Scary Good CHocolates

 Halloween is a time for all sorts of candy, Yes, those Twix and Smarties are fun but there's nothing like homemade treats to enjoy at home. What's even more fun is that you can be creative. A fun treat can be handed with just some cocoa , sugar and ingenuity.

Coconut haystacks are always a treat. These are easy to make , using dark, milk or white chocolate It's melting butter with solid chocolate and then mixing in toasted or untoasted plain shredded coconut. You could sub in coconut oil  for the butter but I feel that it gives the candy a richer flavor. To make it spooky for Halloween add broken pretzel twists for legs and candy eyes on top. SLivered almonds can another f be added to the recipe for more crunch and taste. Chocolate bark is a tasty snack Again any kind of the chocolate can be used. It's just melting a bowl of chocolate chips for twenty seconds each bowl. The melted chocolate is then spread on wither a greased cookie sheet or onto parchment paper. This is the time to add the candy corn , orange and black sprinkles as well as candy eyes,Let set in either the fridge or a cool place  such as a front porch. Break into pieces and serve. Keep in mind this recipe can be made for All Saint'; day using leftover Halloween candy such as Reese's peanut butter cups, Twix  bars and Rolos caramels.

Homemade fudge is usually thought of as a Christmas sweet yet it can also be made for Halloween too,.A simple fudge recipe is combining condensed milk chocolate chips and a drop of vanilla extract  However you can a teaspoon of butter or plant butter for a much richer taste. A simple decoration would be a dash of orange and black sprinkles on top but you can press in candy corn or candy pumpkins too. SInce it is the season expand to making pumpkin fudge. This is using white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and two tablespoons of pumpkin puree (use Libby 's brand which is  very smooth and creamy. The flavoring is typical pumpkin spice  - a mix of a teaspoon of cinnamon,  along with a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg and an eight of a teaspoon of cloves. Melt the white chocolate and condensed milk together in the microwave. This only takes a minute  and then afterwards microwave at thirty seconds intervals , The mixture will be very thick. Add the spices now , GIve it a good stir and put into a greased or aluminum foil line pan. It should be refrigerated for at least four hours before cutting and serving. You can press candy corn into it for decoations

Halloween is all about sweet treats. Homemade ones are the best. Make them for a fun way to celebrate the holiday.

Happy All Hallows

 It's Halloween. Celebrate with the sppokiest of party foods and the best of candy, Here's a recipe for any parties tonight or evne for tailgating

Autumnal Potato Salad,

One can (about sixteen ounces) of sliced potatoes

Half a cup of  vegan mayo  Hellmann's is the best here.

One small  Macintosh apple sliced and chopped

One jar green olives

Three stalks celery chopped.

 Take the potatoes out of the can and let sit for half an hour to get rid fo that "canned" taste.Combine them and the rest of the above in a large bowl, Mix thoroughly until every piece is coated with the mayonnaise. Chil for an hour or more before serving.

Enjoy this Halloween treat.It's a fun dish for any party.Try it for your tailgating or holiday ones

A Quick Halloween meal

 Halloween can be a fun day but it can also be nightmare for parents trying to plan lunch or dinner. It's hard to eat let alone cook between answering the door and taking the kids trick or treating. what to do? Think simple.  A simple meal is a b ig help here.

Sandwiches are the way to go for lunch. Have cold cuts and bread or rolls on the ready. Use leftover chicken or roast beef from Sunday's lunch for a delicious lunch. Make yourself a hearty one if you're planning on heading house to house afterwards. Think a hero stuffed with not only your favorite slices of ham or salami but also with different cheeses like Provolone and mozzarella. Add tomatoes and pickles too. Extras like chips or pretzels can round it out. A hot lunch on a chilly day is a boon because you'll feel warm afterwards. If you're ambitious then spend tomorrow making a homemade soup that can easily be served on Monday. A good cauliflower or potoato one is not only filling but also delicious too. Round out the lunch with toasted cheese rounds using Italian ro French bread crisped up in an air fryer and a salad. Kids may just want to skip lunch and get to the trick or treating. Don't allow this to happen. Pack a favorite sandwich and a juice box if they refuse to eat at home. Take along napkins and wet wipes so there are no grubby or dirty little fingers begging for candy.

