Scary Guacamole and Chips

I actually got this idea from the Tostitos Halloween Tortilla Chips that were on sale in the store. The orange and black was perfect, so I decided to make some guacamole to go with them - my family absolutely LOVES guacamole!

Ingredients:

Tortilla Chips

3 medium avocados

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

juice from 1/2 a lime

1/2 to 3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

finely chopped jalapeño pepper (optional)

This is a classic Guacamole Recipe. Some people like their guac filled with all sorts of things (tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, etc.), but our family subscribes to the minimalist approach when it comes to guacamole - often the simplest recipe is the best!

So...here's what you need to do.

Take your ripe avocados and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the seed and use a spoon to scoop the avocado into a bowl.

Once all your avocados have been added, use a fork to smash them up. You have to do this before you can add any of the ingredients.

Once your avocados are smashed add the onions, lime juice, salt, and pepper. You can always add a little more salt or pepper, so start small and work your way up. My kids don't like the heat from the jalapeño, so we didn't add it.

Once you've added all the ingredients, mix it together and get ready to eat!

Did I mention that I loved these chips?

Whether you have this for Halloween or just a weeknight treat, you're going to love it!

Deviled Eye Balls

So...I realize that Halloween was a few days ago, but with my last minute trip out of town just before Halloween, I've been thrown off by a few days. I realize this is late, but maybe someone will want it for next year - and since I have pictures, I figured I would post it.

Ingredients:

Eggs

Mayo - the good kind (Best Foods/Hellmanns)

Salt

Pepper

Garnishes - pickles & ketchup or pimento filled olives

Boil your eggs. Once they are done (hard boiled), allow them to cool down - refrigerate if necessary.

Peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out yolk and place in a bowl. Continue with all the eggs, placing the egg whites cut side up on a platter or plate.

Use a fork to smash all of the yolks and then add enough mayonnaise to make it creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. I can't really give you exact amounts, because it all just depends on how many eggs you're doing, and how you like your deviled eggs.

Once the yolk mixture is nice and creamy, spoon it back into the holes on the yolks. You can use a pastry bag and pipe it in if you want - or just throw it in a small plastic sandwich bag with a hole cut in the corner (homemade pastry bag).

Once the eggs are filled, you want to decorate them to look like eye balls. You can do this with olives that have a pimento in the center. Just cut the olive in half and place it on the egg. However, I didn't have olives, so I sliced up some baby dill pickles and set them on the egg. Then I placed a small dot of ketchup for the center of the eye.

Be sure to refrigerate until you serve - you want these nice and cold.

These Deviled Eye Balls were super easy and very fun to make - plus, my kids ate them all!

Halloween Dinner

Last night we had our Spooky Halloween Dinner.

Along with our Mummy Dogs (mentioned here), we also had....

Scary Guacamole and Chips

and....

Deviled Eye Balls

I searched and searched for dry ice, but to no avail. It seems that stores stopped selling it because people were getting burnt. Thank you unintelligent people for ruining my Halloween tradition of Dry Ice Root Beer.

Oh well, we still had a fun time.

I'll get the recipes for the Scary Guacamole and Deviled Eye Balls up within the next couple of days.

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

We sure did!

Mummy Dogs

I've made this every Halloween for the last 5 or 6 years. I know that may seem a bit boring, but they are super easy and a huge hit at this house. I once made them for a Halloween party and one of the moms had 4!

So, Yeah, we'll be making these Mummy Dogs again!

Ingredients:

16 frozen rolls

16 hot dogs

mustard and poppy seeds (optional)

Thaw frozen rolls according to package directions. Allow them to rise until double in size.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using one roll for each, wrap hot dogs to look like mummies, leaving an opening for the eyes. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

Now, this part is optional - Place dots of mustard and poppy seeds for eyes. I never do this final part, just because it takes too long - there's no way I'm trying to grab a small tiny poppy seed with my huge fingers. ; )

Yum Yum!

Dry Ice Root Beer

I've finally figured out my Halloween menu, so I thought I would try to post it throughout the week. I had to start with one of my all time favorites - Dry Ice Root Beer.

This stuff is great anytime, but I really like creepy smoke that crawls through the air when you throw in the dry ice.

My family has been making this stuff as long as I can remember - hopefully you'll like it as much as we do.

You can make this in a small batch for your family, or a large batch for a huge crowd. I will give you both measurements.

Small Batch Ingredients:

2-2/3 cups sugar

1 ounce root beer extract

6-1/2 quarts water

2 pounds dry ice

Large Batch Ingredients:

4 pounds sugar

1 bottle root beer extract

5 gallons water

5 pounds dry ice

Mix the first four ingredients (make sure your container is large enough to handle the "boiling" that occurs when you put in the dry ice).

Then add the dry ice and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Serve.