"It is our choices that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~ Albus Dumbledore
NOTE: I spend my Wednesdays Unplugged from appointments. It's my day to stay home, enjoy cooking and welcome our kids and grandkids for dinner in the evening. We end our meal with quotes from the Norwegian 'Quote Cup' passed on to me from my grandmother. I share a quote and a recipe here each week, and sometimes some photos of family fun. I love trying new recipes…and love getting recipes you would like to share!
We celebrated our grandson's 10th birthday this week and that meant that he got to choose the menu. He asked for a Harry Potter meal, so this week's recipe is really three found in different places. I served gingerbread pudding cake for dessert but found that recipe too dense, so didn't include that one, but included a spectacular steamed gingerbread pudding in the related posts at the end of this post.
A HARRY POTTER MEAL
BROOMSTICKS 
- Pretzel sticks
- String cheese
- Chives
Cut a stick of string cheese into thirds for three broomsticks, shred one end into a 'broom', insert a pretzel into the other end, tie with a strand of chive.
BUTTERBEER
For the butterbeer layer:
- 6 12 oz. bottles or cans chilled cream soda
- 3 tsps imitation butter flavor or clarified butter
For the cream layer:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 6 tbsps sugar
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsps imitation butter flavor or clarified butter
Set out six 16-ounce glasses. Place 1/2 teaspoon of imitation butter (or 1 teaspoon clarified butter) in each glass. Pour 12 ounces of cream soda into each glass, over the butter. Lightly stir, if necessary.
In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream on medium high speed for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the sugar and continue whipping until very soft peaks begin to form, another 3-4 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and imitation butter (or clarified butter), then whip for another 30 seconds or so, until soft peaks form.
Spoon a generous portion of foam on top of each glass of butterbeer, mixing gently, if desired (or spoon the foam into the bottom of the glass and pour the butterbeer over the top). Serve immediately.
QUIDDITCH PLAYER'S PIE
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 1/3 packets dry onion soup mix
- 2 1/3 cups water
- 4 teaspoons flour
- 2/3 cup milk
- Two 24-ounce packages mashed Simply Potatoes
- Optional package frozen peas/carrots
- 1 + cups shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown ground beef in large skillet, drain and set aside. In the same skillet, add the water and onion soup mix, covering to cook for 5 minutes. Whisk flour into milk in a small bowl, add to skillet and cook until a gravy forms. Add cooked beef stirring to combine thoroughly. Add frozen veggies if desired.
Spray a flat casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and put beef mixture in the bottom. Spread potatoes in a layer over the beef and bake for about 20 minutes. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and put back in the oven until the cheese has melted.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Email - Minneapolis Realtor Who Cooks
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