Another meal that will be affected by the holiday is dinner.Again you could also use Sunday's leftovers for Monday's supper. Cook extra pasta or sides to stretch the meal. That way you can concentrate on handing out treats. If the family still wants a hot dinner, consider take out. The addition of pizza , Chinese or burgers only adds to the excitment of the holiday. However if you feel the need to cook something fresh, then think easy. Pasta is a snap to boil and serve with a variety of sauces. Dont go homemade. There are plenty of good commercially made ones that can fill the bill. Acme and Stop & Shop have a wide range of tasty sauces,  Get a tomato basil or a four cheese one. Again make an easy garlic bread in the air fryer to sop up the sauce. A French dip sandwich is another tasty warm meal that's easy to make.Buy sliced London Broil or roast beef and long rolls. Use already made gravy and heat it up in the miicrowave. The result is a hot sandwich that will keep you filled long after the last trick or treater has gone home.

Don't let Halloween trick you into skipping lunch or dinner. Have a full meal before trick or treating or handing out goodies. It's a treat that will keep you going all day.

Your Fall Baking Must Haves

It's now perfect weather for baking. The're no  more summer humidity and scorching days to put you off baking. It's time to bake luscious pies and fun Halloween treats. It's also time to gather up your fall baking must haves.

October is pie month. It's time to reevaluate your metal and glass pie tins.Aluminum pie tins last forever however if there are dings or discoloration, then buy new ones. (the old ones can make excellent trays for outdoor flower pots). Glass pie pans should be crack free. If you see one , then replace. Buy new Pyrex ones from Target or Walmart. For a fun addition buy pie birds if you don't already have them. These are blackbird (for four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie) shaped funnels that let the steam out of the baking pie. Using these aid in venting steam from double crust pies and prevents the filling from bubbling over. If you're more into baking tarts, check your tart pans. Some can get rusty. This requires cleaning with just baking soda and water along with a thorough drying before using. If not, then just replace them with newer, cast iron ones.  As for ingredients , make sure you have plenty of Crisco for the pie crusts and butter for the tart crust. Always have a bag of flour on hand along with the fruit for filling. Make sure your corers and parers are up to par too. You'll be needing them to create the filling.Another must have?Cinnamon and sugar. Don't run out of these when your making apple pie. Also make sure you have pumpkin pie filling and the necessary spices for it too.

October not only has Halloween parties but school bakes sales as well. It's a big time for cupcakes , cookies and sweet treats. You can stock up on cake, brownie and cookie mixes if you don't have to the time to make the scratch versions.Many stores like Stop & Shop are offering a  dollar a box on certain brands like Duncan Hines right now. Take advantage of this , especially if you have a big bake sale ahead. If you're planning on baking from scratch make sure you have the appropriate flours, including gluten free ones for kids who have allergies. Also make sure you have plenty of confectioners sugar for icing. Since it's Halloween it goes without saying to have a good amount of orange , black and purple food coloring. Get the thicker textured gels if you want more intense hues. Before baking, check your cake and brownie pans. Are they up to snuff or do you have to replace them? The same is true for cupcake pans and cookie sheets. If they are too dark or rusted , get new ones. It's best to stock up now than before the Christmas baking season begins. Another must  is parchment paper, especially if you're bent on making meringues. It also comes in handy for cake baking too. As for icing, check your icing bag quantities. You made need to buy another box, especially if you had a lot of Spring and summer decorating to do. Also you may want to add an icing knife or spatula. This makes frosting all that more easier.

Fall is here. That means a return to baking. Make sure your kitchen is ready to handle it. Have all your tools and ingredients ready for a fun, sweet season.

I Gave Out Healthy

It's Halloween and Sweetie - my sweet girl -  and  I want to wish you a Happy Halloween. her idea of a perfect treat involves tuna. I can't give that out

                                         So I went with these. I went healthy instead of wicked.

These are Crispy Apples from Crispy Green. Crispy Green is a company that freeze dries fruit, from apples to pineapples(!) to bananas and every other fruit in between, The result is a fun treat packaged in handy snack bags.Best of all they're healthy along with being only thirty-five calories a bag. I've had these and love them.

They can be mistaken for potato chips. What I love - and I hope my trick or treaters will is the crunch. Apple Crisps have the same crispy, crunchy texture as any savory snack. Crispy Greens are wonderful for those dieters longing to satisfy their primal need to crush something between their teeth.

Do I regret giving out healthy for Halloween? No. If it opens at least one kid's or parent's eyes to a healthier snack or treat, then they were definitely worth handing out.

Gourmet Gift Baskets The Perfect Gift

Even though Halloween is only two days away, it's not too early to think about holiday presents. One of the best one - even for Thanksgiving is a gift basket. There 's always a treat for everyone, from candy loving kids to cheese loving grandparents.A basket full of goodies is the perfect family gift.

