From the category archives:

Halloween Treats

Autumn Jumbo Gourmet Gift for Thanksgiving

by Joi on November 15, 2009

Mrs. Prindables Gourmet Autumn Candy Apple

Are the kids in your family less than enthusiastic about traditional pumpkin and pecan pies after Thanksgiving dinner? Sometimes kids (counting kids in their 20′s) can be very particular about their desserts – if they don’t detect chocolate, their mind tunes completely out. While I can certainly relate to that, I”m all about Pumpkin and Sweet Potato pie. However, if you have loved ones in your family who don’t care for these Thanksgiving pies, Mrs. Prindables is a delicious and oh-so-beautiful alternative.

I got a Autumn Wreath Jumbo Apple in the mail a few days ago and my family and I were blown away. It came in a gorgeous box and was wrapped in a very, very classy manner! What can I say, it was stunning. The beautiful autumn wreath at the top of the apple is a real work of art. I have mine perched in a brass candle holder (I happen to collect them, with a collection in the hundreds) – it makes a lovely Autumn decoration.

The best part, of course, was the treat, itself. A huge Granny Smith apple (delicious!) is coated in caramel. Then the real fun begins: It’s covered with peanut butter chips, almonds, and the richest chocolate candy you ever tasted. There are other flavor combinations available (click here for all of them).

You could sit the beautiful apple in the middle of the dessert table as is, or slice it into many pieces and present them on a platter – either way, it’ll be the talk of the day. If you have more than 10 people, you’ll need 2 apples – one easily will serve 8-10 people.

Mrs. Prindable’s, the #1 maker of handmade gourmet apple gifts, has created the “Autumn Wreath Jumbo Apple”, a new, jumbo Granny Smith apple coated in homemade caramel, rolled in peanut butter chips and almonds, then doused with dollops of milk chocolate and dark chocolate, topped off with a decorative Autumn Wreath ornament. This unique apple gift is also available in all eight signature Mrs. Prindable’s flavors, with a variety of premium chocolates and gourmet nut and candy toppings. Each decadent apple weighs up to 1.5 lbs., and is easily sliced to serve between 8 and 10 guest.

Cost is $26.95 plus tax and shipping. – Mrs. Prindables.com

There’s plenty of time to order for Thanksgiving. For Standard Delivery, order by Monday 11/23.

If you are looking for a unique gift idea for your Thanksgiving hostess, Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet treats are also available in gift baskets. Friends and
family will enjoy a natural basket filled with an assortment of chocolate and caramel-coated apples, pretzels dipped in caramel and peanut butter or chocolate chips, gourmet caramels, premium caramel truffles, almond bark and more. Mrs. Prindable’s gift baskets are available in a wide variety of sizes and price points.

View Signature baskets here: http://www.mrsprindables.com/store/item.asp?rectype=occasion&item_id=231&department_id=84

About Mrs. Prindable’s: Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet apples are a far cry from the simple caramel apples you remember from childhood. Instead, Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet apples are true works of art that emerge after artisans handcraft them during a meticulous, 11-step process involving gourmet caramel, premium chocolates and a variety of gourmet nuts and candy toppings.

After delivery directly from the orchard, the premium apples are dipped by hand in creamy, smooth caramel cooked that same day. Using only the best all-natural ingredients — butter, sugar, cream and vanilla — the caramel is prepared in traditional copper pots in small batches that allow for precise monitoring of the quality and consistency. Such attention ensures that each layer is up to the soft and creamy standards that have made Mrs. Prindable’s caramel famous for 25 years.

For more information on Mrs. Prindable’s products, or to place an order, visit www.MrsPrindables.com or call 888.215.1100.

This would make a gorgeous and ideal gift for a hostess during Thanksgiving as well.

Why Your Heart Loves Pumpkin and A Pumpkin Pudding Recipe

by Joi on October 19, 2009

Recipe Blog: Pumpkin Pudding Recipe

According to SuperFoods HealthStyle: Simple Changes to Get the Most Out of Life for the Rest of Your Life, a wonderful superfood is in abundance at this very moment: Pumpkins!

Pumpkin is a superfood, whether it’s canned or fresh. This big, beautiful squash is especially good for your heart because it’s loaded with carotenoids that are known to reduce heart disease risk. But there’s more: According to the book’s authors, Steven G. Pratt, MD, and Kathy Matthews, pumpkin is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidant vitamins C and E.

Below is one of the many outstanding recipes from SuperFoods HealthStyle: Simple Changes to Get the Most Out of Life for the Rest of Your Life.

