Eat More Plants: Recipes
The Germinator Mocktail & Seeds of Intention
By Mary Munro
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Seeds embody tangible and symbolic potential, heralding positive change and substantial growth. Paired with their superfood status, it becomes evident why they frequently feature in New Year rituals and menus.
Yet, much like intentions, new beginnings aren’t confined to a specific time of the year. For those whose resolutions have lost their luster or could benefit from a supernatural push toward transformation, consider this seed-forward elixir as your catalyst.
Take a moment, indulge in a snack of ‘Seeds of Intention,’ and nurture your dreams as you sip on a revitalizing mocktail crafted from fermented juniper berries (essentially seeds), immersed in a fragrant forest syrup (derived from seeds), and topped with the effervescence of aquafaba foam (yes, sourced from legume seeds).
The Germinator holds the key to your future and provides unwavering support along the way.
Ingredients:
• 2 oz Smreka (or real or faux gin as a substitute). Smreka, a simple ferment, is an excellent choice for beginners in the world of fermentation.
• 1 oz forest simple syrup
• 1 oz citrus juice (choose from blood orange, lime, or pink grapefruit – all work well). Reserve a slice for rimming the glass and garnish if desired.
•2 tbsp of the liquid drained from a can of chickpeas. This liquid is known as aquafaba.
•3-4 drops of bitters, optional but they add complexity and balance to the Germinator.
Optional: Spruce Sugar, a pixie dust touch to rim the glass and sweeten the seeding of your dreams.
Method:
• Wet the rim of a cup or your chosen glass with a citrus slice. Sprinkle spruce sugar on a plate and dip the rim of your glass in it for a magical touch.
• In a cocktail shaker, combine Smreka or a gin substitute, the simple syrup, citrus juice, chickpea juice (aquafaba), and optional bitters. Shake vigorously. Add ice cubes and shake again until cold.
• Strain the elixir into the prepared glass and garnish with a rosemary sprig, citrus, or foraged firs.
• Serve with Seeds of Intention (method below).
Smreka (prepare one month ahead):
• ¾ cup dried juniper berries
• 4 cups water
Combine in a jar, cover with a lid, and leave on your counter for approximately 30 days. Swirl the jar of junipers daily, envisioning the intentions you’re seeding. A natural gentle fermentation will occur, so ‘burp’ the jar every few days. Strain into a new bottle. Use it in this recipe, or enhance it with honey, citrus, and a sprinkle of salt for standalone enjoyment.
Forest Simple Syrup:
• 1 cup chopped foraged conifer needles.
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary and/or mint, or 1 tbsp dried
• 1 cup sugar
To infuse flavor, bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil with the chopped herbs and conifer needles. Simmer until fragrant. Add sugar and simmer until dissolved. Remove from heat, cool, strain with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and refrigerate until use.
Spruce Sugar (optional):
• ¼ cup rosemary or coniferous needles of choice which may be either foraged, from your organic Christmas tree
• ½ cup white sugar
Grind coniferous needles in a coffee grinder until fine. Add sugar and grind further. Let the mixture sit to absorb oils and fragrance, creating a pale green pixie dust hue.
Seeds of Intention:
• The remaining chickpeas after draining the liquid (known as aquafaba)
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp yellow or grainy mustard
• ½ tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice
• 2 tsp sweetener (spruce sugar from the Germinator or maple syrup)
• ½ tsp or more salt, to taste
Set oven to 375 F. Drain chickpeas, pat dry, toss with 1 tbsp oil, and scatter on a baking tray. Roast for approximately 30 min. In the same bowl, combine the remaining oil, vinegar, mustard, spice, sweetener, and salt. Toss the warm chickpeas in the dressing, stir, and season to taste. Let cool and nibble with intention.
Recommended Ingredients
In place of foraging for coniferous needles: If you celebrate with an organic Christmas tree, snip the branches to infuse and enjoy ‘drinking your tree’. Other options are to use all rosemary and mint or use Go Natural Pine Needle Tea from Amazon. https://a.co/d/iJDVZGO
Juniper berries can be foraged but take care to accurately identify them. Pure Original Ingredients Whole Juniper Berries can be sourced through Amazon https://a.co/d/0Yk2WKK
Mary Munro is not only a fermenter and fomenter of thoughts and flavors, but also a seasoned professional in banking, wellness, and executive coaching. Currently residing in Toronto with her family and two lovable bulldogs, she finds solace in the tranquil environment of a riverside cottage located north of the city. Follow her on Instagram @bigbank2riverbank
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