Halloween Highlights Frightening Finger Foods
Jack-o-Lantern Carving Tips
Scary Spider Cookies
Here are some guidelines for creating one of the most recognizable symbols of Halloween:
You’ll need: 1 package of cream filled chocolate cookies (like Oreos). Orange cream filling looks extra spooky 1 small package of M&M’s or similar candies 1 package of thin black licorice ropes 1 Tbs. frosting (from a ready made can is fine)
• Choose a large pumpkin with a large stem. The larger the pumpkin, the easier it is to carve. Avoid any pumpkins with bruises or moldy stems as they will spoil much faster. Pumpkins with a lighter color tend to be softer and easier to carve. • When cutting out the top, place the knife at a 45 degree angle so the lid will have a place to rest when you replace it. If you cut straight down, the lid will fall through.
To Assemble: Snip the licorice rope into 1 ½ inch pieces. Poke 4 pieces on each side of the cookies for legs. Use the icing to ‘glue’ on 2 M&M’s for spider eyes.
• Use a large, heavy metal serving spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the insides. A one-inch thickness of the pumpkin wall is optimum.
Pointy Hats For Halloween You’ll need: 32 chocolate Hershey®’s Kisses, unwrapped 1 package (32) fudge-striped cookies 1 small tube orange or red decorating icing
• For longer life, soak the cleaned pumpkin a couple of hours in a bleach water solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of water. Dry thoroughly, then rub inside and out, including all cut edges, with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly to prevent shriveling. If the pumpkin begins to shrivel, repeat the process. The soaking time will depend upon how dried out the pumpkin has become.
To Assemble: Turn the cookies upside down. Attach 1 unwrapped kiss to the center of the cookie using a bit of the decorator icing. Decorate the ‘hat’ by piping a ribbon around the base of the kiss and making a bow.
• You can jump in and start carving a traditional face, or you can print out or draw the pattern on a piece of paper. Patterns are also available online or in retail outlets. Tape the template onto the pumpkin and use a marker to trace the carving lines. Cutting slits in the paper will help it to conform to the round surface.
Witches’ Brew
• As an alternative, you can tape the outline to the pumpkin and use a nail or large pushpin to score the carving lines onto the pumpkin. Connect the dots as you carve. • A long serrated knife or a pumpkin-carving knife with teeth will be necessary to cut through the thick flesh. You can also get a pumpkin-carving tool set where most Halloween supplies are sold. Use a sawing motion and take your time cutting along the outside edge of the marker lines so there is no marker residue. • The most dramatic effects are created by letting light shine through the pumpkin wall in varying degrees of intensity. To create a “dimensional” effect, don’t cut all the way through the pumpkin along the outermost edges of your pattern, but make shallow, angled cuts toward the center of the pumpkin instead. • If you will be lighting your jack-o-lantern with a candle, be sure to leave the lid off to avoid any fire hazard. Use a votive candle in a glass holder or tea lights in a metal case. If you want to leave the lid on, carve a hole in the unseen back side of the pumpkin to act as a chimney. Never leave a candle-lit jack-o-lantern unattended for any length of time. Consider a small battery-operated flameless candle as a safer choice than traditional candles. • Place the jack-o-lantern in a plastic bag and refrigerate when not in use. Sources: Disney’s Family Fun and pumpkins-carving.com
You’ll need: 1 quart lime sherbet, slightly softened 1 container (12 oz) frozen limeade, thawed 1 bottle (1 liter) ginger ale Gummy worm candies Lime Slices
Calling All Ghosts, Ghouls and Goblins:
To Assemble: In punch bowl, mix sherbet, limeade and ginger ale. Pour into glasses. Garnish each glass with candy and lime slices. Serve immediately.
It’s Halloween Season
BOO!
Spirit Halloween, the country’s leading seasonal Halloween retailer, inaugurated the beginning of the Halloween festivities with the opening of its store at 3413 Derek Drive.
Dragon’s Blood Punch You’ll need: 1 (46-ounce) can red punch (recommended: Hawaiian Punch) 1 (46-ounce) can apple juice 1 (48-ounce) bottle cranberry juice 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale Ice cubes Berry vodka, optional Orange liqueur, optional To assemble: Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pot. Add ice and stir. For grown up version, add 4 cups berry vodka and 1/2 cup orange liqueur. Ladle into serving glasses.
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www.thriveswla.com
Spirit has given Halloween enthusiasts everywhere the latest and greatest in Halloween costumes and home décor for the past 27 years. This season, Spirit Halloween will open more than 850 stores across North America, all of which offer the most comprehensive one-stop Halloween destination. “It’s officially Halloween when Spirit Halloween stores begin opening in Lake Charles over Labor Day,” said Owner Jason Draper. “Our mission has always been to get people just as excited about Halloween as we are.” At the heart of Spirit Halloween is the Spirit of Children program. Founded in 2006, Spirit of Children helps make hospitals less scary for children and their families by providing fun during Halloween and funding all year long to Child Life Departments within local children’s hospitals. Throughout each Halloween season all Spirit stores conduct in-store fundraising campaigns for their local children’s hospital. At the end of each season the collected money is donated to the Child Life department in the children’s hospital chosen by the Spirit Store. More than $2.3 million in cash and merchandise has been donated nationwide and in Canada since 2007 for Spirit of Children.
Source: Betty Crocker
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
October 2010
October 2010
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
www.thriveswla.com
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