Food for My Halloween Party

Since I’ve decided to have a Halloween party this year, I have to make some food to serve!  It’s not going to be too big of a party, maybe 25-30 adults so I can manage the prep as well as the clean up!  I’ve been searching the internet for some good recipes and found some things that I’m definitely going to make.  I am really trying to keep everything spooky, creepy and unique.  Here’s my list of food for my Halloween party.  I've included links to all the recipes, just click the title!

Brew Ha Ha Punch

This is exactly the punch I wanted for those gummy eyes that I’m going to float around.  I had mentioned them in this post but you can also check them out here.  The dry ice effect will add a great spooky touch!

 

Sweet & Sour Eyeballs

So smart!  I love the idea and it’s super simple to make meatballs for 30 people!  Def on my menu

Cornbread Ghosts

Not so spooky but it is super easy and allows me to add some starch to the menu.

 

 

Dead Man’s Finger Sandwiches

Lol!  Love these and when I read the ingredients and directions, I knew they would be on my list.  Basically these are a real crafty way to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!  Awesome!

 

Graveyard Taco Dip

Perfect and easy!  Even the tree and tombstones sound easy!

 

Mummy Baked Brie

I LOVE baked brie and buy brie all the time.  I actually just bought a goats milk brie today.  I’ve never had one made from goats milk before but I was sold.  The texture is much more creamy and smooth and I ate it with a bit of fresh baked French bread.  It was phenomenal!  Anyways, this is def on my my menu.

And that’ sit!  I’m keeping it simple and easy and I think this will be plenty of food for the goblins!  Cheers!

The BEST Halloween Candy EVER!

I'm throwing a Halloween party this year and decided that I really wanted to make it as spooky and creepy as possible.  What better way to do that with than unique Halloween treats and candy!  I found the following items on Amazon which I found to be the best place to buy Halloween candy especially of this type of nature.  I was searching around the stores and could only find the regular Halloween candy to hand out to kids.  I couldn't find any of these super cool and creepy candies and stuff.  I can't wait until my party and to get peoples reaction.  I think these are the best Halloween candies ever created!  If you know of any other creepy items I can add to this list, please let me know!  Cheers!

Oozing Eye Balls Candy, 16 Assorted Jelly-filled Marshmallow Eyeballs

While the reviews say that they don't have eyeballs printed on them, I thought it would be fun to have the squishy jelly ooze when bitten in to!

Flix Candy Box of Boogers, 3.5-Ounce. Boxes (Pack of 12)

OK, just plain gross but it's exactly what I'm looking for!  LOL

 Gummy Eyes Halloween Candy

I think these are so well made and will be perfect for the punch I'm going to make!  Can you imagine these floating around in a big punch bowl?  Fabulous!

Larvets-Original Worm Snacks (Pack of 24)

So not a candy but flavored worm snacks will work perfectly!

Fruit Punch Liquid Candy Blood Bags 12CT Pack

This is just pure genius so I had to get them!  I don't know how I will use them yet but I'll figure it out.  If you have any ideas, please let me know!

What to Look For When Buying Vegetables

Here is a great info graphic on what to look for when buying vegetables.  I find these really handy.  I had come across one earlier this summer about fruits and had actually used the information when I was in the local grocery store.  In particular, I wanted to buy a watermelon and the information was spot on as that watermelon was so sweet and tasty!

Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar Recipe

OK so I have definitely been on a pumpkin kick but I am totally in love with the flavor!  I'm also trying to eat more healthy and have been changing my food habits.  I love granola but the brands available at the local grocery store are filled with sugar and other additives that I really don't need or want.  So I decided to search for a recipe so that I can make some at home.  Granola bars are the perfect snack for me.  They fill up my belly and are perfect for grab and go!

Below is the best pumpkin spice granola recipe that I found to suit my tastes.  I choose this one because it had both pumpkin seeds and pumpkin puree in it.  I wanted the pumpkin seeds for health benefits but I wanted the pumpkin puree for the pumpkin flavor.  It also has less sugar than other recipes and uses honey to replace the lessened amount of sugar so they still have the sweetness that I desire.  I'll probably omit the white chocolate drizzle as well just to keep them more healthy and less sweet.

If you don't have the time nor the inkling to make your own pumpkin spice granola bars try Nature's Path Organic Granola Bars, Pumpkin-n-Spice.  These are a great organic, non-GMO granola bar alternative and they sell out quickly at the current advertised price of $17.88 for a pack of 6.  That's less than $3 a box!

Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

 

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

40 mins

Total time

1 hour

Recipe by: Fork Knife Swoon

Yield: 12 Granola Bars

Ingredients

Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

• 4 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup puréed pumpkin
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil

Chocolate Drizzle

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients until well-combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir to combine, until the entire mixture is moist and well-incorporated.
3. Pour the granola onto the sheet pan, and using your fingers or the back of a spoon, press the mixture into an even layer from edge to edge. Bake for 35-40 mins, until the granola is golden brown and just firm to the touch.
4. Remove the pan from the oven and carefully lift the parchment paper to remove the granola. Let rest on a baking rack, until completely cooled. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the granola into bars.
5. If adding the chocolate drizzle, melt together the chocolate chips and cream in the microwave or using a double-boiler, stirring constantly until completely smooth. Drizzle the granola bars with the chocolate. Let cool.
6. Can be stored for up to a week in an airtight container.

Where to Buy Wine Barrels

I came across this great idea to use wine barrels as tables and I love the idea!  I would really like to switch out my two (un-matching) end tables for something fun and interesting.  I was initially looking for a whiskey barrel for sale and I came across these from Wine Barrel Creations.  I love the reviews.  The smell of wine in the air!  Yum!  And I think the wine stains are fabulous!  They can also be used as rain catchers or planters.  If you're crafty, then you can always make a small bookshelf or half barrel table with a flat top.  The possibilities are endless.  Check out Wine Barrel Creations here.

Features

• Made from 1" thick solid oak
• inside still shows the gorgeous red wine stain
• has original cooperage marking and metal bands
• from a Napa Valley winery
• great for wine cellars or bar area

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Product Description

This is a used 59 gallon oak wine barrel straight from a Napa Valley winery to you! Works great as a table or decor. still water tight for your rain catcher! Because these are used barrels each one will have its own caricature and uniqueness coming from years of use as a Napa Valley wine barrel! Sorry we do not ship to AK or HI Brought to you by Wine Barrel Creations

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Customer Reviews


Just what I wanted! By Kathy B
This barrel is better than the picture. Complete with the aroma of wine.
Just what we were looking for as an addition to our decor.
Shipping was timely.

Great authentic wine barrel... By Kristina K Moulaison
This was just what I wanted! A used Napa Valley wine barrel. Has a hole in the side and you can still smell the wine inside. I got two. They are each unique with different stamps on the ends. Very happy with the product. Was shipped in two days with Prime.

Napa Wine Barrels
By Jim
Barrels are AWESOME!!! They look great and made great patio tables. They arrived in a very timely manner and were exactly as advertised. Even with the shipping they cost less then other wine barrels on the market. Great product at a great price!

See more reviews 

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2664 in Lawn & Patio
• Brand: Wine Barrel Creations
• Dimensions: 27.00" h x 27.00" w x 36.00" l, 110.00 pounds 

 I really think I'm going to love these as end tables.  It totally fits with my style.  Cheers!

Football Food

I've been searching the internet for some good football season foods and I came across this great blog with a ton of recipes for everything including snacks, soups, desserts and even cocktails!  While some of the recipes don't really mesh well with my idea of football food, I do think they are all still fantastic and will try them out on other occasions.  I'm supper excited to try some of these recipes especially the 30-Minute Buffalo Chicken French Breads.  That will be a super help this week since I have a fully booked schedule and have limited time to cook.  Click here to check out the recipes.  What are your favorite football foods?

Homemade Fireball Whiskey

Well hot damn!  A Fireball recipe that can be made at home.  This is awesome!  The recipe sounds right and I’m going to make this soon and see if it comes out like the original.  Last year, I had made a cocktail with 1 oz vodka, .5 oz pumpkin spice liquor, a bar spoon of fireball and cranberry juice served in a highball glass and people loved it!  The fireball gave the cocktail a nice warm taste and I can't wait to make it again this fall.  Click here to read the full article.  Cheers!

HOMEMADE FIREBALL WHISKEY

INGREDIENTS:

·         1 (750 ml) bottle inexpensive whiskey

·         8 Cinnamon sticks

·         3 oz Simple Syrup

·         6 Whole dried red chili peppers (optional)

PREPARATION:

Empty the bottle of whiskey into a large container with a lid. Add the cinnamon sticks and simple syrup and seal. Shake the container and let stand for five days, shaking daily.

After five days, add the dried chili peppers to the container, if desired, and shake. Let stand for three to four more days, tasting after the first day to test the flavor intensity. When the flavor reaches the desired intensity, strain and bottle.