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.
Questions & Reviews
I am so glad i’m not the only one!!!!! I love Harry Potter with a fiery passion and I am so sad the movies are over. These peach shakes look delicious…can’t wait to try them. Maybe they will mend my broken heart 🙂
ok…I guess I will try me some bluebell Ice Cream. I live in AZ and we have it in our stores. It must be A-mazing…will be watching harry potter soon..I’m a fan and can’t wait..
Breck, it is seriously so good. I recommend Butter Crunch (all-time fave), Blackberry Cobbler, Banana Split (hubby’s all-time fave), Snickerdoodle (if they have it–they rotate different flavors throughout the year). Banana pudding is a huge fan favorite and I really like it, but the flavor’s a little one-note for me (whipped cream, ice cream, vanilla cookies, banana). And for some reason, their Cookies and Cream is unbelievably awesome.
I, too, will miss Harry. Our kids have practically grown up with him. So glad you are a fan as well.
Thanks for the peach shake recipe and the HP food sites! I shall check those out!
Loved the post! So sad it is coming to an end. Maybe we need to put together a Harry Potter Food Festival. That would be very cool. I have a Pumpkin Pasties recipe that I have developed over the last 10 years. I think it is finally perfect for the ending. http://mooshujenne.com/?p=162 Enjoy!
Long-time reader, first-time commenter. Apparently the combo of Blue Bell and HP is too good to resist. I too love Blue Bell and am no longer in Blue Bell country, sniff. And I’ve also gone through the same kind of “no it can’t be ending” Harry Potter withdrawal. I’ve never been as big a fan of the movies as the books, but I’m still avoiding seeing the last one (ok, avoiding until Sunday night, I think) because apparently I think if I don’t see it, it’s not over. Tons of logic in that thought, right?!
Seeing Bluebell ice cream in this post just about made my heart break. I no longer live in Bluebell country and nothing else compares!!!
I was actually reading your post getting sad that you wouldn’t have any Harry Potter recipes! So glad you had some links. 😉 I didn’t read ANY of the books until the 5th one came out and then I devoured them all in a month then had to wait for the other 2 to come out. I will confess I haven’t seen a single one of the movies in the theater. I waited until they came out on DVD. I may have to break down and go see this one in the theater though. Oh yeah, you posted about peaches – I’ll have to try your peach shakes!!! 😉
I laughed and got all teary-eyed reading your post about Harry. I haven’t bought tickets yet…I’m not quite ready. Plus I want the crowds to thin out, so I can sob in peace. I’m pretty sure I’m going to embarrass my 12-year-old. 😉
Love the shakes! Blue Bell plus peaches…that’s a perfect Southern recipe! And thanks so much for giving the cookies a shout-out! 🙂
Why did you have to post a picture of Bluebell??
I lived in Texas for several years and miss it terribly!
where o where did you find Blue Bell ice cream?!!! I’m originally from Texas but now live in Utah and oh so miss my BB ice cream.
I’m in Louisiana, so I found it a the grocery store, haha! 🙂 But you can buy cartons of vanilla (and I think chocolate) at Outback Steakhouse and Carrabas.
so funny…as melody above me wrote, i began reading this thinking you were an HP basher…so glad you proved to be the total opposite!! i’m 51 and not so emotionally tied to the series as you and my daughter (her blog to prove it..http://girlandgiraffe.tumblr.com/post/7293250474), but i have read all the books and seen every movie except the one that premiered today at 12:01! thanks for the sweet blog that chronicles where you were, physically and emotionally, while reading each book. i love that type of passion! OBB recipes are amazing and i’ve made MANY of them, share them with all my friends and generally sing OBB’s praises to any one who will listen!!
You gave me quite a scare with this post, Kate. At first I thought you were one of those muggles who is a big grouch about the whole HP thing and that you were posting a non-related recipe in protest. It just didn’t seem like you! I thought I would have to stop reading your blog in protest, and that was unbearable! But then when I read “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 breathed a huge sigh of relief and thoroughly enjoyed your walk down Diagon Alley. What a great tribute. I’m the same way– I remember what my life was like when I read each of the books,and it’s so VERY sad to see it really come to an end. I keep telling myself that one day I’ll make it to the Harry Potter theme park so there’s still that to look forward to. 🙂 Thanks for a great post AND recipe today!
The shakes look fantastic, but I too am caught up on the Blue Bell! I also lived in Texas for a year and fell in LOVE with Blue Bell ice cream. I am now back in CA and nothing compares! When you say Outback do you mean the steakhouse? They will sell it to you??? PLEASE tell me more:)
Yep!!! Outback steakhouse. I’ve never actually tried it because I can get it at the grocery store (and while I like their vanilla a lot, I looooooooove the Blackberry Cobbler, Banana Split, Cookies and Cream, and Butter Crunch, so I might as well get those…), I’ve never tried it.
I feel the same way about Harry Potter! It’s like closing the lid on all of the memories I have associated with the books. I read the first three my first year of college and saw the first two movies then. I actually went and saw the second movie with a professor at the University of Virginia (where I went), because we were reading the books in class. It’s so bittersweet–I thought the movie was great, but I didn’t want everything to end!
I understand how you feel, truly! The first book came out when I was 12. I feel like these books, and then movies are very much a part of my life! Don’t feel bad for being sentimental!
