Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! I’ve decided to celebrate Harry’s birthday here on Cask & Quill each year with a theme from each successive book by year. Last year I made cupcake versions of Hagrid’s birthday cake for Harry, from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This year isn’t quite as nice. We have to commemorate Harry’s…
Dorne has a beautiful place by the sea called the Water Gardens. It’s where Prince Doran hangs out most of the time, while nursing his gout. If you’re hoping to live a bit like a Dornish prince (minus the gout, hopefully), keep reading for an easy and delicious Dornish snack or simple meal, fit for…
It’s the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! To celebrate, I’m sharing a muggle version of a potion we first meet in that book… Polyjuice Potion can be handy in a tight spot. We see it used a number of times throughout Harry Potter’s experience at Hogwarts. Quite a bit of…
In Middle-earth, the elves drink Miruvor as a rejuvenating beverage, almost like we might have an energy drink. But better. It’s warming and renews strength. Elrond gives a supply to Gandalf, which he then doles out to the Fellowship on Caradhras in sips to warm them up. Sounds life-giving, no? No one knows exactly how…
Amortentia. A powerful love potion. We first run across it in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Professor Slughorn is having his students identify a group of potions he’s brewed. Let’s head down to the potions classroom and listen in… “It’s the most powerful love potion in the world!” said Hermione.…
We’re all familiar with the toast of champagne at midnight on New Year’s Eve, right? Pop. Fizz. Clink. Sip. Got it. Cue the “Auld Lang Syne” (thanks, Robert Burns!). Unless you’re springing for some quality bubbles you might find your sparkling wine a little dull, especially if you’re planning to have more than one fluteful.…
The Danish have a fun Christmas tradition of making Risalamande, a special rice pudding. I read about it this year in both The Year of Living Danishly and The Little Book of Hygge. I love rice pudding, but the type my family has always made is baked and more like custard. This variety is light…
When the weather turns so cold this time of year, piling on blankets and furs only gets you so far. Sometimes you have to warm yourself from the inside out. North of the Wall, it is especially frigid, but the Lord Commander has a store of wine to keep him warm. “The Old Bear…
It’s that cozy time of year when sweaters, mugs of hot chocolate and big, bubbling pots of something warm and hearty seem like a good idea. There’s no better time to curl up with a book as when there’s the scent of something soul-soothing on the air, especially when you actually get to eat whatever…
Pumpkin pasties are just about my favorite thing to eat from Harry’s wizarding world. These and maybe pumpkin juice. Or butterbeer! So much to love. 🙂 As you may know I just returned from a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. I tried the pumpkin pasties there and while they were…
It’s October! It’s Halloween month! I am leaving on a jet plane (tomorrow!) for my first visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. Well, what do you know? Looks like another excuse to do Harry Potter stuff! I like to imagine these amazing pancakes being served for breakfast in the…