What's better than staring at food that stares back?
Guests will fill their bellies with these pots of 'mud.'
BY ALISON LADMAN
For The Associated Press
Party food is supposed to be easy. You are, after all, having a party to have a good time, right?
That's why we assembled these easy Halloween party dishes. Not only are they simple to assemble, they also require little planning and help keep the mood light and festive.
We started off with the dip. It's nice if not everything on Halloween revolves around sugar. Equally at home with a platter of vegetables or chips and pretzels, this avocado and cream cheese-based dip will appeal to kids and adults. Plus, Halloween is one of the few times of the year where food doesn't need to look pretty.
For something bready, we went with frozen puff pastry formed into "bones." Puff pastry is a cinch to work with. You'll find it in the grocer's freezer section. Each package contains two sheets.
Simply thaw according to package directions, then unfold, slice, season and bake. And feel free to play around with the spices we suggest, swapping in Italian seasoning, chili powder or even curry powder for the Old Bay seasoning.
For a sweet touch, we went with pots of dirt. Or rather, peanut butter and hot fudge blended with a few other tasty ingredients to resemble dirt.
Edible swamp, bones and mud; Happy Halloween!
CREAMY SWAMP DIP
Start to finish: 10 minutes Makes 10 servings
3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar cup chopped black olives cup chopped Peppadew peppers cup chopped marinated mushrooms Salt and ground black pepper
Directions: 1. Combine avocados, cream cheese and balsamic vinegar. Process until smooth in food processor. 2. Transfer mixture to medium bowl, then mix in olives, Pappadews and marinated mushrooms. 3. Season with salt and black pepper. If not serving immediately: Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it onto surface of dip.
Nutritional information per serving: 120 calories; 100 calories from fat (83 percent of total calories); 11 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 15 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 2 g protein; 85 mg sodium
POTS OF MUD
Start to finish: 10 minutesMakes 12 servings
1 cup chunky peanut butter cup hot fudge sauce 4 to 6 tablespoons half- and-half cup graham cracker crumbs Pretzels, crisp bread sticks and cookie sticks
Directions: 1. In medium bowl, stir together peanut butter, hot fudge sauce, half-and-half (more or less depending on desired consistency), and graham cracker crumbs. 2. Spoon into small cups, such as shot glasses, and serve with pretzels, bread sticks and cookie sticks for dipping.
Nutritional information per serving: 180 calories; 110 calories from fat (61 percent of total calories); 12 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 9 g sugar; 6 g protein; 135 mg sodium
Copyright 2013 The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company.
