What? It’s July 15th? I think I heard rumors that there’s some kind of movie about a boy wizard or something. No, seriously, my Facebook and Google Reader feeds are full of evidence that the blogosphere is aflutter with Harry Potter recipes and party ideas.
In case you haven’t guessed, Peach Shakes are not a Harry Potter recipe.
I just can’t do it, you guys. If I do a Harry Potter party or even a recipe, then I have to come to terms with the fact that it’s over.
I got this in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago:
and I burst into tears. Not kidding. Not only does that picture of Daniel Radcliffe make me feel unbelievably old, but this is the end of an era for me–the first two books came out while I was in high school, the third my freshman year of college. When the fourth book came out, I laid on the grass outside my student apartment and read like a big nerd while everyone else played volleyball. When the fifth book came out, I’d been married for 2 years and laid on the same lawn while my husband and his brothers went swimming. I was a new mom when the sixth book was published and read it at the same apartment, willing my then-six-month-old (now-six-year-old) baby to sleep just a little bit longer so I could get through another chapter. And when the seventh book was published, I had another brand-new baby and my husband and I found ourselves on our way out of the same apartment, recently unemployed and terrified and broken-hearted. But we had Harry Potter and that somehow made the situation a little more bearable. While I was sad the books were coming to an end, I knew we had more movies before it was over.
But now it’s over.
I finally sucked it up and bought tickets to the movie yesterday afternoon and then I cried some more. I think I thought if I just didn’t buy them, it wouldn’t have to end. So funny that things don’t work that way, right?
It’s like I’m packing up all those memories: talking about them in passing during high school English classes, waiting in line for the first movie as a brand-new newlywed, the realization that Sirius Black was a good guy, re-reading again late, late, laaaaaaaaaate into the night, seeing pre-Twilight Edward for the first time, running into a crowded movie theater full of Incredible Hulk fans to find my brother-in-law Peter thumbing through the fifth book to see who died at the end and yelling, “Oh, Peter, NO!”, writing my senior thesis paper in college on Harry Potter coming of age as the epic hero, snuggling a sleeping baby and giggling when Harry and Ginny kissed for the first time, my heart breaking again and again at the end of the seventh book, watching my kids fall in love with the stories. Gah. This is why I didn’t post a Harry Potter recipe today.
So instead, we get Peach Shakes. And I don’t even feel like I can talk about them except that they are simple and perfect and a delicious way to use up your ripe summer peaches–if you’ve got a lawn you can lie down on without being eaten alive by fire ants, go read Harry Potter in the grass for me while sipping on one of these.
You’ll need really good vanilla ice cream (leave it on the counter for about 10 minutes to soften up a bit), fresh peaches (don’t forget to peel them first), a few tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice, and a few tablespoons of sugar (this is mostly to taste–some peaches will be sweet enough that you won’t need the sugar).
Combine the ingredients in the jar of your blender (liquid first, ice cream last) or in an immersion blender-friendly container. Then just blend until smooth! If you’re using a fancy blender like a Blendtec of Vitamix, you’re not going to have any problem with this mixing up, but if you’re using a regular blender, you might have to get the ice cream a bit softer and use a plunger or scraper to make sure everything gets properly “shaken.” You might need to add a little more sugar or orange juice to sweeten or thin it out a little (or both). Pour into 2-4 glasses and serve immediately.
Peach Shakes
Recipe by Our Best Bites
Juice from 1/2 of an orange
3 c. ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 c. high-quality vanilla ice cream
Enough ice cubes to reach desired consistency
2+ tablespoons sugar (you may need more or less–if your peaches are very sweet, you might not need any at all)
Place the juice, peaches, ice cream, and ice to your blender and blend until desired consistency is reached. Add sugar as needed and serve immediately. Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.
If you are looking for some awesome Harry Potter treat ideas, here are a few of my favorites from around the web! Just click on the pictures to see the recipes!
