I'm sharing 68 awesome recipes to celebrate Imbolc and Brigid's Day. This is the cross-quarter festival celebrating fertility, creation, and milk, which means we get to eat all the cheese. Who's ready for a feast?
Putting these lists together throughout the wheel of the year has been so much fun for me. It's deepened my knowledge about each sabbat and helped me to plan my own feasts with my coven. I have a special love for Imbolc, though, since I'm a hard-core cheese lover. There are actually 87 cheesy recipes I left off this list, so if you're not finding the cheese dish of your dreams, just try the search bar.
What is Imbolc?
Imbolc literally means "in the belly" and refers to the growth of new life in the womb. Falling on or around February 1st, this cross-quarter sabbat honors the first signs of new life following the winter solstice. As we begin to see crocuses blossom and animals come out of hibernation, we are reminded that the wheel of the year keeps turning and the sun is growing stronger.
This day also honors Brigid, an Irish goddess of fire and fertility. She often depicted with a cauldron, symbolizing creation of all kinds. While some of us may still be hoping for plentiful crops and the birth of farm animals, many of us are hoping for fertility of a different sort. Imbolc is a great time to practice any type of creativity and work any type of abundance or fertility magic.
Mother's milk is also an important aspect of Imbolc. It's also a symbol of fertility and abundance. This is the lambing season, and other animals are also pregnant or giving birth around this time, so milk was plentiful. Honor new life by bringing this ingredient in all its glorious forms into your Imbolc feast.
Make sure you're subscribed to The How to Be Awesome Podcast to catch this week's episode on Imbolc as well.
Seeds
Imbolc is the perfect time for planting seeds, both literal and metaphorical. I love to use this sabbat for intention setting for the year ahead, planting the energetic seeds that I'd like to tend and harvest throughout the year. Bring this energy into your kitchen witchcraft by cooking with seeds.
- Gorgonzola Focaccia Bread - This cheesy bread gets topped with buttery pine nuts for a hit of cleansing energy.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes - Imbolc is celebrating the return of the sun, and what feels more sunny that lemon?
- Whole Wheat Lemon Chia Seed Waffles - A healthyish Imbolc breakfast option.
Blackberries
Blackberries are sacred to Brigid and carry the energy of fertility and protection. In February, you're unlikely to find fresh blackberries that are grown sustainably, but blackberry jam and frozen blackberries could still be worked into your spells.
- Cinnamon Whole Wheat Pancakes with Brown Butter Blackberry Syrup - Add the fire energy of cinnamon to your Imbolc breakfast. Make the syrup with frozen berries.
- Brie & Blackberry Grilled Cheese - Cheese and blackberries are the perfect Imbolc spell. Use blackberry jam or make your own with frozen berries.
- Jam Tarts - These can be filled with your favorite blackberry jam. A blackberry tart would make a beautiful altar offering to Brigid.
Basil
Basil represents new life, which is what Imbolc is all about. The green, leafy herb is also associated with money drawing. Use it fresh if you've got an indoor plant or incorporate cheese and pine nuts for a basil pesto.
- Italian Grilled Cheese - Fresh mozzarella, crispy prosciutto, pesto, and balsamic all cook together between two crispy slices of bread.
- Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Salad - Roasted baby tomatoes, cheese, and a fresh mozzarella vinaigrette for a twist on a caprese salad.
- Strawberry Lemon Basil Infused Water - Purify yourself with this gorgeous infused water.
- Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells - Garnish this cheesy baked pasta dish with a basil chiffonade.
Rosemary
A witch should never be without rosemary. This versatile herb carries the energy of the Sun and is sacred to Brigid. Include it in your Imbolc feast to connect to Spirit.
- Rosemary Potato Rolls - A perfect side dish for any sabbat feast.
- Italian Panissa Rice & Beans - This hearty rosemary-infused dish is perfect for keeping warm in winter.
- Italian Roasted Potatoes - Elevate your regular roasties with polenta and fresh rosemary.
- Chicken & Potato Bake - Simple roast chicken and potatoes are heightened with lemon and rosemary.
- Lemon Risotto - Lemons are associated with the moon, but they feel so sunny to me. This risotto also features fresh rosemary.
- Parmesan Fried Gnocchi - Use a variety of dried herbs, including rosemary, plus a ton of cheese.
- Chicken & Goat Cheese Pasta - We've got cheese, pasta, chicken, and a bunch of rosemary. Simple and delicious.
Muffins & Scones
I saw a couple of references on Pinterest mention muffins and scones for Imbolc, but I haven't found a source that says why. I'm running with it, though. Share them with your coven mates or leave one as an offering on your Imbolc altar.
- Welsh Rarebit Muffins - Savoury muffins with lots of cheese sound just perfect.
- Scones - Top a classic British scone with blackberry jam and clotted cream.
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins - Wintery pumpkin muffins get stuffed with sweetened cream cheese.
- Sour Cream Scones - Add a bit of dairy to these tangy cousins of the buttermilk biscuit.
- Double Chocolate Muffins - What's not to love about double the chocolate?
- Homemade Blueberry Muffins - A classic with fresh or frozen berries.
- Double-Glazed Chai Spice Muffins - Wintery spices full of prosperity energy in a sweet little package.
- Caramel Butterscotch Muffins - Feed your sweet tooth.
- Chocolate Toffee Muffins - These might be my favorite muffin.
- Chocolate Banana Muffins - Bananas have serious fertility energy.
