KITCHEN ADVENTURES: Accompaniments. Very simple stuff–the sandwich I ate while reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the drink with which I just enjoyed “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Harry Potter and the Earl of Sandwich: Oatmeal bread, cream cheese, smoked trout (store-bought), and strips of roasted red pepper (did myself–rub pepper with olive oil, cut into strips, roast on foiled sheet for maybe 20 minutes at 375, occasionally stirring). Fell apart quickly, but tasted great.

Rum and Recriminations: Dark rum, Goldschlager, milk, a dash of sugar and a smaller dash of cayenne, stirred up and microwaved on high (you hush, it worked fine) for about two minutes, then stirred again. Delicious and kicky. Since naming a drink is at least half the fun of making one up, I of course must note that this is the Lady Bracknell. It is much less ferocious than its namesake; but so are panthers.