First, we have Butterbeer Cupcakes from Cook Like a Champion.
If you don’t want to use Schnapps, I’d bet a tree full of Bowtruckles that you could just use a little more butterscotch sauce.
From our girl Bridget at Bake at 350 (who never ceases to amaze me), we’ve got these Butterbeer Cookies (noticing a pattern here? Butterbeer may be my saving grace during this very difficult time). Aren’t they gorgeous??
Heck, let’s just go for straight Butterbeer–head over to Delightful Delicacies for a virgin Butterbeer recipe appropriate for teetotalers and underage Wizards everywhere.
I actually had a really hard time finding anything that wasn’t Butterbeer themed. One of our readers pointed out these gorgeous pumpkin pasties from Ezra Pound Cake (Word to the wise: Googling “pumpkin pasties” will only make you believe that there are people with some very strange fetishes out there!):
When I headed over there, I discovered all sorts of Harry Potter goodies. These chocolate frogs are perfect!!
Be sure to check out her whole Harry Potter dessert menu here!
Finally, be sure to check out these adorable Golden Snitch Cake Pops from Beantown Baker:
If you’re not a Harry Potter fan and you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you humoring me and my sentimental walk down Diagon Alley. If you are a fan, I hope your goodbyes are not nearly as dramatic as mine apparently are. I know it’s been said all around the world, but thanks again, Harry.
I (unfortunately) was born in the 21st century and have read and reread the entire Harry Potter series more times I can count. Dobby is and always will be my favorite character and I cry every time I read about his death. My least favorite book in the series is the last one because Harry starts using Unforgivable Curses, but other than that I like it fine.
I love peaches and need to bookmark this recipe for when they’re in season again.
I’m finally catching up with my reading on my google reader and I LOVE this post! We went and saw the midnight showing and (even though I’m an adult) I skipped almost every time we moved forward in the line a little. I cried the last 100 pages of the book for 2 reasons: It was over AND I couldn’t believe how geniusly everything was wrapped together–who would have thought a line FROM THE FIRST BOOK such as “The wand picks the wizard” would be such an IMPORTANT part of the end? Oh my land, it’s BRIL. Thanks for posting this.
I just read this post and fell even more in love with your blog. I’ve been trying for the past year to convince my boyfriend to read the series so he too can experience the wonderment that is HP. Any suggestions?
At the moment, all I can think of is bribing him with delicious peach shakes. 🙂
Oh my, thank you for that post. I’m reliving the end of the series by making costumes for each of my family members. I told my husband he could pick Snape (my favorite) or Sirius (my second favorite) and I would be Bellatrix. And my kids have picked characters themselves. And I’m doing this for Halloween because I’m not a sewer and it will take me three months to get my sewing act together.
We are Harry Potter nerds at our house.
I am crying along with you! Thanks for the post!
Thank you thank you thank you for making me feel less goober about being so emotional about Harry Potter being officially “over.” I always feel slightly embarrassed that I’m a 25 year old mother who’s still obsessed with HP but I, like you it seems, found more than an exciting novel but a really fascinating book from a literary standpoint as well (English Major Geek Alert!) I wrote my English Capstone final paper on Rowling’s use of food as a symbol for nurturing (or lack thereof) in Harry Potter. (The capstone course was “Food in Literature”)
Anyways, I related to this post and Bluebell ice cream rocks!
You know, Kate, I’ve been telling myself for a long time that I love your blog here. And don’t get me wrong, I do. But, now that I’ve seen that you take HP far too seriously like I do, there is no doubt in my mind. In food, and in books, you’ve got great taste. 😛
Huge Harry Potter fan. My kids make fun of me taking them to the midnight show. having them wear Harry Potter glasses to attend the movie….but I know they like it and have to complain to feel cool.
I have lots of peaches. Can’t wait to try the smoothie.
I feel old when I read your posts…mostly because I planned a HP party for my now 21 year old son who is on his way overseas in 4 days. I should make him some treats for the international flight! Fun FUN Post!
