Eat Like Harry Potter

Anyone who’s read the Harry Potter series knows it’s not wise to do so on an empty stomach. Author J.K. Rowling is just as good at making our mouths water as she is keeping us on the edge of our seats. If you’ve ever found yourself craving the delectable items she included in her many Hogwarts feast scenes, now is your chance to taste them for real thanks to Dinah Bucholz’s The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook!

I couldn’t help but squee with joy when I first heard about this book. It’s got every meal and dessert from the Harry Potter books you could ever want to taste. According to the book’s website, “The more than 150 recipes were thoroughly researched and developed to please the modern American palate. Each recipe also is preceded by a short, colorful description of that dish in British culinary history.”

It’s hard to know where to start once you pick up the book, there’s so many amazing dishes. Chapter One is titled “Good Food with Bad Relatives” and if you haven’t already guessed, includes food eaten (or not eaten as the case may be) by Harry while living with the Dursley’s. In it you’ll find recipes for English Fried Eggs and a Gammon of Bacon, Knickerbocker Glory and Petunia’s Pudding among others. Chapter Two, “Delights Down the Alley,” will yield you such Diagon Alley treats as Pattington Burgers and Crumpets. Chapter Three, “Treats From the Train,” brings us two of the most famous wizarding treats. First and foremost: Pumpkin Pasties, something that would make a great addition to Thanksgiving dinner if you ask me. You can also find a recipe for the ever-famous Pumpkin Juice in this chapter.

Chocolate Pumpkin Tart
Chapter Four: “Recipes From a Giant and an Elf” Hagrid may not be known for his cooking skills but that doesn’t mean his creations aren’t delicious in real life. Rock Cakes and Treacle Fudge come from him while you can try Kreacher’s French Onion Soup or Beef Stew With Herb Dumplings. Chapter Five, “The Favorite Cook’s Dishes,” features the delectable creations of Mrs. Molly Weasley. How about Any-Nut Nut Brittle, Mince PIes or Vol-au-Vents? Chapter Six, “Breakfast Before Class,” shows us a few of Hogwarts finest morning accoutrements like Fried Tomatoes, Sweet Orange Marmalade and Kippers.
Chapter Seven brings us to “Lunch and Dinner in the Dining Hall.” Here you’ll find recipes for Yorkshire Pudding, Chiddingly Hotpot and Sausage Rolls. Chapter Eight, “Desserts and Snacks at School,” is my favorite section by far. Lemon Drops, Peppermint Humbugs, Treacle Tart (Harry’s favorite) and Custard Creams are among the recipes for the sweet-tooth in all of us. Chapter Nine, “Holiday Fare,” will come in handy this time of year. Try making Homemade Marshmallows, Christmas Trifle and Goulash. Finally, Chapter Ten gives us Hogsmeade specialties in “Treats in the Village.” Acid Drops (aka Acid Pops), Cocunut Ice and Sugar Mice are just waiting to be devoured.
Whew! I told you it had everything. Bucholz is definitely dedicated to both Harry Potter and cooking and I thank her profusely for having the passion and drive to put this book together. Now I’m going to go eat something because I dangerously started writing this blog on an empty stomach. :)

3 Responses to “Eat Like Harry Potter”

  1. Adri says:

    Yay! I'm trying to cook some of this stuff too (though I admit, it's kind of unnatural for me!)…my first attempt will be a pie. Wish I could send some to you to taste! :)

  2. Wallace says:

    Sounds delicious! I agree.. always want to eat when I'm reading these books. I was also wondering about Butter Beer… is it in there? I've heard from people who have gone to Hogwarts in Florida that the Butter Beer is very good (makes me jealous).

  3. Cderosby says:

    I'd try the butter beer if it's in the book. I'm a bit leery about others though. For every food item mentioned in the movies that made you think "that sounds good", there's a bogey-flavored bean or a glass of pumpkin juice that I think I'll pass on thanks.