Halloween Menus and Recipes

A Night of Friendly Fright

By Arleen M. Kaptur

Halloween - an opportunity for family and friends to get together and have some fun -

There are some inexpensive but fun ways to enjoy the spookiest night of the year, no matter the age. Whether young or old, have fun, make memories, and enjoy food and friendship.

Little ones can have some very pleasant surprises without being scared, and older guests, friends, and family can separate the fantasy from the real and enjoy them- selves too. The real "treat" is being together and sharing...

-Design and make your own costumes one evening just before Halloween.

-Make a whole town of "pumpkin" people from "small" citizens right up to the "grand" marshall-the big pumpkin- that needs three "citizens" to move it from place to place.

Roast and eat pumpkin seeds, make taffy apples, colored popcorn, pumpkin pie, cinnamon doughnuts, apple cider - s'mores around a bonfire. In essence, all the bounty of flavors and color that Autumn brings.

-Have a party! Play, laugh, make believe and stick your hands into unseen bowls of - I can't tell or I'll spoil the fun - but you'll find out when you turn on the lights. Decorate with cobwebs, colored lights, brimming cauldrens of dry ice, and flying bats overhead.

A Trick or Treat Supper

Just before venturing out to see if you can outsmart all those creatures that go bump in the night have a trick or treat supper.

Menu: Crown Roast of Franks(enstein), Boston Baked Beans, Witch's Brew, Hoot owl cookies

Appetizer: A big bowl of tomato soup with eyeballs (tiny onions) and spooky salad -

Spooky Salad

1 large orange, peeled, 6 pineapple slices, lettuce, raisins, 3/4 cup mayonaisse

Cut orange crosswise into 6 slices. Place each slice on a pineapple slice. Place on crisp lettuce. Make eyes, nose and mouth on each orange slice using raisins. Serve with mayonaisse thinned with pineapple juice.

Crown Roast of Franks

4 cups saltine cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 can sauerkraut, drained, 1-1/2 cups diced apples, 2 tsp. caraway seed, 1-1/2 lbs. frankfurters

Mix together cracker crumbs, butter, sauerkraut, apples and caraway. Shape into a mound on a baking sheet. Stand frankfurters around the stuffing, joining with cocktail picks near the top. Bake at 375 for 40 mins.

Witches' Brew

1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. salt, 3-1/2 cups milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, dash cloves, cinnamon sticks, and whipped topping

Combine cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in pan; gradually add 1/2 cup boiling water. Heat to boil over medium heat, stirring and cook 2 mins. Add milk; heat but do not boil.

Remove from heat; add vanilla and cloves. Beat with rotary beater until foamy. Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of whipped topping and a cinnamon stick.

Halloween can be fun without a lot of expense and enjoyed by Trick or Treaters of all ages. ENJOY!

Â©Arleen M. Kaptur 2003

About the author

Arleen Kaptur has written numerous books and articles on simple, rustic living and enjoying each and every day. You may visit her at her website Arleen's Site and sign up for her free newsletters.

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