The vernal equinox, also known as Ostara, is an important event in the pagan calendar. It occurs around March 20th and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Pagans celebrate this time as a period of balance and renewal, as the day and night are equal in length. For pagans, the vernal equinox represents a time of awakening and growth. It is a time when the earth is coming back to life after the long winter months. The days are becoming longer, the weather is getting warmer, and plants and animals are starting to show signs of new life.
The days are becoming longer, the weather is getting warmer, and plants and animals are starting to show signs of new life. In pagan belief, the vernal equinox is associated with various deities and symbols. One common deity associated with this time of year is Eostre, the goddess of fertility and renewal.
The Secret to the Silkiest Queso? Sodium Citrate
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In the Bon Appétit test kitchen, one of our favorite challenges is translating famous restaurant dishes into home cook–friendly recipes. That’s how associate food editor Kendra Vaculin found herself tasked with testing the queso fundido from New York City restaurant Yellow Rose. But one ingredient gave her pause: sodium citrate.
Owners Dave and Krystiana Rizo swear by it to get the creamiest, silkiest queso. But, assuming most home cooks don’t have sodium citrate lying around, there had to be an equally good option, right? Vaculin was sure she could find a workaround.
She tried a few different techniques to get an even and emulsified cheese-melt. Evaporated milk alongside baking soda and lemon juice would purportedly result in a velvety queso. But, after tinkering with the ratios, Vaculin conceded that it just wasn’t right. “It works to a point,” she said, “but the queso definitely got more clumpy as it sat.” In the end, the magic of sodium citrate simply couldn’t be replicated. Here’s why:
Usually, when cheese melts, the fat and proteins begin to separate, but sodium citrate “binds them together so that when they melt, they do it evenly and homogeneously,” Vaculin explains. Keeping the mixture homogenized ensures that this queso fundido can stand the test of time. As Vaculin discovered in her testing, there really is no substitute for sodium citrate in this recipe. “The amazing thing about the sodium citrate version was that it stayed beautiful and viscous even as it sat on the pass for hours, which was kind of amazing and really sold us on ‘Okay, this is worth it.’”
Pure Sodium Citrate
Don’t be discouraged by its somewhat science-y name; sodium citrate is not difficult to find. It’s available on Amazon, as well as in some specialty grocery stores. Sodium citrate allows any cheese to melt evenly, which means it’s also useful for, say, macaroni and cheese or a fondue, if you’re feeling fancy. Chances are you’ve actually already had sodium citrate in cheeses like Velveeta or American cheese—it helps both melt evenly without separating.
Yellow Rose’s queso recipe is lighter than some other formulations—closer to a sauce than a cloyingly thick scooper. “This is more like the consistency of a hot fudge,” Vaculin explains. “It definitely will still coat your chip, but it’s not a huge scoop where you’re piling it up on itself.” The addition of sodium citrate allows cheddar (a finicky melter, depending on its age) to become the foundation, bolstered by beer for a malty tang. Chopped jalapeños bring a kick of heat, then chorizo and Oaxaca cheese top off this melty beauty.
This recipe is all about a few simple tricks that’ll keep the melted cheese ooey, gooey, and dippable from first chip to last.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Citroma
She is often depicted as a maiden or a hare, symbolizing fertility and new beginnings. The hare is also associated with the moon, which plays a significant role in pagan worship. During the vernal equinox, pagans often perform rituals and ceremonies to honor Eostre and other deities. These rituals may involve lighting bonfires, dancing, and making offerings to the earth. Some pagans also participate in egg hunts, which symbolize the search for new life and fertility. Overall, the pagan understanding of the vernal equinox revolves around the ideas of balance, growth, and renewal. It is a time to celebrate the return of spring and the awakening of the earth after the cold winter months. Through rituals, pagans honor the deities associated with this time and seek to harness the energy of the equinox for their own personal growth and transformation..
Reviews for "The vernal equinox as a time of renewal and rebirth in pagan belief systems"
- John Smith - 1 star
I found "Pagan understanding of the vernal equinox" to be deeply disappointing. While I was initially intrigued by the topic, the author's writing style was convoluted and difficult to follow. As someone with limited knowledge of paganism, I was hoping for a clear and accessible explanation, but instead, I was bombarded with esoteric jargon that left me feeling more confused than educated. Additionally, the lack of proper citations and references made it difficult to trust the information presented. Overall, this book failed to meet my expectations and left me unsatisfied.
- Lisa Johnson - 2 stars
As a skeptic, I was open-minded when approaching "Pagan understanding of the vernal equinox", hoping to gain some insight into pagan beliefs. However, I found the book to be shallow and lacking in substance. The author provided vague explanations that didn't fully explore the depth of pagan understanding of the vernal equinox. I was expecting a more comprehensive analysis, but instead, I felt like I was reading a superficial overview. Moreover, the book lacked the critical examination necessary to appeal to a skeptical audience. It felt more like a collection of personal anecdotes rather than a well-researched exploration of the topic.
- Sarah Thompson - 1 star
I was thoroughly disappointed with "Pagan understanding of the vernal equinox". The author's writing lacked clarity, making it difficult to comprehend the concepts being discussed. Additionally, the book lacked proper organization, jumping from topic to topic without a clear structure. It felt like a jumbled mess of information. Furthermore, the author's biased perspective detracted from the objectivity I was hoping to find in a book of this nature. This book failed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased understanding of the vernal equinox from a pagan perspective, and I cannot recommend it.