Make a Spooky Halloween Dinner

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Feast on Dinner Before Candy - Claudia Meyer

While dinner can hardly compete with candy for many children, making a meal look fun may make eating it more fun, too.

This menu combines Dead Head Cauliflower, Maggot Rice, and Italian Chicken together to make a fitting Halloween meal. Don’t let appearance fool you. This nutritious banquet may be easily devoured before the Halloween candy hunt. Make sure to tell your kids that they’d better eat the “Dead Head” or it might be waiting when they get home to eat their Halloween treats.

RECIPES

Dead Head Cauliflower

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 Head of Cauliflower
• 1 Head of Garlic
• Paprika
• 2 Green Stuffed Olives
• 3 Medium Zucchinis
• 1 Mushroom
• 1 Tomato
• Toothpicks
• Chopsticks

Directions:

1. Clean the cauliflower of leaves and cut the stem off the bottom. Discard.
2. Using one of the chopsticks, pierce holes all over into the cauliflower.
3. Clean garlic head and slice into small slices.
4. Use the chopstick to push the slices of garlic into the holes you have made with the chopstick. If you prefer a strong garlic flavor, make more holes.
5. Sprinkle cauliflower with paprika.
6. Place cauliflower carefully into a steamer pan and steam for approximately 20 minutes until tender, but not too soft.
7. While the cauliflower is steaming, shred the zucchini into long noodle-like pieces using a cheese grater or a mandolin. Set aside.
8. Once the cauliflower is steamed, carefully remove it onto a platter.
9. Using a paring knife carefully cut out a hole for the nose. Place mushroom stem into hole.
10. Use toothpicks to attach the green olives for eye balls.
11. Slice the tomato into any desired shape to attach for the mouth using toothpicks.
12. Take zucchini strings and place on top of the cauliflower for the hair.
13. Use caution when serving this dish. Be sure the toothpicks are carefully removed before consuming.

Maggot Rice

The use of white rice, orzo and white onion all combine together to give this dish a maggot-like appearance. The raisins – or the flies – may be served on top or in a separate dish.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 Cup White Rice
• 1 Cup Orzo
• 2 Cups Water
• 1 White Medium Onion, Chopped
• 1 Vegetable Boullion
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Small Box of Raisins

Directions:

1. Warm olive oil over medium heat in medium saucepan.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until transluscent.
3. Add rice, orzo, water and bouillion.
4. Cover the pan. Bring to boil over medium heat.
5. When water is boiling, turn heat up to high for approximately five minutes.
6. Turn heat back down to low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
7. Turn heat off when the mixture is still slightly wet and let sit on the stove while setting the table.
8. Sprinkle with raisins.
9. Serve and enjoy.

Easy Italian Chicken

This is a simple and delicious recipe that takes little thought or preparation.

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of Italian Salad Dressing
• 6 – 10 Chicken Tenderloin Pieces

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place the chicken in a casserole dish.
3. Pour salad dressing on top and bake for approximately 30 – 40 minutes.

After dinner, sneak a snack from the Halloween bowl for an easy dessert ending to this creepy meal.

Happy Haunting!

Linda Hatton - Linda Hatton has a BFA in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Her work has appeared in Rainy Days, The Writing on the Wall, on ...

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