-RECIPES-

Hello, reader! Welcome to the Recipe Section of the Hogwarts Magazine. I hope your day is going more than great. My name is Tabitha Langdale and I will be providing you with a variety of delicious meals twice a month. Today, you will learn how to make a perfect and modified Shepherd’s Pie and a batch of addicting Owl Butter Cookies; also a surprise drink at the end! Let’s begin!

I would like to start off with the delicious, savory dish named Quidditch Players Pie. This recipe is basically a spin I have given on the Shepherd’s Pie, known from taking part in daily meals in The Great Hall. The name of this meal derives from how this type of pie tends to be consumed by Quidditch players before a rough game; given it is a very filling, hearty meal. Try it out for yourself and see how pleased you and your stomach will be!

QUIDDITCH PLAYERS PIE

Standard Servings: 4-6

INGREDIENTS:

-  1 pound ground beef

- 2 medium jalapeno peppers, ribs & seeds removed

-  1 garlic clove, smashed, finely diced

-  ½ cup diced onion

-  ½ cup diced carrot

-  1 packet meatball gravy mix (preferred brand)

-  2 cups mashed potatoes to cover

-  ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

-  smoked paprika for garnish

METHOD:

1.  In a small saucepan, make the gravy according to package directions; set aside.

2.  Preheat oven to 350 F. Brown the beef in a large cast iron skillet for about 5-7 minutes; when no longer pink, remove from heat, drain fat and set aside.

3.  On medium heat and using the same skillet, add jalapenos, garlic, onions and carrot; sauté about 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened.

4.  Use the Levitation Charm to lift both containers with the cooked beef and the gravy and tip them over the skillet to join with all ingredients.

5.  Place ground beef mixture into greased individual cast iron skillets or casserole dish; cover with a layer of potatoes, top with cheese and sprinkle with smoked paprika with a wave of the wand.

6.  Bake in 350-degree oven for 15 minutes; then broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese gets golden brown.

7.  Remove from oven and cast Frigidus Aura on it for a quick cool-off before serving.

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Usually when I finish a meal that tends to be on the savory side, I end up having a deep craving for something sweet; whether it be a drink or something more on the rigid side. Since I have concluded that nearly every savory meal needs a sweet “side-dish” and believe others have the same situation as I do, I have decided to accompany our last dish with my delectable Owl Butter Cookies. These treats, of course, can be made for any occasion other than an after-dinner-craving. Options range from a simple snack, social gatherings, a thank-you gift – you name it! The process to make these amazing and adorable-looking owl cookies might appear lengthy, but it will all be worth it and you might even have fun making them. Plus, we have magic to help!

OWL BUTTER COOKIES:

INGREDIENTS:

·  1/2 lb. unsalted butter

·  1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

·  1 egg

·  1 tsp. vanilla extract

·  1/2 tsp. almond extract

·  3 cups all-purpose flour

·  Pinch of salt

·  40 chocolate chips

·  20 whole almonds

·  1/2 cup almond slivers

·  Cocoa powder for dusting

·  Parchment paper

METHOD:

1. In a heavy deep container, mix the butter and sugar together until just incorporated; using the Miscere spell with consistent clockwise motions from the wand. Do not over-mix at this stage, or the cookies may spread while baking.

2. Add the egg and vanilla and almond extracts. Mix again at a low pace, stopping to scrape down the sides of the container if needed.

3. In a medium bowl, allow the flour and salt to whisk together with an enchanted whisk. Add to the butter and egg mixture. Mix until dough has formed and there are no longer any streaks of butter in the mixing bowl.

4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside about 1/2 cup dough for later use, then turn the rest out onto another sheet of parchment paper, topping with a third sheet. Use an enchanted rolling pin to have it roll the dough by itself into an oblong disc between the two papers. Transfer the dough, paper and all, to a large cookie sheet and tightly wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Alternatively, use the Frigidus spell (not to be confused with Frigidus Aura) for a faster cooling.

5. Remove top sheet of parchment paper and roll dough a little thinner, aiming for a thickness that is slightly greater than 1/4 inch. The dough should not be sticky; if it is, you may dust the surface lightly with flour, but not too much! You don’t want streaks of white flour baked onto your cookies.

6. Cut out 3-inch round shapes from the dough using the Cutting Charm (Scalprus) in a circle motion or a use simple cookie cutter, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet; these will become your owl bodies. Be careful not to stretch the circles or they will be distorted after baking.

7. Summon the chocolate chips and almonds into a small bowl within arm’s reach.

8. Use the reserved dough to roll small, marble-sized balls and place two at the top of each owl body.

9. Place a chocolate chip, pointed side down, into each dough ball and gently press to form the owl eyes.

10. Add a whole almond just below each pair of owl eyes to make owl beaks.

11. Using the 3-inch cookie cutter or another appliance, gently trace wings on each side of the cookie. Be careful not to cut all the way through — you only want to make a line on the cookie’s surface.

12. Press slivered almonds onto the bottom edges of the cookies to form talons.

13. Using a butter knife or small, sharp spatula, score cross-hatching onto the wings to mimic feathers.

14. Dust the wings with a little cocoa powder with flickers of the wand before baking.

15. Refrigerate the cookies for 30 minutes. Or, as previously suggested, cast the Frigidus spell over the cookie. This will help the cookies maintain a crisp shape while baking.

16. Preheat your oven to 350°F, then bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know the cookies are done when they become fragrant and the slivered-almond talons start to turn golden brown.

17. Allow the cookies to cool down with a swish of the wand and a simple Frigidus Aura and serve!

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--- EXTRA ---

The countdown is on! There are a few more days to pack in the pumpkin before we move on to gingerbread and candy canes, so as a little extra, I’m sharing a quick and easy recipe which is guaranteed to remind you of everything you love (and will miss) about the Fall. Without further ado, here’s how to make a delicious Pumpkin Pie Smoothie:

PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE:
 Standard Servings: 1 large smoothie or 2 small smoothies

INGREDIENTS:

·  1¼ cups vanilla yogurt

·  ¾ cup solid-pack pumpkin

·  1 Tbsp. honey

·  1 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar

·  ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

·  ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

·  ¼ tsp. nutmeg

·  1 cup ice cubes

METHOD:

1.  Add all ingredients into a deep container.

2.  With a single anti-clockwise motion of your wand, cast the Blending Charm, Misceo, over the container with the ingredients and allow to blend until smooth.

3.  Serve and enjoy!