Harry Potter Halloween Party

Many of Harry's favorites are classic British school dinner dishes; hearty food to fill rumbling tummies. Hefty pies, stews and casseroles make great dishes for everyone to dip into. Cook large portions and put them on the table so everyone can help themselves. Easy.

A Shepherd's Pie (lamb) or a Cottage Pie  (beef) are perfect foods for large numbers. They are quick and easy to make plus as it is mainly ground meat and mashed potatoes is also cheap, so you can make lots - good dishes after a cold night of Trick and Treating.

Stews and casseroles are also warm and filling. Here's a collection of casserole recipes  that Harry and his chums would certainly enjoy.

Watch my video on making Shepherd's Pie

Yorkshire Puddings feature frequently in the Harry Potter books and films and are a perfect party food. Rather than make dinner size portions in 12-hole muffin tins make tiny, bite sized puddings in mini muffin pans. Cooked Yorkshire Puddings make great savory or sweet treats. Pop chunks of cooked sausages into each pudding for bite-sized "Toad in the Holes" or a blob of strawberry jam for the sweet-toothed.

Another food loved by Hogwarts pupils are Cornish Pasties. Adapt the recipe to make mini sized pasties to eat at the party by shaping the pastry into 8 instead of 4.

Watch my Video on How to Make Perfect Yorkshire Puddings or How to Make Cornish Pasties

Cold British weather and all that wizardry and witchcraft needs hefty British Puddings to keep energy levels up. A Spotted Dick, a Treacle Tart or a Rhubarb Crumble will all do the trick. Spotted Dick isn't the easiest pudding to make but as it very filling can be cut into at least 12 slices - even Dudley Dursley couldn't eat more than one slice.

If stodgy puddings are too much then a tray of warm Rock Cakes are quick and easy to make as is Parkin is the British form of gingerbread. Made in advance it creates a, sticky, sweet ginger cake which can be eaten with the fingers or warmed with a large dollop of Harry's favourite custard sauce on top.

Even simpler to make is an Easy English Trifle or dish of splodgy Eton Mess

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No party would be complete with out a selection of Harry's favorite sweets and candies. Marshmallows, Fudge, and Nut Brittle, and my favorite Sticky Treacle Toffee which will keep jaws clamped firmly shut for at least five minutes chewing on this delicious treat.

 

All the sweets and candy recipes are very easy to make so no excuse to not make lots.

The drink Butterbeer pops up all over the Harry Potter books, About.com's Guide to Home Cooking, Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, has developed this yummy recipe for a non-alcoholic version for kids and adults alike.
Butterbeer Recipe

How about an edible wand from Sherri Osborn, Guide to Family Crafts?
Instructions for making an Edible Wand

Perfect for a Harry Potter themed party are these lovely Cupcakes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com's Guide to Cooking for Kids.

Donna Pilato, About.com's Guide to Entertaining has some fun ideas for a Harry Potter Themed Party including turning your home into Hogwarts!

It's not all yummy cakes and pies at Hogwarts. Occasionally the menu contains foods that Harry and friends are not quite so keen on. Tripe which is the lining of a cows stomach. Some people love it?

Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington may have thought offering maggoty Haggis to guests at his party, but it really is better eaten without the maggots.

I recommend you only make these dishes if you want to scare people away or to make sure they never eat British food again!