magick of everyday things
- Wheat and other flours
- Gluten-free flours, meals and groats
- Beans, peas and lentils
- Nuts and seeds
- Oils and vinegars
- Vegetables
- Fungi
- Fruits
- Hydration and drinks
- Spices and Herbs
- Dairy and eggs
- Recipes for the seasons
- Index
* Thinking about how I could/would use the ideas in this book when in the kitchen next time
What I didn’t like:
* No nutritional information was provided
* There were no photos of the recipes
* The Index was not included – if it is comprehensive and well done then this book will be easy to search within but if not, it might be difficult to find recipes, ingredients and other items one might wish to look for.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to have it in my kitchen? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
I recieved this book as an ARC from Net Galley.
This book is a great source for setting intentions through food. With recipes, tips for creating your own tools as well as spells based around food... this is a fantastic source to have on your bookshelf. I love how it goes into the different aspects of foods but make note there is a big emphasis on buying organic which isn't always always option for all people.
"Kitchen Witchery" is an amazing magical compendium for all foods. Here you will find delicious recipes and corresponding information of plenty of cooking ingredients. The book is divided into sections such as wheat and flours, gluten-free flours, beans, peas and lentils, nuts and seeds, oils and vinegar, vegetables, fungi, fruit, drinks, spices and herbs, dairy, and eggs, and seasonal recipes.
You can use this book in two ways – following ready recipes or making your own magical foods by researching the ingredients. The book also brings additional value by bringing up topics such as intention, meditation, working with the Moon, days of the week, or guide on how to cleanse, consecrate and charge magical tools. It serves as a great base for enhancing the daily practice of cooking and creating magical foods.
Who is this book for:
✦ Kitchen Witches and people who would love to learn more about the magic of food.
✦ Green Witches that are interested in widening their practice.
✦ Everyone who loves to cook and would like a comprehensive compendium of magical associations to the foods they eat.
What could be improved:
Information wise this book is very well written and gives a great introduction to the importance of healthy foods and our daily choices. Personally, I would love to see some photographs or illustrations to make the book more aesthetically pleasing, but it's my own preference and it doesn't give this book any less value because of that.
* Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.