What's the best place to go? Hands down, its's Gourmet Gift Baskets. This Exeter, New Hampshire family owned company has been shipping all sorts of sweets and savories for the last ten years. The company covers all events from the joy of a new baby to losing a loved one. There are even towers of food to celebrate newly wed couples and new neighbors.Another plus about Gourmet Gift Baskets is that you can even order flowers for Valentine's Day. along with several other occasions. The Thanksgiving  gifts are perfect, especially if you can't attend a family gathering. There are even apple and pumpkin pies which will be appreciated on a busy holiday cooking day. For a really lux gift send a bottle of Veuve Cliquot to a tired , over worked home chef. Even more impressive are their holiday towers. A perfect gift for any foodie is the $200 mega basket of every snack imaginable.There's chocolates, pretzels and even trail mix. This will last well into January .Another impressive present is the cookie basket. It has every sweet bite from chocolate chunk brownies to whoopie pies. Gourmet Gifts also sells healthy baskets too , full of low calories treats like wheat crackers and popcorn.


 I recently received their Halloween Witch's Baked Goods. Below is their chocolate chunk brownie

peanut butter and chocolate chip. The cookies were tasty and I liked the variety. The chocolate chip were buttery with a homemade taste as were the oatmeal raisin, that didn't have that many raisins. One of the best were the sweet, buttery butterscotch blondies were were a lovely blend of sweet and creamy. The peanut butter ones were also tasty - surprising for me  because I'm not overly fond of them. The cookies arrived , individually wrapped in cellophane so each bite was fresh. I also liked the box which will be used for either Halloween decorations or my embroidery and sewing gear.

What to get the food lovers and oenophiles in your life? Anything from Gourmet Gift Baskets. They have a wide variety of treats and drinks that can suit any taste. Put them high on your list when holiday shopping.

Good Versus Healthy Halloween Treats

Everyone wants to be the house with the good treats.It's a badge of coolness and a feeling of smug pride. Yet what is good? Is it gooey, cavity inducing sweets or nutrition  packed fruit or pretzels. That's the question. What the best goody to give out.


Ask any kid and they'll tell you , candy is best. We all know that. Yet what's the best candy health wise to give out?.Dark chocolate , whether kisses or fun sized bars are one good option. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants.Its also less sweet than the milk variety. If you do want to hand out candy bars then consider Almond Joys and Mounds. These coconut rich treats have eight calories a piece and the Almond Joys also have fiber thanks to the nuts. . A piece is only around eighty-eight calorie and less than six grams of fat. Think Tootsie for another treat. Both the tiny rolls and pops are low in calories A tootsie roll is only seventy calories while the candy filled lollipop is just sixty. Both have zero grams of fat. If you want to give out something colorful think Smarties or Sweet tarts.These tart little discs have no fat, very little sugar and hardly any calories. A Smarties roll is has only twenty five while a small pack of Smarties has only thirty. Hand out three or four rolls or packs to each trick or treater and you're golden.Twizzlers are fun too  - and better yet low in calories They're also chewy too, so it'll take some time to eat and digest them.

You may want to go the fun and healthy route instead.Apples and pears are always good, Think a bowl filled with different kinds such as Fujis and Granny Smiths  along with Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears.Pretzels are always good. They're low in calorie and fun to munch .Keep in mind that some kids do suffer from gluten allergies so have the gluten free variety on the ready. You can go entirely gluten free or go half and half with packets of regular pretzels. What about Goldfish? Luckily Pepperidge Farm does have a gluten free version that's just as tasty as the original,They 're actually puffy - which are even more fun to eat and their flavors are buffalo wing,mega cheese and cheddar bacon.  You can buy Halloween themed packets or make your own. A few moms and dads may feel granola bars are also a great give out.If you decide on this  just be super careful with what you give out. Keep in mind many have nuts and that's lethal for kids with nut allergies.Try 18 Rabbits brand which is wheat, nut and dairy free.They come in such flavors as Caramel Apple, Chocolate Banana, Mango. and Chocolate Cherry Kind brand is also very good.with such yummy flavors as vanilla blueberry, salted caramel, and maple pumpkin seeds with sea salt.

What to go with for next week? That's up to you - but keep in mind what those trick or treaters parents want.for their kids. Be cool, but be wise too.

Sweet,Scary Treats

This is the weekend for Halloween parties. One of the highlights of any party is the dessert table, full of fun treats.They're easy to make and home bakers and candy makers can get as creative as they want. The result is buffet of spooky sweets, the perfect end to any holiday party.