Recipe: PATTY’s PUMPKIN PUDDING

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
2 to 4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, optional
2 large eggs (the SuperFoods authors recommend eggs with extra omega-3s)
One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
One 12-ounce can evaporated nonfat milk (or evaporated 2% milk)

Mix all the ingredients together and pour the mixture into an 8-by-8-inch casserole. Bake it in a preheated (350 degrees Fahrenheit) oven for about 30 minutes. Don’t overbake; the center should be slightly wiggly. Cool and enjoy, or refrigerate for later use.

This would be a fantastic recipe for Thanksgiving!

Recipes for Day of the Dead!

by Joi on October 13, 2009

Delicious Honey is perfect for countless recipes.

I’ve noticed lately that a lot of Hispanic traditions and celebrations are going mainstream. Such is the case for Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The National Honey Board has even recreated traditional Dia de los Muertos recipes made with honey, a customary ingredient that according to legend, gives a unique sweetness to the journey from life on earth to life after death.

Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1 and 2, is originally an Azteca custom honoring their dead during the ninth month of the Solar Calendar. Although the original festivities have changed through time, their essence is intact. And, even though the authentic human skulls have been replaced by candy imitations, these representations along with paintings, costumes and art forms symbolize death as the birth of a new life.

This year, Dia de los Muertos falls on a Sunday; a great opportunity to extend celebrations with family and friends at the end of the weekend and enjoy delicious dishes made with honey.

Calabaza en Tacha (candied pumpkin)

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp. molasses
1 1/2 cups pure honey
zest of one orange
juice of one orange
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
4 cloves of allspice
2 quarts of water (8 cups)
1 medium pumpkin, seeded and cut into large pieces (8 to 10 pieces)

Preparation:
In a medium stockpot combine brown sugar, molasses, pure honey, orange zest, juice of one orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and water. Bring to a boil.

Add pumpkin pieces to stockpot and simmer for approximately one hour until sauce has reduced by almost half and has become a thick syrup. The pumpkin should be fork tender, but not falling apart. Allow to cool and serve.

Atole (traditional Hispanic hot drink)

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1/2 cup masa flour*
4 1/2 cups warm milk, divided
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup pure honey

Preparation:
Dissolve masa flour with 1/2 cup hot milk until smooth.

Pour remaining hot milk into a saucepan, add masa flour mixture, cinnamon stick, vanilla extract and honey. Stir constantly over medium heat until fully combined and mixture has thickened. Serve warm in mugs.

*Masa flour is available in large grocery stores or Hispanic grocery stores.

Sugar Skulls

Makes 50 small skulls!

Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1 Tbsp. pure honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups granulated sugar

Preparation:
Combine egg whites, honey and vanilla extract; mix well. Pour honey mixture over sugar. With your hands, thoroughly combine sugar and honey until you have a consistency similar to wet sand. (Mixture should form a ball when squeezed in your hand.)

Tightly pack the sugar mix into the skull molds and wipe off excess. Invert onto a flat surface and allow to dry for 24 hours.

Decorate skulls using royal icing*, sequins and/or edible paint.

*Royal Icing: 1 egg white for every 3 cups of powdered sugar. Add food coloring of your choice. Mix ingredients until completely blended.

Honey-Drizzled Buñuelos (fried tortillas)

Makes 12 to 15

Ingredients:
3 cups vegetable oil
1 package (8 to 10) fresh, unbaked flour tortillas
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
pure honey, to taste

Preparation:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Fry unbaked tortillas in hot oil until golden brown and place over paper towel to drain excess oil.

Mix cinnamon and sugar, sprinkle over fried buñuelos. Drizzle honey over buñuelos to taste and serve.

Photo and Recipes courtesy the National Honey Board.

Adorable Yummy Mummy Cheese Spread

by Joi on October 6, 2009

Yummy Mummy Cheese Spread

Ingredients

2 port wine cheese logs (12 ounces each)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
2 whole peppercorns
1 pimiento strip

Directions

Cut cheese logs into pieces for mummy’s head, body, arms and legs; arrange on a serving plate.

In small bowl, beat cream cheese and milk. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert basket weave tip #47. Pipe rows across the mummy, creating bandages. Add peppercorns for eyes and pimiento strip for mouth. Chill until serving.

Yield: 1 cheese log.

Credit: Taste of Home

*** Check out the great tutorial on carving pumpkins!

Chocolate Coconut Cups

by Joi on November 22, 2008

This candy is one of my favorite things on earth – it combines two of my favorite flavors, chocolate and coconut, so how can it be anything by Heavenly?!

They’re also ridiculously easy and fast to make. This recipe will become one of your favorites with just one delicious bite.

Chocolate Coconut Cups

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1-1/3 cups flaked coconut

Place 25 foil candy cups on a cookie sheet.

In the top of a double broiler (or in a crockpot on low), melt the chocolate over barely simmering water – stirring constanty.