Soooo, did the tears come *way* too easily for you during the movie like they did for me? I started crying about 15 minutes in, and didn’t stop until, well, I could probably shed a tear or two right now. You’re not the only one, sister, not the only one…
PS…I read the 7th book in a fishing boat while my husband and little boy fished, and for some reason I *always* think that Snape’s memory includes fishing with Lily!
Kate- Thanks for posting this at the perfect moment. My daughter is leaving to return to Ohio tomorrow and for her last meal tonight we’re making the turkey burgers but she wanted shakes for dessert, but wanted something peach-y (we only ever make strawberry shakes around here). So you have solved the dilemma perfectly! You rock- of course! Now I’m off to see if there’s any Blue Bell to be found in Utah. I think we only have Blue Bunny, which of course is certainly not the same thing.
This post made me cry. 🙁 Especially when you spoke of lying in your yard and reading. It’s amazing how we can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing while spending all that time with Harry, Ron, Hermoine and the others. I remember hiding the second book under my seat during choir so I could squeeze in some reading while the other parts were practicing. I can remember reading the fifth book in my car on my lunch break, because I knew if I went into the break room, people would not let me read. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
My mom text me like three times last friday telling me I needed to read this post because you were my soulmate. I was pleased to say she was right 🙂 totally on board with you! and i pretty much haven’t made anything not from you guys in forever…love, love.
These look divine! There is something so summery about fresh peaches.. I LOVE Harry Potter! In fact, when I think back to an epically awkward date, I remember with even MORE distaste that the half-day date took me away from reading the book! The nerve… haha
Are you pregnant? I’m kidding! But, speaking of pregnant, I was pregnant and on bed rest when you introduced me to Harry Potter! Love you!
I’m the same way as you, so sad that Harry Potter is done. I honestly can’t believe it. As someone who can say that Harry Potter really was my childhood, started reading the books at 6 or 7 and now here I am at 18, and it’s all over. I like you, wrote a post on my blog about the end of Harry Potter, just something I felt I needed to do! Loved your tribute! 🙂
Beautiful recipe. Think of this as a new beginning. Now you can read and watch all the Harry Potters a second (and third, and fourth) time. My kids have read the books many, many times. My oldest daughter – 12 – has read the 7 books a combined total of… 28 times!!! And she says she isn’t finished.
I made pumpkin pasties last time around–and when I announced it on facebook, my (now former) sister-in-law commented, “Don’t you mean pastRies?” Apparently, she hadn’t ever read HP. 😉
I’m with you Kate, I can’t believe it’s over. Josh and I read the first book the summer after we were married and ended up reading all the books together (except the 4th which I read first and didn’t tell him until months later). Josh doesn’t love the movies like I do. In fact, after the first one he said, “there’s no way they will make all 7 movies”. I was a believer all along. I’m sad we didn’t hang out more in Provo. I love reading your blog and I can hear you talking the entire time. You are so creative!
I love peaches and love vanilla ice cream. can’t wait to try these.
Oh, Mari, I’m so glad to see you over here! And I agree, we should have hung out more in Provo.
This post made me want to cry for two reasons. Harry Potter has always been ‘the other man’ in my husband and I’s relationship. The 6th book came out while we were dating and I was so excited when he had to stay late in the Math Lab so I could read all night long and not feel guilty for bailing on him for a book.
Second, you have Blue Bell Ice cream in that post. If I weren’t flying home to Texas in 2 days to get a heck of a lot of it, tears would be streaming down my face.
I guess I should’ve read other comments first, but I read the 6th outside my student apartment where I was the apartment manager as well– Roman Gardens. I totally agree, if you want to sell your soul, manage apartments! eek.
Ha! We managed from 2004-2007 and even though things got significantly more stressful financially after we were done, every other area of our lives was a million times better! We should totally form a former BYU-approved housing manager support group, lol!