Caramel and candy apples reign supreme right now. For a fun twist, set up your version of an Apple Bar. Have apples already dipped in the gooey stuff surrounded by bowls of mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut flakes , and festive black and orange sprinkles.For a total gross out have bowls of crushed Oreos and gummy worms so kids can create their own "ewwww" versions.If there are adults , think pepper flakes for something different along with sea salt and Szechuan peppers.You could also set out bowls of crushed peanuts or walnuts but keep in mind about guests' nut allergies.If whole apples are too much, then cut the fruit into slices and insert sticks in them. This makes for easy eating and multiple dippings. You can do the same for pears too to vary the flavors. Grapes, another fall favorite, can be turned into "monster" eyes. Just take any green or purple seedless and putting already made candy eyes on them. These can be bought at any party or baking store or can be made at home. It's taking two cups of confectioners sugar and seven teaspoons  of water and mixing them until they form a thick glaze. Pour this into a plastic bag and cut one end off. It's then piping circles on wax paper and inserting the mini chocolate chip, point side down into them. Let dry overnight. They can also be used on cupcakes and cookies too. Affix to the grapes using gel icing.

What's Halloween without cupcakes or cookies? You can have a pumpkin spice cake or stick with chocolate and vanilla. Make a vanilla or chocolate butter cream icing. Vanilla can be dyed orange to have the cupcakes resemble pumpkins. Reserve some icing to be dyed green for stems and leaves. You can also dye the icing bright purple or neon green and top with those eyes for monster cakes.. Black cats are one of the most popular symbols of the holiday. Start with icing the cupcake with chocolate frosting. Add Oreo triangles for ears and licorice strings for whiskers. You can use the confectioner's sugar and water mix to create eyes and the nose. Tint the eyes yellow and green, and make a pink triangle for the nose, using the mix and red food coloring. An easier decoration is  the bat. Half chocolate wafers for the wings and a peanut butter cup for the body. Use red gel icing for the eyes. Butter cookies are another fun party treat. Ice in white for ghosts , with chocolate eyes. Bake the cookies in a tear drop shape and ice them in white,yellow and orange for  candy corn. Spiders are always fun and creepy.Try peanut butter spider cookies. This is baking the classic cookie and then pressing an upside down peanut butter cup in the cookie's center. Add the googly eyes and pipe melted milk chocolate around the cup to represent the legs.

Halloween is a time for fun and sweets. End your party with classic goodies everyone likes. A candy cork cookie or homemade candy apple are the best treats of all.

Fun And Scary Treats

Halloween is definitely the time for creative baking and decorating., All it takes is cake mix , icing and candies to create creepy treats , sure to bring smiles to big and little monsters. Have some fun making these ghoulish goodies that taste devilishly fun.

There's a big push for confetti cake,  a cake with a good cup of sprinkles added in. You can start off with a white or butter cake and add  black, orange and purple sprinkles. A more Halloween centric cake is a  rich , fudgy devil's food  speckled with just orange sprinkles. The icing is usually a buttercream or chocolate frosting coated completely in  - what else - more sprinkles. Cupcakes can also be done this way too.If you're wondering on where to get sprinkles or jimmies in holiday colors, look no further than your local grocery. Its' bakery department always bakes holiday themed cakes and cupcakes ,using  specifically colored sprinkles. The extra ones are then put on sale for home bakers to buy. Other sweet All Hallow's treats are themed cakes.It's all about the frosting and decorating. A simple idea is  just orange icing, drizzled with chocolate. Scatter traditional or the new salted chocolate candy corn over or arrange in a fun mosaic.  Jack o'lantern cakes are always a crowd pleaser. There are cake molds, usually Bundt pans to give you a perfect sphere. It's then decorating with orange butter cream and making the features and pumpkin stem out of black and green dyed fondant.

Cupcakes are another tasty treat, everyone likes. Home bakers can go wild with creating fun toppings , sure to please the fussiest little trick or treater. A fun idea is the ultimate Halloween symbol, the black cat. Frost cupcakes with bought or homemade chocolate frosting. Add two blobs of green frosting for the eyes. Put a small dot of black frosting in the middle of these. The nose can be a pink Tictac flanked by black licorice strings. The kitty's pointy ears can be chocolate morsels.. Take away the nose and ears , put more licorice strings and you have scary spiders.Tombstone cakes are another ghoulishly great idea. Take Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies , break in half  , then coat with a pale brown or pale grey icing. Use a toothpick to write  BOO! in chocolate on them.For the cupcake frost with green icing and then stick the "gravestones' in them.Party guests can also ice their own if you set up a frosting bar. Have prizes for the scariest and the cutest decorated.Cookies are another fun Halloween delight . Make chocolate cat or bat cookies. They can even be turned into sandwich cookies. Fill with a tasty orange flavored creme  that' can be either made with cream cheese, butter or margarine along with confectioners sugar, fresh squeezed orange juice and orange zest.

All Hallow's is a time for sweet treats and scary fun. Celebrate it with yummy cakes and toothsome cupcakes and cookies. Have a sweet Halloween and enjoy!

