Hocus Pocus; A Spellbinding Cookbook
This is a fun cookbook that just might be for more than Halloween treats Cover: Chelsea Hunter
AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER
THIS POST FIRST APPEARED IN A SHORTENED VERSION IN SMOKE SIGNALS NEWSPAPER
The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook
SPELLBINDING
Dedicated to ‘90’s kids and ‘90’s kids at heart, millennial author Bridget Thoreson has written a clever cookbook that is an homage to one of her most beloved movies. It comes just in time for you to get your copy (available through bookstores and Amazon) to stir up some of your own Hocus Pocus, spells and potions for the fall season and Halloween. This post will give you a few reasons why it’s a must have.
So I was curious where the term hocus pocus came from. You might be interested to learn that according to the Oxford University Press, the term originates from hax pax max Deus adimax, a pseudo-Latin phrase used in the early 17th century as a magical formula by conjurors.
Some believe it originates from a corruption or parody of the Catholic liturgy of the Eucharist, which contains the phrase "Hoc est enim corpus meum", meaning This is my body.
These treats will go fast Design: what!design
Ginger-dead Men are easy to decorate in a fun scary way Photo: Shutterstock
ABOUT THE MOVIE
If you’ve never seen the movie, it follows a villainous comedic trio of witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy (Omri Katz) in Salem, Massachusetts, on Halloween night.
In 1693, Thackery Binx witnesses his little sister, Emily, being taken to the woods by the Sanderson sisters; Winifred, Sarah, and Mary. At their cottage, the witches cast a spell on Emily to absorb her youth and regain their own, killing her in the process.
Thackery confronts the witches and is transformed into a black cat cursed to live forever. Suddenly, the townsfolk, led by Thackery's friend, Elijah, and Binx's father, arrest the sisters and sentence them to be hanged for the murder of Thackery and Emily.
Before their execution, Winifred casts a spell that will resurrect the sisters during a full moon on Halloween when any virgin lights the Black Flame Candle. Thackery decides to guard the cottage to ensure no one summons the witches.
Move to the 20th century where Max Dennison is feeling unhappy about his family's move from Los Angeles to Salem. On Halloween, Max takes his younger sister Dani out trick or treating, where they meet a girl he likes named Allison. In an effort to impress her, Max invites her to show him the Sanderson house to convince him the witches were real.
Inside the Sanderson cottage, Max lights the Black Flame Candle and inadvertently resurrects the witches due to his virginity. The witches attempt to suck the soul of Dani, but Max comes to her rescue. Escaping, Max steals Winifred's spellbook on advice from Thackery, who now goes by his last name of Binx. Now comes all the fun of trying to rid themselves of the witches and their curses.
The film was released in the US in July 1993, by Walt Disney Pictures. Hence, all good millennials have watched it every Halloween since while giving away candy to the trick or treaters at their doors. Enjoy a little trailer from the movie below.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Bridget and her editor both loved the movie and felt it would lend itself well to the making of a cookbook with all the potions, spells and references to eating children. The recipes are purposefully simple as Bridget wanted people to be able to make them with their children and grandchildren easily without spending too much time in a hot kitchen. They are cleverly titled and there are fun rhymes and spells throughout.
It is also laid out differently by drawing inspiration from Winifred’s spellbook in the movie; broken into sections like Bewitching Brews & Beverages, Recipes for Salem Townsfolk and From the Witches’ Spellbook. These sections provide great recipes for things like a luscious Witches Brew Espresso Martini, Clever Little White Witch Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Shush Ke-Baby Kebabs.
You will love the luscious Witch’s Brew Espresso Martini Photo: Bridget Thoreson
What’s not to love? Design: what!design
If those don’t interest you maybe you would prefer Burning Rain of Death Punch, Oil of Boil Cocktail or Newt Saliva? Perhaps try your hand at Witches’ Hair Pasta, Dead Mans’ Toes or Blood of Owl Soup? Bridget said naming the recipes was almost as much fun as making them especially if children are involved.
I like that while there is a section of mocktails for the little ones she has included adult beverages as well if planning a parents party. The kids will enjoy the Soul-Warming Hot Chocolate and non-drinkers can appreciate the Spiced Apple Cider.
There is a group of Life-Giving Fall Favorites like Pumpkin Bread and Soup which will always be a hit during the month of October as we come into pumpkin picking season. Old standards such as Chicken Pot Pie, Mac ‘n’ Cheese and French Onion Soup make an appearance as well.
Perfect for a cold Halloween night’s dinner Design: what!design
Provides you with just the right way to finish off your soup Photo: Shutterstock
FUN EASY RECIPES
If you are one of those that really celebrate Halloween and go all out for your known neighborhood trick or treaters it could be fun to do Bridget’s Caramel Apples, Popcorn Balls and Salty Sweet Caramel Corn. The latter is a family recipe that her mother used to make for them as children which Bridget has tweaked over the years in making it herself.
Dead Mans’ Chungs is based on her father’s recipe for crab cakes that Bridget’s husband has honed and now makes often for the family. I like it when cookbooks include beloved family recipes that have been handed down by generations. You can count that they are tried and true and might be loved by your family too. And hey, you can always kick up the flavors and put your own spin on any of the recipes to make it yours as well.
Clever Little White Witch Chocolate Chunk cookies Photo: Bridget Thoreson
An homage to the white witch spoken about in the movie Design: what!design
An Odds and Ends section gives you some unexpected helpful things like how to make your own pasta, pie crusts, bourbon caramel sauce, whip cream, pico de gallo and garlic dipping sauce. While the book does celebrate an iconic movie it also gives you good everyday items that you would use year-round and not just for Halloween.
Shush Ke-Baby Kebabs offers a great way to entertain easily and can be cooked in the oven or on the grill. You can offer your party peeps a whole meal on one stick and the clean up is super easy so you get to spend more time with your guests. Kids will love helping you put them together too.
This recipe will have you grillin’ & chillin’ Photo: Shutterstock Design: what!design
CONCLUSION
I think this is a fun cookbook that clearly will be a treasure you would like to have especially if you love Hocus Pocus too. You will recognize many moments from the film in her recipes, titles, spells and rhymes. Bridget has a little girl now that she found out she was pregnant with around Halloween while watching Hocus Pocus for the umpteenth time handing out candy to the kids at the door.
Author Bridget Thoreson Photo: Courtesy of Bridget Thoreson
She is looking forward to watching the film with her daughter in the coming years and making recipes from the book for her to carry forward with her own family someday. I think that is a very fun way to spend the precious years don’t you?
Grab a copy of the book, rent the movie and start making your Halloween memories special too. BTW, the sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, will be out in the fall of 2022 with the original cast. I’m looking forward to more of the Sanderson sisters…BOO! 👻 Enjoy the video below which will give you the big musical number from Bette Midler.
If you enjoyed what you read, you might also like other posts under Edible Fare and Artful Ideal. Look for my upcoming post in Snap Shot on Lisbon, Portugal. Until then…
Cheers,
Artsy Chow Roamer
Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter
Food
If you like what you read, click on the button below!
Why? You’ll get a recipe for duck bacon which will impress anyone you serve it to plus other great stuff I promise you’ll want!