A delicious breakfast of apple cinnamon waffles to honour the changing of the seasons.
Samhain (pronounced saah-win) is a time to remember those who have passed on, celebrate the Summers end and prepare for Winter months ahead. The Sun God and earth fall into slumber, as the nights lengthen and winter begins.
It is believed that during Samhain the veil between the living world and the land of the dead is thinned, meaning communication with ancestors and dead loved ones is easier. Due to this, family and friends that have passed away are traditionally honored during Samhain.
Every year for Samhain my children have waffles for breakfast by candlelight. It's been a tradition since they were babies and something they thoroughly enjoy as we remember our loved ones who have passed and celebrate the new cycle.
Now that my boys are grown up they appreciate a more sophisticated dish, but we still have some childish fun as we have a fabulous Pokemon waffle maker as seen on the picture at the end of the blog.
Ingredients
Waffles
240 ml unsweetened non dairy milk (I tend to lean towards oat milk)
2 tablespoons of neutral oil (I use coconut oil or vegetable oil)
200g plain flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of salt
Apple topping
2 tbsp vegan butter
2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced (I use Pink Ladies as they are our favourite)
2 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
5 tbsp maple syrup
Handful of mixed nuts, chopped
Method
Add all the dry waffle ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly
Gradually add the milk, oil and vanilla extract to the bowl, and stir using a whisk until the batter is smooth. Leave the batter to rest.
In a little dish, pour a small amount of your oil of choice. Using a brush, grease your waffle maker while it preheats.
Spoon your batter onto the waffle maker and cook on a medium temperature until the steam no longer comes out the sides of the waffle maker.
Take out the waffle and place onto a rack whilst you make the rest of the batch.
Once you have made all your waffles place them onto a plate and put into the oven at the lowest setting to keep them warm whilst you make the apple topping.
Add butter, apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon to a medium sauce pan. Stir over medium heat 3-5 minutes until apples are very tender.
Once the apples are tender stir in the maple syrup.
Plate your waffles and spoon the apple topping over them, finishing with a sprinkle of your chopped mixed nuts.
The leaves fall thick,
The Veil grows thin,
It's time for the new cycle to begin.
May your Samhain celebrations be as sweet as these waffles and may the new cycle bring you joy, happiness and success.
Blessed be,