What an awesome summer delight! I’m no Harry Potter fan (sorry), but definitely gonna be a fan of gthis shake@!
You know I have never read a Harry Potter book or even seen any of the movies… I’m bad that way. I hate to wait between books in a series so I have a tendency to wait until the whole thing is out and read it in its entirety. Thats what I did with Twilight but then I broke down and watched the first 3 movies which was the biggest mistake… because it is driving me crazy waiting for the final movie.
Okay now the BIG question…. how true to the books are the movies? This next week is going to be a Harry Potter movie-a-thon at our house so that we can go see the final movie while its still in theatres. Thanks!!
Okay. Here’s my two cents and take it for what it’s worth.
1) If you’re planning on reading the books at all, hurry and read them now, before you watch the movies. The books just have a way of getting into your heart and they make the movies that much more meaningful. They go by quickly, especially the first few (even the last ones, some of which come close to 1,000 pages, can be read in a couple of days). Or you can read a book, watch a movie, read a book, watch a movie, etc.
2) The first two movies are fun, but they almost stay *too* true to the books. The third movie was definitely a departure from the original feel of the movies (new director) and while it’s not my favorite, it was probably necessary to make the break from the first two movies to kind of lay the groundwork for the darkness of the later movies. The fourth movie is my least favorite–it was a long book and they tried to cram too much into the movie while leaving out other stuff I felt was important. The 5-7th movies were directed by the same guy and I feel like they’re definitely the best movies. He strikes a good balance of keeping the essential stuff from the books while sometimes changing things a little for storytelling purposes in a way that works.
I hope you love them! Keep us posted!
Ahhh, I know! I’m bummed. I have so many memories associated with Harry Potter, too. I was in the middle of the Goblet of Fire when I went into labor with my oldest child, so my husband brought the book to the hospital to read aloud to me while I was in labor (in between contractions!). We set it aside, of course, during the actual birth:). And now, ten years later, that child has experienced all the HP books for herself.
These recipes all look so great, and I’m glad you shared the peach shake recipe as well. That sounds like the perfect treat for a summer evening.
Great post!
I’m right there with you! I miss Harry already (and I have yet to see the final film). I’m trying to make the whole HP last a little longer – and have less people in the movie theatre hear me get all sentimental. 😉
I did give in and write a big ode to Harry Potter post on my blog yesterday. I couldn’t help myself. It was supposed to be just a little ‘bye Harry!’ thang but quickly snowballed into a much bigger post. I loved strolling down Diagon Alley with you. Now I have the urge to re-read the whole series again – which is a very good thing. 🙂
Btw – your peach shakes look amazing! Will give them a try if I can get my ancient second-hand blender to do the dirty work. Thanks!
This post cracked me up! I remember reading Harry Potter for the first time in 6th grade. First one in my family, I take pride in that.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill also uses the Blue Bell ice cream. Carrabbas and Outback are owned by the same company. So I’m betting anywhere you can find the restaurants that are owned by that company, you’d be able to find the Blue Bell ice cream!
I somewhat feel that I am in the same situation. I started reading these in 8th grade. Now with two babies and married – I can not believer this is the end. I just wish all you fun Harry Potter people lived close so we could have a totally awesome and nerdy Harry Potter party! LOL!
Hear hear. I will miss Harry tremendously. Every time I finish the series I feel like I have lost my best friends. I am going to be a wreck when I go to the movie tomorrow. I’m glad I am not alone in feeling what you have described. Long Live Harry!
I read the first book the year I was going into high school and just, JUST an hour ago finished reading the last book– the book I bought four years ago, the same time I was VERY pregnant with my first babe! I’m definitely filled with nostalgia and greatness of the series! Cannot wait to see the movie!
I went to the midnight showing and started crying when the credits started rolling at the end. I got the first book when I was 10 and was 17 when the seventh book came out. This movie marks the end of my childhood, and I’m not ready!!