Cottagecore Recipes for Spring
BY Alison Wiebe
Discover cottagecore recipes for spring inspired by fantasy worlds and storybook feasts that will transport you to a realm of cozy cottage enchantment!
As the earth stirs from winter’s rest, we’ve gathered rustic spring recipes from the enchanted glens of Middle Earth, the flower-strewn grounds of Camelot, the burrows of Redwall, and the whimsical gardens of Wonderland. Whether you’re planning a cottagecore picnic, an elven spring banquet, or a Redwall-style country lunch, this seasonal roundup is your guide to rustic, literary feasting!
Garden & Woodland starters
Light fare to begin your journey
Dandelion Greens and Feta Tart: A savoury spring tart filled with foraged wild dandelion greens, feta cheese and parmesan.
Leeks with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette: Tender poached leeks served chilled with a shallot and sherry wine vinaigrette dressing – inspired by the summer feasts of Redwall Abbey.
Crispy Chard Cakes: These crispy cheesy fritters full of fresh chard and served with a garlicky yogurt sauce are inspired by the lush and verdant woodlands of Rivendell from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Cheese and Chive Potato Puffs: Soft, crispy cheese and chive potato puffs with a dollop of sour cream are inspired by the adventures in Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland.
The forager’s picnic
Rustic loaves and soft cheeses for a storybook picnic
White Braided Bread, Whipped Brie, Berries and Honey: A woodland feast inspired by Goldberry and Tom Bombadil from the book The Fellowship of the Ring.
Hazelnut Bread with Apple and Sage Goat Cheese Terrine: For a delightful picnic in Mossflower Woods outside of the Redwall Abbey, loaves of nut bread accompanied with this goat cheese terrine studded with nuts, fresh herbs and sweet apple compote.
Spring Greens Star Bread: From the abundant gardens and kitchens of the elves of Rivendell is a soft herbed pull-apart bread with spring greens.
Potted Ham with No Knead Rye Bread: Potted ham full of fresh dill served on a tender rustic rye bread is the ideal provision for sustenance on a long journey. Straight from the harvest of the grasslands and plains of Rohan.
Rustic Hearth Mains
Wholesome dishes for the rustic table where stories are shared
Spiced Lamb Stew with No Knead Beer Bread: For a regal yet rustic medieval dinner on the grounds of Camelot, this hearty lamb stew full of root vegetables, spices and fresh herbs is best enjoyed with a tender loaf of no knead beer bread.
Potato Leek Pie: Buttery and cheesy savoury pie packed with leeks and layers of thinly sliced potatoes is the ideal hobbit fare to enjoy on a cozy spring evening in the Shire.
Cider Braised Rabbit with Herbs: Inspired by the dinner prepared by Sam using the rabbits caught by Smeagol while travelling with Frodo through Ithilien to destroy the ring in The Two Towers.
Pink Peppercorn Salmon with Shrimp: Freshwater fish and shrimp are popular in the kitchen of Friar Hugo at Redwall Abbey. Slow roasted salmon topped with a creamy pink peppercorn sauce and sautéed shrimp is a decadent entrée!
Roasted Cauliflower Leek Soup with Gremolata: On her adventure in Wonderland, Alice wanders into the Duchess’s kitchen where her cook is preparing a hot soup with an excess of pepper. Roasted cauliflower and tender leeks blended together in a creamy soup with a spicy piquant gremolata.
Enchanted sweets
Floral, foraged, and fit for queens
Lilac Bundt Cakes: Immerse yourself in the delicate yet regal beauty of Camelot and Queen Guinevere with these floral-scented lilac bundt cakes made in honour of the lovely Guinevere, wife of King Arthur and lover of Sir Lancelot.
Blackberry Earl Grey Tarts: Steal away with the Queen of Hearts’ tarts before she knows they’re missing! Made with a jammy blackberry filling and earl grey scented pastry cream in a buttery tart crust.
Summer Pudding with Meadowsweet Cream: This fresh and fruity summer pudding is packed with juicy berries gathered from the Mossflower Woods of Redwall Abbey and topped with meadowsweet scented whipped cream.
Lavender Lembas Bread: Elvish lembas bread will leave you nourished and rejuvenated. This lavender scented lembas bread is soft, sweet, buttery and aromatic.
Floral Honey Posset: Choose your favourite flower for this creamy delicate honey posset: chamomile, lavender, rosewater, lilacs, whatever you desire!
Botanical elixirs
Herbal blends and floral spirits from enchanted woodlands and mythical isles
Woodland Realm Cocktail: Journey to the Woodland Realm in Middle Earth for an elven cocktail imbued with the flavours and scents of the forest – using fir tips for a delicate herbaceous flavour.
Sparkling Strawberry Cordial: Fresh strawberries, black peppercorns, citrus and mint come together in this popular Redwall cordial!
Chamomile Honey Gin Sour: Inspired by the abundant spring gardens, this cocktail is floral and herbaceous with hints of citrus and mint.
The Lady of the Lake Cocktail: Travel to the mystical Isle of Avalon for this enchanted sweet-woodruff infused elixir.
The Green Man Cocktail: Pay homage to the enigmatic Green Man of British folklore with this juniper-infused cocktail.
