Attention Kitchen Witches

Well cats and kittens - it's happened again. I am having computer issues. When my power was blown it fried my machine.

On to the post.

After the other days post I did a little more digging and there are quite a few Harry Potter based recipes out there.

Even Betty Crocker has joined forces with Hogwarts and put out their own licorice wand recipe. Nutritional info is even included.

6 ounces vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark), chopped
24 licorice twists (any flavor)
Betty Crocker® Decor Selects candy sprinkles, nonpareils or colored sugars

1. Place candy coating in 2-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted.
2. Dip half of each licorice twist into melted candy coating. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Place on waxed paper about 1 hour or until coating is firm.

Here is a site with Harry Potter inspired theme recipes like parchment scrolls, herbology fruit, and licorice wands.

Floo Network, not to be confused with the Food Network, a site that takes its name from Floo Powder has a recipe for Mrs. Weasley's Rock Cakes.

Mrs. Weasley's Rock Cakes

Ingredients:

8oz or 2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
4oz or 1 stick of butter
3oz sugar (1/3 cup plus a tbsp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 oz currants or sultanas (scant 1/3 cup golden raisins)
1 tbsp candied peel
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
caster sugar for dredging (superfine sugar)

Directions:

1. Put the flour and salt in a mixing bowl and rub in the butter lightly with the fingers until the mix looks like breadcrumbs.
2. Stir in the sugar and dried fruits.
3. Beat the egg with the milk and vanilla, then pour it into the flour and fruit mixture, and mix it up to make a stiff dough.
4. Butter two baking sheets, and drop on tablespoons of the mixture.
5.Roughen the dough lumps with a fork, and dredge with a little castor sugar. (should be enough mix to make 15 - 20 small cakes)
6. Bake in a hot oven, 425F or 220C, for 12-15 minutes, until firm and pale golden. Cool them on a wire rack.

NOTE: They should be crumbly in texture. If they are hard and inedible, like Hagrid's, you mixed the dough for too long or baked them in the oven too long.

Following that recipe on Floo Networks page are recipes for gingerbread newts, pumpkin pasties, treacle (molasses to those of us in the US) fudge, and butter beer.

Another new [to me at least] and interesting site, Potter Parties has a massive list of recipes. The site also has instructions on how to find or plan a Potter party. Here is their recipe for Dobby's delight.

Dobby's Delight

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening
9 tablespoons cocoa or 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
11 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (12 ounces) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed,divided
2 cups cold milk
1 (3.9 ounces) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
Instructions:

1. Melt shortening and chocolate or cocoa in microwave and transfer to mixing bowl.
2. Blend in sugar, eggs and vanilla.
3. Add flour, salt and baking powder.
4. Pour into a 9x13 pan, with bottom only greased.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
6. Cool completely.
7. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar till smooth and light.
8. Fold in 2 cups of whipped topping.
9. Spread over brownies.
10. In another bowl, combine milk and pudding mix.
11. Whisk till smooth and thickening.
12. Refrigerate 5 minutes, then spread over cream cheese layer.
13. Top with remaining whipped topping.
14. Sprinkle with pecans if desired.
15. Keep refrigerated.

This should keep those of you waiting for the movie busy with Harry Potter goodies in the meantime.

Might I even suggest a Harry Potter party when the movie is released on DVD?

Harry Potter Recipes

While you wait for the new Harry Potter movie to come out you can make yourself a few HP treats. For those of you who are hardcore fans, this is OFN, but those of you who have a fondness that does not usually extend to fansites - I've got news. Mugglenet (an HP fansite) offers the below recipes for items mentioned in the series.


Madame Rosmerta's Butterbeer

Ingredients:
1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda
1/2 cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
1/2 tablespoon butter

Directions:
Measure butterscotch and butter into a 2 cup (16 oz) glass. Microwave on high for 1 to 1½ minutes, or until syrup is bubbly and butter is completely incorporated. Stir and cool for 30 seconds, then slowly mix in club soda. Mixture will fizz quite a bit. Serve in two coffee mugs or small glasses.





Pumpkin Juice

Ingredients:
2 cups of pumpkin, chopped up into chunks
2 cups of apple juice
1/2 cup of pineapple juice
1 teaspoon of honey (to taste)
Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg and/or Allspice (all ground, to taste)

Directions:
Juice the pumpkin pieces by squeezing through a cheesecloth or by using a juicer. Pour the pumpkin juice, apple juice and pineapple juice into a blender. Add the honey and spices, adjusting quantity to taste. Chill or serve over ice.


Treacle Fudge

Ingredients:
1/2 cup light cream or evaporated milk
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup molasses

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix cream, brown sugar and salt together, set aside. In a saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter together. Remove from heat and add molasses. Add the chocolate mixtures and cream mixtures together. Pour mixture into a pan and let cool. Cut into squares after cooled and serve.



In fact the food network seems to have a recipe of their own for butter beer.

On my next trip to the grocer I intend to pick up what's needed to make butter beer. If it seems you're interested in the results - please let me know and I will definitely make a post about it. Otherwise, I may not - to avoid boring you.

Anyone who has already tried any of these. I'd love to hear how it went!!

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Trashionista hottness

While perusing one of my favorite sites I came across a great block of information.

The new Harry Potter movie will be delayed. Instead of opening in November it is now slated to come out July of next year. Apparently there are even petitions in circulation to do something about this injustice.

http://www.trashionista.com/2008/08/movie-news-harr.html

A look at Anthropologies [in store I believe] book decor


I've never seen anything this complex in an Anthropologie. I'm not sure I could handle the pleasure overload though.

Even more pictures of this bookish hottness on Trashionistas source.

http://www.trashionista.com/2008/08/book-displays-a.html

And last but not least. How to make your own book rack from a wire coat hanger (despite what Joan Crawford would have said about the matter.)


http://www.trashionista.com/2008/08/make-a-book-rac.html

Peleg Design - Reflective Book End

If you are even unsure of whether or not the object before you is a book, the reflective book end can help put an end to your woes. Mind you this sweet relief will only come if you stand at a certain angle. The "action" shot is available on the site - and I must say it looks a lot better with books between each end, however I;m not sure if this is an item this particular blogger feels is worth the samoleans.



It's not available yet but click here for watch when it becomes available for purchase.

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DIY Book Art

An interesting idea - framing a favorite passage of a book. I couldn't bring myself to rip up one of my own babies but perhaps if you had your hands on a book that was nearly in shreds . . .

Insider Kindle Info

For those of us still cryin' ourselves to sleep over the absence of the kindle in our lives. I have news.

Two new editions of the kindles are scheduled to hit stores this coming holiday studio.

"The first is an updated version with the same sized screen, a smaller form factor, and an improved interface. The source told us that Amazon has “skipped three or four generations,” comparing the old Kindle to the 1st gen iPod and the new version to something like the sexy iPod Mini.

The second new model, which is shaped like an 8 1/2 x 11-inch piece of paper, is considerably bigger than the current model and should be available next year."

The need for DIY mod's will decrease with the new option of different colors.

Both of these models will also be geared more towards younger readers (which causes no undue stress for those of use over the age of twenty who read Harry Potter, or Uglies, or anything that falls under the young adult category really.)

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Douglas Adams Original Typewriter

For those of you who have a spare $25,000 laying around you could have had Douglas Adams' typewriter.



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