Monday, October 22, 2007
Make traditional treats for Halloween
It’s fun to shop for candy wrapped in Halloween colors and designs, but sometimes these store-bought sweets get more attention than traditional treats. But tradition treats still are a wonderful addition to any party or Halloween celebration.
- - - - -
Caramel Apples
6 Granny Smith apples
6 wooden sticks
1 14-ounce package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons water
Insert wooden sticks 3/4 of the way into the stem end of each apple. Place apples on a cookie sheet covered with lightly greased aluminum foil.
Combine caramels and water in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until caramel melts and is smooth. Dip each apple into the caramel and gently run apples around insides of saucepan to scrape off some of the caramel. Scrape excess caramel from the apple bottoms using the side of the saucepan. Place on the aluminum foil and chill until ready to serve. Makes 6 servings.
- - - - -
Popcorn Balls
2 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 270 degrees (soft-crack stage).
Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over popcorn; stir until evenly coated. When cool enough to handle, quickly shape into balls. Makes 6 servings.
- - - - -
To keep this cider warm for guests, transfer to a slow cooker and keep on the low setting.
Hot Apple Cider
1 64-ounce bottle apple cider
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 cup brown sugar
In a pot, combine apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Wrap allspice and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth; add to pot. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and keep warm. Makes 8 servings.
- - - - -
Pantry Pointers
Gummy worms are a great addition to any Halloween party. For creepier beverages, fill ice cube trays with water and add a gummy worm to each cube. Freeze until solid. Simple cupcakes become Halloween treats when gummy worms are crawling out of them.
Ordinary foods become scary with the right name. Turn spaghetti into “worm stew,” hot dogs in a bun into “finger sandwiches” and chocolate pudding into “graveyard goo.”
The Practical Pantry ©2007 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com