Recipe Box

By Nicole

Ah. It's nice to be back. Yes, this is the lovely Sophie Winters. You do remember me, right? If not, you should definitely get caught up by finding your March Issue of SOUP to read my fabulous recipe that I found to *ahem* get back at my husband. It was successful, by the way. I don't think he'll ever talk about giving the house elves a break ever again.

However, since I did try to make that horribly written shepherd's pie recipe, I've taken up baking and cooking. I've come to realize that it's a great way to spend some time (much better than having to de-gnome the garden or organizing the books in the library), and it seems to relieve stress.

Now that it's summer, I've decided to prepare a picnic for myself and perhaps my husband, because who doesn't like enjoying the good weather with food? Today we have a fruit salad, sesame chicken wraps, and ice cream.

First, the fruit salad is pretty simple. All you have to do is pick your fruit-my favorites are watermelon, strawberries, and pineapple-cut them up however you want and mix them together in a bowl (don't forget to place a mild cooling charm on it to keep the fruit fresh, but don't let the fruit get frozen).

The real challenge is making the sesame chicken wraps. Since I took up cooking and such, a few of my friends have suggested recipes and this was one of them. They know of my love for Asian (both muggle and wizarding) foods. First, the ingredients:

  • 1 package (6 ounces) ready-to-use grilled chicken breast strips
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sesame ginger salad dressing, divided
  • 2 whole wheat tortillas (8 inches)
  • 1/2 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/2 cup julienned carrot
  • 1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped red onion

Now, I wasn't sure what ‘ready-to-use' grilled chicken was, so I just cooked some chicken and cut it in strips. I'm not very good at measurements, so I actually had the house elves measure everything out (shush, I'm still a beginner and need assistance). Anyways, I eventually found all of the ingredients and was ready to make the wraps so I could be on my way.

“In a small bowl, combine chicken and 1/4 cup salad dressing. Spoon over tortillas. Top with bean sprouts, carrot, pepper and onion. Drizzle with remaining dressing; roll up and secure with toothpicks.” Is what the rest of the recipe said. Pretty simple, right? Wrong. You have no idea how difficult it is to wrap a tortilla up perfectly. I swear, there should be a simple spell for this action, but to my knowledge, there isn't.

For the last part of my picnic I decided to have ice cream. Yesterday, I brought home some wonderful ice cream from Florean Fortescue's. I'm sure they have the best around. But you can choose any place's ice cream and any flavor, or even make your own. All you have to do is put an advanced cooling charm so it remains frozen.

Anyways, after you do that, all you need to do is get your picnic basket. Make sure you have everything you need, including silverware, a blanket, something to drink-just water for me-and some napkins. You never know!

Now I'm off for my picnic. Everything's packed and I'm even being considerate enough to invite my husband along-but only because that sesame chicken wrap recipe made enough for two wraps. He isn't getting any of my ice cream though!

Enjoy!

Mrs. Sophie Winters