Kid's Halloween Treats

*The pictures from Picky Palate are better than mine. I just made this super quick. You can spend a bit more time to make these look better. Eden was a little skeptical about eating this though. It was funny. Once she realized that its eatable, she took it all apart before eating...I think it freaked her out a little less.

Bug-a-Pillar Banana Dude
Recipe from picky-palate.com

1 ripe banana
Creamy Peanut Butter
Pretzel Sticks
Raisins
Red Fruit Snacks (optional)

Cut banana into 1 inch slices. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on each slice (minus the last piece) then press gently back together, curving slightly if desired. Break pretzel sticks in half, then press into sides of banana for legs. Dip 2 raisins in peanut butter and stick on front banana slice for eyes, then dip red fruit snack in peanut butter and stick on bottom of banana slice for the tongue.

*Umm...these were really really good to eat. And play with...

Oozing Monster Apple Mouths

1 large Apple of choice
Peanut Butter
Mini Marshmallows

Core then cut the apple into fourths. Cut out a small wedge on the skin side of the apple. Blot inside with a paper towel then spread lightly with creamy peanut butter. Cut mini marshmallows in half and place over peanut butter to make the teeth.

Jalapeno Poppers and Essence Seasoning Recipe

*This can take a little time to make (especially if you don't have the Essence on hand) and definitely dirties a decent amount of dishes. But these were really good...that coming from someone who isn't big into jalapenos. My husband loves jalapenos and thought this was great.

Jalapeno Poppers
Recipe from foodnetwork.com

12 Fresh jalapeno peppers (halved lengthwise, stemmed, and seeded)
6 Ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 Cups Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne, or less to taste
2 Large eggs
2 Tablespoons milk
8 teaspoons Essence (or recipe below)
1 Cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/2 Cup flour

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl, cream together cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, and cayenne. In another bowl, beat together eggs, milk, and 2 teaspoons Essence. In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and 4 teaspoons Essence. In another dish, combine flour and remaining 2 teaspoons Essence. Fill jalapeno pepper halves with cream cheese mixture. One at a time dredge in flour, dip into egg mixture, then dredge in breadcrumbs, pressing to coat. If necessary, repeat the process. Place the coated jalapeno peppers, cut side up, on a lightly greased baking dish and bake until the filling is runny and crust is golden, about 30-40 minutes.


Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning)
(Makes more seasoning than is needed for above recipe)

2 1/2 Tablespoons paprika
2 Tablespoons salt
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 Tablespoon oregano
1 Tablespoon thyme

Mix together.

Chicken Katsu

Chicken Katsu (and sauce)
Recipe somewhere online

Chicken thighs, de-boned
1-2 Eggs, beaten
Panko bread crumbs or Corn Flake/Rice Krispy crumbs
Oil (for deep frying)

Cut off any access fat to the chicken if needed. Lightly pound into 1/2 inch thickness. Dip, not soak, the chicken into egg batter. Lay the chicken in the breadcrumbs and be sure to coat them. Get your wok or large skillet heated with the cooking oil. Once the oil is hot and sizzling, slowly drop the chicken pieces into the pan. Use the sides of the pan to drop the chicken in to avoid oil splattering. Remove chicken pieces once they are a golden brown color on both sides. Also check by making a small slit with a knife to see if pink inside. Serve on bed of lettuce for good looks (which I obviously didn't do).

Katsu Sauce

1/3 Cup ketchup
1/4 Cup Soy sauce
1/4 Cup sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (or cayenne)

Pour the ingredients into a sauce pan. Mix together and bring to a boil. Serve on the side as a dip for the chicken or lightly spoon over chicken.

Fried Rice

*I just guesstimated how much veggies and rice to put in...just throw in what you have available and it will be just fine. No need to measure, just make however much you want.

Fried Rice
Recipe from Mom

6-8 Strips bacon (or 1/2 c. chopped ham)
1-2 Cups vegetables, chopped
Choose from carrots, onion, peas, celery, green pepper,
bean sprouts, broccoli, or cabbage
3-4 Cups cooked rice (preferably cold, leftover rice works great)
1-2 Eggs
Salt
Pepper
Soy sauce

Fry bacon until barely done. Add vegetables and cook until just heated through. Turn down heat to medium and add rice, stirring constantly. Once rice is heated through, add egg. Stir until egg is completely added and cooked. Season with salt, pepper and soy sauce to taste. If you use ham, fry in 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil.

Crockpot Lasagna

*This is a pretty basic lasagna recipe but done in a slow cooker. Why I like this? You don't have to pre-cook the noodles. I just don't enjoy trying to mess with the cooked noodles. I also use pre-cooked, frozen ground beef. I'll often take a whole package of ground beef, cook it all up and then split it to the amount needed. Then I'll label and freeze the rest. Makes it easy for this cause in the morning you don't have to even take out the skillet and brown the meat.

Crockpot Lasagna
Recipe from Macie Stratton

1 lb. Ground beef, cooked
4-5 Cups spaghetti sauce
8-10 Lasagna noodled, uncooked
1 Egg
24 Oz. cottage cheese
2-3 Cups mozzarella cheese or Italian blend, shredded

Combine ground beef and spaghetti sauce in bowl. Combine egg and cottage cheese in another bowl. Layer sauce, noodles, cottage cheese mixture, cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours or on low 6-8 hours.