Stuffed Mushrooms

These. Are. So. Good. Even my husband who is not a "mushroom lover" likes these. I have made these as an appitizer for a lot of parties, and I am always asked for the recipie afterwards. Warning: you can't eat just one!!

12 whole fresh mushrooms, washed and dried
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened (could use light)
1/4 c. grated parmesean cheese
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (could use less if you like, for less of a "kick")

1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray. Carefully break off stems of mushrooms. Chop stems extremely fine, discarding the tough end of the stem.
2- Heat oil in a large skillet over MEDIUM heat. Add garlic and chopped mushroom stems to the skillet. Fry until any moisture has disappeared. Be sure to not burn the garlic (thus the medium heat)  Set aside to cool.

3- When garlic and mushroom mixture is no longer hot, stir in softened cream cheese, parm cheese, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. The mixture should be very thick. Taking a small spoon fill each mushroom cap with a generous ammount of filling. Place on prepared baking sheet.

4-Bake for 20 min in the oven or until liquid starts to form under the mushrooms.

Witches Brew

My mother-in-law Kathy always makes really fun food on Halloween this is her recipe. It is so yummy AND festive!

2 1/2 quarts water

1 1/2 c. sugar

5 whole cloves

1 small can frozen o.j.

1 small can frozen lemonade

1-Mix and boil

2-Bring to a simmer, and add cinnamon sticks.

3-Serve warm in mugs

Holiday Wassail

I love wassail. Especially this time of year I always make this at Halloween and Christmas and even better I LOVE how it makes my house smell!

2 quarts apple cider
1-1/2 cups orange juice
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
Dash ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves

1-In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks.

2-Serve hot in mugs. Yield: 10-12 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Boo Beverage

I LOVE Halloween. The cool air, the costumes, but mostly ALL THE GOODIES :) This is a really yummy drink, that is kid friendly but also satisfies adult taste buds. What a perfect concoction for a Halloween party! Don't forget to let the kiddos help with this one!

2 c. o.j.

2 c. milk

2 pints orange sherbet

4 medium ripe bananas

Halloween ghost peeps/canned whipping cream & Halloween sprinkles

In 4 batches, process o.j., milk, sherbet & bananas until smooth. Pour into glasses and add you Halloween peeps or pile high the whipping cream and throw a few sprinkles on top. Delicious!

*I came up with the whipping cream instead of using the peeps, namely because I don't like peeps :) Plus the whipping cream blends a little better with the already creamy consistency of the drink.

Caramel Corn/ Ghost Treat Bags

This so good and very easy to make. Watch out though, it's addicting! This is my Grandma's recipe and it is the best I have come across so far.

4 quarts plain popcorn
2 sticks butter
2 c. brown sugar firmly packed
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. light caro syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
Nuts optional (peanuts) add to plain popcorn mix, then add your caramel

1-cook butter, sugar, salt & syrup in a pot on the stove for approx. 5 minutes or until smooth and bubbly
2-Add baking soda & stir, mixture will get foamy don't overflow!
3-Pour caramel mixture over your popcorn in a LARGE bowl, and stir well with a WOODEN spoon. (It will stick to metal or plastic)
4-Coat evenly.

*Fun tip: At Halloween I make these for all the little neighborhood kids, and for my son's pre-school class. I put 2 large spoonful's of caramel corn into a cello bag, get a tootsie pop sucker and push down into the carmel corn (Stick facing up, toward the open end of the bag). Tie the top of your bag closed with a twisty tie, and then flip your bag over so that it is sitting on the tied shut end. Take a sheet of Kleenex and place over the top of the bag. Secure it with a black or orange piece of ribbon. (To make it look like a ghost.) Get a fine tip black marker and draw on little eyes. They are so cute, and the kids love it because they get two treats in one!

Ice Ring

Ice rings are so fun to make because you can do so many different things with them. And they are super easy, and can "dress up" any punch bowl!

4 c. DISTILLED water, divided
Any food, item (s) you wish to add to your ice ring
cooking spray

You will need a ring mold to do this (Wal Mart) or if you have a bunt pan, that will work too.)

DON'T FORGET TO SPRAY YOUR MOLD/PAN FIRST!
1-pour 1 c. of distilled water into your mold or pan. (I usually don't measure I just fill it a little less than half way)
2-now use whatever food item, or object you would like to use in your mold. Place it in the mold in a creative pattern.
3-Carefully place in the freezer and freeze till it's solid
4-Take out of freezer and add remaining water
5- Freeze again till solid

*After your ice ring is complete, to loosen it from the mold take it and place it in a pan of hot water, until it separates from the sides of the mold. Flip upside down and let it float in your punch bowl.

Cute idea: When adding items to your ring, think outside the box! Fruit is always pretty (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, mint leaves, cherries, green apple slices...) But if you are throwing a baby shower or bridal shower, look at the dollar store for some little plastic babies, or little wedding rings.... Anything will work really because most likely it will float after the ring has melted! This is something you could allow yourself to get really creative with! Have fun!