Halloween is most certainly a fun time of year. I’ve just started pulling out my spooky décor. Black cats and leopard print pumpkins are everywhere. The orange dishes are behind the glass in the cupboard and the wreaths covered with fall leaves are on the doors. There’s a bit of crispness in the air that brings with it the anticipation of the upcoming holiday celebrations that are soon to follow. Being the good witch that I am, I spent all day conjuring in my kitchen, testing and tasting these fail-proof and easy to prepare recipes that I’m tickled to share with you. All of the recipes would be wonderful contributions to parties with family and friends. From my haunted kitchen to yours, Happy Halloween!
Spooky Caprese Salad
Fashion your favorite Halloween monsters with cookie cutters to add a spooky twist to this quick and easy Caprese salad.
Mixed salad greens
Campari tomatoes, sliced
Basil pesto
Mozzarella cheese, sliced
Balsamic glaze
Arrange salad greens on a serving platter. Top with groupings of sliced tomatoes. Place a dollop of pesto on each grouping of tomatoes. Use a cookie cutter to fashion skulls from slices of mozzarella cheese and add to platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Halloween Mummy Meatloaf
This recipe makes two meatloaves. Baking the meatloaves before wrapping them in puff pastry ensures fully cooked beef as well as crispy and golden mummy wrappings.
For the meatloaf:
2½ pounds ground chuck
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
5 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 (1-ounce) package ranch dressing mix
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup prepared barbeque sauce
3 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
For the mummy bandages:
1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed in refrigerator
1 egg, beaten
Large olives, sliced to make “eyes”
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Divide mixture in half. Form two meatloaves into 6-inch patties in two lightly greased baking dishes. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. In the meantime, line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. After 30 minutes, remove meatloaves from oven. Increase temperature of oven to 375 degrees. Unfold pastry sheets. Using a rolling pin, roll fold lines out of pastry. Cut each piece of pastry into 12-14 long strips. Stagger strips from each sheet of pastry in two separate spaces on prepared baking sheet. Use a large spatula to place meatloaves on top of pastry strips. Fold pastry over meatloaves, leaving a small gap for the “face.” (Don’t stress about perfection, mummies are supposed to look a little messy.) Brush the beaten egg all over the pastry strips using a pastry brush. Place sliced olives on the “face.” Return to oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until pastry is golden brown and meatloaves are cooked through. Makes 2 meatloaves.
Chocolate Bats & ‘Fraidy Cats Pastry Treats
Spooky good when served with pumpkin flavored coffee!
1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed in refrigerator
½ (13-ounce) container Nutella hazelnut spread with cocoa
1 egg, beaten
Halloween candy sprinkles
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a large cutting board, roll puff pastry sheets into 10-inch squares with a rolling pin. Spread Nutella from edge to edge on one sheet of pastry, covering it entirely. Place remaining sheet of pastry on top of chocolate spread. Place cutting board with filled pastry in refrigerator for 10 minutes. Cold pastry is easier to cut. Cut out cats and bats using cookie cutters. Place on prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush with beaten egg and garnish with candy sprinkles. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool slightly before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Makes 12.
The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at debbicovington@gmail.com.
