Midsummer
June 21
Midsummer marks the longest day of the year and the time at which the Sun God is at His strongest. This day is celebrated as the fire festival. The Goddess is now heavy with pregnancy just as the Earth is full and ready to share her bounty. It also marks the waning of the year as each day becomes shorter, heralding the onset of autumn and then winter. This time of year is also a good time for hand-fasting and weddings.
Recipe
Peach Cheesecake
3 packages cream cheese (8 oz each), softened
1 large and 1 small can of peaches, well drained - Reserve approx. 1/4 to 1/2 cup of juice, I like to use the natural juice type peaches, not the sugar syrup.
1 cup sugar (or less to taste)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 - 8" graham cracker crusts (commercial or homemade)
Cinnamon and/or nutmeg
Soften cream cheese to room temperature. Cream the cheese and sugar together. Slowly blend in reserved peach juice, adding a few tablespoons at a time until you get a good consistency - about a 1/2 cup of liquid, total - mixture should be smooth, but not runny. Finely chop 3 of the largest peach slices and add to mixture. Lay remaining sliced peaches in rows in the graham cracker crusts, reserving a few slices to garnish the top. The peaches must be well drained or the filling end up runny. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the peaches in each pie shell and smooth with a knife. Place peach slice/s on top in the middle of each pie for garnish (you can also chop some to "ring" the edge of the pie ). Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Serve well chilled. Yields 2 pies, about 16 slices. Substituting Peach Schnapps for a portion of the peach juice has excellent results.