I just read through all the other comments, I’m from and live in Southeast Texas.. . I had no idea Blue Bell wasn’t everywhere. People actually say “Go get some Blue Bell” and not “ice cream”. . . .however, I’ve always been a big Ben&Jerry’s fan.
i’ve lived in many states from Hawaii to Massachusetts and I have yet to find ice cream that is as good or better than Blue Bell!
Ok I’m sure this shake is the bomb.. and I cannot wait to try it.. BUT your tease led me to believe we were getting peach pie recipe.. or cobbler.. and well .. that was really sounding good 🙁 (Yes I know you have a pie recipe.. but this would be peach!) 😉
I LOVE your recipes – its my go to blog / book anytime i need to make ANYTHING and you NEVER disappoint. Others around me are catching on.. you’ve started quite the thing you two!
I love this reflection on Harry potter reading memories! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
After a brief amount of weeping and wailing over HP I will tell you I love peaches and cream so this shake should totally help soothe the sense of loss all Harry Potter lovers will feel at this momentous time.
I’ve loved your blog for quite awhile now, and have made many of the recipes, referred you to all of my friends, etc, etc. But now, knowing your obsession with Harry Potter…well, I love you EVEN MORE! 🙂 At least I’m not the only female adult with three kids (who is NOT a psycho) who loves a series all about a bunch of teenagers! 🙂 And the movie was fantastic. I bawled. Like a baby. And wore Harry Potter 3D glasses (my sister had to convince me to do that one). 🙂 Can’t wait to try the peach shakes!
I went and watched the 7th movie last night- and I cried…. it was hard for me because I have grown up with those books! (My grandmother gave me the first three for my 12 birthday!) I became the Harry Potter Mega fan during my teens and now I have a 3 year old and 11 month old and have been married for 4 1/2 years! So many memories tied to one series!!! I hope you enjoy the movie- as a BIG fan of the books- I was NOT disappointed!!
I finally realized not too long ago that you are the same Kate that was my apartment manager when I lived in Monticello. I won’t feel bad if you don’t remember me, so don’t worry. I was Stacey Jensen’s roommate if that helps, but seriously no worries if you have no memory of me whatsoever! As I read about you reading the books on the lawn at those apartments, I couldn’t help but smile because that’s where I read the sixth book as well! Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I love love love this blog of yours! You girls are the best!
Ha! That’s hilarious. Yeah, I’ve kind of blocked out so much of the whole work side of that job–if you’re ever interested in selling your soul to the devil, I highly recommend apartment managing! 🙂
And I totally remember you, by the way! 🙂
Oh, how I LOVED this post… and the fact that my in laws are coming in town just so the man I love (who happens to be the one who introduced me to Harry Potter) and I can go to the movie tonight! YAY!
I felt the same way! I didn’t want to buy my tickets or make a plan to see the movie because that would mean it was over. I also finally caved in… I’m seeing it tomorrow. We can mourn together!
what a great post…HOWEVER, I think it’s really mean how you flaunt your Blue Bell. It’s really not nice.
I am from Texas where Blue Bell is EVERYWHERE, so when I moved up to NJ and I realized they didn’t sell it up here it was a sad, sad day.
BUT I will forgive you because this shake looks so yummy 🙂
Shelly, if you really need your fix, go hit up Outback–you can buy cartons of it there! 🙂 Just be sure to knock on the back door wearing a hoodie and some sunglasses so they know what you’re there for. At least that’s how it all goes down in my imagination… 🙂
I totally understand what you’re saying about the sadness of that cover and all that goes with it. I am 34 and read the first three books on my honeymoon 12 years ago. So much has happened in my life since that time – babies born and nursed, people have passed away – and as anxious as I am to see the final movie, I am also a little sad about it. Because it means there is no more HP to look forward to! That boy has meant so much to me, and his message is summed perfectly by the EW writer (Lisa Schwarzbaum) who reviewed the film: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 leaves us with the dawning, awesome recognition that the world is huge, fraught, enigmatic, magical, dangerous, delightful, and, ultimately, the responsibility of young people who must first find their own footing. That’s quite an accomplishment for a story about a boy with a wand.”
You’re totally right. It does not help that apparently as I get older, PMS makes me more of a big baby, haha! 🙂
Amazing post. I wish I remembered where I was when I read each book like you did. Such a nostalgic story! love it. thanks.
GREAT post! FYI: Rebecca at Ezra Pound Cake just made Pumpkin Pasties (plus a whole lotta other HP themed stuff): http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/15225
Thanks for the heads up, Nic! I went and added some more stuff! 🙂
Love it! I can’t blame you for not wanting to post anything HP. I can’t believe its ending either. I cried after reading the 7th book when I realized it was all over and I think I might cry after watching this final movie and realizing its REALLY over. Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart.
I’ll definitely try out these peach shakes. I LOVE peaches!!! We lived in Texas one summer and loved Blue Bell ice cream! I’m still looking for something just as delicious out here in CA.
I know you can buy Blue Bell vanilla and chocolate from Outback if you ever get desperate, haha!
I love that you used Blue Bell ice cream for your shakes–it’s the best! Have you ever taken the factory tour?
Um, no, but I think that’s sometthing that needs to be remedied immediately. I love Blue Bell ice cream SO much!
I noticed the Blue Bell as well…and had to quickly look in your “about” section to see if you were in Texas. 🙂 If you decided to go to the tour, let me know…it’s about an hour from my house. I’ll meet you! 🙂