Make Appetizers for Halloween
It's smart to serve appetizers on Halloween because people are usually on the go. If you have kids, they're in and out gathering and admiring their candy; if you host a party, guests are coming and going. Easy-to-eat appetizers are a simple way to feed everyone--and they provide a bit of nourishment amid the sweets.
Instructions
1. Make a pumpkin-shaped cheese ball for some healthy fun. Cheddar cheese provides the orange color, and a broccoli stalk or piece of celery is the "stem" on top. (Some cheese ball recipes even include pumpkin puree in the ingredients.) Serve with crackers, bread or fall vegetables (see Resources below).
2. Serve a variety of flavored pumpkin seeds, and let your guests choose their favorite. To begin, wash seeds and pat them dry. For savory seeds, mix them in a bowl with salt, oil and your seasoning of choice (try combinations such as dried rosemary and basil, or curry powder and cayenne). For sweet seeds, mix with sugar, oil and seasoning (try cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, or cinnamon, ginger and cayenne). After mixing, spread them on a baking sheet and bake until crisp.
3. Create fruit skewers with a Halloween touch. At the top put a pumpkin decoration (a piece of candy or the smallest mini pumpkin you can find). Then spear grapes, orange slices, pineapple chunks, dates and any other fruit that won't turn brown and will keep fresh looking.
4. Bake macaroni and cheese in individual containers such as ramekins or mini-loaf pans--kids and adults love to have their own serving. Use cheddar cheese to make the color right, and look for noodles in the shape of ghosts and witches. No time for a full-on macaroni-and-cheese recipe? Just cook the cute Halloween noodles, put them in individual dishes and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
5. Let your guests make their own trail mix. Provide bowls of nuts, dried fruit, granola, chocolate chips and more, plus baggies imprinted with Halloween decorations. People can spoon their favorite ingredients into their bags and munch during the evening or take the treats home.
Tags: Appetizers Halloween, cheddar cheese, cheese ball, Make Appetizers, Make Appetizers Halloween