Onions & Garlic
Onions and garlic are both associated with the element of fire, so perhaps that's why they are commonly eaten at Imbolc. These are both vegetables that can be stored for a long time, so there's a chance you'd still have some around in February. Onions bring fertility energy while garlic is associated with passion. And they both go great with cheese.
- Garlic & Herb Baked Chicken - Imbolc is on a weeknight, so this dish would be totally doable for a family sabbat feast between basketball practice and science homework.
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos - Bring a little bit of extra fire energy with buffalo sauce, plus lots of cheese and green onions.
- Mexican Lasagna - We're bringing in garlic, onions, peppers and plenty of cheese in this vegetarian meal.
- Easy Garlic Mac & Cheese - Mostly cheese with a bit of garlic plus a simple no-cook sauce.
- Garlic Herb Toast - Serve this as an accompaniment to an Imbolc pasta dish.
- Creamy Garlic Spinach Dip - We've got cheese and garlic plus a bit of spinach to call in prosperity.
- Spaghetti with Garlic Lemon Breadcrumbs - A simple meatless pasta dish that's bursting with flavor.
- Garlic & Herb Focaccia - I like to use parsley and thyme, but go for whatever herbs make you happy.
- Garlic & Thyme Baked Camembert - You gotta have at least one whole wheel of cheese at an Imbolc feast. Top if with fiery garlic to add to the spell.
- Pork & Onion Hand Pies - Carve sigils into the top crust of each little pie.
Peppers & Chilies
Peppers and chilies are definitely bringing that fire energy to the table. The spicier you get, the more fire you invoke. Many peppers are used to help speed up spells, and I would certainly love to speed up the return of the sun.
- Cheddar Habanero Cornbread - Bring back the cheese, but make it super fiery.
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers - Stuff a jalapeno with cheese and wrap it in bacon. What could go wrong?
- Cheddar Corn Soup - These cheesy soup has a surprising kick.
- Jalapeno Deviled Eggs - Invoke some fertility magic with a fiery twist.
- Mexican Mac & Cheese - We've got plenty of cheese plus peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Jalapeno Cream Cheese-Stuffed Burgers - Mix some jalapenos with some cream cheese and stuff it inside a juicy burger.
- Vegetarian Jalapeno Poppers - As above but without the bacon for those witches who are into such things.
- Jalapeno Hush Puppies - We're frying up balls of spicy batter, and it's so awesome.
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Burger - We've got pepper jelly or chili jam plus smoky cheddar. Oh, and bacon, of course. This one will put you right over the top.
- Whipped Ricotta - Add crushed red pepper flakes plus your favorite herbs to this cloud of cheese.
Dairy
Okay, we know that dairy is the big hitter for this festival. Here I've got recipes that are more milk and cream based. I figured cheese needed its own category. This ingredient is to honor the fertility and creative power of mothers, but we can all express mother energy regardless of gender or the state of your reproductive organs. We all have the power to create. Let's call on it with these recipes.
- Spinach Alfredo Mac & Cheese - A cream based sauce plus cheese makes this a brilliant Imbolc pasta bake.
- Salted Caramel White Russian - This cocktail could be dessert.
- Nutty Nutella Boozy Milkshake - I picked my ten most popular dairy recipes, and four of them are boozy milkshakes. I love you guys.
- Cookies & Cream Fridge Cake - Get the little witchlings to help you make this one.
- Easy Greek Yogurt Pancakes - High protein pancakes for a healthyish breakfast. Serve with blackberries.
- Better than Sex Cupcakes - These cupcakes get injected with caramel and condensed milk. They're practically lactating.
- Mudslide Milkshake - Bailey's and Kahlua mixed with ice cream is a celebration in and of itself.
- Homemade Chocolate Pudding for Two - Making pudding from scratch feels like magic.
- White Russian Milkshake - This is deceptively potent.
- Buttery Nipple Milkshake - Something sexy if you're celebrating Lupercalia.
Cheese
It's here, kids. It's time for cheese. Like I said, I left 87 recipes off this list and brought you only your favorites. Can you tell I really love cheese? This amazing food calls in the energy of transformation, success, and happiness.
Beyond making an epic cheeseboard, here are my top 10 cheesy recipes for you to try.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf - Not your grandma's boring dry meatloaf. This is ridiculously delicious.
- Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bars - Swirl in sigils and sun symbols with the caramel.
- Fig Jam & Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese - Figs are full of seeds, so they carry big fertility energy.
- Oozy Risotto Balls - Stuff some mozzarella inside leftover risotto and fry it up for an awesome, sun-shaped snack.
- Chorizo Mac & Cheese - Bring in some spicy chorizo to this cheesy dish.
- Spam Mac & Cheese - Our more recent ancestors may have had to turn to potted meat during the harsh winter months. So salty. So good.
- Cornbread-Topped Chili Mac - Again we're bringing in the spicy chili action, plus plenty of cheese.
- Spaghetti Quesadilla - My favorite way to eat leftover spaghetti. Add some basil for Imbolc.
- Frito Chili Cheese Wraps - If you're an extremely busy witch, you could just go to Sonic and call it a day, or make these at home.
- White Cheddar Fondue - Dip all your favorites into this delicious cauldron of cheese.
I hope you enjoy these recipes to celebrate Imbolc and that you don't suffer any indifestion from mild lactose intolerance. Seriously, though, I hope you feel the deep hope of this season. Plant the seeds of what you'd like to create for the year ahead.
If you make any of these recipes, be sure to share them and tag me on Instagram. I can't wait to see how you honor this sabbat.
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