Halloween Dinner

Friday night was our annual Halloween Dinner at my parent's house.  This is one of my favorite family traditions.  We don't typically do this on Halloween (too much excitement and other plans that night), but some time during the week.  Our goal is to make it fun and a bit spooky, but not gross.  (I'm not a fan of the brain jello, or the severed hand meatloaf...)  Dim the lights and add some candles, spooky decor on the table, some creepy music and enjoy!

Here is this year's menu:

bat chips and fruit salsa

pizza rolls

sausage eyeballs

candy corn jello

veggies and dip (I couldn't think of a Halloween-ish name for this)

witches brew punch

Here are the recipes:

Bat Chips and Fruit Salsa

1 Fuji apple (I used 2 gala apples), peeled, cored and diced

2 kiwis, peeled, sliced (I substituted the seeds of one pomegranate)

2 bananas, peeled and sliced

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 Tablespoon lime juice

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 package uncooked flour tortillas

butter, softened

cinnamon and sugar to dust chips with

In medium bowl, combine all salsa ingredients.  Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.  Brush tortillas with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Cut out bat shapes with cookie cutter.  Put on cookie sheet.  Broil until crisp.  I found that putting the rack in the middle instead of right at the top helped the tortillas to cook more evenly.  If your broiler is too hot, the tops just burn and the bottom is raw.  (The toaster oven works well with the chips also.)  Serve chips warm with chilled salsa.

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

I found this recipe here at Our Best Bites.  Have I mentioned already how much I love this site?

Sausage Eyeballs

(This one is a must-make each year for our family)

2 lbs. (32 oz) uncooked ground pork sausage
1 1/2 cups baking/biscuit mix (Bisquick)
16 oz sharp cheddar cheese (or 4 cups shredded)
1/2 cup each finely chopped onion and celery (optional, we usually don't even add these)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
green olives with pimento (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Shred cheese and mix all ingredients well (with hands).  Form into 1 inch balls.  Press olives into tops before baking (really push them in and get some of the sausage mixture around them or they will pop out).  Bake 15 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet (we line with foil for easier clean up) until golden brown.  Makes about 6 dozen.  Balls can be frozen uncooked.

For a firmer texture, add an extra 3 cups of baking mix and an extra 2 cups of shredded cheese to the ingredients listed above.

Candy Corn Jello

Go here for the recipe and instructions.  It's really more of a dessert, but it's a party after all...

Witches Brew

(Another must have each year)

Combine any two Kool-Aid flavors to create a goulish color (try mixing grape with lime), or one Kool-Aid and some lemon lime soda.  Put in a plastic cauldron and add dry ice.

How did you celebrate Halloween?  Have you tried any new and fun Halloween recipes with your family?

Wishing you lots of treats!