Remove and add the coconut. Mix lightly until the coconut is completely coated with the coconut – (this is where I have to execute great will power, or I’ll eat it all on the spot).

Drop a teaspoonful of the mixture into each foil cup and chill in the refrigerator until firm.

I’m going to the store first thing tomorrow for coconut and chocolate. I’m officially craving these things like a banshee right about now. A screaming banshee. A screaming banshee with a chocolate and coconut addiction that won’t even be able to sleep until she gets a fix….

Spooky Hand Candy Dish

by Joi on October 8, 2008

This great-looking Spooky Hand Candy Dish is just the thing to bring a little more “spirit” to your den, living room, kitchen, bedroom, whatever.

If your family’s like mine, it won’t slow them down for a second. I have one daughter that’d probably slap the hand to make sure it didn’t beat her to the goodies.

We raised that girl right.

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Icing – Southern Heaven

by Joi on October 4, 2008

Some of my favorite recipes are in the Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style cookbook. It’s honestly one of the best cookbooks ever put together.

I posted the recipe for Pumpkin Bars from this cookbook before (HERE!) and have heard back from a lot of people who tried them and loved them. I also heard from a great deal of people who’d bought the book and thanked me for telling them about it.

I made these pumpkin bars again this past week (for, like the bazillionth time), but this time instead of one pan, I bought two disposable, shallower pans and divided the recipe between them. The result was, of course, thinner pumpkin bars. We actually prefer them thinner, so the next time I make them (probably this week!) I’m going to divide them between two pans again. You have to watch the baking time, however, I found that they were ready almost 10 minutes earlier than the recipe states when you’re making them thinner.

Needless to say, if you go this route, keep an eye on them and do the whole toothpick test to make sure they’re through.

These Pumpkin Bars would make ideal Halloween Treats. If they were cut into small enough servings, they could be placed in small boxes – the ones you can buy in bulk in kitchen stores or party supply outlets.

I keep wanting to try these topped with whipped cream rather than the cream cheese icing, but I’m much, much too into cream cheese icing to commit.

Adorable Spreaders for Halloween and/or Bengals Fans

by Joi on September 26, 2008

My ongoing search for great looking Halloween/Autumn dishes continues. I found these handsome little spreaders earlier this morning. While these Halloween Stripe Spreaders (set of 4) would add a lot of fun during September and October for those of us who have a ball with Halloween, they’d do double duty for those of you who are Bengals fans.

I haven’t been able to find the great dishes that are in the picture with these spreaders, but worry not – I’m on the case.

Gorgeous Pumpkin Spice Scented Candle Set

by Joi on September 22, 2008

Today’s the first day of Autumn and, for me, that’s one of the biggest holidays of the year. Okay, so maybe it isn’t recognized nationally as a holiday – but in my house it’s huge.

I love this time of year – the sights, sounds, smells, colors.. even the feel. I’m so thankful that we live in an area (Kentucky) that decorates itself as much as I do my house. It’s getting its autumn splendor on and it’s a beautiful thing to behold.

The Frosted 6-Pc Pumpkin Set – 6-Pc Set is a perfect way to bring more autumn into your home. Not only are they gorgeous, they’re wonderfully scented as well. Sort of lets you tackle several senses at once!

From the Website:
This Frosted 6-Pc Pumpkin Set is perfect for either fall or halloween and is adorned with tiny beads to give it that sparkly frosted look. Comes pumpkin spice scented and nicely packaged perfect for gift giving.

Click through to see all the unbelievably gorgeous candles and accessories Candle Bay has.

Also See:

Get Your Haunt on With These Remarkable Halloween Dishes
Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate
10 Piece Candle Set for Coffee Lovers

Get Your Haunt on With These Remarkable Halloween Dishes

by Joi on August 21, 2008

Peggy Karr 9-in. Spooky Serving Bowl

Tuesday I started getting out my halloween candy dishes, candle holders, decorations, and happy ghost figurines. I collect ghosts that look “happy” – the ones who aren’t trying to scare the pants off anyone. What can I say, I love myself some smiling ghosts. My husband goes, “Aren’t you a little early?” So, I figured that, yeah, maybe I was. I put them back up and waited a little longer.

This morning, I figured two days was long enough and out they came!

I know, I know, I’m frightfully early. I normally don’t get my haunt on until September 1st, but the Halloween season is just so deliciously fun – I couldn’t help myself. I’ve also put up a few Halloween-themed links to the side, as you can tell. I’ll put up more decorations on the site in a day or two.

This morning, when I was setting my happy ghosts, trick or treat bears, pumpkins, and spiders loose, I noticed that we more dishes with halloween on their mind. The ones in this post are just perfect. They’re from Cooking.com, I know they’re beyond spectacular. So colorful and full of fun, just like this time of year. I love it!!!