Hogwarts Herald

We’ll have to feed these hungry readers! What to serve as a “main dish” at our book release party?

Well, as we’ve decided, the party is going to be July 20th - which, for those of us in the northern hemisphere, is the middle of summer - and it’s, most likely, going to be hot. So we don’t want to be spending hours over a hot stove with the oven heating up the whole house - so I think that a dish that can be prepared outdoors will be our best bet!

As Hogwarts is closed during the summer months - there isn’t much going on in the kitchens at that time - but we do have some clues as to wizardly fare by our time at the Burrows. Mrs. Weasley congers up a variety of dishes, including ham and chicken pie, salad and strawberry ice cream. As we’ll be outside for the party (did I tell you we’ll be outside?) with not much seating area, easy-to-eat food will be our best bet.

Sandwiches - it seems like the perfect solution - easy to prepare and easy to eat.

Keeping with the Potter theme - we’ll serve cold chicken and ham sandwiches and warm roast beef, but slice it so it can be eaten on bread.

chicken sandwiches:

1 rotisserie chicken (easy! get this at the grocery store/deli)
mini pitas (or mini roll of your choosing)
roasted red pepper spread (store bought or made by pureeing (in a blender or food processor) roasted red peppers with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper until a thick, but smooth paste)
8oz sharp provolone cheese (cut into sticks)
Leaf lettuce

Pick all of the meat off of the chicken (can also use baked chicken breasts if chicken picken isn’t your favorite task.
Slice the mini pitas to open.
Spread red pepper sauce into each pita
stuff with chicken, cheese and lettuce
Serve any extra pepper sauce on the side

Ham sandwiches:
1 lb deli ham, sliced thinly
3/4 lb cheddar or swiss cheese, sliced
1 english cucumber, sliced (you guessed it) thinly
1 package party rye
deli mustard
toothpicks

Assemble the sandwiches by spreading 1/2 of the slices of bread on a tray. Spread mustard on each of the slices of bread. Next, add the ham, cheese and cucumber. Top each sandwich with a second slice of bread. If necessary, secure each sandwich with a toothpick.

Warm roast beef sandwiches: This recipe can be made outside on the grill top or outdoor stove.

2-3 lbs sliced roast beef (you can buy this at the deli counter or cook the roast yourself)
2 au jus gravy packets
8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
mini kaiser rolls
horseradish (hot or creamy)

-In a large saucepan or dutch oven, prepare the gravy per package directions.
-Once the gravy is done, add the sliced beef - cook on low heat until warmed through
-Serve on mini kaiser rolls with gravy, cheese and horseradish.