Tricks, Treats Or Favors

One of the best aspects of any party are the favors. Since Halloween is all about treats then make the favors at your costume party savory and sweet fun. These can be eaten as games are being played or later on as a nice snack at home.

Many party givers lean towards the sweet but savory favors are also a fun gift. Think flavored popcorn. in festive All Hallow's bags.Making the different flavors is easy to do.Start off with about twelve to sixteen cups of plain air-popped corn. For a zingy lemon -brown butter  heat six tablespoons of butter in a skillet until browned.It usually takes about seven minutes. Afterward, stir in one and a half teaspoons of lemon zest and toss. It can also just be a plain buttered, perfect for watching those scary movies. Give your popped corn a Mediterranean twist with the addition of za'atar, that spicy mix of sumac ,dried thyme, and sesame seeds . Or try it Cajun style with  cayenne pepper, oregano, black and red pepper. Another fun party bag treat is the classic  Chex mix. Again this is an easy make. It's a mix of all Chex cereals, rice , corn, and wheat tossed with mixed nuts and bite-sized pretzels, whether sticks or nuggets. Garlic and onion powder along with Worcester sauce is added for flavor. You can vary the recipe or tailor it to suit your guests' tastes with dashes of dried herbs , spices or even freshly ground pepper. The recipe may have to be altered a bit to suit those with wheat and nut allergies. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be subbed in. The last would be keeping with te holiday.

A bag full of sweet treats is always nice. Both big and little party guests love a favor bag of goodies.One of the most fun and festive is Halloween bark This can be made with white,tinted, dark or milk chocolate as the base. Candy corn, whether the traditional or new salted chocolate from Brach's is a definite add in.Popcorn is another . Many recipes call for caramel but just plain popcorn would  be better to prevent the bark from becoming too sweet.Some party givers add Oreos but plain chocolate wafers give the chocolate burst without all that sugary creme For some fun toss in a dash of cayenne pepper, however, be sparing with it..For the orange chocolate add the tiniest bit of orange juice for some citrusy bite. Cranberries are another fun and colorful add in.Give a homemade bark a burst of saltiness by throwing in some crushed pretzels. Break the finished candy into small pieces that fit easily into a goodie bag. Dipped Oreos are another fun  nosh . Coat them in white chocolate and then , using a toothpick, draw faces on them with melted dark or milk chocolate or edible ink. This last can be bought online or at craft shops such as Michael's. Oreos can also be dipped in orange chocolate and decorated like jack o lanterns. Encase them up in black or orange saran wrap and then tie with a black or orange bow.

Halloween party favors can be savory or sweet. They're fun mementos to be enjoyed at the party or afterwards. They definitely more treat than trick!

Last Minute Halloween Treats

The scariest part of any Halloween party is not having enough treats for your guests. Don't despair .There are plenty of fun , last minute goodies to serve - and best of all - a snap to make, This gives you enough  time to hop into that /monster/angel, demon/political candidate costume and vie for best costume.

Monster fingers are always a neat hors d'oeuvre to serve.Take regular size carrots and round the ends. At one end carve out a fingernail like indentation. Serve them in a jar filled with vinaigrette (heavy on the red wine vinegar here - you want to go for that "gore" effect). A variation of this is roasted fingers. Serve with a dip if you'd like but the vinaigrette should impart plenty of flavor.A variation of this are roasted fingers. Grill hot dogs (meat or vegan or both ) , stick an almond at the end and served on bloody bandages- hot dog rolls soaked in catsup. Another fun starter is really devilled eggs. Pour a drop of red food coloring as well as adding some cayenne to the egg mash. Put cashew halves on either side to simulate horns. Creepy mouths will have your guests talking. This involves snow pea pods, baby bell peppers and almond slivers.Slit the peapods lengthwise so they resemble mouths. After cut the peppers so that they resemble little tongues and pace in the slit. Add the almond slivers as teeth and serve. wash down with some blood red sangria or a red wine punch.

Halloween is a time when you can never have enough sweets. Haystacks seem an appropriate treat, given that it's also harvest time too. These are one of the easiest treats to make.Start by a quick toasting coconut in the oven or toaster oven until lightly brown at 350 degrees Farenheit. This only takes two to three minutes. In the meantime, melt dark or milk chocolate pieces with butter or margarine. for a few seconds. After cooking mix well and add the coconut. Stir until completely blended and  then drop on either a greased cookie sheet or a sheet of parchment paper. Cool for two to three hours before serving. For added color , decorate with a candy corn or Mellocreme pumpkin. You can also make candy corn bark by adding the treat to melted chocolate . Don't mix and spread onto either a buttered  cookie sheet or parchment paper. Candy apples are the perfect Halloween party treat and favors too. You can dip them fresh and then set up a decoration bar with nuts, coconut flakes, gummy works and M&M.s. Guests will love creating their own fun designs and  savoring them afterwards.

