Halloween the time of fright, horror movies, trick or treats, costume parties and sugary sweets. It is not Halloween without our favorite homemade spider sugar cookies or yummy pigs-in-a-blanket.
There are so many things you can make during the Halloween season. Why not try these easy and healthy recipes in your next Halloween get together.
All-American Chili
Make this chili to pass out during a party or give it to the adults with their kids during trick or treating.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
– 8 garlic cloves, minced
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 pound ground sirloin
– 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
– 2 tablespoons chili powder
– 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon ground cumin
– 3 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 6 ounces hot turkey Italian sausage
– 2 cups chopped onion
– 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
– 1 1/4 cups Merlot or other fruity red wine
– 2 cans no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
– 2 cans no-salt-added kidney beans, drained
Directions:
– Heat a large Dutch oven in medium high heat.
– Remove the casing from your sausage.
– Add sausage, onion, jalapeno into the oven and stir until the sausage crumbles.
– Add Chili powder and other spices in the mix and cook for one minute. Stir constantly. Add in the wine tomato and kidney beans.
– Let it boil and cover it until it reduces. Let it simmer for an hour. (stir consistently)
– Uncover the oven and cook for half an hour. Stir occasionally and remove the bay leaves.
– Serve with a topping of cheddar cheese.
Spiced apple cider
Create a kid friendly version of this drink by removing the apple brandy.
Ingredients:
– 5 half cinnamon sticks
– Lemon rind strips
– 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
– 20 whole cloves
– 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
– 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 gallon apple cider
– 1/2 cup Calvados or applejack
– Additional cinnamon sticks, optional
Directions:
– Bring all the ingredients except the cinnamon stick in bowl and boil it.
– Strain the mixture and use cinnamon sticks as a garnish.
Little Monster Cupcakes
Create halloween themed cupcakes with this easy recipe
Ingredients
– 1 1/2 cups flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter
– 1 cup sugar
– 3 eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 3/4 cup milk
– 1 stick ( 1/4 lb.) unsalted butter
– 1/2 cup shortening
– 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– dash of salt
– assorted icing tubes
– assorted food coloring
– Assorted candy (licorice, gummy worms and more.)
Directions:
– Preheat the oven to 350 degree. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
– Whisk together in a bowl the baking powder, flour and salt. Set aside.
– Using an electric mixer to whisk the cream butter and sugar together. Then add the vanilla and eggs.
– Slowly add the dry ingredient to the mixer and mix slowly. Then add the milk slowly to the mix.
– Fill the muffin tin with the mixture. (2/3 of the cupcake liner).
– Bake the cupcake until springy.
Frosting:
– Create the frosting by beating the butter and shortening together for two minutes.
– Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and add vanilla and salt. Use the electric mixer to integrate them together.
– Separate the frosting in different bowls and add your choice of food coloring.
Designing;
– Create the Halloween themed cupcakes by using the assorted colored frosting and candies.
– Let your imagination run wild.
Monster Eyes
Create this monster eye cheesy and savory bite with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
– 3 cups all-purpose baking mix
– 54 small pimiento-stuffed olives
– 1 pound ground mild or hot pork sausage
– 1 block extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions:
– Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
– Mix together sausage, cheese and baking mix in bowl. Stir with wooden spoon
– Shape the sausage mixture into a one inch ball.
– Place the balls in a lightly greased baking sheet.
– Bake for 22 minutes.
You can create this recipe beforehand. It can be stored in the fridge for a month.
Pumpkin Dip
This is a great healthy and delicous dip for fruits or other biscuits.
Ingredients:
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
– 3/4 cup (6 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
– 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
– 24 apple slices
– 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Directions:
– Place apple slices, brown sugar and canned pumpkin in a blender and mix well. Remove from the blender and place on a bowl.
– Add the syrup and cinnamon to the bowl and whisk lightly.
– Cover it and chill for half an hour.
– Serve with apple slices or other fruits.
Halloween is one of those holidays where we tend to gain weight and make our kids more prone to cavities. Limit the possibility of this by serving up these healthy and delicious snacks.
