What’s cooking in the Hogwart’s Cafeteria?
The cooks at Hogwarts must work around the clock preparing (albeit with a little magical assistance) any and all of the “goodies” the students can think of. At Harry’s very first Hogwarts celebration, he was amazed at the wondrous food variety and supply. One treat that has a reoccurring role is Treacle. Most likely chosen for it’s over the top sweetness and (nearly) unvarying Britishness, here’s a Muggle modified version of the treacle tart…
Crust
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter (cold)
1/4 cup shortening
3 to 4 tbsp. ice water
Sift flour and salt together. Add butter and shortening and “cut” into small pieces (you can make the dough either: in a food processor; with a pastry blender; with 2 knives; or, if you wish, by hand). Combine the ingredients until they resemble coarse sand (little pebbles). Add 3 tablespoons water into flour mixture and work the dough (at this time hands are a great tool) until smooth. Add more water if dough is too dry (be prudent). Form into ball, wrap in wax paper (or cling wrap) and chill 30 minutes in refrigerator.
Filling:
6 tbsp. dark treacle or molasses
4 tbsp. golden (light) corn syrup
1 lemon, zest and juice OR 1 heaped tsp. Ground ginger
1 - 2 cups fresh white bread crumbs
Combine together treacle or molasses, syrup, lemon zest and lemon juice (or ginger) in pan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring often for 2 minutes until mixture is thinned slightly. Remove from heat.
Remove pastry from refrigerator - let sit for a minute (or two) - roll out to fit a tart pan (or individual tartlet pans). Press pastry into pan and sprinkle bread crumbs over the pastry. Pour treacle mixture over the bread crumbs.
Bake in a pre-heated 400F (200C) degree oven for 20-30 minutes.
Remove from oven when crust is golden - let cool (will be molten) and enjoy with some Butter Beer!
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