Make these scary and yummy treats for your Halloween do. They're a great way of celebrating a spooky night. Give  them party fun that's just pumpkin perfect!.

Trick Or Treat Halloween Facts And Fun

Today is the ultimate candy day.By now millions of kids in the US alone have garnered, their fair share of Twix, KitKats ,Smarties and anything else totally not nutritious.It's a fun day of celebrating since Irish and Scottish immigrants first came here bringing the traditions of Samahain or All Hallow's Night with them. Not surprisingly this is also a money making holiday for candy companies.Michael Moss did comparative article in Wednesday's New York Times Dining section. He found out that candy sales last Halloween hit a whopping 217 million up 2 per cent from the previous year( in all fairness, that was when Superstorm Sandy hit and people were more worried about survival than Mars Bars)However due to a summer time increase this year, coco lovers eased upon their addiction.The reason for the increase? Cocoa butter.This is the fat of the pod that gives chocolate it's rich,satisfying taste,Food chemists have tried subbing in other cheaper oils bit to no avail.Chocolate is what it is because of that cocoa butter.Still we crave it thanks to our love of it.We also love the variety of those Halloweens treat bags too.Most candy companies now sell two or three different kinds so they can push lesser like types on consumers.This is not a new marketing ploy.Kellogg's was doing its early as 1941" variety mini cereal box packs.A variety also tricks our brains into wanting us to eat more.We feel the need to sample and try everything, Eating one kind will also make us feel fuller quicker.thanks tour brain acclimating to just the one taste and texture.A variety pack of two or three different kinds turns our brain into race car veering left and right ,leavings with a still hungry feeling. Of course there is an antidote to this: an old fashioned candy recipe.Today's New York Times Weekend section,Friday File, compiled by Mary Jo Murphy printed out snippets from past Halloween reports.Mostly it was all apple bobbing whether the get together was from the 1890s or 1920s.However there was the Halloween party report from a century ago that offered a recipe .It called for fresh coconut straight from, well the coconut and then toasted in an oven.. boil a cup of molasses with brown or white sugar, along with a teaspoon of vinegar (I'd recommend the apple cider kind) and a tablespoon of butter.It is ready when it hits the hard candy stage(dribble a few drops In cold water.It should be hard and crackly), add the coconut, stir well and then pour into a buttered pan.Let the candy get hard and the break into bite sized pieces.Actually you can sub in any kind of nuts, for the coconut to create brittle.If you want to add a modern spin, dip the pieces into dark chocolate.If you feel the coconut brittle is too sweet, then add a scant tablespoon of sea salt to add some zing and dash. store in a covered tin. Halloween is nothing but fun treats.Enjoy it it wisely, don't go wild.Enjoy that candy wisely.

Halloween Ready

Halloween brings about not only trick or treaters and candy but also parties.What makes a memorable holiday get together? Fun food with a scary theme.Just make sure you're well stocked.That alone can bring fear to any party thrower, not enough eats and hungry guests. One of the first new rules of party giving is know your audience.If you're having a kid do , make sure you 've received lists of allergies along with likes and dislikes.If you can ,go gluten free .This is a benefit to any fretful parent and it also is easier on the kids.You also don't have to emphasize what is safe and not safe to eat.There are several flour brands that make gluten free flour so you can use it for pizzas, cakes and cookies ,along with cupcakes.Also if you're worried yourself about what your own will eat think a healthy party.Tacos are great for kids, Have platters full of vegetables and salsa that they can stuff.If meat is not a problem, then think chicken for the stuffing.Also serve a refreshing cranberry and seltzer sangria(call it bat blood to spook it up)Keep away from the sugary sodas and juices.You can also end with a fun bob for apples.For more variety add pears too. The sliced fruit can be dipped in caramel . You can also have favor bags filled with apples along with grain bars and all natural cookies( try the Nature's Path brand,They have a variety of sandwich cookies and choclate cip along with mint wafers).Try to stay away from the obvious.Fellow parents may not appreciate bringing home a hyper kid, high on candy corn. Adult Halloween parties can be a little more daring food wise.It's still nice to serve healthy and there's actually a wide variety of dishes to choose from.Wings are a must have, but instead of frying, try baked. Chicken wings with a home made honey mustard or a honey Ginger sauce..Ribs are another tasty party dish.Again baking is your best option.Another fun idea is sliders.Nothing beats mini burgers with various dipping sauces.You can also make mini pulled pork sliders.Serve with cones of baked sweet potato and regular fries.You can even male both ,thanks to using both racks in your oven.Both can be zinged with basil or cayenne pepper.Serve with homemade catsup or salsa.Again you bob for apples but you could also hollow them out and fill with the potent apple Jack or hard cider.Another fun idea is filling them with buttery caramel and chopped pecans as an inside out candy apple.You could also have grape spiders for dessert nibbles.Take black or deep purple grapes and stick dark chocolate pretzels curves in them to recreate legs.To make the spider limbs, break thin twisty pretzels, and save the curved parts.Dip these in melted dark chocolate. For a smoother , shinier coating , add a few drops of vegetable oil to the candy before melting. A tasty All Hallows party is a memorable one.Treat your tricksters to tasty and somewhat healthy party foods.They thinks you've bewitched them with your pots full of yummy foods.

