Healthy Halloween 2015

Halloween always seemed so easy when you were younger. You didn’t have to worry about a costume, because your parents had to deal with that. You trick-or-treated and you didn’t worry about your waist size when you were eating candy. Most of all, you didn’t have to worry about entertaining anyone, because you were the one being entertained.

Halloween as a grown-up is fun, but a lot of pressure. Usually you need about four different costumes for all the various parties on different days. If you’re hosting a get together, you knew this would burn a hole in your pocket deeper than the candy hole in your belly.

Here are fun, easy, and affordable appetizers to trick your friends into thinking you’re a fabulous hostess. Plus, did we mention they were healthy? Now you can eat even more fun-sized candy bars!

Witches’ Brooms

This simple and easy snack is a delightful appetizer is inexpensive and can be ready in five minutes. Cut each string cheese stick in half. Carefully press a pretzel stick into the uncut side of each cheese stick about 1/2 inch deep. Construct the bristles using sharp scissors or a knife  about 1 inch in length.  Using the chive, tie a bow around the top portion of the string cheese and trim the long ends.

Pumpkin Pizza

Heat the oven to 350º F. Using Pillsbury Pizza ready made dough, lay flat on a floured surface, and cut pumpkin with pumpkin cookie cutter. Thereafter, spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto half of an dough and cut olive slices in for the eyes and green onion or pepper for the pupils. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the dough and bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

Hot Dog Mummies

Take one 16-ounce package bun-size hot dogs (8 hot dogs), each halved crosswise. Season the hot dogs with kosher salt, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Using phyllo dough or ready made dough, roll out, cut in strips, and place aside. Spray your baking sheet with non-stick butter spray, and set the over for 350 degrees. Next take each hot dog and wrap the dough slices around the hot dog, building a mummy like design. Set on baking sheet in oven until golden brown. Serve with ketchup and mustard for serving and decorating.

Jack O Lantern Salad Bowls

In a large bowl mix your favorite salad ingredients and dressing. Using Orange Bell Peppers to  be your pumpkin bowl, slice off the top of the pepper allowing the stem and top half to stay in its’ original shape,  scoop out the inside of the pepper with a spoon, and wash off.  Next, carve a small jack-o-lantern face in each pepper and fill with your salad. Allow some of the greens to pop out of the top of the pepper and re-place the stem top. These are fun, and crowd pleasing. They also save you from having to wash dishes, and guests can grab and go.