Apple Up

This is the time of year when candy is king. Halloween brings with it  tons of sweet treats and all sort of nutritional headaches. What to do? Have a healthy amount of apples and pears around along with other fruits and healthy snacks. It'll balance out that sugar infused diet coming in the next few days,

Homes around the country are going to be coated in all sorts of gooey , sweet treats. You can temper that by  introducing good for you goodies to your Halloween party. Instead of caramel apples, try the old fashioned bobbing for apples.It;s another kind of messy fun that kids will love. Also instead of having a caramel or chocolate dip for apple slices, try Greek yogurt mixed with honey. It's a creamy and  better alternative. Another idea is having black or deep purple grapes or monster eye s out for dipping too. The kids will get a kick out of them  as well as receiving a healthy infusion of Vitamin C. You can also make banana ghosts using raisins for eyes and orange pumpkins using peeled oranges with  celery stalks in the middle as the stems.

Of course the kids , big or small will want to gobble up their loot and any other Halloween candy left. Temper the urge with some better swaps. Your trick or treaters can still have chocolate  and lollipops but first let them have a piece of fruit first. They'll feel fuller and won't have the need to eat more junk. Also sub in some sunflower seeds or almonds when the kids  are feeling hungry.They'll get a shot of protein and vitamins instead of just empty calories. Hiding the Halloween loot is another idea, saving it for when chores are done or if they're especially good.

Halloween is the starts of the sweets and treats season. Balance it with some good sub ins like fresh fruits, seeds and nuts. Not only will the little goblins feel better, they won;t be hyped up on all that sugar.

For all those who suffered through Sandy - everything heals with time and love

Crazy About Pies

Pie is one of those great desserts that should get more play. Now thanks to a new cookbook that features both sweet and savory one this all American treat is coming into its' own.It now can be made with any filling and every occasion.

Crazy About Pies  (Sterling Publishers) was written by pie enthusiast Krystina Castella who elevates this simple dessert to trendy status. This is a great book. The pictures make you drool and there are all sorts of sweet and savory pie recipes. I love how she has pies for almost every holiday , such as Easter and Valentine;s Day along with Christmas and Halloween.They're not just for Thanksgiving.although she has some amazing recipes for pecan pie bars and an old fashioned pumpkin pie. There are also wedding and new baby pies. refreshing alternatives to the traditional cakes.Dinner pies are also mentioned and these includes one with macaroni filling as well as tamale [pie and the English classic , shepherd' s' pie.

I love this book for the sheer variety of recipes. There are sweet as well as savory empanadas along with my all time fave Cornish pasties.. Ms. Castella also includes recipes for brunch  pies, tasty little quiches  with suggestions for all sorts of yummy combos.This also includes a deep dish pear cheddar pie, perfect with a side of fruit salad. There are also fun holiday ones like the Halloween baked caramel apple one that is a crusted apple with the extra fun of caramel oozing out of it. The Christmas mint pie with the chocolate crust looks like a real show stopper and would be perfect for any family party.

Any homemade pie is a real treat. With Crazy About Pies, pie lovers can bake any sort, from sweet to savory, from fruit filled to cream filled. This cookbook is definitely a dream come true and a kitchen library must have.

Healthy Fall Party Foods

This is the time of year for all sorts of get togethers- from tailgating dos to Halloween parties. It's also time for harvests too, full of  healthy fruits and veggies . Combine the two to get fun and nutrition. You'd be surprised at what can come out of a healthy menu.

Tailgating parties are a must this time of year. However they;re usually a leftover from the summer barbecue. The menus revolves around barbecued everything . This may be good but a bit unhealthy . Try adding some veggies to those kabobs such as fall faves like Brussels sprouts or carrots. Beets are big right now and you can make a regular salad with sliced ones or a slaw full of shredded beets.This is a nice offset to those brats and dogs.If you're planning on an at home party then think about another seasonal favorite- artichokes, These can be stuffed with breadcrumbs or just have the leaves dipped in a vinaigrette  as a nice hors d'ouevre . Artichoke hearts are also a good topping on homemade pizza as well.

This is also the time for fruits as well.Of course every Halloween party planner is probably planning a bob for apples games. You can also vary it by having a bob for pears instead. Both are good in mini tarts or in regular sized ones too. Any get together would benefit from an old fashioned homemade pie too. Try a sweet potato one because this is also the season for them. These can als be made into pudding as well and served with a creme fraiche. You can also make a fudge with them or bake them into chips.Cranberries are another fall treat. These can be baked into cookies and muffins, and mixed with nuts , makes an interesting after dinner nibble.

This is the season for fun fall parties. Inject some healthiness in them by adding the fruits and vegetables of the season. They can not only be good for you too but also tasty in some great recipes!

Halloween Faves

Halloween brings back all sorts of ghosts- good and bad. The best is candy. We all have memories of our faves - whether they're the classic or commercial type.Even as adults we manage to sneak in a few treats today, just to satisfy our inner child. Besides there's nothing as fun as having a few candy corns or a peanut butter cup as dessert.

The idea of giving out candy for Halloween is relatively recent starting in the late 1930's. Previously homemade treats, such as popcorn balls and candy apples, were given out to trick or treats to prevent them from doing damage to homes and properties. The candy companies jumped on this idea and soon people were giving out Mars Bars and candy kisses. World War II interrupted the holiday however it became popular again in the late Forties. Not only candy was given out back then but also small toys, nickels and cookies. Halloween was also now a national holiday with every home in the US giving out treats. It was a boon to the candy industry who previously had a lull in sales right before Christmas.

The baby boomers took the holiday to a high art. This is when all sorts of faves were introduced, from candy cigarettes to Raisinettes. Some homes even gave out the rare treat of wax lips or wax whistles along with pixie sticks. Now trick or treaters get an entire cornucopia of goodies thanks to many companies producing bags with three different types of candy bars.My favorites were always the candy cigarettes along with Smarties. Peanut butter cups were also good as were - and still are mini Hershey bars. Of course candy corn is a fun nibble too, whether it's the original or the chocolate flavored Indian corn.

Everyone has a favorite Halloween candy. They're like what madeleines were to Proust. One bite brings back a flood of good trick or treating memories.

Happy Halloween What's In Your Candy Bag???

Today is Halloween, full of treats and hopefully not too many treats. This is the day to go hog wild with all sorts of goodies from popcorn balls to M&Ms. This is also the day to gobble up those cupcakes loaded with orange frosting. Get a couple of those and some bat and witch cookies at your bakery.

So what are foodies giving out this year? Luckily i got the Mars mix at my local Target. I'm hoping that there won't be too many little goblins and princesses knocking at my door. I want the stuff ALL to myself. (even though I have my birthday candy from last week to go through). We've got M&Ms Twix and Snickers. Yum. There's nothing like Mars candy . It's been around for ages and it's the best out there

Anyway , I'll let the rest of you go. You have doors to answer, costumes to fix, and candy to check.

Happy Halloween

Liz

Halloween Candy Week- Candy Corn

This whole week Foodie Pantry will be devoted to Halloween candy. I'll be writing about favorites and classics; the treats we loved and sometimes hated. Today's entry will be focused on that Halloween must have :candy corn. This is as much a part of the holiday as costumes and pumpkins and as much a part of our lives as costumes and trick or treating.

Candy corn came about in the 1880's. It's origins are unknown with some thinking it was a home made treat. However because Americans were very familiar with it ,there is the theory that it was mass produced (and probably one of the first mass produced candies at that)by 1900 the Goelitz Candy Company in Illinois. Today Goelitz is known for being one of the creators for the famous Jelly Belly jelly beans.Candy corn is nothing more than honey, corn syrup, marshmallow and water, cooked together to form a fondant and then poured into triangular molds.When candy corn was first made each color was put into the mold separately and allowed to dry. Now it's automated.

Good news to dieters about this treat. It's fat free. Yes, even the chocolate tipped ones have zero fat. Snack on as much as you want although rinse or brush your teeth afterwards. (There's all that sugar to contend with)If you're hankering for corn after Halloween, remember there's the Reindeer Corn for Christmas (red, white and green colored kernels) Cupid Corn for Valentine's day (pink, red and white pieces) and Bunny Corn for Easter(pink, yellow, purple, green and blue striped candy).Nothing beats the Halloween ones though and they're always a fun munch when watching scary horror movies.

Candy corn is the one Halloween classic every candy dish should have. It is a part of the Halloween scene even more than a jack-o-lantern is. Treat yourself to a handful or even a few kernels today!